The Crusade has begun...
It has been nine years since John, Jack, and Charles had their great adventure in the Archipelago of Dreams, and became the caretakers of the Imaginarium Geographica. Now, they have been brought together again to solve a mystery: someone is kidnapping the children of the Archipelago. And their only clue is a mysterious message delivered by a strange girl with artificial wings: "The Crusade has begun." Worse, they discover that all of the legendary Dragonships have disappeared as well.
The only chance they have to save the world from a centuries-old plot is to seek out the last of the Dragonships -- the Red Dragon -- in a spectacular journey that takes them from Sir James Barrie's Kensington Gardens to the Underworld of the Greek Titans of myth. With friends both familiar and new, they will travel through an extraordinary landscape where history, myth, and fable blend together to tell the oldest story in the world. And along the way, the Caretakers of the Geographica will discover that great deeds alone do not make heroes, and that growing up may be unavoidable...but growing old doesn't have to be.
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"Another great installment in the fictional series involving real authors and what often comes to be the inspiration for their creations. The story in this installment centered around a mysterious piper, missing children, Peter Pan, and missing dragon ships. It's a difficult series to describe without giving away some of the best gems, but rest assured that you literary types out there will find great enjoyment in identifying the works of literature hidden within the pages. Definitely an excellent book, and I'll be queueing up Book 3 on my Audible account any day now."
— Heather (4 out of 5 stars)
“Owen’s second entry in the Chronicles of the Imaginarium Geographica series surpasses his first, delivering a more cohesive story while sustaining the intricate connections among history, mythology, and literature.”
— Booklist" Made me want to read the real book of Peter Pan. "
— Jess, 2/16/2014" It is fascinating. Brings in authors like CS Lewis - nicely done. "
— Lee, 2/15/2014" As good if not better than the original. I feel like I should learn more about early 20th Century literature though, if only to get all the references. "
— Beth, 1/28/2014" I read the first one, "Here, There, Be Dragons' and it was really good. "
— Josh, 1/27/2014" The second book was not quite as good as the first but still not bad. It helps to have a lot of cultural knowledge around famous fantasy writers and Greek mythology or it's just another borrowed story. It takes skill to make this not feel contrived in the way the stories all fit together: Peter Pan, Orpheus, J.R.R. Tolkien, etc., but the author does pretty well. "
— Jordan, 1/15/2014" The Search for the Red Dragon "
— Oliver, 1/13/2014" I'm not sure I even got all the literary references. Just the right amount of complexity to keep my attention and not tax my meager brain power. Looking forward to the next book! "
— Sally, 1/9/2014" I used visualising. I could actually see when Jason was there and all of a sudden he couldn't see his children. "
— Arya, 1/9/2014" Not quite as great as the first one, but still highly readable and very enjoyable. I love tying fiction and non-fiction and Owens does it really well. "
— Nicole, 1/6/2014" Very good read. Not AS good as the first, but a fitting continuation. I can't wait to see where the next takes us. "
— Thom, 1/2/2014" I really enjoyed this book. James Owen does a nice job combining fairy tales, Greek myths, and history all in to one. I can't tell if I enjoyed this book more than the first, either way I'm looking forward to reading the next book in the series. "
— Harrison, 11/30/2013" Absolutely loved the first book; was rather disappointed with this one. The ending didn't sit right with me. Even with suspension of reality, it didn't ring "true." "
— Marsden, 11/21/2013" lovely and enchanting. just like the first one. "
— Tallis, 10/19/2013" Much like the first book, I loved this one as well. Same characters with a completely different story, more focused on the Pan legends, mixed in with some Greek mythology. I read this book in less then 24 hours, so it is a fast and enjoyable ready "
— Linda, 10/16/2013" This was a fun follow up to the first book, "Here There Be Dragons". There were a lot more literary works that were alluded to, but I didn't catch on to those as well as I had in the first book. Overall a good read. "
— Melissa, 9/27/2013" Lots of stories come together in this series, from fairy tales to mythology to C.S. Lewis and J.R.R. Tolkein. Quite an imagination in the Imaginarium Geographica! Book 3 here I come! "
— Gkeller123, 9/24/2013" I barely started this today and I am already hooked. Mr. Owen writes so well. You find yourself right there with the characters, right in the thick of things. This story will turn out equally as amazing as "Here, There Be Dragons". "
— Spransys6, 8/5/2013" I woul give this 4 1/2 stars because it was still really good, just not as good as the first one to me although the storyline was complex an interesting. "
— Emily, 7/14/2013" Not quite as creative and fun a read as the first one, but the reader will relish meeting old friends and solving new problems. "
— Susan, 1/22/2013" A very good kids book. He does a great job bringing in real historical figures and events. Wonderful job with the main and supporting characters. "
— Nathan, 1/3/2013" Loved this one even more than the last one! "
— Lorna, 12/31/2012" Not as good as the first, but still a fun read "
— Brad, 3/5/2012" This book was pretty good but not as good as the first. The only aspect that improved was Jack's character, he was infuriatingly annoying in this one. "
— Keith, 11/19/2011" I enjoyed the different views of the various myths and legends in this series "
— Janet, 8/30/2011" Sequel to Here There Be Dragons, with a twisty plot amalgamating myths and tales from all over the map and time, from Greek myths to Peter Pan to the Pied Piper. Lots of fun. "
— Alarra, 8/10/2011" the second book in an excellent series. highly recommended, especially for fans of Peter Pan. no Twinkle Bell in it, though ;) "
— Muzie, 8/3/2011" I really liked this story. There was talks of movie deal for this series. If so I would really be interested in seeing them. "
— Vivian, 7/11/2011" Decent book, however it is constructed in a way that seems to make the reader the most confused. The plot itself is relatively straightforward, but the awkward wording and language prevents the reader from really getting into it. "
— Roshni, 4/22/2011" such a good bookkk "
— Joanna, 3/15/2011" Loved it! Makes me want to read so many other books! "
— Jennifer, 2/17/2011" a spectacularly crafted story. Owens is a master at integrating myths, legends, cultural references, and fairytales into one another and making them part of the same tale. "
— Amanda, 2/4/2011" Hope it is as good as the first! <br/>It was!! "
— Ginny, 2/1/2011" Made me want to read the real book of Peter Pan. "
— Jess, 1/27/2011" I just think it's so fun, that it ties in clasic fiction. I am really enjoying this series. "
— Celeste, 1/12/2011" My second time reading this one. A bit easier to understand, seeing as how I finished the first one the day before. C. S. Lewis has apparently had none through two shadows. "
— Ian, 8/16/2010" Great follow-up to Here, There Be Dragons. Much more interesting plot development and a host of interesting characters from other's works that is brought together so intelligently and entertainingly. "
— Erik, 8/8/2010" very good! i love all the allusions! "
— Alena, 8/8/2010" Enjoyed the twists and turns, and of course, the various mythilogical references and connections. "
— Calli, 8/4/2010" I can't rave about these books enough! They're fast-paced, witty, and exciting! "
— Randi, 7/26/2010" the adventures of the main characters make for some interesting reading. "
— Amanda, 6/20/2010" I am fond of this series because it weaves together generations of fantasy novels. After reading this one, I want to go back and read the first one. "
— Laurie, 6/3/2010James A. Owen is the author of the Chronicles of the Imaginarium Geographica series, the creator of the critically acclaimed Starchild graphic novel series, and the author of the Mythworld series of novels. He is also founder and executive director of Coppervale International, a comic book company that also publishes magazines and produces television and film projects. He lives in Arizona.
James Langton, an Earphones Award–winning narrator, trained as an actor at the Royal Scottish Academy of Music and Drama and later as a musician at the Guildhall School in London. He has worked in radio, film, and television, also appearing in theater in England and on Broadway. He is also a professional musician who led the internationally renowned Pasadena Roof Orchestra from 1996 to 2002.