What do you think?
Storm Dragons #2
Firebred
Newfound friends must overcome countless danger in a quest to save the world in this epic sequel of the Storm Dragons saga!
REMY has come a long way from his life as a scrappy orphan on Cutthroat Wedge. Still on the run from the evil pirate Jhaeros, Remy and his dragon, Storm, set out to find a True Dragon, the only creature old enough to understand why the magic that powers their floating islands is dying. After a confession from a long-forgotten sky knight about the remote location of a True Dragon, Remy is more determined than ever to help save the day. But this is easier said than done when an ancient force has done everything in its power to keep that True Dragon hidden.
GEM is ready to harness magic to protect her friends, but training is impossible now that she’s far away from the College of Magic. That is, until she teams up with the surly wizard Lysander aboard the Queen’s Blade, forming a begrudging partnership and beginning a journey to master magic. As Gem grows stronger, so does her desire to live up to her title as the princess by halting the kingdom’s impending doom. But what good is revealing the truth about the dire state of the world if nobody will listen?
To save their realm, Remy, Gem, and Storm must evade the king’s guards, discover the hidden truths about the past, and face down a vengeful villain none of them saw coming. Together they will discover who they are, what it means to be a good friend, and what it takes to be a hero.
REMY has come a long way from his life as a scrappy orphan on Cutthroat Wedge. Still on the run from the evil pirate Jhaeros, Remy and his dragon, Storm, set out to find a True Dragon, the only creature old enough to understand why the magic that powers their floating islands is dying. After a confession from a long-forgotten sky knight about the remote location of a True Dragon, Remy is more determined than ever to help save the day. But this is easier said than done when an ancient force has done everything in its power to keep that True Dragon hidden.
GEM is ready to harness magic to protect her friends, but training is impossible now that she’s far away from the College of Magic. That is, until she teams up with the surly wizard Lysander aboard the Queen’s Blade, forming a begrudging partnership and beginning a journey to master magic. As Gem grows stronger, so does her desire to live up to her title as the princess by halting the kingdom’s impending doom. But what good is revealing the truth about the dire state of the world if nobody will listen?
To save their realm, Remy, Gem, and Storm must evade the king’s guards, discover the hidden truths about the past, and face down a vengeful villain none of them saw coming. Together they will discover who they are, what it means to be a good friend, and what it takes to be a hero.
336 pages, Hardcover
First published April 1, 2025
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Displaying 1 - 24 of 24 reviews
May 31, 2026
Les îles sombrent de plus en plus dans le Maëlstrom, mettant les humains en grand danger. Gem et Rémy, accompagnés de leurs dragons et de l’équipage du bateau La lame de la Reine, se lancent dans une quête pour sauver les îles. Mais ils devront affronter beaucoup de menaces pour parvenir à avoir des réponses.
Le premier tome de cette série était une belle découverte, et ce deuxième tome l’est tout autant! On replonge facilement dans l’aventure de Rémy et Orage, qui essaient de retrouver les Vrais Dragons et sauver les humains. ✨
J’ai adorée découvrir le passé de Bart, malgré la tristesse de son histoire. L’ancien Chevalier du ciel a vécu une perte énorme, et en est encore grandement attristé, mais son aide dans la quête de Gem et Rémy est précieuse. ❤️🔥
La princesse est mon personnage préféré! Elle est courageuse et fonceuse malgré son rang de noblesse. Elle n’a pas peur de se mettre en danger et d’affronter les ennemis pour protéger ses amis. 🗡️
Bien que le livre compte beaucoup de pages, l’écriture est assez grande et fluide, ce qui en fait la lecture parfaite pour les jeunes de 9 ans et plus qui aiment les histoires de dragons et de magie. ✨
J’ai bien hâte à la sortie du prochain tome pour voir comment l’équipage du navire fera pour régler le problème des cristaux et sauver les îles de leur destruction. 🤭
Le premier tome de cette série était une belle découverte, et ce deuxième tome l’est tout autant! On replonge facilement dans l’aventure de Rémy et Orage, qui essaient de retrouver les Vrais Dragons et sauver les humains. ✨
J’ai adorée découvrir le passé de Bart, malgré la tristesse de son histoire. L’ancien Chevalier du ciel a vécu une perte énorme, et en est encore grandement attristé, mais son aide dans la quête de Gem et Rémy est précieuse. ❤️🔥
La princesse est mon personnage préféré! Elle est courageuse et fonceuse malgré son rang de noblesse. Elle n’a pas peur de se mettre en danger et d’affronter les ennemis pour protéger ses amis. 🗡️
Bien que le livre compte beaucoup de pages, l’écriture est assez grande et fluide, ce qui en fait la lecture parfaite pour les jeunes de 9 ans et plus qui aiment les histoires de dragons et de magie. ✨
J’ai bien hâte à la sortie du prochain tome pour voir comment l’équipage du navire fera pour régler le problème des cristaux et sauver les îles de leur destruction. 🤭
November 3, 2025
It was less memorable then the first book I enjoyed it though
It was a bit hard to get through the middle and I got it bit lost but that was probably my fault
I will be reading the next one when it come out!
It was a bit hard to get through the middle and I got it bit lost but that was probably my fault
I will be reading the next one when it come out!
April 1, 2026
A great adventure story for middle-grade kids, that I also thoroughly enjoyed as an adult reader. My daughter and I are excited for the third volume.
June 5, 2025
This series is definitely taking a LOTR twist, so now it's LOTR, Eragon, and Harry Potter.
Oh, and pirates.
Maybe a little Aladdin for the first book.
Oh, and pirates.
Maybe a little Aladdin for the first book.
June 21, 2025
My tween's review: It's got everything! Adventure, death, bravery, sadness, and comedy.
January 13, 2026
just wish it was not such a Clif hanger .
June 23, 2025
Princess Gemillia, Gem to her friends, is continuing her quest to find the True Dragons and discover a way to save the kingdom of floating islands from falling into the Maelstrom below as the magical gems keeping them afloat are failing. Her faithful dragon, Cloud, along with her new friends Remy, Storm the young True Dragon he rescued, Sir Bart, pirate Captain Cutlass, Cutlass’ ship mage Lysander, and the rest of the crew have joined her on her quest. They are currently venturing into some of the stormier parts of the skies to see if they can find the island where Sir Bart was marooned for many years and where he met a True Dragon. But Sir Bart is not sure he has the strength to return and face what he left there. But for the good of the kingdom, he must. And what they find on the island will surprise them all and send their quest in directions no one could have predicted.
Gem, Cloud, Remy, Storm and gang are off on one more impossible quest after another in this one, and it was fun to tag along now that they know each other better. We get to learn the origin of the floating islands and the Maelstrom, why there are so few True Dragons, why nasty Jhaeros is after them, what happened to Bart when he was marooned and turned a sky knight into a sorry drunk. Gem gets some magic lessons from Lysander, which are usually entertaining. The 2nd half of the book sees the group get a further quest after finding Bart’s island . The worldbuilding in this one gets all the stars. It is so imaginative and well thought out. I’m glad that there is another book in this series coming.
Notes on content:
Language: None
Sexual content: None
Violence: There are several battles and perilous circumstances. 3 dragons die, 1 from old age and 2 as a result of battles. A ship gets damaged and some people fall overboard, but all people are mostly ok. No gory wounds or anything described. We learn about civil wars that decimated the elf population.
Ethnic diversity: Imaginary world and ethnicities.
LGBTQ+ content: None specified.
Other: Bart’s trauma is explained but he makes great strides in healing and getting to a healthier place in this book. Some of the True Dragons are very prejudiced against humans and bitter about an accident that happened in the distant past and think the answer is to wipe out all humans.
Gem, Cloud, Remy, Storm and gang are off on one more impossible quest after another in this one, and it was fun to tag along now that they know each other better. We get to learn the origin of the floating islands and the Maelstrom, why there are so few True Dragons, why nasty Jhaeros is after them, what happened to Bart when he was marooned and turned a sky knight into a sorry drunk. Gem gets some magic lessons from Lysander, which are usually entertaining. The 2nd half of the book sees the group get a further quest after finding Bart’s island . The worldbuilding in this one gets all the stars. It is so imaginative and well thought out. I’m glad that there is another book in this series coming.
Notes on content:
Language: None
Sexual content: None
Violence: There are several battles and perilous circumstances. 3 dragons die, 1 from old age and 2 as a result of battles. A ship gets damaged and some people fall overboard, but all people are mostly ok. No gory wounds or anything described. We learn about civil wars that decimated the elf population.
Ethnic diversity: Imaginary world and ethnicities.
LGBTQ+ content: None specified.
Other: Bart’s trauma is explained but he makes great strides in healing and getting to a healthier place in this book. Some of the True Dragons are very prejudiced against humans and bitter about an accident that happened in the distant past and think the answer is to wipe out all humans.
March 4, 2025
Storm Dragons is not simply a rehash of every other dragon series. Rather, it is a unique mixture of magic, sentient and verbal dragons, pirates who sail their ships sail airborne from one floating island country to another and those who ride dragons in order to protect the kingdom’s citizens. The world-building is well done with elements being revealed throughout the action rather than simply stacked up in the first few chapters in a less exciting way. Firebred continues the Storm Dragons series with main characters Princess Gem, Remy and their dragons Cloud and Storm, magician Lysander, and pirate captain Cutlass striving to correct the magic drain on the crystals that keep the island worlds safely suspended in the air above the massive swirling Maelstrom.
Love the relationship of riders to dragons, the growing magical ability of Gem and the strengthening bond between Remy and Storm. The sarcasm of Lysander keeps things from getting too “touchy-feely” and the no nonsense attitude of Cutlass also adds some extra zip to the cast.
Text is free of profanity, sexual content and the violence level is perfectly appropriate to fantasy for those in grades 4-8. Many in those lower grades may be intimidated by the 300+ pages but the non-stop action and steady reveal of new pieces to the puzzle of repairing the crystals should encourage them to reach the cliffhanger leading to the 3rd and final book in the series.
Note: I did not read the series opener, Lightningborn, but was able to enjoy this book 2 without any difficulty.
Thanks for the eARC, NetGalley and Disney Hyperion.
Love the relationship of riders to dragons, the growing magical ability of Gem and the strengthening bond between Remy and Storm. The sarcasm of Lysander keeps things from getting too “touchy-feely” and the no nonsense attitude of Cutlass also adds some extra zip to the cast.
Text is free of profanity, sexual content and the violence level is perfectly appropriate to fantasy for those in grades 4-8. Many in those lower grades may be intimidated by the 300+ pages but the non-stop action and steady reveal of new pieces to the puzzle of repairing the crystals should encourage them to reach the cliffhanger leading to the 3rd and final book in the series.
Note: I did not read the series opener, Lightningborn, but was able to enjoy this book 2 without any difficulty.
Thanks for the eARC, NetGalley and Disney Hyperion.
May 18, 2026
Star Rating: 5 stars
Date: 5/12/26 – 5/15/26
Note: This is the 2nd book in the Strom Dragons series so this will not be an in-depth review to avoid spoilers.
After waiting for over a month and a half, my public library hold came in for Firebred, the 2nd book in the Storm Dragons series by Julie Kagawa so I decided that I needed to read it when I had the chance even though I am revamping the way I tackle my TBR and don’t actually need to for a little while. Firebred continues the story of Gem, Remy, and their compatriots as they try to save their world from destruction while also running for their lives.
My favorite part about this book was the world as I already thought it was cool in book 1, but Kagawa added so many new layers in this installment. We learn a lot of secrets and those secrets allow new areas of the world to be explored, allowing us to take this story to places I didn’t know it was going but am super excited about. These places, sorry, trying not to spoil, allowed us to gain new perspectives and look at conversations and themes in different ways, ways that added so much more nuance and depth to the story.
Speaking of themes, in this book we are growing up with the usual pitfalls and challenges that entails while exploring what it means to be a hero and introducing new important concepts like generational trauma and how we address, come to terms with, and move past these issues. There is a twist in this book that I won’t spoil, but it reframes everything we thought we knew about this world, and our characters really struggle with this knowledge, particularly Gem. Her family were directly involved in this event and its potential coverup; what does that mean about her relationship with them and her history and how can she fix things, so this never happens again? I don’t know about you, but this would have been a new concept for me at the target age for this book as I wasn’t really exposed to these generational events or didn’t have the capacity to fully understand them. Since I use books to conceptualize big ideas like this (exploring them in this way really helps my autism process the complexities, particularly feelings and perspectives), this book would have been helpful then and still is now.
All in all, I loved this addition to the series and the way Kagawa expanded the series and I can’t wait to keep reading. You would think that having read almost all her books that her ability to create interesting and unique worlds wouldn’t surprise me, but it continues to. 5 stars!!!!!!
Date: 5/12/26 – 5/15/26
Note: This is the 2nd book in the Strom Dragons series so this will not be an in-depth review to avoid spoilers.
After waiting for over a month and a half, my public library hold came in for Firebred, the 2nd book in the Storm Dragons series by Julie Kagawa so I decided that I needed to read it when I had the chance even though I am revamping the way I tackle my TBR and don’t actually need to for a little while. Firebred continues the story of Gem, Remy, and their compatriots as they try to save their world from destruction while also running for their lives.
My favorite part about this book was the world as I already thought it was cool in book 1, but Kagawa added so many new layers in this installment. We learn a lot of secrets and those secrets allow new areas of the world to be explored, allowing us to take this story to places I didn’t know it was going but am super excited about. These places, sorry, trying not to spoil, allowed us to gain new perspectives and look at conversations and themes in different ways, ways that added so much more nuance and depth to the story.
Speaking of themes, in this book we are growing up with the usual pitfalls and challenges that entails while exploring what it means to be a hero and introducing new important concepts like generational trauma and how we address, come to terms with, and move past these issues. There is a twist in this book that I won’t spoil, but it reframes everything we thought we knew about this world, and our characters really struggle with this knowledge, particularly Gem. Her family were directly involved in this event and its potential coverup; what does that mean about her relationship with them and her history and how can she fix things, so this never happens again? I don’t know about you, but this would have been a new concept for me at the target age for this book as I wasn’t really exposed to these generational events or didn’t have the capacity to fully understand them. Since I use books to conceptualize big ideas like this (exploring them in this way really helps my autism process the complexities, particularly feelings and perspectives), this book would have been helpful then and still is now.
All in all, I loved this addition to the series and the way Kagawa expanded the series and I can’t wait to keep reading. You would think that having read almost all her books that her ability to create interesting and unique worlds wouldn’t surprise me, but it continues to. 5 stars!!!!!!
March 12, 2025
Book 2 in the Storm Dragons series is almost everything I could have hoped for. The continuing story of Remy and his True Dragon partner Storm is a fast-paced story, perhaps a bit more serious than Book 1. Remy, Storm, and Gem, along with Bart and the captain and crew of the pirate ship they've hired for transportation are looking for other True Dragons, so Storm can find out about his heritage - oh, and save their world in the process. This volume includes Bart's back story, as well as a quest to find the long-missing elves and dwarves, who used to populate the world along with humans and dragons. Firebred is a wonderful story about helping your friends, overcoming past mistakes, and doing what's best for everyone, not just yourself. It's appropriate for upper elementary students, and entertaining enough for adults.
I quite enjoyed right up to the finale, when it just... ends. Abruptly. Yes, there's a third book due out next year, but even so, this one builds to a crescendo, and then crashes. It's certainly worth reading, but look out for that feel of incompleteness. For me, the abrupt ending disrupted the tone of the book. It may not bother others at all.
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book provided by Netgalley. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
I quite enjoyed right up to the finale, when it just... ends. Abruptly. Yes, there's a third book due out next year, but even so, this one builds to a crescendo, and then crashes. It's certainly worth reading, but look out for that feel of incompleteness. For me, the abrupt ending disrupted the tone of the book. It may not bother others at all.
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book provided by Netgalley. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
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February 23, 20264.5 stars
I really enjoyed this sequel!
It picks up immediately where the first one left off. Gem has told Remy and Bart about the failing crystal and the sinking of the islands. They then convince Bart to show them where the island was where he met the True Dragon and set off on a whirlwind adventure.
So much happens in this book. While they are travelling to the island, we get a few chapters of past timeline from Bart and get the whole story of what happened 30 years ago when he disappeared and then 10 years ago when he came back. I absolutely loved getting his actual version of events since this was such a mystery in the first book. There was a whole second part to this book - their next step to fixing the crystals - but it was so different than what I thought it would be. I really enjoyed the direction it went and just had a great time with the plot in general.
I loved getting to know all the characters better throughout this book. Remy is bonding more with Storm and we get to know so much more about Bart. It's also nice to see how dedicated Gem is to the kingdom. She knows there is no way she has time to go all the way back and alert her father or get back up. She just knows she is basically the only one who can do anything about this and is going to do it no matter what anyone says.
This is just such a fun and unique dragon story and I'm so excited to read the advance copy of the final book that I have!
I really enjoyed this sequel!
It picks up immediately where the first one left off. Gem has told Remy and Bart about the failing crystal and the sinking of the islands. They then convince Bart to show them where the island was where he met the True Dragon and set off on a whirlwind adventure.
So much happens in this book. While they are travelling to the island, we get a few chapters of past timeline from Bart and get the whole story of what happened 30 years ago when he disappeared and then 10 years ago when he came back. I absolutely loved getting his actual version of events since this was such a mystery in the first book. There was a whole second part to this book - their next step to fixing the crystals - but it was so different than what I thought it would be. I really enjoyed the direction it went and just had a great time with the plot in general.
I loved getting to know all the characters better throughout this book. Remy is bonding more with Storm and we get to know so much more about Bart. It's also nice to see how dedicated Gem is to the kingdom. She knows there is no way she has time to go all the way back and alert her father or get back up. She just knows she is basically the only one who can do anything about this and is going to do it no matter what anyone says.
This is just such a fun and unique dragon story and I'm so excited to read the advance copy of the final book that I have!
May 4, 2026
This is such a fun series. We have two kids with two dragons off with a band of sky pirates and a drunken old guy from the pub off to save the world. Anytime they accomplish one of their goals it just leads into another quest. It’s like a chain of steps and arduous tasks they have to undertake as they stepping stone their way towards the end goal: the kingdoms not falling into the Maelstrom. It’s full of adventure and friendship and loyalty and they uncover more secrets from the past with each small piece of progress they make.
I wish this existed five years ago because this would have bene perfect for one of my kids at that age. It’s still being enjoyed now, but I just think it would have been a blow away hit back then. Kid’s fantasy can be a bit hit and miss for me, but this is just everything you could possibly want.
I wish this existed five years ago because this would have bene perfect for one of my kids at that age. It’s still being enjoyed now, but I just think it would have been a blow away hit back then. Kid’s fantasy can be a bit hit and miss for me, but this is just everything you could possibly want.
October 19, 2025
(Actual rating: 3.5 stars)
Although this book was the first of three books by Kagawa that I read this month and the ninth that I have read from her overall, I simply could not get into the story. I really struggled to connect with the characters which perplexed me because not only have I not had that trouble with other books that I have read from her but I also did not have that trouble when I read the first book in this series. This struggle to connect also contributed to a struggle to keep details about the book in my mind. Unfortunately, this lack of engagement has contributed to my decision to DNF the series.
Although this book was the first of three books by Kagawa that I read this month and the ninth that I have read from her overall, I simply could not get into the story. I really struggled to connect with the characters which perplexed me because not only have I not had that trouble with other books that I have read from her but I also did not have that trouble when I read the first book in this series. This struggle to connect also contributed to a struggle to keep details about the book in my mind. Unfortunately, this lack of engagement has contributed to my decision to DNF the series.
December 15, 2024
Gem and Remy have come so far since Cutthroat Wedge, and they are on their way to find a True Dragon and help their world stay afloat and out of the maelstrom. But this is not a easy trip it is one full of action and suspense, and maneuvering through a ranging storm that no other Captain would even try.
This book is full of suspense and I do not want to add spoilers. But this is a wonderful book not only finding a true dragon is is also about finding your true self.
review book was provided by Edelweiss
This book is full of suspense and I do not want to add spoilers. But this is a wonderful book not only finding a true dragon is is also about finding your true self.
review book was provided by Edelweiss
October 1, 2025
A great sequel to Lightningborn. It picks up right where the first book ends. We get to find out more about the True Dragons and Bart's past. I love the expansion of the world building in this book and each of the characters that we were introduced to in the first book. The story did get a bit tough emotionally with some conversation about death,
Otherwise this was another fun pirate adventure story. Captain Cutlass continues to be great character and we also get to see more of Lysander as he interacts with Gem. Storm is absolutely adorable and I love his interactions with Remy. I will absolutely be reading book 3 in this series when it comes out!
Otherwise this was another fun pirate adventure story. Captain Cutlass continues to be great character and we also get to see more of Lysander as he interacts with Gem. Storm is absolutely adorable and I love his interactions with Remy. I will absolutely be reading book 3 in this series when it comes out!
February 12, 2025
Remy, Gem, and Storm must find the island Sir Bartello was stranded on in order to speak with the True Dragon that lives there. They hope that the True Dragon will be able to tell them how to save the storm crystals from failing. Of course things don't go to plan, and they end up finding more than they thought. Not all myths are false. #Edelweiss+
April 23, 2025
This is such a fun an action-packed little dragon series! It’s well written, face paced, characters you will love and reminds me a bit of some older middle grade fantasy that was just funny & fun!!
Thank you to NetGalley, Disney Publishing Worldwide and Disney Hyperion for an eARC in exchange for an honest review!
Thank you to NetGalley, Disney Publishing Worldwide and Disney Hyperion for an eARC in exchange for an honest review!
November 5, 2025
This story was great! It was lacking some of the descriptive wit of the first one but it made up for it in the stories told by jack and the experience of the boat. I love this otherworldly Pangea concept!
May 30, 2025
It lost some of the original ideas that made the first book better and the second a little more confusing.
July 30, 2025
Such a fun book full of adventure while upping the stakes! I'm really enjoying this series and excited for the next book.
August 31, 2025
I’m still really loving this series: With its dragons, sky pirates, and floating islands. I’m excited to see how it all ends.
September 27, 2025
Great second book! My 7 year old is waiting impatiently for the third!
May 1, 2026
Easy read and I like both the plot and characters.
June 9, 2026
Cute book; an easy read. Story is probably for teenaged minds but it was fun :)
Displaying 1 - 24 of 24 reviews