Scan barcode
aromarrie's review
adventurous
funny
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.5
for months, the author has been promoting this book as this epic cyberpunk fantasy dedicated to all the young readers out there who dream of riding their own dragon one day. and for that, i was really excited to pick this up myself because despite not being the target audience, there's something so cool about getting to see a 13-year old kid live out a dream that was once yours in a reality that feels very similar but is living in some sort of alternate universe. this world that the author built is so bright in colors as the characters are living in a modern landscape that rides itself on top of dragons who have lived long before even humans existed. seeing how these same dragons are implemented into this system where people fight for different territories in battles while others rely on dragons for transport was really interesting. it was like the author's vision of what it would be like in our regular society if such huge creatures existed among commerce and politics, and as the reader we get to see the good and bad things that come with this kind of existence.
alongside that, there was some discontent because just as our main character, abel, questions--one has to wonder if these dragons are capable of so much more than simply living for the benefit of the people. the awe that abel feels when he first bonds with karak is that spark to understanding how significant the relationship between a dragon and human is, beyond just using dragons for a human's own gain. the kinship that lies between them to the end of this first book was really special because abel never thought he could have something like that. he couldn't believe he would have the chance to ride upon any dragon due to the system that holds itself to such a high esteem according to who's smart and more capable. while the older characters in this book do make solid points about the dangers and realities that come with even being near a dragon, there's so much heart found in abel's exhilaration whenever he's riding with karak, all rules & technicalities dim next to that spark of elation this child has with their animal companion.
all the comics and DrakoTek cards in the world can't compare to that human feeling of seeing a dragon with your own eyes and having them look right back at you, sizing you up and trying to understand the other's intentions. again, the adults are right in what one must know in order to gain the trust of a dragon and the absolute necessity of respecting this dragon according to their own needs. in order for there to be any close bond as abel gradually builds with karak, there has to be respect first, and every dragon rider/healer is aware of that. it just feels like as much as the kids have to learn about dragons, the adults too must understand the importance of what it means to exist at the same time as these creatures and have such dragons fly at their own speed with humans marveling at what they're possible of.
i liked that as much as the story focuses on dragons, there's also some exploration of abel's family and the cracks that seem to form between them well before this book even begins. at first, abel's parents seemed really useless in this book, as is the case (in my reading experience) with most of the parental figures in the middle-grade books i've read. as funny as that might be, i do appreciate how the author goes out of their way to show in this book that abel can't simply hold in all the secrets he comes to learn to himself. sometimes, a kid really does need their parents and his do show up, thankfully. as for abel's siblings, that fracture feels more sharp and gets sharper to the very end; knowing how much abel wants for them all to stop being so far apart from each other added an extra level of tension when they all proved to be at opposite sides. i'm really hopeful to see how this sibling relationship between the three of them--abel, lina, and silas-- develops throughout the course of this series because just as there's so much thrills and adventures to be had, every good fantasy rides upon the backs of the human relationships who guide the story, even with dragons at the top in this one.
the familial relationships in this story were hard-hitting, the battles drawn between kins as dragons fought each other were epic, and the queer rep was delightful to see as more kids will definitely be able to see themselves fit into this narrative no matter what bigots in the real world try to say. the ADHD rep with abel’s character i could relate to a lot when his thoughts seemed to trail off in moments that required the most focus, so i felt Seen on that front. one of the misfortunes that come with having ADHD is that feeling like you’ll never measure up according to how other people perceive you because you feel like you’re running at a slower speed than others and you’re not able to handle the responsibilities that seem to be piling all around you.
in a world that’s as high stakes as the one that abel lives in, there’s just so many expectations to live up to, even according to the ones you build yourself, as someone who’s also just a kid and so not taken as seriously as the adults who believe themselves more capable. it meant a lot to see how abel was able to persevere using the tools that he does have, along with the support that he gets from other characters. i loved that as a 20-year old myself, i could feel just as seen in the story among the older characters and also get to laugh at how funny the younger characters were, easing the tension as this fantasy felt comforting while also battling its own demons.
i can't wait for what more this author reveals in the city of Drakopolis, and what more secrets will be revealed that are practically bursting to be let free according to some small bits of foreshadowing. also the cover is absolutely fantastic!!
alongside that, there was some discontent because just as our main character, abel, questions--one has to wonder if these dragons are capable of so much more than simply living for the benefit of the people. the awe that abel feels when he first bonds with karak is that spark to understanding how significant the relationship between a dragon and human is, beyond just using dragons for a human's own gain. the kinship that lies between them to the end of this first book was really special because abel never thought he could have something like that. he couldn't believe he would have the chance to ride upon any dragon due to the system that holds itself to such a high esteem according to who's smart and more capable. while the older characters in this book do make solid points about the dangers and realities that come with even being near a dragon, there's so much heart found in abel's exhilaration whenever he's riding with karak, all rules & technicalities dim next to that spark of elation this child has with their animal companion.
all the comics and DrakoTek cards in the world can't compare to that human feeling of seeing a dragon with your own eyes and having them look right back at you, sizing you up and trying to understand the other's intentions. again, the adults are right in what one must know in order to gain the trust of a dragon and the absolute necessity of respecting this dragon according to their own needs. in order for there to be any close bond as abel gradually builds with karak, there has to be respect first, and every dragon rider/healer is aware of that. it just feels like as much as the kids have to learn about dragons, the adults too must understand the importance of what it means to exist at the same time as these creatures and have such dragons fly at their own speed with humans marveling at what they're possible of.
i liked that as much as the story focuses on dragons, there's also some exploration of abel's family and the cracks that seem to form between them well before this book even begins. at first, abel's parents seemed really useless in this book, as is the case (in my reading experience) with most of the parental figures in the middle-grade books i've read. as funny as that might be, i do appreciate how the author goes out of their way to show in this book that abel can't simply hold in all the secrets he comes to learn to himself. sometimes, a kid really does need their parents and his do show up, thankfully. as for abel's siblings, that fracture feels more sharp and gets sharper to the very end; knowing how much abel wants for them all to stop being so far apart from each other added an extra level of tension when they all proved to be at opposite sides. i'm really hopeful to see how this sibling relationship between the three of them--abel, lina, and silas-- develops throughout the course of this series because just as there's so much thrills and adventures to be had, every good fantasy rides upon the backs of the human relationships who guide the story, even with dragons at the top in this one.
the familial relationships in this story were hard-hitting, the battles drawn between kins as dragons fought each other were epic, and the queer rep was delightful to see as more kids will definitely be able to see themselves fit into this narrative no matter what bigots in the real world try to say. the ADHD rep with abel’s character i could relate to a lot when his thoughts seemed to trail off in moments that required the most focus, so i felt Seen on that front. one of the misfortunes that come with having ADHD is that feeling like you’ll never measure up according to how other people perceive you because you feel like you’re running at a slower speed than others and you’re not able to handle the responsibilities that seem to be piling all around you.
in a world that’s as high stakes as the one that abel lives in, there’s just so many expectations to live up to, even according to the ones you build yourself, as someone who’s also just a kid and so not taken as seriously as the adults who believe themselves more capable. it meant a lot to see how abel was able to persevere using the tools that he does have, along with the support that he gets from other characters. i loved that as a 20-year old myself, i could feel just as seen in the story among the older characters and also get to laugh at how funny the younger characters were, easing the tension as this fantasy felt comforting while also battling its own demons.
i can't wait for what more this author reveals in the city of Drakopolis, and what more secrets will be revealed that are practically bursting to be let free according to some small bits of foreshadowing. also the cover is absolutely fantastic!!
Content Warnings
Moderate: Fire/Fire injury, Injury/Injury detail, and Violence
More...