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Book Review Charles Partington THE Dragon Doctors Apprentice
How do you look after a poorly dragon?
BOOK REVIEW CHARLES PARTINGTON THE DRAGON DOCTORS APPRENTICE
A highlight of 1999’s Mammoth Book Of comic fantasy 2, this delicious spoof has a hapless hero dragged along reluctantly into dangerous adventures and finding his own destiny instead.
Dragged along by a bully and the girl he loves, and soon after being chased by a Yeti (Abominable Snowman) like monster, the hero finds himself dumped at the house of a Dragon Doctor who is advertising for a trainee assistant. Initially the doctor has no interest in the boy until he sees that he has a similar eye colouring to many dragons, and then he forces the poor lad into helping him in his trade, curing sick and ailing dragons.
Much of the story deals with the rather obvious dangers of dealing with large fire breathing monster dragons. It’s bad enough for a vet dealing with a lion with toothache, but a dragon?
Though he finds that he has some affinity with the dragons, and likes them, the young man is torn between learning his trade and escaping while he still lives. Ultimately, he will find aide and danger from unexpected directions.
There are lovely comic moments, (essential to include in in such an anthology) and also some considerable heart here. A story well worth looking out for.
Arthur Chappell.
