KitsuneBae
Written on Apr 27, 2014
Read Alison Goodman's blogs and other content on the Penguin Community.Eon--the award-winning crossover fantasy that soars!
Sixteen-year-old Eon has a dream, and a mission. For years, he's been studying sword-work and magic, toward one end. He and his master hope that he will be chosen as a Dragoneye-an apprentice to one of the twelve energy dragons of good fortune.
But Eon has a dangerous secret. He is actually Eona, a sixteen-year-old girl who has been masquerading as a twelve-year-old boy. Females are forbidden to use Dragon Magic; if anyone discovers she has been hiding in plain sight, her death is assured.
When Eon's secret threatens to come to light, she and her allies are plunged into grave danger and a deadly struggle for the Imperial throne. Eon must find the strength and inner power to battle those who want to take her magic...and her life.
- ISBN10 0142417114
- ISBN13 9780142417119
- Publish Date 31 August 2010 (first published 1 January 1999)
- Publish Status Active
- Publish Country US
- Publisher Penguin Putnam Inc
- Imprint Penguin USA
- Format Paperback (US Trade)
- Pages 576
- Language English
- URL https://penguinrandomhouse.com/books/isbn/9780142417119
Reviews
Jordon
Written on Feb 3, 2013
*3.5 stars*
Eon is a great fantasy read. I thoroughly enjoyed this book, I was taken along for the ride and drawn in to Eon’s world.
The Dragon’s and Dragoneyes were so fascinating, I found this entire world interesting. The way the world was written kept making me forget that this didn’t actually happen in ancient Japan, that this wasn’t real. This is a Japanese fantasy done right, the culture didn’t feel forced, Japanese words weren’t thrown in haphazardly and it made sense and clicked. Everything felt natural.
I had a lot of fun reading this book, watching Eon learn to be a lord, watching her grow and come to terms with the fact that she is Eona. The only thing is I really wanted to enjoy this more, but I just didn’t. I felt like I could have really, really loved this story but there was something missing from making me feel that.
Regardless I am very excited to read the sequel, I am dying to see what happens next to Eon and to the world.
Eon is a fun, entertaining fantasy that has you turning the pages and wanting to know more.
Miss J
xx
ladygrey
Written on Sep 12, 2012
ugh.
I mean, I liked the story. a lot. It's a really different world and it's interesting with the dragons and the characters are all really well developed.
But I can't get over how infuriating this book is. Eon spends 200 pages being so ridiculously stupid it drove me crazy. Because the answer was so obvious. And it wasn't like Twilight where she just didn't see the obvious answer, she kept making choices that were more and more stupid and my knowing how bad those choices were just made it terrible. And, yes, years of conditioning and cultural rules, I know. It doesn't matter when I wanted to stop reading and I wanted to punch her in the face but she's fictional so that wouldn't work very well. Eventually it turned around like I knew it would and the story actually became more interesting again after that. But that second act was really long.
Also, there's way too much description for my tastes. Some people like a very vividly evoked setting. I like people and emotions and relationships. So the fact that every single room they walk into is described, what every single person who walks into the story is wearing, just broke into the story.
Those are my two major criticisms. It was a hard book for me to read. But the story was enough to overcome that. Because the first act (before she starts ignoring the obvious and reacting without thinking!) was good. I really liked the bit about how Eona became Eon.
But most of all I learned how not to be watched. ... that look of temporary possession that some men gave... And even at twelve years old, the knowledge of it was already in the way I moved my head, my hands, my shoulders. ... I had to stop being alert to the turn of a man's head toward me. Stop glancing up to meet his gaze in fleeting connection. Stop falsely veiling my eyes from his momentary interest.
Every woman knows that and I loved the way she expresses it and weaves it into Eon's character.
And the third act was interesting as well, full of action and horrors and (of course) too much description but also revelation and the unexpected. I liked who she was in the end quite a bit which makes it easier to look forward to the sequel.
Mackenzie
Written on Jul 26, 2012
If you don't like political intrigue, don't read this.
Oh, so you read the synopsis and thought this would be an action book? Yeah, me too. LIES AND SLANDER! Ok, well maybe not slander, but definitely lies. I actually liked the book because I love myself some political intrigue, but even for me it dragged in some places so if that's not your thing, I'm not sure you'd enjoy it.
Now don't get me wrong, there is action. Just not till the last 100 pages. But when that action comes, it comes. It's like "BAM!", it's action time! And so it's pretty awesome. However, this book is looooong. And normally I'm all for long books, but this one dragged a bit.
However, the creativity and just pure awesomeness of the plot made it so worth it. No lie. This world is just amazing! It's so intricate and mind-blowingly well-done! This girl thought of everything. Even down to all the rituals. Now that is where it dragged a bit, but she definitely gets brownie points for thoroughly thinking through the world.
And A+ for girl power. Personally, I didn't really care for Eon(a) for some of the book. And, to be honest, I'm not sure how I feel about her at the end (grant it, I am writing this thing about 2 1/2 months after reading it :P) But her growth? Amazing. She learns that she can be a woman and still kick butt. She learns to love herself for who she is, female and awesome dragoneye.
Overall:
The synopsis promised action, but didn't live up to it. Yeah, action finally comes at the end and its really awesome and all, but unless you can get through 400+ pages of political intrigue and whining, you won't like it. However, the creativity of the world makes it all worthwhile! Honestly mind-blowing in its intricacy. I had a love/hate relationship with Eon(a) but her growth is amazing. And this book definitely brings up some interesting topics on sexism, feminism, ect. so it's a very thought-provoking book. If you're into that kind of thing, jump right in!
All the best ♥
Mackenzie
Originally posted on Oh, For the Love of Books!
elvinagb
Written on Apr 23, 2012