Book Reviews and More: Dawn of the Light Dragon - Tracey West and Graham Howells

Thursday 9 November 2023

Dawn of the Light Dragon - Tracey West and Graham Howells - Dragon Masters Book 24

Dawn of the Light Dragon

Dragon Masters Book 24
Tracey West (Author)
Graham Howells (Illustrator)

Scholastic

ISBN 9781338776973

eISBN 9781338776997

ASIN B0B84GDKD7

My daughter was very frustrated when we finished the book before this, for it was clear that the current story arc would span a few volumes. We have all of them pre-ordered that are available. She could not believe she had finished it, in was early in her third day of reading time. Second it just ends, nothing is resolved and this time we do have a clear plan or idea where things are going next. And third based on the next announced the story that starts we have 5 months to wait for the next book. That next books is #25 Legend of the Star Dragon. That is the strength of these stories.

This is an excellent read in aa great series. These books are well below my youngest daughters reading level. But she loves them so much. She reads for 20 minutes 5 days most weeks and a book in this series use to take her 10-12 days to read. This one she read in just over 2 sittings, just as fast as the last one. I have said it before and I state it again, this series gets better and better. It has serious staying power. In this volume we get a few more surprises, and to be honest our biggest cliff hanger ending yet! This is book 24 but we have reread a few of the volumes, making it the 36th time we have read a book in the series together, and she has read most of them 3 or 4 times waiting for new ones to come out. As a family we eagerly await the new volumes that have been announced. In this volume Matt Loveridge returns as the illustrator, he has illustrated a few in the series. But let us return to this volume.

The last part of the description of this volume is:

“This series is part of Scholastic's early chapter book line, Branches, aimed at newly independent readers. With easy-to-read text, high-interest content, fast-paced plots, and illustrations on every page, these books will boost reading confidence and stamina. Branches books help readers grow!

To stop the Shadow Dragon from covering the whole world in a sky-shadow, the Dragon Masters must seek out a Light Dragon. So Drake and Darma travel to find a Light Dragon named Lysa. Lysa's Dragon Master, Rune, who is Deaf, explains that the Dragon Masters will need a Star Flute in order to summon a Star Dragon and stop the Shadow Dragon. But the flute is hidden within a dangerous labyrinth! Will they be able to make it out of the tricky maze?

With engaging black-and-white artwork on every page, kids won't be able to put down this action-packed adventure!”

This story is the continuation of a darker and longer story line than any of the others in the series. My daughter reads through the chapter titles before beginning, and she guesses what might happen. The chapters this time are:

A New Quest

The Crystal Castle

Rune and Lysa

The Secret

The Labyrinth

Learning from Rune

Lost!

A Code and a Challenge

A Puzzling Box

The Five Crystals

The Moving Maze

The Beast’s Demand

The Final Clue

Lysa’s Light

Sunshine in Bracken

The story continues directly from the last. This time we meet a new dragon master, and Drake and Dharma travel to find the Light Dragon. The light dragon’s name is Lysa and her dragon master is Rune, Rune is deaf and communicates by sign language and direct with his dragon. With Worm’s help as a go between they establish communication. But while traversing the great maze in search of the Star Flute they are separates. Can the three dragon masters solve the maze and the riddle that awaits them at the end of the maze? To find out you will need to read this amazing story.

But things are starting to get a little confusing; we have a sun dragon, a moon dragon, a lightening dragon and a light dragon. And we are on the quest for the Star dragon. My daughter has made a chart of the dragons, their masters, and their primary powers. This is another awesome read in an excellent series. Who knows what will get filled in next in The Legend of the Star Dragon. The series has real staying power. Even though they are well below my daughters reading level she still loves them! I believe they will be lifelong favourites. We can easily recommend this book and series!