A Threat from the Past (The White Dragon Saga Book 1)
By Paul Cude
Reviewed by S. S. Bazinet

Description:
Can you be heroic and naive? For one young man, the answer would most certainly have to be YES!

Blissfully unaware of what’s going on around him, for the most part he remains fully focused on blending in and keeping a low profile. But fate and just plain bad luck have other designs on him.

Not so bad, you might think. Until you discover the TRUTH!

Just like his friends, Tank and Richie, he is a…..DRAGON!

Thrust into a life away from the underground dragon domain, disguised in an awkward human form in an effort to guide and protect humanity, all he has to do is stay out of trouble, learn how to play hockey and piece together all the parts of the puzzle continually playing out around him.
With the help of his two young friends, a master mantra maker and a complete dragon stranger with more than a little history attached to him, will Peter manage to thwart the dark, devious scheme long in the planning?

Ever wondered how dragons travel below ground at almost the speed of sound?
Want to know how they use magical mantras to transform their giant bodies into convincing human shapes?
Learn the true story of George and the Dragon, get a dragon-like perspective on human social issues and gain insight into what to do if you encounter a giant spider grinning at you when you’re wearing nothing but your smile.

Review: I loved this captivating book!
Paul Cude has done an amazing job of world-building, worlds intertwining and everything in between. For starters, we’re given a glimpse into dragon history, a long ago past that sets the theme for the book. Dragons see themselves as guides and helpers of humans. At least that’s what “good” dragons aim for. Some rogue dragons have a different agenda. When their dark schemes are discovered, they’re swiftly dealt with by dragon society.

With that bit of dragon history in place, we’re introduced to modern times and our main protagonist, a dragon named Peter Bentwhistle. We learn about dragon culture and how a young dragon is schooled in everything dragon-related and also human-related. When old enough and properly educated, many dragons, including Peter, leave their underground dragon societies. Learning how to use mantras to turn their dragon bodies into human-looking bodies, they proceed to the surface world of humans. They take jobs and interact with people. That doesn’t mean they don’t return to their dragon worlds. They live a duel existence.

Paul Cude paints an expansive and breathtaking description of the dual worlds of a dragon. His accounts of Peter Bentwhistle’s life and struggles are relatable and at the same time fascinating. I was particularly impressed with how seemingly small events, clues of something sinister, not high drama could pull me in so completely.

Perhaps that’s one thing that impresses me with this book. I was amazed at how quickly the story grabbed hold. I had to know more about a menacing, mysterious plot that looms in front of the young and inexperienced Peter. All the while, I was captivated by the ways of the dragon world, its magic, its complex characters and also its failings. Everything about the story was so beautifully laid out by the author that I had to keep reading. I highly recommend “Bentwhistle the Dragon in A Threat from the Past” for not only young adults, but for anyone who enjoys a fresh, beautifully written, multifaceted and original tale.

Five stars for this wonderful dragon story.

Visit Paul Cude’s Website and Amazon Author Page (US) and UK. You can also find Paul on Goodreads, Twitter, and Facebook.