Statement or impact books are those literary things that draw you into it even if you’re not at all interested on the subject. They can have a cover so beautiful or alluring that you simply must open it. Alternately, the book could be so large or unique that you’re curious about its content. The Dragon Ark, Join The Quest To Save The Rarest Dragon On Earth is an oversized book that works on both levels. The book is huge and its size alone will make people want to see it. The illustrations on the front cover are also incredibly detailed. It features nine dragons flying near an island while a Chinese Junk is sailing below them. There are subtle glossy gold lines that make aspects of the dragons, trees, or boat further pop off of the page.
Even if dragons or mythology aren’t your thing you will end up looking at this book when you see it. As you read through the book you’ll find yourself wondering if you’re staying for the story or to see if the impossibly beautiful illustrations could get any better.
The Dragon Ark works on many levels but starts out as a worldwide illustrated guide to dragons. It introduces you to the ship’s crew that works on The Dragon Ark. This is a massive ship that sails the world in search of dragons that it can protect and keep safe. The ship is able to house dozens of dragons and keep them comfortable in the climate that they’re used to. It’s a steampunk ship with sails that are 20 stories high, support balloons for exploring areas, and specialized rooms for the human crew to live and work. The sail that the book propels your imagination to is matched only by the size of the book. As you turn each massively sized page it takes you deeper, and further into the world of what the Dragon Protector is trying to accomplish.
Her office is a grand place with scrolls, manuscripts, and paintings of dragons that would seem out of place if they were anyplace else. The ship, her crew, and you readers are on the search of the Celestial Dragon. It’s amazing how well and all-encompassing The Dragon Ark sucks readers into its reptile-flying, winged web. Readers might not have given two thoughts about dragons previously, but will eagerly do a deep dive into the book as they look at the pictures, find clues and have fun.
The book goes from Oceania, Antarctica, the Americas, Asia and more as the minute details of each species of dragon are explained. Much like (that fairy book) taught us that each of them is unique, The Dragon Ark lovingly tells us about dragons.
The illustrations are by Tomislav Tomic and are one part of the potato chip/cat video combination that makes it impossible to simply look at one page. One dragon begets another that’s even more impressive than the other. Tomic’s art is parried with the words by Curatoria Draconis that allow The Dragon Ark to seem as much of a historical text, as it does a work of fiction. That’s the author’s pen name, which further drives home the wall of realism that the book hammers you with. It also worth noting that the colors are realistic and have an aged appearance to them, which adds to the illusion that readers have stumbled across a hidden piece of history.
If fantasy readers of any age have a coffee table, The Dragon Ark is a mandatory thing there. However, its size, quality, and sheer scope of the book make it a brilliant addition to any home library where people like to use their imagination or look at stunning art.
The Dragon Ark is by Curatoria Draconis, AKA Emma Roberts, with illustrations by Tomislav Tomic and available on Magic Cat, an imprint of Abrams Books.
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