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A review by marylannireads
The Dragon's Apprentice by James Riley
adventurous
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
One thousand years ago, magic was everywhere, and dragons were the creatures who imparted magical knowledge upon humans. In twelve-year-old Ciara’s time, however, magic has been relegated to only the select few individuals in power, and everyone else must somehow survive a non-magical existence. Secretly, Ciara has come into the possession of a journal written one thousand years earlier by a girl named Bianca, and the emperor will stop at nothing to get it back. When Ciara meets the fearsome and mighty Scorch, the dragon who trained Bianca herself, Ciara realizes that she may finally have the tools to restore her community to the magic-filled place it once was.
This entertaining middle grade novel is told in a stream-of-consciousness style narrative that unfolds primarily from Ciara’s perspective. The chapters are short, and each one advances with a momentum that keeps readers engaged. Comedic characters and situations are embedded within the more somber challenges Ciara faces, which serves to add some levity to the heavier topics within the narrative. Readers who enjoy stories that incorporate magic and the unexpected within the framework of familiar human situations will appreciate the structure of this book. Similarly, the relatability of the main characters helps readers to empathize with this fantasy-based story. Samples of Draconic language are found at the end of the book, further anchoring the fantastic nature of the novel in reality. Entertaining and primed for a sequel, this book is a positive addition to library collections for confident middle grade readers.
This entertaining middle grade novel is told in a stream-of-consciousness style narrative that unfolds primarily from Ciara’s perspective. The chapters are short, and each one advances with a momentum that keeps readers engaged. Comedic characters and situations are embedded within the more somber challenges Ciara faces, which serves to add some levity to the heavier topics within the narrative. Readers who enjoy stories that incorporate magic and the unexpected within the framework of familiar human situations will appreciate the structure of this book. Similarly, the relatability of the main characters helps readers to empathize with this fantasy-based story. Samples of Draconic language are found at the end of the book, further anchoring the fantastic nature of the novel in reality. Entertaining and primed for a sequel, this book is a positive addition to library collections for confident middle grade readers.