Harrowing the Dragon

Harrow:

1. A borough of Greater London in southeast England. It is the site of the public school Harrow, founded in 1571
2. A farm implement consisting of a heavy frame with sharp teeth or upright disks, used to break up and even off plowed ground.
3. To break up and level (soil or land) with a harrow
4. To plunder or sack
5. To inflict great distress or torment on.

Both 4 and 5 are applicable in the title story for Patricia McKillip’s Harrowing the Dragon. The town is trapped by winter when they mine the rich gold in trapped in the frozen mountains. Did you know that dragon’s blood is gold? A former resident returns to inform them that the reason they are trapped in the cold is the island is surrounded by a sleeping Ice Dragon and he is there to harrow it into leaving. As in all McKillip stories, there is a twist. This book is a collection of her short stories published previously elsewhere. Some are incredible and leave the reader wanting more (Lady of Skulls) and some are retold fairy tales (The Lion and the Lark, Toad), some are meant to be feasted on and others are light snacks. Like all Patricia McKillip books though, this one is savory and most delicious.