''The Search for the Red Dragon'', by

James A. Owen James A. Owen is an American comic book illustrator, publisher and writer. He is known for his creator-owned comic book series ''Starchild'' and as the author of ''The Chronicles of the Imaginarium Geographica'' novel series, that began with ' ...

, is a fantasy novel released on January 1, 2008. It is the second book in ''

The Chronicles of the Imaginarium Geographica James A. Owen is an American comic book illustrator, publisher and writer. He is known for his creator-owned comic book series ''Starchild'' and as the author of ''The Chronicles of the Imaginarium Geographica'' novel series, that began with ' ...

''. It is preceded by ''

Here, There Be Dragons ''Here, There Be Dragons'' is a fantasy novel by James A. Owen. It is the first book in '' The Chronicles of the Imaginarium Geographica'' series. A sequel, followed by several more books, have since been released, including '' The Search for th ...

'' and followed by ''

The Indigo King James A. Owen is an American comic book illustrator, publisher and writer. He is known for his creator-owned comic book series ''Starchild'' and as the author of ''The Chronicles of the Imaginarium Geographica'' novel series, that began with ' ...

''.

Plot overview

Nine years after the events of the original book,

protagonist A protagonist () is the main character of a story. The protagonist makes key decisions that affect the plot, primarily influencing the story and propelling it forward, and is often the character who faces the most significant obstacles. If a st ...

s Jack, John, and Charles are requested by Laura Glue (the granddaughter of Peter Pan) to contact their predecessor Sir James Barrie. Thereafter all four accompany Bert ( H.G. Wells) to Paralon, the Archipelago's capital; discover a message meant for Peter Pan; and learn that most of the magical Dragonships have been stolen and most of the children of the Archipelago have disappeared. Leaving Paralon, the party visit the Keep of Time, which they find damaged by their last adventure. There, the Archipelago's Cartographer (

Merlin Merlin ( cy, Myrddin, kw, Marzhin, br, Merzhin) is a mythical figure prominently featured in the legend of King Arthur and best known as a mage, with several other main roles. His usual depiction, based on an amalgamation of historic and le ...

) directs them to the 'Underneath', an island concealed by the waters of the Archipelago. There, they are attacked by the descendants of the failed Roanoke exploration, led by Richard Burton. Escaping him, the protagonists reach

Neverland Neverland is a fictional island featured in the works of J. M. Barrie and those based on them. It is an imaginary faraway place where Peter Pan, Tinker Bell, Captain Hook, the Lost Boys, and some other imaginary beings and creatures live. Altho ...

, where

Daedalus In Greek mythology, Daedalus (, ; Greek: Δαίδαλος; Latin: ''Daedalus''; Etruscan: ''Taitale'') was a skillful architect and craftsman, seen as a symbol of wisdom, knowledge and power. He is the father of Icarus, the uncle of Perdix, an ...

reveals to them that the Underneath is divided into nine districts (as in Dante's Inferno), and asks them to become children themselves to better understand Hugh the Iron and William the Pig, the sons of Jason and the original Lost Boys. Jack assents, and the party departs Neverland. Jack is captured on the isle of Automata, but rescued on

Aiaia __NOTOC__ Aeaea, Ææa or Eëä ( or ; grc, Αἰαία, Aiaíā ) was a mythological island said to be the home of the goddess-sorceress Circe. In Homer's ''Odyssey'', Odysseus tells Alcinous that he stayed here for one year on his way home ...

from an 'Abbey of the Rose', alongside other children; later, Burton demands the whereabouts of his daughter Lillith until Hugh the Iron and William the Pig arrive, accompanied by a mysterious leader who controls children by means of

panpipes A pan flute (also known as panpipes or syrinx) is a musical instrument based on the principle of the closed tube, consisting of multiple pipes of gradually increasing length (and occasionally girth). Multiple varieties of pan flutes have been ...

. In the Ninth Circle of the Underneath, Jack enters

Plato's Cave The Allegory of the Cave, or Plato's Cave, is an allegory presented by the Ancient Greece, Greek philosopher Plato in his work ''Republic (Plato), Republic'' (514a–520a) to compare "the effect of education (Wiktionary:παιδεία, παιδ ...

and resumes adulthood to save Peter Pan, imprisoned inside. Meanwhile, Daedalus has surrounded the protagonists by gigantic automata; but these are overcome by

Titan Titan most often refers to: * Titan (moon), the largest moon of Saturn * Titans, a race of deities in Greek mythology Titan or Titans may also refer to: Arts and entertainment Fictional entities Fictional locations * Titan in fiction, fictiona ...

s, summoned by John. Daedalus is killed, and Hugh and William released. Upon Peter Pan's return, the companions learn that the specter controlling Hugh and William is the

antagonist An antagonist is a character in a story who is presented as the chief foe of the protagonist. Etymology The English word antagonist comes from the Greek ἀνταγωνιστής – ''antagonistēs'', "opponent, competitor, villain, enemy, riv ...

'Winter King' (

Mordred Mordred or Modred (; Welsh: ''Medraut'' or ''Medrawt'') is a figure who is variously portrayed in the legend of King Arthur. The earliest known mention of a possibly historical Medraut is in the Welsh chronicle ''Annales Cambriae'', wherein he ...

/ Captain Hook), whom Peter repels. The companions return to Paralon, and thence to their own world, where they are reunited with Sir James Barrie. {{DEFAULTSORT:Search For The Red Dragon 2008 American novels American fantasy novels The Chronicles of the Imaginarium Geographica Modern Arthurian fiction