About This Book
Reach for this book when your child starts questioning the boundary between performance and reality, or if they are grappling with a fear of the unknown. Set in a rugged, snowy landscape, this story follows Ansel, a mute boy sold into service to a charismatic but questionable dragon slayer named Brock. As they ascend a terrifying mountain, the story shifts from a cynical look at medieval con-artistry into a pulse-pounding survival adventure that challenges everything Ansel believes. At its heart, this is a sophisticated exploration of courage and the weight of truth. While it features the high stakes of a monster hunt, its emotional core rests on the evolving bond between a boy finding his voice and a man who may be hiding behind a mask of bravado. It is perfectly suited for readers aged 9 to 12 who enjoy atmospheric historical settings and stories that don't offer easy answers about who the real monsters are.
