The Hero and the Crown

By: Robin McKinley

Narrated by: Roslyn Alexander

Newbery Medal Winner, 1985

Uncertain of the past, Aerin-sol, daughter of King Arlbeth, decides to forge her own future by challenging the lashing tongues of the dragon’s fire. Aerin’s proficiency as "the Dragon-slayer" sets her on a quest for the stolen Crown of Damar, believed to be in the hands of rebellious northerners who threaten to destroy the Damarian people and their home forever.

©1984 Robin McKinley (P)1992 Recorded Books

Just as enchanting as I remembered.

This story was one of my favorites growing up and I was afraid it wouldn't be the same listening to it now but I was pleased to be wrong. All the parts I remembered - the old warhorse, the dragon fighting, the immortal man in the mountains, and the ending of finding peace with a dual existence were just so detailed...and pulled at me with the same emotional resonance (if not more) as when I read them in middle school.

Oh, I just adore Robin McKinley and Roslyn Alexander was a very able narrator.

I look forward to going on to the Blue Sword next!

Not the actress I would have cast to read

Loved this book for many years. I was 14 when I found it- my first taste of healthy feminism, The reader isn’t horrible but also not GREaT- she does not capture through voice emphasis the different characters and events. I have read this one aloud to multiple audiences over the years and know some phrases by heart and maybe that is why I feel this way.

Girl power!

Strong female lead with more on her mind than love. I highly recommended to girls of all ages.

Really good reminds me of Narnia

I’m reading all the Newbery winner books and I didn’t think this one would be as good as it turned out to be! It felt a lot like the Narnia series, specifically The Voyage of the Dawn Treaded! It was so refreshing to have a girl as the hero and follow her journey! Very well written, it was a little long but overall excellent

I've read this book literally over 200 times!!!

this is my favorite book and has been since i was in the 5th grade.

I love a good female lead!!

I love a good female lead and this book has been a favorite for many years!!

My favorite book

I've been reading this book for decades and always come back. A wonderful fantasy world.

10/10

occasionally difficult to follow the time line, but other great reads are that way too (see Mists of Avalon, lol)

perfect tale of swords and sorcery

A prequel to The Blue Sword, and it's just as good every time I reread/register to the book, if not more because of things I still pick up on that I missed the first-sixth times I've read this book. When she kills the dragon, driving her sword into his body, it's like you're back in The Hobbit and Bilbo is fighting the spider with Sting.

longtime favorite

Any additional comments?

I've had a paperback copy of this since the 80's. I love this book - it's the sort you can re-read and revisit. I was excited to see it in audible format - because hearing the book often gives a different perspective.I'm not sure I would have chosen the narrator. She was great - but didn't quite match the story. Aerin is a young woman and the narrator is an adult. I think I would have preferred a younger voice to match the protagonist.Again, the narrator did a lovely job - but I had a little disconnect between the voice and the tale. I'd still recommend the book - in any format - to lovers of fairy tales.