The Two Pearls Of Wisdom - Alison Goodman When I was about a quarter of the way through Eon, I stopped reading to watch the royal wedding of William and Kate. This is obviously a monumental occasion for nearly anyone in this current world, and just like I remember exactly where I was when I heard the news of 9/11 (in Mr. Proudmore's class during my freshman year of high school), I will remember that I was here, in my Australian home, watching history make itself while on the couch reading Eon.I mention this because while watching the wedding, I couldn't help but wonder how Kate is coping with being new royalty. Maybe she isn't having any difficulties at all or maybe she is having as much of a difficult time as Eon herself had adjusting to becoming such an important figure in everyone's lives. A strange parallel, I know, but one I drew nonetheless and wanted to write down. As to the actual story held within the pages of Eon, it was fantastic! The young adult genre is blessed to have someone as beautifully written as Goodman included among its authors. Her descriptions are lovely, her dialogue believable and enticing, her story superb... You really couldn't ask for more from a story such as this. In fact, I couldn't put the book down once I hit about the half way mark. I read and read until the sun came up this morning, and I am bleary-eyed now from lack of sleep. And then when I was finished and fell asleep, I dreamed of the colors of the dragons and power. It was a bit surreal. The theme of gender identity woven throughout the book was a bit shocking at first because it was not what I was expecting at all, but it became a welcomed puzzle to work through. What is Goodman trying to say here? What will she do with this theme in the next book? One of my favorite characters was Lady Dela, and I am ... well happy is the only word I can think of... that Goodman was not afraid to write such a captivating, real character. It is also just plain nice to see a trans-gendered character in a novel. Lord Ido was a very interesting character. Throughout most of the book, I thought I had him pinned. However, I was completely thrown overboard at the end of the book and the changes that happen to him. It's almost as if we are seeing that bad guy gone good and sexy happening. Perhaps the next book, Lord Ido will win the love of Eona! Such an interesting idea. Except for Eragon and The Neverending Story, this is the only dragon novel I have ever read, and I thought it was great. I can't wait to learn more about the dragons and Eona's power in Goodman's next novel. This was such a treat.