Starred Review for Kirkus Reviews

Noted Native American storyteller and author Bruchac turns to the Slovakian side of his family heritage to produce an entirely fresh and funny fantasy. All his life, 15-year-old Rashko has suffered his family of fools: his absent-minded, naive father, his terminally innocent mother and especially his permanently happy, utterly simple older brother. His mental superiority is put to the test when, his parents inexplicably absent, the evil Baron Temny arrives at family castle with a small army. His brother is instantly enchanted (literally) by the Baron's oily "daughter," so it's up to Rashko to thwart the Baron and save their tiny domain. Bruchac intersperses Rashko's story with that of his long-ago ancestor, Pavol, who fought a dragon and defeated the Dark Lord. Readers will see fairly quickly that Rashko, for all his vaunted intellect, gives those around him far too little credit. Before the story's out, he will need the assistance of the many endearingly quirky secondary characters that round out the cast, from a couple of wonderful, telepathic wolves and the loyal, preternaturally aware family retainer to a pair of dashing jugglers. Rashko's wry voice reveals a teen whose sense of self-importance is balanced healthily by a goodhearted, winning decency. The story recalls Lloyd Alexander at his wry, humane best; readers will be happy for every moment they spend at castle Hladka Hvorka. (cast of characters, places, Slovak glossary) (Fantasy. 10-14)

ALA Booklist

Drawing on his family's own Slovakian ancestry, Bruchac crafts a historical fiction infused with plenty of magic: faeries, animal telepathy, sensate trees, and more. With his parents away at a faerie ball, Rashko, a 15-year-old prince in ancient Slovakia, already has his hands full with the castle staff and his well-meaning but blockheaded older brother. But then the forbidding Baron Temny rides into their valley with a veritable army of vile soldiers, brandishing a letter supposedly from Rashko's parents inviting them to stay. Rashko knows that the baron has ulterior motives d they might have something to do with the legend of Pavol, the family ancestor whose legendary slaying of a dragon is described by Bruchac in alternating chapters. The mysteries contained in this particular castle are not especially mysterious, but the action is rousing; the characters are easy to love or hate, as the case may be; and this is just the thing for kids working their way up to Paolini.

Horn Book (Sun Apr 01 00:00:00 CDT 2012)

Rashko, son of a goodhearted but dim king and queen, finds responsibility heavy on his shoulders when his parents are enchanted away to the Silver Lands. Alternating chapters tell the story of Rashko's ancestor Pavol, who defeated a dragon and initiated peace. Gypsy proverbs and frequent interjections add a Slovak flavor to the mountain setting, while humor enlivens the tone.

Kirkus Reviews (Fri Oct 04 00:00:00 CDT 2024)

Noted Native American storyteller and author Bruchac turns to the Slovakian side of his family heritage to produce an entirely fresh and funny fantasy. All his life, 15-year-old Rashko has suffered his family of fools: his absent-minded, naive father, his terminally innocent mother and especially his permanently happy, utterly simple older brother. His mental superiority is put to the test when, his parents inexplicably absent, the evil Baron Temny arrives at family castle with a small army. His brother is instantly enchanted (literally) by the Baron's oily "daughter," so it's up to Rashko to thwart the Baron and save their tiny domain. Bruchac intersperses Rashko's story with that of his long-ago ancestor, Pavol, who fought a dragon and defeated the Dark Lord. Readers will see fairly quickly that Rashko, for all his vaunted intellect, gives those around him far too little credit. Before the story's out, he will need the assistance of the many endearingly quirky secondary characters that round out the cast, from a couple of wonderful, telepathic wolves and the loyal, preternaturally aware family retainer to a pair of dashing jugglers. Rashko's wry voice reveals a teen whose sense of self-importance is balanced healthily by a goodhearted, winning decency. The story recalls Lloyd Alexander at his wry, humane best; readers will be happy for every moment they spend at castle Hladka Hvorka. (cast of characters, places, Slovak glossary) (Fantasy. 10-14)

School Library Journal (Mon Aug 01 00:00:00 CDT 2011)

Gr 5-8 Prince Rashko, 15, loves his parents and his older brother, Paulek, but is often vexed by their trusting natures and apparent simplemindedness. When the king and queen disappear and sinister Baron Temny shows up at Hladka Hvorka, Rashko feels the full weight of protecting the family castle. Paulek is besotted with Temny's beautiful daughter and accepts the Baron's claim that his entourage is here at his parents' invitation. Rashko sees through the thin ruse but must go along with the charade so as not to provoke an open attack. As Rashko uses his wits to keep the castle safe, he finds himself increasingly drawn to his ancestor Pavol, who defeated the Dark Lord in generations past. Indeed, as Temny's men entrench themselves, it is soon apparent that Temny is the incarnation of the Dark Lord. Drawing on Pavol's wisdom, Rashko is thrust into his own quest to save the kingdom from takeover by evil forces. Along the way, he realizes that he has been too quick to judge his brother and parents, and that their gifts will be just as important in saving the kingdom as his own. While Bruchac's stories often celebrate his Native American roots, this novel, set in the Black Forest in medieval times, honors his Slovakian heritage. The large cast of characters and the generous sprinkling of Slovak vocabulary may deter some readers, but the book is a solid choice for readers looking for fantasy complete with dragons, swordplay, and meeting the right girl along the way. Kim Dare, Fairfax County Public Schools, VA