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Dragon Defense League #1
Dragon Defender
For over a thousand years dragons have existed in secret . . .
Peter Clark can build a robot from scratch and pick a lock in two minutes or less. But he can't figure out why his mother left or why his grandma refuses to talk about her. When Uncle Dominick shows up on Peter's twelfth birthday with a letter that hints at answers and an incredible story about dragons, Peter follows him, determined to find out the truth about his mother's disappearance.
What he finds is a reality far different from what he ever could have imagined - where dragons live in hiding, hunted by poachers for their magical parts, and a small group of men and women work tirelessly to protect them. These are the Dragon Defenders. Peter's uncle is one. So was his mother. Now it's Peter's turn.
Peter Clark can build a robot from scratch and pick a lock in two minutes or less. But he can't figure out why his mother left or why his grandma refuses to talk about her. When Uncle Dominick shows up on Peter's twelfth birthday with a letter that hints at answers and an incredible story about dragons, Peter follows him, determined to find out the truth about his mother's disappearance.
What he finds is a reality far different from what he ever could have imagined - where dragons live in hiding, hunted by poachers for their magical parts, and a small group of men and women work tirelessly to protect them. These are the Dragon Defenders. Peter's uncle is one. So was his mother. Now it's Peter's turn.
242 pages, Kindle Edition
First published October 3, 2013
3 people are currently reading
710 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 30 reviews
November 4, 2013
Dragons, lots of action and the promise of more adventures to come! I read this out loud to my kids and we were all hooked after the first couple chapters. We are looking forward to more in the series. Perfect for the 6-12 year old crowd and their parents.
November 29, 2013
From start to finish, I greatly enjoyed reading Dragon Defender. It's hard to come up with a new spin on the dragon story, but J.A. Blackburn manages it. To be honest, the dragons are almost periphery to the adventure story of the three main characters, and in a way, this makes the story even more appealing, because the story is mainly character driven.
I pretty much read this one start to finish without wanting to stop, and I think most kids will do the same. The characters are believable: Peter with his introverted ways and mysterious past, Xana's passion for adventure and Mario's troubled background, all make for compelling, relatable heroes. And the adventure doesn't slow down; I didn't really find any lag spots in this book. From exploring caves to fighting bad guys, to discovering, at last, the incredible dragons, Dragon Defender is a great, fun adventure that kids (and adults) will love. I'm excited to read the next in the series, and follow Peter and his friends on their next great adventure.
Nik's Picks Book Reviews
www.nikki-bennett.com
(The author provided me a free copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.)
I pretty much read this one start to finish without wanting to stop, and I think most kids will do the same. The characters are believable: Peter with his introverted ways and mysterious past, Xana's passion for adventure and Mario's troubled background, all make for compelling, relatable heroes. And the adventure doesn't slow down; I didn't really find any lag spots in this book. From exploring caves to fighting bad guys, to discovering, at last, the incredible dragons, Dragon Defender is a great, fun adventure that kids (and adults) will love. I'm excited to read the next in the series, and follow Peter and his friends on their next great adventure.
Nik's Picks Book Reviews
www.nikki-bennett.com
(The author provided me a free copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.)
February 5, 2014
Just as Peter Clark turns twelve, an unknown uncle named Dominick appears to tell him the family secret that Peter’s grandmother prefers to ignore. The Clark family are members of the Dragon Defense League. The mission of the Dragon Defense League is to protect dragons from the Knights of the White Rose, who hunt dragons for sport and cash. It seems there is a profitable black market in dragon blood and other parts. Peter’s mother was a Dragon Defender who disappeared on a mission while Peter was five. Peter’s father had died in a mountain climbing accident shortly after Peter was born, which left Peter to be raised by his mother’s mother, aka Grandma. Dominick’s arrival was not appreciated by Grandma, who thinks the Clark family tradition of protecting dragons dangerous and probably not necessary. But Peter goes off with Dominick on a mission to Mexico to keep a dragon egg from being destroyed. The pair gets separated when the Knights arrive while Peter is in the underground cave. Peter was needed because the entrance was too small for anyone but a child. He escapes from the cave with the egg and meets a girl named Xana while trying to find his way back to civilization. Xana is vacationing with her yoga-obsessed father who is also a famous musician in the style of Yanni. Xana helps Peter get into the nearest town where they meet Mario. The three have a number of adventures before Dominick makes his reappearance. Dominick has been shot by the Knights but had managed to crawl to the road and delivered to the local hospital by a good samaritan. Dominick praises the three for successfully completing the mission and there are hints of more adventures and training to come.
December 28, 2013
Our hero, Peter Clark, has lived a rather uneventful life with his maternal grandmother in Pecos, New Mexico since the day his mother dropped him off when he was five. Peter is fair skinned, small for his age, introverted and likes building mechanized robots. Peter's life changes abruptly after Uncle Dominick's visit on Peter's twelfth birthday. Dominick gives Peter a letter from his mother, who Peter hasn't seen in seven years, which sheds light on Peter's Mother, Peter's Family Heritage, and Peter's Destiny. Travel, Adventure and Friendships ensue. And, did I mention a Dragon or two?
This was a quick, easy, CAPTIVATING read. And, for me, the Great News was that another book in this series, The Mountain of Ice & Fire, will be released in 2014! This was J. A. Blackburn's first novel; and, I think she hit it out of the ballpark!
I am the Grandmother of an 11-year-old boy, who I'm sure will enjoy this book. (A vibrant, young heroine is present as well!) I received my copy as a Goodreads First Reads winner.
This was a quick, easy, CAPTIVATING read. And, for me, the Great News was that another book in this series, The Mountain of Ice & Fire, will be released in 2014! This was J. A. Blackburn's first novel; and, I think she hit it out of the ballpark!
I am the Grandmother of an 11-year-old boy, who I'm sure will enjoy this book. (A vibrant, young heroine is present as well!) I received my copy as a Goodreads First Reads winner.
August 11, 2023
Dragon Defender
By J.A. Blackburn
October 3, 2013
Dragon Defender was a very exciting, fast paced adventure book
Peter Clark’s mother left and nobody will explain to him why. Until on his twelfth birthday his uncle visits him. He finds out where his mother went and also that he and his family are Dragon Defenders. It’s now Peter’s turn.
This book was a cute, magical middle grade novel. I was interested in finding out what happens next in the book.
Thank you to Pip & Grey and NetGalley for the e-book in exchange for an honest review.
By J.A. Blackburn
October 3, 2013
Dragon Defender was a very exciting, fast paced adventure book
Peter Clark’s mother left and nobody will explain to him why. Until on his twelfth birthday his uncle visits him. He finds out where his mother went and also that he and his family are Dragon Defenders. It’s now Peter’s turn.
This book was a cute, magical middle grade novel. I was interested in finding out what happens next in the book.
Thank you to Pip & Grey and NetGalley for the e-book in exchange for an honest review.
September 4, 2017
Peter Clark is not really an adventurous sort---unless you count building robots. But when an uncle he didn't know about shows up on his twelfth birthday, he learns his mother's disappearance is connected to an unexpected legacy with dragons. Now he's running around South America looking for a dragon egg . . .
This was pretty good, although it relied a little too heavily on circumstances being favorable for my tastes. Peter might be an approachable lead, but he doesn't have a whole lot of skills to offer (the awesome car battery scene aside). He picks up two companions fairly quickly, though. I don't care much for Xana, whose main contribution appears to be that she's rich and has parents who don't care if she runs around in a dangerous place unsupervised. Similarly, Mario is almost a bit too good when his introduction paints him as a kid who has had a very hard life and turned to crime to support himself.
Those are comparatively minor quibbles, though. The dragons are the main point of the book, and those are a lot of fun. I like that there are multiple types, with their own habitats, and in some cases ties to local folklore. And the particular dragon this book is tracking down isn't exactly typical. Given what ends up happening, I am curious to see how Peter interacts with other dragons in the future.
As might be expected, the first book is in large part setting up a series to come. I am curious to see how the larger story unfolds. It would be nice if the bad guys aren't so one-dimensional, but given everything else this book was doing there wasn't a lot of room for that here. I rate this book Recommended.
See my reviews and more at https://offtheshelfreviews.wordpress....
This was pretty good, although it relied a little too heavily on circumstances being favorable for my tastes. Peter might be an approachable lead, but he doesn't have a whole lot of skills to offer (the awesome car battery scene aside). He picks up two companions fairly quickly, though. I don't care much for Xana, whose main contribution appears to be that she's rich and has parents who don't care if she runs around in a dangerous place unsupervised. Similarly, Mario is almost a bit too good when his introduction paints him as a kid who has had a very hard life and turned to crime to support himself.
Those are comparatively minor quibbles, though. The dragons are the main point of the book, and those are a lot of fun. I like that there are multiple types, with their own habitats, and in some cases ties to local folklore. And the particular dragon this book is tracking down isn't exactly typical. Given what ends up happening, I am curious to see how Peter interacts with other dragons in the future.
As might be expected, the first book is in large part setting up a series to come. I am curious to see how the larger story unfolds. It would be nice if the bad guys aren't so one-dimensional, but given everything else this book was doing there wasn't a lot of room for that here. I rate this book Recommended.
See my reviews and more at https://offtheshelfreviews.wordpress....
January 6, 2014
Author J. A. Blackburn wastes no time setting up the intrigue in the story when, late at night during the biggest storm of the year, there is an urgent knocking on the door. Twelve-year-old Peter, a young inventor, opens the door to discover an uncle (Dominick) that he never knew he had. Further family secrets are revealed and Peter is shocked to discover that he is the last in a long line of “Dragon Defenders”.
In hiding for thousands of years, dragons are still hunted for their magical properties by a small number of poachers around the world. It is up to Peter and the rest of the Dragon Defender League to protect the dragons against extinction. When Peter and his uncle cross the border into Mexico, Peter is tasked with retrieving an egg laid by a very rare dragon, the Cuélebre. But little does he know the danger he is about to face along with the forging of a very special relationship that will last a lifetime ~ one between a boy and his first dragon.
Dragon Defender is a fast-paced, action-packed thriller that drew me in from the first page and kept me riveted until the final page. Peter is a sympathetic main character whom we first meet when he is living with his grandmother after both his parents die. He is a humble genius who proves to be resourceful and loyal to his two new friends: Xana, a young girl staying at a local eco-lodge; and Mario, a young Mexican boy who initially tries to swindle Peter and Xana, but who proves to be a great friend. Peter, Xana, and Mario are the three main protagonists in the story, but there are several other interesting characters who play key roles in the story – some of which meet rather unfortunate ends. Yes, some of the characters (antagonists) do die in the story.
The most intriguing of all the characters in the story is the dragon – the mythical Cuélebre named Ix-Tub-Tun. In many stories (with some exceptions of course), dragons are typically depicted as evil and dangerous. In this story, the author presents the reader with a unique perspective – that of the dragon defender. The idea of hunting a dragon for its magical properties is not necessarily new, but the idea of a league of people sworn to protect and defend the dragons is fresh and original. What I loved about the development of the plot is that, as the reader, we are never certain as to whether the dragon will be a danger to Peter, who is in possession of her egg.
There were other mysteries threaded throughout the story as well such as, what really happened to Peter’s mother? And, why is the dragon referring to Peter as “The One”? There is clearly much more story to be told. I read Dragon Defender in one sitting because I couldn’t put it down. I will definitely be lining up for Book #2 when the time comes. There is a Book 2 coming, right?!
My Bottom Line:
I thought Dragon Defender was exceptionally well-written with a suspense-filled plot filled with twists, turns, and danger; characters who are well-developed and interesting; and enough intrigue left unresolved as to leave the reader wanting more. I want more! My one caveat is that there are human deaths by dragons that are somewhat violent, so I would recommend this book to children aged 10+ with a warning of violence.
* I was given a copy of this book free-of-charge by the author in exchange for my honest opinion. All opinions expressed are my own. *
In hiding for thousands of years, dragons are still hunted for their magical properties by a small number of poachers around the world. It is up to Peter and the rest of the Dragon Defender League to protect the dragons against extinction. When Peter and his uncle cross the border into Mexico, Peter is tasked with retrieving an egg laid by a very rare dragon, the Cuélebre. But little does he know the danger he is about to face along with the forging of a very special relationship that will last a lifetime ~ one between a boy and his first dragon.
Dragon Defender is a fast-paced, action-packed thriller that drew me in from the first page and kept me riveted until the final page. Peter is a sympathetic main character whom we first meet when he is living with his grandmother after both his parents die. He is a humble genius who proves to be resourceful and loyal to his two new friends: Xana, a young girl staying at a local eco-lodge; and Mario, a young Mexican boy who initially tries to swindle Peter and Xana, but who proves to be a great friend. Peter, Xana, and Mario are the three main protagonists in the story, but there are several other interesting characters who play key roles in the story – some of which meet rather unfortunate ends. Yes, some of the characters (antagonists) do die in the story.
The most intriguing of all the characters in the story is the dragon – the mythical Cuélebre named Ix-Tub-Tun. In many stories (with some exceptions of course), dragons are typically depicted as evil and dangerous. In this story, the author presents the reader with a unique perspective – that of the dragon defender. The idea of hunting a dragon for its magical properties is not necessarily new, but the idea of a league of people sworn to protect and defend the dragons is fresh and original. What I loved about the development of the plot is that, as the reader, we are never certain as to whether the dragon will be a danger to Peter, who is in possession of her egg.
There were other mysteries threaded throughout the story as well such as, what really happened to Peter’s mother? And, why is the dragon referring to Peter as “The One”? There is clearly much more story to be told. I read Dragon Defender in one sitting because I couldn’t put it down. I will definitely be lining up for Book #2 when the time comes. There is a Book 2 coming, right?!
My Bottom Line:
I thought Dragon Defender was exceptionally well-written with a suspense-filled plot filled with twists, turns, and danger; characters who are well-developed and interesting; and enough intrigue left unresolved as to leave the reader wanting more. I want more! My one caveat is that there are human deaths by dragons that are somewhat violent, so I would recommend this book to children aged 10+ with a warning of violence.
* I was given a copy of this book free-of-charge by the author in exchange for my honest opinion. All opinions expressed are my own. *
September 10, 2016
Stands Out From the Crowd
On first blush this book's premise seems neither unique nor promising. Our hero, Peter, is an orphan being raised by his grandmother. Dad was killed in a climbing accident. One day, when Peter was very young, Mom just dropped him with Grandma and disappeared. Peter lives a quiet, lonely and slightly nerdy life. Then, on his twelfth birthday, Mom' brother, Uncle Dominick, until then never known to Peter, arrives, on a dark and stormy night no less, to tell Peter that he is directly descended through Mom in a family line over a thousand years old whose task it is to protect endangered dragons. Yes, it is time for Peter to join the Dragon Defense League. Now, I don't know about you, but I've read this opening literally fifty times, with the only difference being the gender of the protagonist and the identity of the book, artifact, society, portal or secret that requires protection.
I've written the long, discouraging paragraph above just so I can now say that this book actually makes that setup work, and it does so with good plotting, writing, characters, atmosphere and dragon building. Further, as implausible as the set up is, the book has a certain honesty and good humor that actually sells the whole package, and enables the reader to glide over any bumpy spots.
Peter is a good middle grade hero. Smart, but not a genius. Careful, but not timid. Open minded, but not gullible. He is resourceful and level headed in a tight spot, but not unrealistically or unnaturally so. The kid is just normal enough to sell the story, and to engage the reader's sympathy and interest.
It helps that Uncle Dominick is solid and believable because it's his arrival that starts the fantasy part of the book. Later, Peter picks up two excellent sidekicks. Xana, (deceptively introduced as only a high maintenance gossip girl type), is smarter, nervier and more extroverted than Peter and she adds spice and daring and snappy wit to the proceedings, and draws Peter out of his nerdy shell. Mario, a local boy in the area where the dragons live and hide, fits more into the role of resourceful and reliable second banana, but nicely rounds out the trio of kid adventurers.
The actual plot revolves around protecting dragons from poachers, and is developed enough to frame the action but is not set out in tedious and superfluous detail. We run, hide, search, find, lose, get trapped, are kidnapped, escape, run through the jungle, trust the wrong guys, and so on. It's all great middle grade adventure.
And it probably works because everything is written in a carefully crafted spare, direct, efficient manner that keeps things moving, overlooks nothing important, but never sinks into phony writerly showing off. This is accomplished but restrained and forthright "boy's own adventure" stuff that focuses on the ripping yarn angle.
That said, the dragons are described and treated with surprising grace and depth and have a powerful scene stealing presence as characters.
So, a very pleasant surprise, and a treat. This actually seems like the kind of book that could leave a kid reader hoping for a sequel. Can't ask for more than that.
Please note that I received a free advance ecopy of this book in exchange for a candid review. Apart from that I have no connection at all to either the author or the publisher of this book.
On first blush this book's premise seems neither unique nor promising. Our hero, Peter, is an orphan being raised by his grandmother. Dad was killed in a climbing accident. One day, when Peter was very young, Mom just dropped him with Grandma and disappeared. Peter lives a quiet, lonely and slightly nerdy life. Then, on his twelfth birthday, Mom' brother, Uncle Dominick, until then never known to Peter, arrives, on a dark and stormy night no less, to tell Peter that he is directly descended through Mom in a family line over a thousand years old whose task it is to protect endangered dragons. Yes, it is time for Peter to join the Dragon Defense League. Now, I don't know about you, but I've read this opening literally fifty times, with the only difference being the gender of the protagonist and the identity of the book, artifact, society, portal or secret that requires protection.
I've written the long, discouraging paragraph above just so I can now say that this book actually makes that setup work, and it does so with good plotting, writing, characters, atmosphere and dragon building. Further, as implausible as the set up is, the book has a certain honesty and good humor that actually sells the whole package, and enables the reader to glide over any bumpy spots.
Peter is a good middle grade hero. Smart, but not a genius. Careful, but not timid. Open minded, but not gullible. He is resourceful and level headed in a tight spot, but not unrealistically or unnaturally so. The kid is just normal enough to sell the story, and to engage the reader's sympathy and interest.
It helps that Uncle Dominick is solid and believable because it's his arrival that starts the fantasy part of the book. Later, Peter picks up two excellent sidekicks. Xana, (deceptively introduced as only a high maintenance gossip girl type), is smarter, nervier and more extroverted than Peter and she adds spice and daring and snappy wit to the proceedings, and draws Peter out of his nerdy shell. Mario, a local boy in the area where the dragons live and hide, fits more into the role of resourceful and reliable second banana, but nicely rounds out the trio of kid adventurers.
The actual plot revolves around protecting dragons from poachers, and is developed enough to frame the action but is not set out in tedious and superfluous detail. We run, hide, search, find, lose, get trapped, are kidnapped, escape, run through the jungle, trust the wrong guys, and so on. It's all great middle grade adventure.
And it probably works because everything is written in a carefully crafted spare, direct, efficient manner that keeps things moving, overlooks nothing important, but never sinks into phony writerly showing off. This is accomplished but restrained and forthright "boy's own adventure" stuff that focuses on the ripping yarn angle.
That said, the dragons are described and treated with surprising grace and depth and have a powerful scene stealing presence as characters.
So, a very pleasant surprise, and a treat. This actually seems like the kind of book that could leave a kid reader hoping for a sequel. Can't ask for more than that.
Please note that I received a free advance ecopy of this book in exchange for a candid review. Apart from that I have no connection at all to either the author or the publisher of this book.
January 23, 2014
Peter lives with his grandmother ever since his mother dropped him off and never came back. One night, during a thunderstorm, his Uncle Dominick shows up. He's only heard about Dominick before so he's surprised when his uncle gives him a letter from his mother and a necklace. The letter hints at secrets, danger and training but Dominick takes off when his mother shows up because she won't approve of him being there. Peter tracks Dominick down and he starts to explain but has to leave so tells Peter he'll come back to see him. Dominick comes back and explains to Peter that their family's destiny is linked with dragons and they belong to the DDL--Dragon Defense League. Peter's surprised that they protect dragons rather than fight them. Peter's grandmother comes home and is upset to see Dominick there especially when she realizes he wants to take Peter away. She sends Peter to his room and makes Dominick leave. Peter is upset that his grandmother isn't allowing him the chance to do something important and exciting and possibly learn what happened to his mother, so he sneaks out his window, flags Dominick down and takes off with him.
During his adventures, Peter makes two friends along the way, Xana, a girl who's staying at an eco-lodge with her dad, and Mario, who starts out stealing something from Peter but they end up becoming friends. Peter needs to decide if he can really trust them. He also tries to figure out what exactly is going on and what happened to his mother.
This was a fun book to read! It starts strong and doesn't let up the entire time. Every time they would get out of one scrape and I would start to breathe easier for them, they were immediately involved in something else. I read this book quickly because it was hard to put down.
One thing I did find frustrating is that there were a few times that Peter would have a bad feeling about something he was doing, but go ahead and do it anyway. The first time, nothing bad really seemed to happen, but the other times, something bad definitely did happen. He is young so I did expect him to make some not so smart choices and it does show that he has room for growth as the series progresses. Hopefully, he'll learn and make some better choices, but his poor choices did make for a more interesting and heart pounding read.
Peter is likable and starts off as a loner so it was good to see him develop friendships as the story progressed. We also get to meet some dragons and I enjoyed his interactions with them as well. There are also some very bad people that he comes in contact with and one of them puts doubt and more questions into Peter's head with the claims he makes. This fast-paced adventure is the start of a fun middle-grade series and I'm looking forward to reading more!
Mel's Shelves
During his adventures, Peter makes two friends along the way, Xana, a girl who's staying at an eco-lodge with her dad, and Mario, who starts out stealing something from Peter but they end up becoming friends. Peter needs to decide if he can really trust them. He also tries to figure out what exactly is going on and what happened to his mother.
This was a fun book to read! It starts strong and doesn't let up the entire time. Every time they would get out of one scrape and I would start to breathe easier for them, they were immediately involved in something else. I read this book quickly because it was hard to put down.
One thing I did find frustrating is that there were a few times that Peter would have a bad feeling about something he was doing, but go ahead and do it anyway. The first time, nothing bad really seemed to happen, but the other times, something bad definitely did happen. He is young so I did expect him to make some not so smart choices and it does show that he has room for growth as the series progresses. Hopefully, he'll learn and make some better choices, but his poor choices did make for a more interesting and heart pounding read.
Peter is likable and starts off as a loner so it was good to see him develop friendships as the story progressed. We also get to meet some dragons and I enjoyed his interactions with them as well. There are also some very bad people that he comes in contact with and one of them puts doubt and more questions into Peter's head with the claims he makes. This fast-paced adventure is the start of a fun middle-grade series and I'm looking forward to reading more!
Mel's Shelves
October 13, 2014
Dragon Defenderby JA Blackburn tells the story of Peter and his family's legacy to protect dragons. See dragons are real but in hiding. Peter's family has been protecting them against people who want to kill them and sell their parts for lots of money. People want dragon parts because they are magical.
When Peter was 5 years old, his mom left him with his grandmother. His mom never returned. On Peter's 12th birthday, his uncle Dominick shows up with a letter from Peter's mom. Dominick tells Peter of the family's role in the Dragon Defense League. Dominick is to train Peter in his mother's absence. However, a situation arises that Dominick could really use Peter's help with, out in the field. Peter's grandmother is against it since she has already lost a daughter to the cause. Going against his grandmother's wishes, Peter leaves with his uncle and they travel to Mexico where a dragon's egg needs protection.
In his attempts to help the dragon and its offspring (Izzy), Peter meets and becomes friends with Xana, the daughter of a famous musician, and Mario, an street orphan. Together they travel out of a jungle, battle the Knights (people who are hunting the dragons), and meet the mama dragon. In the end, it appears that Peter has a destiny to fulfill.
This was a really fun story! It contained high adventure and some suspense. It had magic and dragons. A great young adult fantasy story with good pacing.
I really liked the characters. They were diverse and well developed. The dragon was especially fun.
The book left some things unanswered. Peter's mom is still missing but it was suggested that she wasn't dead. Plus, Peter's destiny has yet to be completed. It very much seems like this book is intended to be the first in a series.
When Peter was 5 years old, his mom left him with his grandmother. His mom never returned. On Peter's 12th birthday, his uncle Dominick shows up with a letter from Peter's mom. Dominick tells Peter of the family's role in the Dragon Defense League. Dominick is to train Peter in his mother's absence. However, a situation arises that Dominick could really use Peter's help with, out in the field. Peter's grandmother is against it since she has already lost a daughter to the cause. Going against his grandmother's wishes, Peter leaves with his uncle and they travel to Mexico where a dragon's egg needs protection.
In his attempts to help the dragon and its offspring (Izzy), Peter meets and becomes friends with Xana, the daughter of a famous musician, and Mario, an street orphan. Together they travel out of a jungle, battle the Knights (people who are hunting the dragons), and meet the mama dragon. In the end, it appears that Peter has a destiny to fulfill.
This was a really fun story! It contained high adventure and some suspense. It had magic and dragons. A great young adult fantasy story with good pacing.
I really liked the characters. They were diverse and well developed. The dragon was especially fun.
The book left some things unanswered. Peter's mom is still missing but it was suggested that she wasn't dead. Plus, Peter's destiny has yet to be completed. It very much seems like this book is intended to be the first in a series.
January 30, 2014
Dragon_Defender_Cover
“Are you the One” that folks is without a doubt the most important line in the entire book and most likely the basis for the sequels to come.
Dragon Defender introduces us to the secret society of the DDL. The DDL? Gotta read the book to find that out.This book is an adventure that keeps building till the end. Quite honestly I thought it started a little slow but gets going fairly quickly.The depth of the characters is not quite what I like but it’s written with the young reader in mind and I think that’s what the author J.A. Blackburn had in mind while writing this adventure.Our main Character in the story is twelve year old Peter. He’s kind of the classic “Anti-Hero”
He’s unsure of himself,wonders how he got thrust into this role but is willing to go forward with this responsibility his heritage has thrust upon him. He goes from a lonely kid sitting at home one night to going nose to nose with a Dragon no less AND saving his new friends from a bunch of thugs with guns.Could be he’s got a little ” Frodo Baggins”in him . Along the way we meet Uncle Dominick, a little girl named Xana , Mario a poor Mexican orphan and of course the Cuelebre better know as Ix-Tub-Tun. Then there’s the assorted bad guys.
This is a very good read for a young reader. It will keep them interested all the way through and the good part is just when we’re getting to know the characters we come to the end with us wanting to know what happens next. Where will the DDL land and what is the next quest? The next in the series comes out later this year
“Are you the One” that folks is without a doubt the most important line in the entire book and most likely the basis for the sequels to come.
Dragon Defender introduces us to the secret society of the DDL. The DDL? Gotta read the book to find that out.This book is an adventure that keeps building till the end. Quite honestly I thought it started a little slow but gets going fairly quickly.The depth of the characters is not quite what I like but it’s written with the young reader in mind and I think that’s what the author J.A. Blackburn had in mind while writing this adventure.Our main Character in the story is twelve year old Peter. He’s kind of the classic “Anti-Hero”
He’s unsure of himself,wonders how he got thrust into this role but is willing to go forward with this responsibility his heritage has thrust upon him. He goes from a lonely kid sitting at home one night to going nose to nose with a Dragon no less AND saving his new friends from a bunch of thugs with guns.Could be he’s got a little ” Frodo Baggins”in him . Along the way we meet Uncle Dominick, a little girl named Xana , Mario a poor Mexican orphan and of course the Cuelebre better know as Ix-Tub-Tun. Then there’s the assorted bad guys.
This is a very good read for a young reader. It will keep them interested all the way through and the good part is just when we’re getting to know the characters we come to the end with us wanting to know what happens next. Where will the DDL land and what is the next quest? The next in the series comes out later this year
January 28, 2014
Peter Clark is not such an ordinary boy, since he’s quite a loner with exceptional computing skills, but then it’s not surprising he’s become introvert after being abandoned by his mother and brought up by his grandmother. The story starts in a beautifully described storm, where Peter is scared to open the door to let a stranger in (quite rightly), but then realises it’s his uncle.
Despite his grandmother’s opposition, Peter joins his uncle on an expedition to Mexico, having learned a lot more about his past and his mother, and a little bit about what he might grow up to be. Of course, the expedition does not go smoothly; Peter is pressed to demonstrate considerable resourcefulness, and finds friends in the right places who help him out of a whole load of difficulties, caused by… a baby dragon.
Awww! Who wouldn’t want to rescue a baby dragon? Well, you might change your mind if its mother showed up! Peter shows he has the skills necessary for such a task, and the whole story twists and turns through numerous encounters with baddies seeking to destroy the dragons and take parts of them said to have magic powers. Rhino and elephant poachers spring to mind.
This is an exciting, well-written, fast-paced story that I didn’t want to put down. The characterisation is first-class and the dragons… gorgeous. I’m looking forward to more books from J A Blackburn!
PS Everyone should carry a wind-up torch, but then, the adventure wouldn’t have such an edge!
Despite his grandmother’s opposition, Peter joins his uncle on an expedition to Mexico, having learned a lot more about his past and his mother, and a little bit about what he might grow up to be. Of course, the expedition does not go smoothly; Peter is pressed to demonstrate considerable resourcefulness, and finds friends in the right places who help him out of a whole load of difficulties, caused by… a baby dragon.
Awww! Who wouldn’t want to rescue a baby dragon? Well, you might change your mind if its mother showed up! Peter shows he has the skills necessary for such a task, and the whole story twists and turns through numerous encounters with baddies seeking to destroy the dragons and take parts of them said to have magic powers. Rhino and elephant poachers spring to mind.
This is an exciting, well-written, fast-paced story that I didn’t want to put down. The characterisation is first-class and the dragons… gorgeous. I’m looking forward to more books from J A Blackburn!
PS Everyone should carry a wind-up torch, but then, the adventure wouldn’t have such an edge!
January 8, 2014
My Thoughts - 5 out of 5 Unicorns - I loved it!!!
***Received the ebook as part of a blog tour for an honest review
The cover is fun and totally attracts the dragon lovers who are looking for a fun adventure.
This is the first book in the series, and the book started a little slow but didn’t last long. I read this book straight through without stopping. Only problem now is I want more, and I have to wait.
This book is a fantastic adventure. Can you imagine being a twelve year old kid and finding out dragons are real? Oh, and by the way, it is your job to protect them because it is your family’s duty. Wow is all I can say. Peter is the main character, and he is a loner who doesn’t have friends. He spends his time alone working on robots. His world is changed by his Uncle Dominic. Peter has to learn to be self reliant and figure out how to solve the problems as they come. You are easily sucked into Peter’s life and adventure. I loved every minute of reading it :) It is very well written, and this is an author I’m definitely going to keep an eye on.
I think I’m going to try to get my son to read this book. I think the dragons will hook him, and we may have to read it together. This is a great adventure to read with your twelve year old girl or boy. I can’t wait until next book comes out :)
I highly recommend to all my dragon lovers out there who love adventures.
***Received the ebook as part of a blog tour for an honest review
The cover is fun and totally attracts the dragon lovers who are looking for a fun adventure.
This is the first book in the series, and the book started a little slow but didn’t last long. I read this book straight through without stopping. Only problem now is I want more, and I have to wait.
This book is a fantastic adventure. Can you imagine being a twelve year old kid and finding out dragons are real? Oh, and by the way, it is your job to protect them because it is your family’s duty. Wow is all I can say. Peter is the main character, and he is a loner who doesn’t have friends. He spends his time alone working on robots. His world is changed by his Uncle Dominic. Peter has to learn to be self reliant and figure out how to solve the problems as they come. You are easily sucked into Peter’s life and adventure. I loved every minute of reading it :) It is very well written, and this is an author I’m definitely going to keep an eye on.
I think I’m going to try to get my son to read this book. I think the dragons will hook him, and we may have to read it together. This is a great adventure to read with your twelve year old girl or boy. I can’t wait until next book comes out :)
I highly recommend to all my dragon lovers out there who love adventures.
January 14, 2014
Peter lives a pretty quite life, keeping mostly to himself working on his robots, but when his long lost uncle appears and reveals the family's secret his life is turned upside down. Now, Peter finds himself on the adventure of a lifetime. He must rescue a dragon egg and protect the mother from vicious Knights who want to kill them to steal their magical healing powers. As Peter's Uncle Dominick lowers him into the cavern to get the egg, Peter hears voices and a gun shot. He quickly gathers the egg and heads deep into the cavern hoping to find another escape. Peter's mind is racing, will he find his way out, will he be able to save the baby dragon, and will he ever see is uncle again?
Dragon Defender is exciting right from the start, with Peter discovering that his family has a special duty to protect the dragons that still roam the earth. The author continues her quest to captivate readers by keeping the story flowing at a rapid pace. One thrilling event after another makes it difficult to put the story down. I like how Peter is willing, but cautious when it comes to his role as a Dragon Defender. As he questions his ability to succeed in his new role, his actions continue to prove he is the perfect person for this important, yet challenging task.
Dragon
Defender is well written and certainly a story middle graders will find fascinating. I highly recommend picking up a copy.
Dragon Defender is exciting right from the start, with Peter discovering that his family has a special duty to protect the dragons that still roam the earth. The author continues her quest to captivate readers by keeping the story flowing at a rapid pace. One thrilling event after another makes it difficult to put the story down. I like how Peter is willing, but cautious when it comes to his role as a Dragon Defender. As he questions his ability to succeed in his new role, his actions continue to prove he is the perfect person for this important, yet challenging task.
Dragon
Defender is well written and certainly a story middle graders will find fascinating. I highly recommend picking up a copy.
January 10, 2015
I started this book while I was waiting for something to load on my ereader, and quickly discovered that I couldn't put it down. It's a good thing I didn't have anything important to do this morning, because I couldn't seem to stop reading. Dragon Defender starts off with the mystery of Peter's family when his Uncle Dominick shows up in the middle of a storm. From there it's a wild ride through the jungles of Mexico as Peter, along with some unexpected allies, work to protect a treasure most of the world no longer believes in: dragons.
Peter, Xana, and Mario are such genuine characters, and they drew me in immediately. Peter is a youth struggling with being an outsider in school and having been abandoned by his mother when he was five. It was so easy to sympathize with him, and yet he doesn't come across as wallowing in it. Watching him finally make friends and grow stronger during his adventure was wonderful.
It looks like the author, sadly, has dropped off, so I'm not sure we're going to get the promised sequel. I'm certainly hoping I'm wrong because Dragon Defender left off on a very intriguing note, and I'm curious to find out more about the dragon's prophecy. I'll be keeping an eye out for it!
[I received this book for free through First Reads and was not required to write a positive or any other type of review. All opinions stated herein are solely my own.]
Peter, Xana, and Mario are such genuine characters, and they drew me in immediately. Peter is a youth struggling with being an outsider in school and having been abandoned by his mother when he was five. It was so easy to sympathize with him, and yet he doesn't come across as wallowing in it. Watching him finally make friends and grow stronger during his adventure was wonderful.
It looks like the author, sadly, has dropped off, so I'm not sure we're going to get the promised sequel. I'm certainly hoping I'm wrong because Dragon Defender left off on a very intriguing note, and I'm curious to find out more about the dragon's prophecy. I'll be keeping an eye out for it!
[I received this book for free through First Reads and was not required to write a positive or any other type of review. All opinions stated herein are solely my own.]
March 27, 2016
My 8 year old picked this book to read while we were browsing recommendations on goodreads. He read the paperback I purchased from Amazon on his own and really enjoyed it.
There is an ad for a sequel after the last page (even gives the year it will be published), but it appears we will never be able to read it. The author’s web page is down and the publisher does not appear to have a web presence either. It was tough to break it to him and he even wondered if someone had typed in the wrong year.
Knowing there isn’t a sequel the logical question is: Is it still worth reading?
My answer is yes. The story contains scenes that only a small publisher could offer. Characters die in battle and children make dangerous (potentially deadly) decisions. I would find it hard to believe that a larger publisher would not have heavily edited/altered the story into something entirely unrecognizable.
I’m glad I read it after my son did. We had a nice conversation about the fate of some of the characters. I started to mention the scene with the car and he immediately said, “I know I should never do that.”
One last thought: The beginning felt a bit clunky to me, but my 8 year old thought it was flawless.
There is an ad for a sequel after the last page (even gives the year it will be published), but it appears we will never be able to read it. The author’s web page is down and the publisher does not appear to have a web presence either. It was tough to break it to him and he even wondered if someone had typed in the wrong year.
Knowing there isn’t a sequel the logical question is: Is it still worth reading?
My answer is yes. The story contains scenes that only a small publisher could offer. Characters die in battle and children make dangerous (potentially deadly) decisions. I would find it hard to believe that a larger publisher would not have heavily edited/altered the story into something entirely unrecognizable.
I’m glad I read it after my son did. We had a nice conversation about the fate of some of the characters. I started to mention the scene with the car and he immediately said, “I know I should never do that.”
One last thought: The beginning felt a bit clunky to me, but my 8 year old thought it was flawless.
January 18, 2014
Not the best book but not terrible. I read an ARC copy that needed some serious editing but otherwise not too terrible.
Peter is a 12 year old loner and can't make friends at school. He can pick a lock in 2 minutes and build a robot from scratch but he has no friends. He also has little memory of his mother who disappeared when he was 5. I'm a bit surprised at that. His Uncle suddenly shows up on his 12th birthday with a loving letter from his mom and a necklace she left for him. He also has a surprising tale of a family secret that Peter's Grandmother has kept from him. Peter is not an active boy so I would think he would be weak and would not manage to do the amazing things he does on his adventure with his Uncle including making 2 new friends rather quickly, however both of the friends are also loners one rich but lonely due to traveling with her dad and the other dirt poor and lonely. Perhaps that is what makes them attractive.
I did like the book and hope that the mystery of Peter's mother is explained in later books. There are hints that it is more complicated than Peter first believes.
Peter is a 12 year old loner and can't make friends at school. He can pick a lock in 2 minutes and build a robot from scratch but he has no friends. He also has little memory of his mother who disappeared when he was 5. I'm a bit surprised at that. His Uncle suddenly shows up on his 12th birthday with a loving letter from his mom and a necklace she left for him. He also has a surprising tale of a family secret that Peter's Grandmother has kept from him. Peter is not an active boy so I would think he would be weak and would not manage to do the amazing things he does on his adventure with his Uncle including making 2 new friends rather quickly, however both of the friends are also loners one rich but lonely due to traveling with her dad and the other dirt poor and lonely. Perhaps that is what makes them attractive.
I did like the book and hope that the mystery of Peter's mother is explained in later books. There are hints that it is more complicated than Peter first believes.
January 5, 2014
Peter Clark, an introverted twelve-year-old gets a surprise of a lifetime when his unknown uncle shows up out of nowhere with a mysterious necklace and a letter from his mother, a mother who disappeared after dropping Peter off at his grandmother's house when he was a baby. Peter learns that the twelfth year marks the Coming of Age in his family; the age when one begins their training to become a Dragon Defender, a member of a hidden world where dragons are hunted by the evil Knights of the White Rose and the Dragon Defense League whose mission is to protect them.
Things don't go as planned as the Knights have located a rare dragon hiding in Mexico and Peter is called upon to help save the first egg the dragon has laid in centuries. Along the way Peter meets new friends and learns he has a destiny as more then just a Dragon Defender but as someone destined to change the world.
Peter grows from friendless introverted nerd to a confident and caring hero who sees that the world is bigger and more magical then he could have ever imagined.
Things don't go as planned as the Knights have located a rare dragon hiding in Mexico and Peter is called upon to help save the first egg the dragon has laid in centuries. Along the way Peter meets new friends and learns he has a destiny as more then just a Dragon Defender but as someone destined to change the world.
Peter grows from friendless introverted nerd to a confident and caring hero who sees that the world is bigger and more magical then he could have ever imagined.
January 3, 2016
This is a fun, action packed adventure story for middle grade or junior high readers. It starts out with the standard setup of a lonely main character coming of age and realizing his destiny in connection to a missing parent and magical creatures. Yet, the story also stays grounded in a mostly believable modern day world. Peter's journey leads to a dangerous situation that forces him to prove himself and then team up with unlikely friends (in this case, a fun combination of privileged rich girl Xana and orphaned Mario). At this point, the action and adventure really begin as the three kids work together to help the dragons and stay alive. The dragons have their own unique spin, for the most part quietly hiding out from violent, gun-toting bad guys, but also proving their strength and magic when necessary. The book tells a complete story, yet includes a few hints and enough mystery to definitely make the reader curious to know what will happen in the next book of the series.
* I received an electronic copy of this book through NetGalley for an honest review.
* I received an electronic copy of this book through NetGalley for an honest review.
July 4, 2014
This book moves at a quick pace. The action and adventure are present through most of the story. It is a great book for kids who need to have something always going on to keep their attention.
Peter is living with his grandmother because his mother disappeared several years prior. He is a smart boy who is good at figuring out how to make things work. He keeps to himself and enjoys his time working on his robot.
His Uncle shows up when he turns 12. He finds that he is part of a family whose history is to protect dragons. His Uncle immediately bring him along on a mission to save an egg from the group who want to sell dragon parts.
The mission doesn't go as planned and Peter has to use his intelligence to get out of a mess. He finds good friends along the way and meets a dragon.
The book has suspense. It has a secret. It has good friends, and a sense of loyalty.
Peter is living with his grandmother because his mother disappeared several years prior. He is a smart boy who is good at figuring out how to make things work. He keeps to himself and enjoys his time working on his robot.
His Uncle shows up when he turns 12. He finds that he is part of a family whose history is to protect dragons. His Uncle immediately bring him along on a mission to save an egg from the group who want to sell dragon parts.
The mission doesn't go as planned and Peter has to use his intelligence to get out of a mess. He finds good friends along the way and meets a dragon.
The book has suspense. It has a secret. It has good friends, and a sense of loyalty.
April 13, 2015
I recieved a free copy of this book via netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
I enjoyed this novel, it was different and a nice quick easy read. I never felt confused and I liked the characters. The story progressed nicely and was easy to follow.
I love the idea that there is more to the story than anyone yet knows, not even the dragon defenders know all it it. Much more to discover in the next one.
Peter was a great main character, we learned with him, which I always love, he was adventurous and helped his new friends even when they had done wrong. Even when his world is turned upside down he does what he feels is right.
I am looking forward to the next book in the series and will be reading more from this author.
4 out of 5 stars
I enjoyed this novel, it was different and a nice quick easy read. I never felt confused and I liked the characters. The story progressed nicely and was easy to follow.
I love the idea that there is more to the story than anyone yet knows, not even the dragon defenders know all it it. Much more to discover in the next one.
Peter was a great main character, we learned with him, which I always love, he was adventurous and helped his new friends even when they had done wrong. Even when his world is turned upside down he does what he feels is right.
I am looking forward to the next book in the series and will be reading more from this author.
4 out of 5 stars
December 4, 2014
I enjoyed this book and look forward to reading the next in the series. If you have a Middle Grade reader that like fantasy, dragons or adventures, this is a good series to start. Either way, unless you just don’t read books targeted at younger readers, I think fantasy enthusiasts will enjoy Dragon Defender.
A note about how I discovered this book since it didn’t come up in my recommendations. I saw J.A. Blackburn speak on a panel in Seattle (at the Central Library), where she talked about lessons she learned from writing and publishing her book. As part of that, she shared her “before” and “after” synopsis – the after is what is currently on Amazon and below – and I thought the book sounded like one I’d enjoy. I did.
A note about how I discovered this book since it didn’t come up in my recommendations. I saw J.A. Blackburn speak on a panel in Seattle (at the Central Library), where she talked about lessons she learned from writing and publishing her book. As part of that, she shared her “before” and “after” synopsis – the after is what is currently on Amazon and below – and I thought the book sounded like one I’d enjoy. I did.
January 9, 2014
I received a free copy of this book for an honest review.
Dragon Defender is a fun book for children. It has action, adventure, and best of all, dragons.
Peter, the main character, thinks he's a normal, although introverted, 12 year old. He turns out to be anything but normal. Not only does he come from a long line of Dragon Defenders, but he's resourceful and is able to face any obstacles he has to face. He also easily makes a couple friends along the way.
I enjoyed reading about Peter's adventure with his new friends and I am looking forward to reading The Mountain of Ice and Fire. This is a book that anyone of any age would enjoy reading.
Dragon Defender is a fun book for children. It has action, adventure, and best of all, dragons.
Peter, the main character, thinks he's a normal, although introverted, 12 year old. He turns out to be anything but normal. Not only does he come from a long line of Dragon Defenders, but he's resourceful and is able to face any obstacles he has to face. He also easily makes a couple friends along the way.
I enjoyed reading about Peter's adventure with his new friends and I am looking forward to reading The Mountain of Ice and Fire. This is a book that anyone of any age would enjoy reading.
February 11, 2014
Cool cover? You bet, it features three new friends Peter, Xana and Mario; oh and Ix-Tub-Tun in the background. 11 and 12 year-old rock! This is a quick read, but one that will hook young reader or non-readers alike.
Its just about your 12th birthday and a big bearded man shows up at 11 P.M. who is your long lost Uncle who you have not seen since you were a baby!
Not weird enough? Try Uncle being a Dragon Defender and wisking you off to deep Mexico to get a dragon egg. Throw in a bunch of bad guys calling themselves the Knights of the White Rose. An epic chase, an epic escape(s). All this equals one great adventure to be followed up this year with a second; The Mountain of Ice & Fire.
Its just about your 12th birthday and a big bearded man shows up at 11 P.M. who is your long lost Uncle who you have not seen since you were a baby!
Not weird enough? Try Uncle being a Dragon Defender and wisking you off to deep Mexico to get a dragon egg. Throw in a bunch of bad guys calling themselves the Knights of the White Rose. An epic chase, an epic escape(s). All this equals one great adventure to be followed up this year with a second; The Mountain of Ice & Fire.
Read
August 22, 2016Are you behind on your reading challenge?
Need a short but insanely exciting book filled with dragons, a missing parent and a young boy who finds himself in the midst of a family tradition he had no idea about?
If you answered yes, then Dragon Defender is exactly what you are looking for! You will be done in an hour and left craving for the NEXT book like the rest of us.
August 30, 2014
Clearing out these YA novels I've picked up for free...
This one was okay, the premise is a group of people that through the ages have defended dragons against those fame-seeking knights. In our modern times, when dragons are threatened with extinction, a young boy is drawn into this group by his uncle on a trip to save a dragon's egg from a group of knights (i.e., bounty hunters). In cliff-hanger after cliff-hanger.
Like I said, it was alright, but not enough to make me want to read more.
This one was okay, the premise is a group of people that through the ages have defended dragons against those fame-seeking knights. In our modern times, when dragons are threatened with extinction, a young boy is drawn into this group by his uncle on a trip to save a dragon's egg from a group of knights (i.e., bounty hunters). In cliff-hanger after cliff-hanger.
Like I said, it was alright, but not enough to make me want to read more.
April 20, 2016
This is a great middle grade book.
It's fast pace and entertaining.
Love the writing style and subject.
Dragons, Dragons, Dragons
With a little bit of mystery.
The friendship between the characters is amazing.
I can't wait to read the next book in the serise.
I love the writer and would like to read more by this author.
It's fast pace and entertaining.
Love the writing style and subject.
Dragons, Dragons, Dragons
With a little bit of mystery.
The friendship between the characters is amazing.
I can't wait to read the next book in the serise.
I love the writer and would like to read more by this author.
January 10, 2014
I received Dragon Defender, started reading, and never stopped! I loved this book. The story grabbed me right from the beginning. What a fabulous destiny: To guard a dragon! I give this 5 stars (*****).
February 11, 2014
Peter is swept into a world of dragons, an animal he never thought existed. On his adventure he meets some friends. Great characters, vivid descriptions makes this story come to life. I look forward to more adventure with Peter and his friends.
June 16, 2014
This story has all the elements I love – fantasy hidden in our world, a family legacy, and a coming-of-age story. And dragons, to boot! I loved this story and can’t wait for my granddaughter to be old enough to share it with her.
ARC provided by Netgalley for an honest review.
ARC provided by Netgalley for an honest review.
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