  | Dragonborn Author: Murray, Struan | |
| Price: $23.98 | ||
Summary:
Alex may live among humans in a human form, but when a fiery outburst reveals her true dragon identity, her mother sends Alex to a new school and a new life on the legendary island of Skralla, one of the last surviving dragon havens. There, she will train alongside other young dragons who are wild, untamed, and--unlike Alex--skilled at transforming and embracing their dragons within. She soon finds that a powerful dragon poses a threat of waging war on humans.
Reviews:
Kirkus Reviews (07/15/25)
Booklist (10/01/25)
Full Text Reviews:
Other - 07/21/2025 Two years after her father’s death, 12-year-old Alex Evans uncovers a secret about her parentage that her overprotective mother has been trying to hide: Alex is a dragon like her dad. As she begins coming into once-dormant powers like fire-breathing, the ancient dragon Oliphos whisks her away to the hidden island of Skralla, one of the last dragon strongholds on Earth, where she will study among other dragonlings and practice controlling her new abilities. Unlike her peers, however, Alex is unable to safely transfigure into dragon form, putting her at risk as her combat training grows too brutal for her human body to handle. Moreover, Drak Midna, a legendary evil dragon who disappeared years ago, resurfaces seeking an artifact that could grant him unspeakable power-and Alex fears she’s somehow connected to his search. Murray (Shipwreck Island) presents an introspective, harrowing story in which dragon transformations and quests for mystical objects ferry themes of grief, growth, and accepting change. Using familiar magical school tropes, the author balances wonder-laced, laughter-fueled adventure with fearsome action, resulting in a fanciful and exciting series opener. Alex reads as white. Ages 8-12. Agent: Steph Thwaites, Curtis Brown. (Oct.) - Copyright 2025
Booklist - 10/01/2025 Alex’s world is turned upside down when she finds herself exhibiting strange behaviors that draw the attention of a quirky old man named Oliphos. He reveals that she is a Slumberer, a person who is unknowingly a dragon, but Alex’s inner dragon is waking up and causing her to unintentionally transform. Oliphos, a dragon himself, takes Alex to the island of Skralla, where other youths are learning to control and free their dragon sides. She joins the larger cause to heal the rift between dragons and humankind in order to prevent a terrible war. Murray skillfully handles Alex’s struggles to become her true self and discover who can be trusted on her journey to dragon formation. The plot is moved along cleverly by the use of a book-within-a-book device, revealing just enough at each juncture to create suspense and keep readers’ interest. The secondary characters are individualized and supportive and the antagonist is wonderfully evil. Following a delicious twist at the end, readers will be hooked until book two arrives. - Copyright 2025 Booklist.
