Written by David Bergantino
Cover Art by Julie Bell
SUMMARY:
Tom Doherty Associates, Inc. released this 217-page paperback in 1999. In the weeks following the Hidalgo el Cazador’s defeat, a rumor floating in Old California is that a missing Zorro must have since died of his wounds. Rising out of the shadows once more, the legendary man in black, still not fully recuperated, defends a mysterious Cossack in an Los Angeles pub from the drunken local police. While eluding possible suspicion from his weary father, aristocrat Don Diego de la Vega is coping as best he can from his slow-healing injuries.
Meanwhile, the vengeful Hidalgo el Cazador has recruited four sword-wielding Japanese mercenaries for a bounty targeting Zorro. Facing imminent death from poisoning, Don Diego and his masked alter ego won’t let this challenge go unanswered.
The question is: can a weakened Zorro thwart a quartet of formidable samurai by utilizing stealthy ninja tactics? Further, what pivotal wildcard is the Cossack in the final showdown: is he really Zorro’s ally or another secret foe?
Note: Utilizing the same villain, this title is evidently a sequel to 1998’s Zorro and the Jaguar Warriors by Jerome Preisler.
REVIEW:
David Bergantino’s good writing ensures that Zorro and The Dragon Riders is a slightly above-average, all-ages read. He makes sufficient time to develop his cast past one-dimensional mid-19th Century caricatures. For instance: the exasperation of Don Diego’s long-suffering father over why his self-involved heir won’t commit to their family’s responsibilities is certainly plausible; Don Diego & Bernardo’s fascination with adding exotic ninja weaponry to Zorro’s arsenal makes for an intriguing early scene; or, for that matter, later on, Don Diego’s ongoing concern for young Miko (a female samurai) is a nicely-played twist.
Still, what’s readily obvious is that Zorro and The Dragon Riders belongs in a middle school library. Bergantino’s young target audience won’t likely be disappointed exploring such an unique Zorro action-adventure.
ADDITIONAL FEATURES:
The first page preview a scene in Chapter 1. There’s also a page-long list of Tor/Forge titles available by mail.
BRIAN’S ODD MOON RATING: 6 Stars
