Three tasks for a dragon by Eoin Colfer

Illustrated in a sophisticated muted palette, this is a classic quest story with a modern twist from two Irish Children’s Laureates. After his father’s death, Prince Lir is tricked into embarking on a perilous quest to rescue a maiden from a dragon. The studious young prince is no warrior, but he uses his brains to make himself indispensable to the grumpy dragon. However, neither prince nor dragon have bargained on the dark magic which manipulates them both, and it may be left to maiden herself to save them all.