Dragonfly by Julia Golding

Publisher: Marshall Cavendish Inc
Pub. Date: October 2009
Age Range: Young Adult
Pages: 400
Format: ARC
Source of copy: from the publisher - Marshall Cavendish Inc

Princess Taoshira of the Blue Crescent Islands is appalled when she is ordered to marry Prince Ramil of Gerfal in order to unite their lands. And he's not too pleased, either. They hate each other on sight. So, when Tashi and Ramil are kidnapped, they fear there's no escape - from their kidnappers or from each other. Can they put aside their differences long enough to survive ambush, unarmed combat, brainwashing, and imprisonment? And will the people they meet on their adventure help them or betray them to the enemy?


Providing one of those rare stories of arranged marriage, Dragonfly was an adventurous ride with an elegant taste of love. Want to go back in time a little bit to the period of loyalty, conspiracy, war to discover lives of the teenagers? Here Dragonfly will show you a way.

The story was told in third respective, a perfect choice for this kind of fiction in my opinion. Julia Golding slowly introduced the main characters - the very opposite of each other, then unfolded the reason why they were forced together against their wills. Her writing style was very delicate so even though sometimes the formality made me feel uneasy, I was still attracted to Ramil and Tashi's fateful adventure.

There were a lot to read in Dragonfly, it covered quite many subjects, heavy like war, betrayl, evil, slavery, brainwashing or religion; close to heart like love, friendship and the urge to make people of the country happy. It was fine-paced, the events kept on coming, building excitement within the readers. Although the journey to rescue themselves and the countries was very long and during that time Ramil and Tashi met lots of characters, every part fitted perfectly together.

Ramil and Tashi, though not very impressive, were nice people. Frankly speaking, I was very annoyed by Tashi at first. She seemed very formal, girly and she took offense in almost everything everybody did. But then page by page, she showed a lot more of her determined and unbeatable side. She was smart and was willing to sacrifice for whoever she trusted and love. Ramil, who was silly and rebellious at the beginning, also found this true selfless person inside him through all the danger and almost death. The two fell in love slowly and the situation they were in made it realer. They were really sweet together at the end.

You'll love this beautiful and actionful novel for sure. Don't forget to look out for the meaning of the dragonfly, it's very cute.


Rating: 3.5/5