Dragonfly Song by Wendy Orr is a heart-warming, heart wrenching novel that tells of pain and suffering, but with the perfect amount of light added throughout.
There are plenty of twists and a touch of magic to keep the story flowing, but it is not too quickly paced, making it easy to get to know Aissa, the main character.
Aissa is the Lady’s daughter. She is the heir to the throne, but she is not perfect. An extra thumb on each hand causes her to be banished, down to the lowliest of slaves. Even there she is hated. Her only chance of becoming who she was born to be is to become a Bull Dancer.
Each year two children from her island are chosen to dance with the bulls in a faraway land- the Bull King’s kingdom, and no one has ever returned.
Just when I thought that I knew the whole story and where it would end, it continued. As I read on Aissa became a part of me and I shared in her victories and hardships as her story unfolded. While the middle may have been quite slow without much happening, it gave the reader time to understand Aissa- or No-Name as she was called. The middle developed an emotional connection to the story.
The Dragonfly Song is an incredible novel with just the right blend of everything. This is a touching read.
Title: Dragonfly Song
Author: Wendy Orr
Publisher: Allen & Unwin, $16.99
Publication Date: 22 June 2016
Format: Paperback
ISBN: 9781760290023
For ages: 9+
Type: Middle fiction