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The Dragon's Apprentice
In this hilarious fantasy adventure from the New York Times bestselling author of the Story Thieves series, a girl strikes a deal with the ancient, cranky dragon she accidentally summoned to teach her the forbidden magic she needs to save her mother.
STOP. Don’t read any further. There are magic spells in this book, and the Emperor has forbidden anyone from learning magic, because it’s way too dangerous! If you try one of the spells, any number of terrible things might happen (or so the Emperor says).
Don’t be like Ciara, a twelve-year-old girl living in the tiny village of Skael. When she used a spell from within this book, she ended up summoning a dragon. A DRAGON! Those things breathe fire! From their mouths! She’s obviously doomed.
And don’t listen if Ciara tells you that dragons won’t hurt humans, and that they even once taught us magic, a thousand years ago. Definitely don’t pay any attention to the fact that the dragon she summoned, Scorch, might be willing to help rescue Ciara’s mother and free her village from the Emperor and his Warden, because it’s all obviously a big lie. So put this book down, and forget about it. Magic is just way too dangerous. After all, you wouldn’t want to summon your own dragon, would you?
STOP. Don’t read any further. There are magic spells in this book, and the Emperor has forbidden anyone from learning magic, because it’s way too dangerous! If you try one of the spells, any number of terrible things might happen (or so the Emperor says).
Don’t be like Ciara, a twelve-year-old girl living in the tiny village of Skael. When she used a spell from within this book, she ended up summoning a dragon. A DRAGON! Those things breathe fire! From their mouths! She’s obviously doomed.
And don’t listen if Ciara tells you that dragons won’t hurt humans, and that they even once taught us magic, a thousand years ago. Definitely don’t pay any attention to the fact that the dragon she summoned, Scorch, might be willing to help rescue Ciara’s mother and free her village from the Emperor and his Warden, because it’s all obviously a big lie. So put this book down, and forget about it. Magic is just way too dangerous. After all, you wouldn’t want to summon your own dragon, would you?
240 pages, Paperback
First published April 1, 2025
39 people are currently reading
4106 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 125 reviews
March 19, 2025
I received a free copy of, The Dragon's Apprentice, by James Riley, from the publisher and Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. Ciara is a 12 year old girl who summoned a dragon. Ciara and her dragon Scorch are a great team. This is an enjoyable read.
January 22, 2025
Thank you to Random House/Labyrinth Publishing, NetGalley, and James Riley for the e-print ARC of this book!
2.5 stars
In middle school, Story Thieves was one of my favorite books to read, so when I saw James Riley’s name appear as I was browsing NetGalley, I jumped on the chance to get a copy.
Unfortunately, I didn’t like this one nearly as much. The dialogue was choppy, sentences felt clumsy, and the characters, clearly attempting to be humorous, became just confusing. The storyline was limited by the localized setting, giving little room for growth in any way. Nothing was hitting for me. I was also a bit let-down by the dragon; as original as Scorch was, he didn’t live up to my expectation.
Just a flat read. Unfeeling. Mediocre.
So, not my favorite, but an innocent, harmless read for sure. A good introductory book for young kids.
Happy reading!
2.5 stars
In middle school, Story Thieves was one of my favorite books to read, so when I saw James Riley’s name appear as I was browsing NetGalley, I jumped on the chance to get a copy.
Unfortunately, I didn’t like this one nearly as much. The dialogue was choppy, sentences felt clumsy, and the characters, clearly attempting to be humorous, became just confusing. The storyline was limited by the localized setting, giving little room for growth in any way. Nothing was hitting for me. I was also a bit let-down by the dragon; as original as Scorch was, he didn’t live up to my expectation.
Just a flat read. Unfeeling. Mediocre.
So, not my favorite, but an innocent, harmless read for sure. A good introductory book for young kids.
Happy reading!
Read
July 22, 2025DNF at page 55
April 21, 2025
Female middle grades fantasy with dragons. This is perfect for an 8-12yr old reader with an interest in fantasy. Everything is age appropriate and adventures not scary.
# The Dragon's Apprentice
# 4/14/2025 ~ 4/14/2025
# 5.0 / 5.0
# The Dragon's Apprentice
# 4/14/2025 ~ 4/14/2025
# 5.0 / 5.0
April 5, 2025
Now, this was a fun ride!
The story follows Ciara as she discovers a book (quite the naughty one) that will totally change her life and give her the adventure of a lifetime! And what does this adventure involve, you may ask? Dragons? ✅ Magic?✅ Despicable villain?✅ Cliffhanger? ✅ ✅ ✅
With this book, the author only scratched the surface of what is yet to come in this world full of magic, dragons, and a fun, witty and quite bold 12-year-old protagonist who would do anything to try to find a cure and save her mother and the villagers of Skael from the Warden and the evils that have befallen those people. With the help of Scorch (a cute but stern-looking dragon) and her close friend Meg, they join forces for one epic quest! Or more epic quests… I just need the second book to find that out!
I found some characters very likeable and funny, especially in the voice of the owner of the said found book! (but shuushhh, I’m not going to say more about who that person is; you need to read the book to find out!) Others were quite mysterious, and we didn’t see enough of them as this was a hint there would be a following book to come, and no, the ginormous cliffhanger was not a clue!!
I just need the second book, really!
It clearly is a middle-grade book, so sometimes, the actions and dialogue did make me cringe a little, and at one point, the “name callings” became a tad irritating...
This aside, this was a solid 4-star read for me that I quite enjoyed, and I will be absolutely looking forward to the second book! I do recommend it!
This ARC was kindly provided to me by TBR & Beyond Tours and NetGalley, I am leaving a voluntary review.
July 6, 2025
A fun little romp, magic has been outlawed...or has it? perhaps it's totally normal to pull a dragon out of a book.
March 4, 2025
This was a cute story. It sets up a series so there is a little bit of a cliffhanger. As an adult reading the book I see the theme of a religion being used as a tool to subjugate and manipulate people. It is a good reminder to check where our information comes from and not just trust what we are told. There are plenty of lighthearted moments, and themes of love, friendship, family and sacrifice as well as the importance of standing up for what you believe in and seeking and telling the truth even if it’s hard. This was a fun little escape from reality and if your child (like mine) wants to read *your* books about dragons but can’t for another 8-10 years this is a fun adventure they could try! Thank you Random House Children's and NetGalley for the opportunity to review this arc, all opinions are my own.
September 26, 2025
*2.75/5 stars
If I'm being completely objective this wasn't great but the author has won a lot of good will from me because of his previous books, so I will be checking out the sequel.
If I'm being completely objective this wasn't great but the author has won a lot of good will from me because of his previous books, so I will be checking out the sequel.
March 9, 2025
I don't review books often, but this is an ARC I was so kindly given the opportunity to read from NetGalley and it didn't disappoint!
I loved that this book took me back to my childhood in all the best ways. It's a middle grade fantasy novel, but it felt like 13-year-old me's version of Fourth Wing in the most amazing ways. I laughed with the sassy dragon and I was invested in the characters in ways I never imagined. This is going to be a part of a series I'm pretty sure and I will be reading every book in the series. And I may be preordering the physical copy of this one... right now!
I loved that this book took me back to my childhood in all the best ways. It's a middle grade fantasy novel, but it felt like 13-year-old me's version of Fourth Wing in the most amazing ways. I laughed with the sassy dragon and I was invested in the characters in ways I never imagined. This is going to be a part of a series I'm pretty sure and I will be reading every book in the series. And I may be preordering the physical copy of this one... right now!
February 11, 2025
My son (10) has loved James Riley’s other books (Half Upon a Time, Story Thieves, Revenge of Magic) and he was absolutely THRILLED to read this book with me.
He gave it an easy 5 stars. He says it is perfect for middle grade readers and really hooks you into the story. (He would like the next book ASAP, please. Ha, ha!) He would frequently stop me while reading to tell me what he thought would happen next. He had a lot of fun tracing the draconian words!
Ciara and Scorch are memorable characters, the Warden is appropriately dislike-able, and the ending leaves the audience eager for more. I felt like the back story was well thought out and the surprises along the way were fantastic.
It was easy to read aloud, I would only ask that you put the pronunciation of Ciara’s name earlier in the book because I was *very* wrong with how I was saying it. My son also wants to know if I was pronouncing Skael correctly. 😆
Another strong start to a new series, we are so excited to have read it. We would like to express our sincere gratitude to NetGalley, Random House Children’s Books and the author for allowing us to read it for review.
He gave it an easy 5 stars. He says it is perfect for middle grade readers and really hooks you into the story. (He would like the next book ASAP, please. Ha, ha!) He would frequently stop me while reading to tell me what he thought would happen next. He had a lot of fun tracing the draconian words!
Ciara and Scorch are memorable characters, the Warden is appropriately dislike-able, and the ending leaves the audience eager for more. I felt like the back story was well thought out and the surprises along the way were fantastic.
It was easy to read aloud, I would only ask that you put the pronunciation of Ciara’s name earlier in the book because I was *very* wrong with how I was saying it. My son also wants to know if I was pronouncing Skael correctly. 😆
Another strong start to a new series, we are so excited to have read it. We would like to express our sincere gratitude to NetGalley, Random House Children’s Books and the author for allowing us to read it for review.
March 8, 2025
I want to thank Random House Children's | Labyrinth Road for sending me an ARC of this book. I was initially intrigued and drawn into this story by the premise and the initial different form of 4th wall way of story telling it started off with. However, the more I was trying to get through the story I became less and less interested. I just wasn't a fan of the direction of the writing style and the interactions of the characters. I think someone else may enjoy this book more than I did, but it just wasn't as good of a read as I was hoping for.
March 18, 2025
I received an ARC from the publisher in exchange for an honest review
The Dragon's Apprentice by James Riley is a mixed third and first person multi-POV Middle Grade fantasy. Ciara’s home village has been invaded by the emperor’s men on a quest to find the journal of one of the original apprentices of the Dragon Mage. Ciara has not only found it, but unlocked a bit of its magic, a forbidden act to anyone who isn’t a descendant of the apprentices. When she’s betrayed and runs away, she learns the secrets of the journal and awakens Scorch, the first dragon seen in centuries.
The story opens with a very voice-y prologue from the POV of Bianca, one of the six apprentices and then we get epigraphs in every chapter from her journal that gives glimpses into her relationship with Scorch. Scorch’s POV chapters add another layer to this and imply a very complex relationship that was built on respect but also teasing and frustration and an initial struggle as Scorch originally didn't want to teach humans magic. I would have loved for the whole book to have followed the style of the prologue, but I did enjoy Ciara and Scorch’s POVs as well.
The new spins on magic and dragon lore is pretty fun. Ciara has to learn Draconic runes in order to practice magic, including learning the hard way to be careful when lines are curved vs straight, and she calls Bianca’s journal a spelling book or a spellbook for short. It’s the little things like that that give new origins to common phrases that add a sense of charm. Dragons teaching young children magic isn’t a new concept, but them being compelled by a mage to do so and the students in turn will teach the rest of the world magic is something I haven’t seen before.
A decent portion of the story is fairly claustrophobic and only Ciara and Scorch are on the page. Their dynamic pushes forward a lot of the character moments which pushes forward the plot, but there is a grander plot that exists independent of Scorch teaching Ciara. Ciara’s village is suffering from a plague and the Warder, who works for the emperor, is refusing to give medicine to anyone until he gets Bianca’s journal. This sets the stage for strong themes of the inherent good in caring for others and not blindly following orders as well as ‘following orders’ not being an excuse when you take joy in harming the people around you.
I would recommend this to fans of MG fantasy with dragon characters and mentor-mentee relationships and readers who love magical school stories but want something more claustrophobic
The Dragon's Apprentice by James Riley is a mixed third and first person multi-POV Middle Grade fantasy. Ciara’s home village has been invaded by the emperor’s men on a quest to find the journal of one of the original apprentices of the Dragon Mage. Ciara has not only found it, but unlocked a bit of its magic, a forbidden act to anyone who isn’t a descendant of the apprentices. When she’s betrayed and runs away, she learns the secrets of the journal and awakens Scorch, the first dragon seen in centuries.
The story opens with a very voice-y prologue from the POV of Bianca, one of the six apprentices and then we get epigraphs in every chapter from her journal that gives glimpses into her relationship with Scorch. Scorch’s POV chapters add another layer to this and imply a very complex relationship that was built on respect but also teasing and frustration and an initial struggle as Scorch originally didn't want to teach humans magic. I would have loved for the whole book to have followed the style of the prologue, but I did enjoy Ciara and Scorch’s POVs as well.
The new spins on magic and dragon lore is pretty fun. Ciara has to learn Draconic runes in order to practice magic, including learning the hard way to be careful when lines are curved vs straight, and she calls Bianca’s journal a spelling book or a spellbook for short. It’s the little things like that that give new origins to common phrases that add a sense of charm. Dragons teaching young children magic isn’t a new concept, but them being compelled by a mage to do so and the students in turn will teach the rest of the world magic is something I haven’t seen before.
A decent portion of the story is fairly claustrophobic and only Ciara and Scorch are on the page. Their dynamic pushes forward a lot of the character moments which pushes forward the plot, but there is a grander plot that exists independent of Scorch teaching Ciara. Ciara’s village is suffering from a plague and the Warder, who works for the emperor, is refusing to give medicine to anyone until he gets Bianca’s journal. This sets the stage for strong themes of the inherent good in caring for others and not blindly following orders as well as ‘following orders’ not being an excuse when you take joy in harming the people around you.
I would recommend this to fans of MG fantasy with dragon characters and mentor-mentee relationships and readers who love magical school stories but want something more claustrophobic
March 17, 2025
**This book comes out April 1, and it is no joke that you should pre-order!**
Thank you so much for this eARC from Netgalley and the Publisher!!
It has been a little while since I have been able to gush about an ARC.
I definitely recommend this Middle Grade to every Library, Teacher and Parent to a 8-12 year old.
Also, to any adult like me as a child at heart.
This book was pure fun. I found myself smiling and chuckling out loud a lot.
I would say if you are an adult reader, this does read younger because its from the perspective of a 12-year old, Ciara. Your adult perception will lead to being bothered by a child making childish decisions if you take this book too seriously.
This book is mostly humorous, but has deeper themes of friendship, sacrificing for good, forgiveness, correcting mistakes made, and also not being afraid to apologize when you do something wrong.
As an Adult Epic Fantasy reader, I was impressed by the world-building of this younger age range fantasy series. We were told how the world is now plus what it was in the past and what it was supposed to be but isn't. All woven throughout the story without being a boring info dump. I am so intrigued to find out what happens, because this book is definitely a big setup to the world and characters.
Scorch, he is a wonderful mythical creature companion. For all you dragon lovers, this is the sassiest dragon and I love him. Plus, as an adult reader you side with him a lot when it comes to Ciara's childish choices. I don't want to spoil too much, but one of my favorite moments is when he has to disguise himself as a black cat.
I have pre-ordered a physical copy of this if that tells you anything. The publishers are on point with the trends of sprayed edges...the paperback is beautiful. I originally loved the cover illustration on its own, so the spredges just add that cherry on top!
So happy to finally have a book and series I am excited about.
Thank you so much for this eARC from Netgalley and the Publisher!!
It has been a little while since I have been able to gush about an ARC.
I definitely recommend this Middle Grade to every Library, Teacher and Parent to a 8-12 year old.
Also, to any adult like me as a child at heart.
This book was pure fun. I found myself smiling and chuckling out loud a lot.
I would say if you are an adult reader, this does read younger because its from the perspective of a 12-year old, Ciara. Your adult perception will lead to being bothered by a child making childish decisions if you take this book too seriously.
This book is mostly humorous, but has deeper themes of friendship, sacrificing for good, forgiveness, correcting mistakes made, and also not being afraid to apologize when you do something wrong.
As an Adult Epic Fantasy reader, I was impressed by the world-building of this younger age range fantasy series. We were told how the world is now plus what it was in the past and what it was supposed to be but isn't. All woven throughout the story without being a boring info dump. I am so intrigued to find out what happens, because this book is definitely a big setup to the world and characters.
Scorch, he is a wonderful mythical creature companion. For all you dragon lovers, this is the sassiest dragon and I love him. Plus, as an adult reader you side with him a lot when it comes to Ciara's childish choices. I don't want to spoil too much, but one of my favorite moments is when he has to disguise himself as a black cat.
I have pre-ordered a physical copy of this if that tells you anything. The publishers are on point with the trends of sprayed edges...the paperback is beautiful. I originally loved the cover illustration on its own, so the spredges just add that cherry on top!
So happy to finally have a book and series I am excited about.
May 13, 2025
While I'm definitely not the target audience for this book (or series), I found it quite entertaining. I think this story would be perfect for 8-12 year olds and having helped run the Scholastic Book fair at my children's elementary school for many years, I could see many of the students there wanting a book about dragons to gravitate towards this book. While one should never judge a book (solely) by its cover, I think it's fantastic and it absolutely grabbed my attention. While there is a more subtle message about being careful about accepting religious/national belief without question, I think the more obvious message is that if those in power are hurting the very people they're supposed to be protecting, there is something wrong with this and it's important for people to stand up against the injustice, even if they stand to personally lose something.
This story ends in somewhat of a cliffhanger, which of course means kids will be clamoring for the next book. I, for one, am very much looking forward to the second book!
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book from NetGalley. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
This story ends in somewhat of a cliffhanger, which of course means kids will be clamoring for the next book. I, for one, am very much looking forward to the second book!
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book from NetGalley. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
April 2, 2025
This was such a fun read! With all of the adventures and antics between Ciara and Scorch I couldn't help but laugh and enjoy every minute I spent reading this story! There's also a deeper side and I really enjoyed that. It's a story about friendship, family, the truth and standing up for what you believe in and what's right! Overall it's an entertaining, funny, exciting and fast-paced story and most of all it has dragons! Who doesn’t enjoy a good dragon book! Thank you Tbr and Beyond Tours and James Riley for sharing this book with me!
June 29, 2025
Amazing book! It was great and I hope that a book two comes out soon!
April 14, 2025
I just didn’t not enjoy this book. The plot was severely lacking, the characters were meh, and I didn’t care for the narration style.
The plot just took forever. And most of it was Ciara and Scorch just… sitting it felt like. Ciara also just felt overpowered for a kid who just discovered magic.
The characters themselves just felt very one dimensional.
I was also frustrated by the changing povs too. Mostly because the tensing changed, but not by much. So when I was reading Scorch’s pov, I constantly thought it was Ciara. Also, Scorch’s pov was pretty much unnecessary too.
The plot just took forever. And most of it was Ciara and Scorch just… sitting it felt like. Ciara also just felt overpowered for a kid who just discovered magic.
The characters themselves just felt very one dimensional.
I was also frustrated by the changing povs too. Mostly because the tensing changed, but not by much. So when I was reading Scorch’s pov, I constantly thought it was Ciara. Also, Scorch’s pov was pretty much unnecessary too.
July 24, 2025
I really wanted to like this book, it has a cute cover and the cool stenciled edges that are popular right now. I was trying to like it the whole way through, but I was very annoyed with the author's portrayal of the 12 year old girl. Girls don't think or talk that way. The story itself is very hostile and all the characters are gruff and have bad attitudes. The plot is open-ended and unsatisfying. I rated this book a three but I wanted to give it a one.
February 22, 2025
This book was really good and intriguing. I really liked it. But there is one problem: WHY WAS THEIR A CLIFFHANGER!?!!!?!!?!?!!!!????!😱😱 And then it just ends.
Like, what happens?!
Is there going to be a second book!?!
Or is it going to be just one!?!
Well anyway, this book was really good and is totally worth five stars, but is their only going to be one book?🤔
Like, what happens?!
Is there going to be a second book!?!
Or is it going to be just one!?!
Well anyway, this book was really good and is totally worth five stars, but is their only going to be one book?🤔
May 3, 2025
There's definitely a better book hidden in here somewhere, beneath all the silliness.
Full review to come soon.
~
I'm not a big fan of fantasy... which is something I always say until I read a really ,i>good fantasy book that blows me away. So let me start over:
I like fantasy books that are well-written, immersive, and original. Unfortunately The Dragon's Apprentice doesn't quite fall under that umbrella. As I said in my initial, brief review, I think it has plenty of good ideas - a story about a young girl standing up against a corrupt ruling class? Couldn't be more timely - they're just not the best executed.
The opening of the book almost made me want to stop reading altogether; I wasn't prepared for a diary-like fantasy story, and Bianca's writing style bothered me. I guess I forgot what the blurb for the book had said and feared that the whole book would be written this way; thankfully, it wasn't. But unfortunately, it wasn't written all that much better. There wasn't enough description to really immerse me in this fantasy world, which, as a result, didn't feel all that fantastical besides the inclusion of a talking dragon and some spell-casting. I guess Riley wrote a fantasy book for fantasy skeptics, which I typically am, but for whatever reason, I just wasn't feeling this one. I really just stuck with it because of the hook of Ciara trying to heal her ailing mother. I really wanted to know how she'd manage to do so.
And that solution was relatively satisfying. I mean, was I expecting it to be non-magical? I guess not. But it was difficult to enjoy because so soon afterwards did things become even more chaotic, with the warden . Which leads me to my other big point: I didn't care for Ciara as a character. Like Bianca, I found her mildly annoying, and though I know she's supposed to be a rebellious tween all around, I didn't love her disobedience to Scorch. It made sense towards the end, , but I don't know, beyond that, I feel like she should have been much more responsible with her magic. Which I guess she did learn the hard way, due to the severe energy drain, but... meh. By the end, I felt like Meg would have made for a better protagonist because she seemed smarter, more responsible, and more resourceful than Ciara. Also, it might have made for a more interesting story if you had the daughter of the Captain of the Drakes rebelling against the very institution her father works for to rescue her friend from poverty and heal her ailing mother.
So, Meg was a good character (even if she unfortunately fell into the "sidelined black friend" trope), and I liked snarky Scorch a lot. But otherwise, the characters were all a bit of a drag, and I found the lack of details about what happened to the Dragon Mage frustrating. But I guess that was done intentionally, since it seems to be an overarching mystery for the rest of the planned series, to figure out what happened to her and whether or not she's still alive.
The epilogue did grab my attention, I'll admit. But as for whether I read it, I'll have to see how I feel when it comes out, whenever that'll be. (I assume sometime next year? Unless somehow Riley already has it written and set to come out later this year... I'll keep an eye out for updates on that.)
Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for a free digital copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
Full review to come soon.
~
I'm not a big fan of fantasy... which is something I always say until I read a really ,i>good fantasy book that blows me away. So let me start over:
I like fantasy books that are well-written, immersive, and original. Unfortunately The Dragon's Apprentice doesn't quite fall under that umbrella. As I said in my initial, brief review, I think it has plenty of good ideas - a story about a young girl standing up against a corrupt ruling class? Couldn't be more timely - they're just not the best executed.
The opening of the book almost made me want to stop reading altogether; I wasn't prepared for a diary-like fantasy story, and Bianca's writing style bothered me. I guess I forgot what the blurb for the book had said and feared that the whole book would be written this way; thankfully, it wasn't. But unfortunately, it wasn't written all that much better. There wasn't enough description to really immerse me in this fantasy world, which, as a result, didn't feel all that fantastical besides the inclusion of a talking dragon and some spell-casting. I guess Riley wrote a fantasy book for fantasy skeptics, which I typically am, but for whatever reason, I just wasn't feeling this one. I really just stuck with it because of the hook of Ciara trying to heal her ailing mother. I really wanted to know how she'd manage to do so.
And that solution was relatively satisfying. I mean, was I expecting it to be non-magical? I guess not. But it was difficult to enjoy because so soon afterwards did things become even more chaotic, with the warden . Which leads me to my other big point: I didn't care for Ciara as a character. Like Bianca, I found her mildly annoying, and though I know she's supposed to be a rebellious tween all around, I didn't love her disobedience to Scorch. It made sense towards the end, , but I don't know, beyond that, I feel like she should have been much more responsible with her magic. Which I guess she did learn the hard way, due to the severe energy drain, but... meh. By the end, I felt like Meg would have made for a better protagonist because she seemed smarter, more responsible, and more resourceful than Ciara. Also, it might have made for a more interesting story if you had the daughter of the Captain of the Drakes rebelling against the very institution her father works for to rescue her friend from poverty and heal her ailing mother.
So, Meg was a good character (even if she unfortunately fell into the "sidelined black friend" trope), and I liked snarky Scorch a lot. But otherwise, the characters were all a bit of a drag, and I found the lack of details about what happened to the Dragon Mage frustrating. But I guess that was done intentionally, since it seems to be an overarching mystery for the rest of the planned series, to figure out what happened to her and whether or not she's still alive.
The epilogue did grab my attention, I'll admit. But as for whether I read it, I'll have to see how I feel when it comes out, whenever that'll be. (I assume sometime next year? Unless somehow Riley already has it written and set to come out later this year... I'll keep an eye out for updates on that.)
Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for a free digital copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
April 5, 2025
I read this book as part of the blog tour hosted by TBR & Beyond Tours. Special thanks to Labyrinth Road for providing a digital ARC via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. 3.5 stars rounded up!
TL;DR: The Dragon’s Apprentice is a fantastical and magical adventure-filled tale. With a feisty and exuberant leading character fighting for justice against evil rulers and trying to uncover what happened to the most powerful mage in the land alongside a grumpy dragon to teach her all about magic, I think this is a story that many middle-grade readers will enjoy!
I was hooked from the moment the story started. The voice of the first POV we encounter leaped off the pages and immediately had me eager to keep reading to see what happened next. The "mystery" element of the story was particularly intriguing, and I couldn't wait to learn how the present-day situation came about following the events of the first chapter. I will say that I found the world-building and explanation of the use of dragon magic a bit cumbersome... The magic in particular was explained in such a roundabout way that, when combined with the liberal use of humour, it didn't entirely work for me. I think it will be okay for young readers who may not pay particular attention to these aspects, but I would've liked for it to have been sharper. That said, there is still clearly much of this world left to explore, so I hope that it's done so in a simpler way in future books!
There are two main POVs with this other “side” POV interwoven throughout, but the author did a great job in creating vibrant character voices that keep the reader engaged. I also think the author did a great job in capturing the naive and precocious nature of childhood through the children in the story, but especially through Ciara, our human main character’s perspective.
Ciara is feisty and hard-headed, but she’s fiercely loyal and has a hunger for adventure and justice that I think many young readers will enjoy. Of course, she makes some horrible and thoughtless decisions at times, but the naiveté of youth is that they think they know better than the adults in their lives, so I think that was realistically captured. 😂 There were other characters that I wished we got to see more of, especially Meg, her father and Ciara's mum, but at 240 pages, there's only so much that can be fit in. I hope they will play a more prominent role in the sequel(s)!
I loved how The Book within this book felt like a character on its own, and of course, I highly appreciated Scorch, the talking dragon! There was a somewhat childish quality to this grumpy dragon and reluctant taker-on of apprentices that reminded me very much of Mushu from Mulan. Much like Mushu, Scorch also had the same wisdom to impart when it came down to more serious business. Scorch tended to err on the side of caution more than necessary, which made the struggle between him and Ciara more pronounced. However, I appreciated his growth and acceptance as much as I appreciated Ciara's in the end.
Unfortunately, this does end on a cliffhanger, and I'm very curious to see where the author will take the story next! Hopefully, we don't have to wait too long for the next book to come out. 😃
TL;DR: The Dragon’s Apprentice is a fantastical and magical adventure-filled tale. With a feisty and exuberant leading character fighting for justice against evil rulers and trying to uncover what happened to the most powerful mage in the land alongside a grumpy dragon to teach her all about magic, I think this is a story that many middle-grade readers will enjoy!
I was hooked from the moment the story started. The voice of the first POV we encounter leaped off the pages and immediately had me eager to keep reading to see what happened next. The "mystery" element of the story was particularly intriguing, and I couldn't wait to learn how the present-day situation came about following the events of the first chapter. I will say that I found the world-building and explanation of the use of dragon magic a bit cumbersome... The magic in particular was explained in such a roundabout way that, when combined with the liberal use of humour, it didn't entirely work for me. I think it will be okay for young readers who may not pay particular attention to these aspects, but I would've liked for it to have been sharper. That said, there is still clearly much of this world left to explore, so I hope that it's done so in a simpler way in future books!
There are two main POVs with this other “side” POV interwoven throughout, but the author did a great job in creating vibrant character voices that keep the reader engaged. I also think the author did a great job in capturing the naive and precocious nature of childhood through the children in the story, but especially through Ciara, our human main character’s perspective.
Ciara is feisty and hard-headed, but she’s fiercely loyal and has a hunger for adventure and justice that I think many young readers will enjoy. Of course, she makes some horrible and thoughtless decisions at times, but the naiveté of youth is that they think they know better than the adults in their lives, so I think that was realistically captured. 😂 There were other characters that I wished we got to see more of, especially Meg, her father and Ciara's mum, but at 240 pages, there's only so much that can be fit in. I hope they will play a more prominent role in the sequel(s)!
I loved how The Book within this book felt like a character on its own, and of course, I highly appreciated Scorch, the talking dragon! There was a somewhat childish quality to this grumpy dragon and reluctant taker-on of apprentices that reminded me very much of Mushu from Mulan. Much like Mushu, Scorch also had the same wisdom to impart when it came down to more serious business. Scorch tended to err on the side of caution more than necessary, which made the struggle between him and Ciara more pronounced. However, I appreciated his growth and acceptance as much as I appreciated Ciara's in the end.
Unfortunately, this does end on a cliffhanger, and I'm very curious to see where the author will take the story next! Hopefully, we don't have to wait too long for the next book to come out. 😃
July 28, 2025
This review originally published in Looking For a Good Book. Rated 4.0 of 5
Twelve year old Ciara discovers a book of magic spells. The very first page warns the reader to STOP, don't read any further, and under no circumstances should anyone perform any of the spells (because spells are very dangerous, especially when you don't know what you're doing). But when you're twelve year old, OF COURSE you want to read on and read a spell or two out loud (effectively 'performing' the spell). When Ciara reads a spell she calls forth a dragon. Yup, a fire-breathing, honest-to-god Dragon! Named Scorch. Who has a bit of attitude about being called by a little girl with no magic experience.
But for all his gruffness, Scorch is a bit of a softy inside, and even though he's really old he and Ciara teach each other a lot about a lot of things. While Ciara is initially frightened by the appearance of a dragon, her personality is such that she stands up to him and pushes back when he acts all cranky.
Scorch is reminded of the last time he was called by a young girl, Bianca. And while Bianca and Scorch once had a relationship similar to his the one now had with Ciara, times have changed, even if people have not. Together, Scorch and Ciara will need to trust each other in order to grow and make some necessary changes in the world.
This was such a cute and fun book. It's light and lively with a bit of a message - though that message is contained within the story so as not to be too obvious to the younger reader.
Both Scorch and Ciara have strong personalities that read easily and obviously. They are also wonderfully opposite, setting up some nice, middle-school-appropriate conflict. We also have our 'bad guy' - the Warden - who is also appropriately characterized. How can you NOT dislike him?
My favorite part of the book are the epigraphs at the beginning of each chapter. Generally 'quotes' from Bianca's writings almost always made me chuckle. For instance:
Someone once said that dragons are quite simply the most perfect creatures ever to exist. ...
It was a dragon. A dragon said it. -- Bianca of Skael
My first time using magic, I surprised Scorch with my strength and skill.
He'd never imagined anyone could have so little of either. -- Bianca of Skael
This book isn't going to have any truly lasting effect on any reader, but it will be enjoyed in the moment. Young readers will want to read it, and they should! Reading for pleasure should be encouraged, and frankly anytime a youngster is interested in reading, put the darn book in their hands!
Young readers and even reluctant readers will have fun with this.
Looking for a good book? Young readers, and even reluctant readers, will enjoy the fantasy elements and the humor of James Riley's The Dragon's Apprentice.
I received a digital copy of this book from the publisher, through Netgalley, in exchange for an honest review.
Twelve year old Ciara discovers a book of magic spells. The very first page warns the reader to STOP, don't read any further, and under no circumstances should anyone perform any of the spells (because spells are very dangerous, especially when you don't know what you're doing). But when you're twelve year old, OF COURSE you want to read on and read a spell or two out loud (effectively 'performing' the spell). When Ciara reads a spell she calls forth a dragon. Yup, a fire-breathing, honest-to-god Dragon! Named Scorch. Who has a bit of attitude about being called by a little girl with no magic experience.
But for all his gruffness, Scorch is a bit of a softy inside, and even though he's really old he and Ciara teach each other a lot about a lot of things. While Ciara is initially frightened by the appearance of a dragon, her personality is such that she stands up to him and pushes back when he acts all cranky.
Scorch is reminded of the last time he was called by a young girl, Bianca. And while Bianca and Scorch once had a relationship similar to his the one now had with Ciara, times have changed, even if people have not. Together, Scorch and Ciara will need to trust each other in order to grow and make some necessary changes in the world.
This was such a cute and fun book. It's light and lively with a bit of a message - though that message is contained within the story so as not to be too obvious to the younger reader.
Both Scorch and Ciara have strong personalities that read easily and obviously. They are also wonderfully opposite, setting up some nice, middle-school-appropriate conflict. We also have our 'bad guy' - the Warden - who is also appropriately characterized. How can you NOT dislike him?
My favorite part of the book are the epigraphs at the beginning of each chapter. Generally 'quotes' from Bianca's writings almost always made me chuckle. For instance:
Someone once said that dragons are quite simply the most perfect creatures ever to exist. ...
It was a dragon. A dragon said it. -- Bianca of Skael
My first time using magic, I surprised Scorch with my strength and skill.
He'd never imagined anyone could have so little of either. -- Bianca of Skael
This book isn't going to have any truly lasting effect on any reader, but it will be enjoyed in the moment. Young readers will want to read it, and they should! Reading for pleasure should be encouraged, and frankly anytime a youngster is interested in reading, put the darn book in their hands!
Young readers and even reluctant readers will have fun with this.
Looking for a good book? Young readers, and even reluctant readers, will enjoy the fantasy elements and the humor of James Riley's The Dragon's Apprentice.
I received a digital copy of this book from the publisher, through Netgalley, in exchange for an honest review.
January 30, 2025
What worked:
The story opens with a prologue that presents an enticing hook. It’s a journal entry by a homeless girl named Bianca on the day she meets the Dragon Mage. Bianca is recruited along with five other children to become apprentices to six dragons. The Dragon Mage’s hope is for all humans to eventually have magic and Bianca assumes readers must have the ability years later. However, Ciara, the main character, finds only one journal entry, and only royals are allowed to practice magic today. This will lead readers to wonder what happened to Bianca and the other apprentices and why the royals forbid anyone from ever speaking Bianca’s name. Each chapter begins with a short sentence or two from Bianca that adds anticipation or a touch of humor.
Ciara finds the journal in the Dragon Mage’s rundown, neglected tower but chooses not to hand it over to the new Warden. She summons a dragon called Scorch and readers will enjoy their unusual relationship. Scorch doesn’t think much of human intelligence and doesn’t miss many opportunities to point that out to Ciara. He explains the importance of tracing draconic symbols precisely and laughs hysterically when Ciara’s spell results in a horde of rats instead of a sumptuous meal. Scorch becomes cranky when Ciara wants to use the term spell instead of dragon magic. He refuses to call Bianca’s journal a spell book! Maybe he’s still testy since Ciara changed him into a horse.
Ciara’s sole motive is to cure her mother of the deadly Skael Cough that’s already taken her father. The Warden says he has enough medicine to save the whole village but people must pay everything they own to receive it. The Warden isn’t an honorable man as he often fails to follow through with his promises and deals. This makes him a ruthless antagonist who’s easy to hate. Scorch agrees to help Ciara save her mother but his motivation is to discover what happened to his original apprentice, Bianca, and the Dragon Mage. Ciara and Scorch make an unlikely pair and their sarcastic, playful relationship still makes a formidable team against a clear-defined bully.
What didn’t work as well:
The book leaves unanswered questions that readers must assume will be dealt with as the series progresses. What happened to the Dragon Mage and is her dream of universal magic a mistake? What kind of person is the emperor? Most of what readers know comes from the Warden who is a dishonest man. The characters of Ciara and Scorch could have been more developed.
The final verdict:
The amusing interactions between Ciara and Scorch make the book an entertaining adventure. The story has minimal violence and has a wholesomeness to it. I recommend you give it a shot!
The story opens with a prologue that presents an enticing hook. It’s a journal entry by a homeless girl named Bianca on the day she meets the Dragon Mage. Bianca is recruited along with five other children to become apprentices to six dragons. The Dragon Mage’s hope is for all humans to eventually have magic and Bianca assumes readers must have the ability years later. However, Ciara, the main character, finds only one journal entry, and only royals are allowed to practice magic today. This will lead readers to wonder what happened to Bianca and the other apprentices and why the royals forbid anyone from ever speaking Bianca’s name. Each chapter begins with a short sentence or two from Bianca that adds anticipation or a touch of humor.
Ciara finds the journal in the Dragon Mage’s rundown, neglected tower but chooses not to hand it over to the new Warden. She summons a dragon called Scorch and readers will enjoy their unusual relationship. Scorch doesn’t think much of human intelligence and doesn’t miss many opportunities to point that out to Ciara. He explains the importance of tracing draconic symbols precisely and laughs hysterically when Ciara’s spell results in a horde of rats instead of a sumptuous meal. Scorch becomes cranky when Ciara wants to use the term spell instead of dragon magic. He refuses to call Bianca’s journal a spell book! Maybe he’s still testy since Ciara changed him into a horse.
Ciara’s sole motive is to cure her mother of the deadly Skael Cough that’s already taken her father. The Warden says he has enough medicine to save the whole village but people must pay everything they own to receive it. The Warden isn’t an honorable man as he often fails to follow through with his promises and deals. This makes him a ruthless antagonist who’s easy to hate. Scorch agrees to help Ciara save her mother but his motivation is to discover what happened to his original apprentice, Bianca, and the Dragon Mage. Ciara and Scorch make an unlikely pair and their sarcastic, playful relationship still makes a formidable team against a clear-defined bully.
What didn’t work as well:
The book leaves unanswered questions that readers must assume will be dealt with as the series progresses. What happened to the Dragon Mage and is her dream of universal magic a mistake? What kind of person is the emperor? Most of what readers know comes from the Warden who is a dishonest man. The characters of Ciara and Scorch could have been more developed.
The final verdict:
The amusing interactions between Ciara and Scorch make the book an entertaining adventure. The story has minimal violence and has a wholesomeness to it. I recommend you give it a shot!
April 5, 2025
Having read quite a few books by James Riley (including Story Thieves, Half Upon a Time, and Once Upon Another Time), I was excited to dive into the first installment of his new series!
"The Dragon’s Apprentice" follows 12-year-old Ciara as she stumbles upon an ancient journal and accidentally summons a dragon named Scorch. Chaos ensues, but this coming-of-age story is filled with laughter, sarcasm, heartbreak, strong family bonds, and plenty of twists and turns.
The prologue is essential for understanding the backstories of Bianca, Cillian, and the Dragon Mage. It sets the stage for the series and explains the initial magic system – dragons were meant to take on human apprentices to teach them magic, with the goal of spreading it to humanity so that no one would go hungry, there would be no more wars, and everyone could live in peace. Of course, things didn’t go as planned.
Fast forward one thousand years, and Ciara is in a dire situation. Her mother is gravely ill, they’ve had to sell their farm to afford a magical cure, and now Ciara is a wanted criminal for refusing to hand over the ancient journal to the Warden. Things were looking awfully bleak for Ciara until she summoned Scorch, and he decides to take her on as his apprentice in order to save Ciara’s mother and her village from the horrible Warden.
My only major complaint, with this being the first book in the series, is that there’s a lot of information and numerous characters introduced – which felt overwhelming. Some of these details don’t come into play in this book, so it led to confusion. It might have worked better if some of the information had been revealed gradually throughout the series, rather than all at once.
That said, James Riley has a knack for writing from the perspective of a 12-year-old, capturing the voice and thought process of middle schoolers perfectly. It’s spot-on with how my 6th-grade daughter and her friends think and react to situations. This book is an ideal choice for middle-grade readers who love sci-fi, adventure, and fantasy, and I highly recommend it. I’ll definitely be ordering a copy for my daughter!
Thank you to NetGalley, Random House Children’s, and Labyrinth Road for the opportunity to read an advanced reader's copy of this book for an honest review.
"The Dragon’s Apprentice" follows 12-year-old Ciara as she stumbles upon an ancient journal and accidentally summons a dragon named Scorch. Chaos ensues, but this coming-of-age story is filled with laughter, sarcasm, heartbreak, strong family bonds, and plenty of twists and turns.
The prologue is essential for understanding the backstories of Bianca, Cillian, and the Dragon Mage. It sets the stage for the series and explains the initial magic system – dragons were meant to take on human apprentices to teach them magic, with the goal of spreading it to humanity so that no one would go hungry, there would be no more wars, and everyone could live in peace. Of course, things didn’t go as planned.
Fast forward one thousand years, and Ciara is in a dire situation. Her mother is gravely ill, they’ve had to sell their farm to afford a magical cure, and now Ciara is a wanted criminal for refusing to hand over the ancient journal to the Warden. Things were looking awfully bleak for Ciara until she summoned Scorch, and he decides to take her on as his apprentice in order to save Ciara’s mother and her village from the horrible Warden.
My only major complaint, with this being the first book in the series, is that there’s a lot of information and numerous characters introduced – which felt overwhelming. Some of these details don’t come into play in this book, so it led to confusion. It might have worked better if some of the information had been revealed gradually throughout the series, rather than all at once.
That said, James Riley has a knack for writing from the perspective of a 12-year-old, capturing the voice and thought process of middle schoolers perfectly. It’s spot-on with how my 6th-grade daughter and her friends think and react to situations. This book is an ideal choice for middle-grade readers who love sci-fi, adventure, and fantasy, and I highly recommend it. I’ll definitely be ordering a copy for my daughter!
Thank you to NetGalley, Random House Children’s, and Labyrinth Road for the opportunity to read an advanced reader's copy of this book for an honest review.
January 18, 2025
3 stars, Metaphorosis Reviews
Summary
Ciara, slowly starving in a mining town distant from the capital of the empire, has found an old journal. She keeps it to herself even when the Emperor sends troops to find it, and even when her father and then her mother are forced to work in the mines and contract disease. But then one day, when the troops finally find the book, it somehow summons a dragon.
Review
The Dragon’s Apprentice takes a while to get it’s feet on the ground. It’s so intent on being cute (“STOP. Don’t read any further. There are magic spells in this book…”) that the story itself has to fight to make its way through. After the first few chapters, though, it finds its stride.
While competently put together, there are few surprises here, beyond what seemed to me a mismatch between a simple plot and somewhat more sophisticated vocabulary that left me unsure of the intended audience. Given a premise of a spellbook, a young girl, and a dragon, the plot is largely what you’d expect. There are villains and very little violence, which fits the mostly young seeming tone. More disappointing is a very intentional cliffhanger ending. There’s some mystery here to explore, but it all felt a little too manufactured for me.
I wish I’d been able to engage with the characters more. The viewpoints are split between girl and dragon, but I didn’t find either one appealing or well developed enough to really draw me in, and the pace of the book felt rushed. Overall, it’s inoffensive, and a quick read, but unlikely to stay with me for long.
I received this book for free in exchange for an honest review.
Summary
Ciara, slowly starving in a mining town distant from the capital of the empire, has found an old journal. She keeps it to herself even when the Emperor sends troops to find it, and even when her father and then her mother are forced to work in the mines and contract disease. But then one day, when the troops finally find the book, it somehow summons a dragon.
Review
The Dragon’s Apprentice takes a while to get it’s feet on the ground. It’s so intent on being cute (“STOP. Don’t read any further. There are magic spells in this book…”) that the story itself has to fight to make its way through. After the first few chapters, though, it finds its stride.
While competently put together, there are few surprises here, beyond what seemed to me a mismatch between a simple plot and somewhat more sophisticated vocabulary that left me unsure of the intended audience. Given a premise of a spellbook, a young girl, and a dragon, the plot is largely what you’d expect. There are villains and very little violence, which fits the mostly young seeming tone. More disappointing is a very intentional cliffhanger ending. There’s some mystery here to explore, but it all felt a little too manufactured for me.
I wish I’d been able to engage with the characters more. The viewpoints are split between girl and dragon, but I didn’t find either one appealing or well developed enough to really draw me in, and the pace of the book felt rushed. Overall, it’s inoffensive, and a quick read, but unlikely to stay with me for long.
I received this book for free in exchange for an honest review.
March 16, 2025
One thousand years ago, magic was everywhere, and dragons were the creatures who imparted magical knowledge upon humans. In twelve-year-old Ciara’s time, however, magic has been relegated to only the select few individuals in power, and everyone else must somehow survive a non-magical existence. Secretly, Ciara has come into the possession of a journal written one thousand years earlier by a girl named Bianca, and the emperor will stop at nothing to get it back. When Ciara meets the fearsome and mighty Scorch, the dragon who trained Bianca herself, Ciara realizes that she may finally have the tools to restore her community to the magic-filled place it once was.
This entertaining middle grade novel is told in a stream-of-consciousness style narrative that unfolds primarily from Ciara’s perspective. The chapters are short, and each one advances with a momentum that keeps readers engaged. Comedic characters and situations are embedded within the more somber challenges Ciara faces, which serves to add some levity to the heavier topics within the narrative. Readers who enjoy stories that incorporate magic and the unexpected within the framework of familiar human situations will appreciate the structure of this book. Similarly, the relatability of the main characters helps readers to empathize with this fantasy-based story. Samples of Draconic language are found at the end of the book, further anchoring the fantastic nature of the novel in reality. Entertaining and primed for a sequel, this book is a positive addition to library collections for confident middle grade readers.
This entertaining middle grade novel is told in a stream-of-consciousness style narrative that unfolds primarily from Ciara’s perspective. The chapters are short, and each one advances with a momentum that keeps readers engaged. Comedic characters and situations are embedded within the more somber challenges Ciara faces, which serves to add some levity to the heavier topics within the narrative. Readers who enjoy stories that incorporate magic and the unexpected within the framework of familiar human situations will appreciate the structure of this book. Similarly, the relatability of the main characters helps readers to empathize with this fantasy-based story. Samples of Draconic language are found at the end of the book, further anchoring the fantastic nature of the novel in reality. Entertaining and primed for a sequel, this book is a positive addition to library collections for confident middle grade readers.
March 30, 2025
𝐑𝐄𝐀𝐃 𝐓𝐇𝐈𝐒 𝐈𝐅 𝐘𝐎𝐔
🐉 love snarky talking dragons
🪄 would learn magic to save your mother
🛌 have ever slept for 1000 years
📒 keep a journal
• 𝐖𝐇𝐀𝐓 𝐈𝐓’𝐒 𝐀𝐁𝐎𝐔𝐓
STOP. Don’t read any further. There are magic spells in this book, and the Emperor has forbidden anyone from learning magic, because it’s way too dangerous! If you try one of the spells, any number of terrible things might happen (or so the Emperor says).
Don’t be like Ciara, a twelve-year-old girl living in the tiny village of Skael. When she used a spell from within this book, she ended up summoning a dragon. A DRAGON! Those things breathe fire! From their mouths! She’s obviously doomed.
And don’t listen if Ciara tells you that dragons won’t hurt humans, and that they even once taught us magic, a thousand years ago. Definitely don’t pay any attention to the fact that the dragon she summoned, Scorch, might be willing to help rescue Ciara’s mother and free her village from the Emperor and his Warden, because it’s all obviously a big lie. So put this book down, and forget about it. Magic is just way too dangerous. After all, you wouldn’t want to summon your own dragon, would you?
• 𝐌𝐘 𝐓𝐇𝐎𝐔𝐆𝐇𝐓𝐒
This was such a fun read! While it’s certainly meant for preteens and teenagers, it had a lot of funny moments, and I found myself laughing at the crazy antics that Ciara and Scorch got up to. The magic that she learns was a lot of fun, and the way she does them, by tracing magical runes, really added to the story and helped me to visualize everything a bit more. I loved the plot development. It was quick, but so entertaining. Definitely a fun one to pick up if you love dragons and magic!
🐉 love snarky talking dragons
🪄 would learn magic to save your mother
🛌 have ever slept for 1000 years
📒 keep a journal
• 𝐖𝐇𝐀𝐓 𝐈𝐓’𝐒 𝐀𝐁𝐎𝐔𝐓
STOP. Don’t read any further. There are magic spells in this book, and the Emperor has forbidden anyone from learning magic, because it’s way too dangerous! If you try one of the spells, any number of terrible things might happen (or so the Emperor says).
Don’t be like Ciara, a twelve-year-old girl living in the tiny village of Skael. When she used a spell from within this book, she ended up summoning a dragon. A DRAGON! Those things breathe fire! From their mouths! She’s obviously doomed.
And don’t listen if Ciara tells you that dragons won’t hurt humans, and that they even once taught us magic, a thousand years ago. Definitely don’t pay any attention to the fact that the dragon she summoned, Scorch, might be willing to help rescue Ciara’s mother and free her village from the Emperor and his Warden, because it’s all obviously a big lie. So put this book down, and forget about it. Magic is just way too dangerous. After all, you wouldn’t want to summon your own dragon, would you?
• 𝐌𝐘 𝐓𝐇𝐎𝐔𝐆𝐇𝐓𝐒
This was such a fun read! While it’s certainly meant for preteens and teenagers, it had a lot of funny moments, and I found myself laughing at the crazy antics that Ciara and Scorch got up to. The magic that she learns was a lot of fun, and the way she does them, by tracing magical runes, really added to the story and helped me to visualize everything a bit more. I loved the plot development. It was quick, but so entertaining. Definitely a fun one to pick up if you love dragons and magic!
May 16, 2025
The things you do to save the ones you love!
The Dragon’s Apprentice by James Riley is the first in this new fantastical series and is funny, intense, and a grand adventure for new and old fantasy readers alike! I loved that things started with a 1000 year old journal entry which gives the backstory to the overall situation, and a glimpse into what could have been vs the current reality.
I like that the dragon mage started this whole process by bringing everyone together and summoning the dragons to teach the kids. There’s a bit of telling within the story, but it makes sense due to the age it’s intended for. Also the dynamic between the dragon who doesn’t want to do anything, a kid who wants to learn at all costs, and an Emperor who has forbidden magic creates such a beautiful blend of tension.
I really enjoyed the very limited illustrations. Just like the cover, the illustrations within bring in a whimsical feel due to the wisps and curves of the lines. Between things like the smoke and magical swirls in front of solid and darker backgrounds, it creates a nice tone for the story while giving visuals to keep things moving forward. Beautiful artwork!
This would be fantastic for kids 8-12 as well as slightly younger with assistance. Of course older readers will enjoy this as well. It’s a fun entry into fantasy for that middle grade audience. Could be fun for the classroom as well as a family read.
Check out other books by James like The Story Thieves series, Half Upon a Time series, and The Revenge of Magic series.
*This was an honest review for a complimentary copy of The Dragon’s Apprentice from James Riley via NetGalley
The Dragon’s Apprentice by James Riley is the first in this new fantastical series and is funny, intense, and a grand adventure for new and old fantasy readers alike! I loved that things started with a 1000 year old journal entry which gives the backstory to the overall situation, and a glimpse into what could have been vs the current reality.
I like that the dragon mage started this whole process by bringing everyone together and summoning the dragons to teach the kids. There’s a bit of telling within the story, but it makes sense due to the age it’s intended for. Also the dynamic between the dragon who doesn’t want to do anything, a kid who wants to learn at all costs, and an Emperor who has forbidden magic creates such a beautiful blend of tension.
I really enjoyed the very limited illustrations. Just like the cover, the illustrations within bring in a whimsical feel due to the wisps and curves of the lines. Between things like the smoke and magical swirls in front of solid and darker backgrounds, it creates a nice tone for the story while giving visuals to keep things moving forward. Beautiful artwork!
This would be fantastic for kids 8-12 as well as slightly younger with assistance. Of course older readers will enjoy this as well. It’s a fun entry into fantasy for that middle grade audience. Could be fun for the classroom as well as a family read.
Check out other books by James like The Story Thieves series, Half Upon a Time series, and The Revenge of Magic series.
*This was an honest review for a complimentary copy of The Dragon’s Apprentice from James Riley via NetGalley
March 10, 2025
The Dragon's Apprentice is a book about a girl who finds a journal - a journal that just happens to have been written by the most reviled person known to history, who turns out to be someone completely different. Bianca was the first apprentice to Scorch, one of six dragons brought by Tia, the Dragon Mage, to train humans in magic, something like one thousand years in the past. Details were lost, and so was Bianca's journal, to be found by Ciara, who traces the only example of the Draconic language she sees in the journal, waking Scorch from a slumber he had intended to last only a few months. After a great deal of confusion due to the elapsed time, Scorch agrees to train Ciara in Draconic, because while only humans can use Draconic to do magic, only dragons know enough of it to teach humans how to use it.
Over the course of this fun and fast-paced novel, readers get to know Ciara, a girl whose life has been hard due to the greed of the local magistrate, as well as the long-term designs of the Emperor, the only person legally allowed to do magic (along with his son). Ciara is impulsive, likely to leap headlong into action without considering the outcome, but her intentions are good: she wants to heal her mother's illness, save her village, and learn magic to help her do those things. I look forward to the sequel the epilogue predicts. Recommended for readers of all ages.
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book provided by Netgalley. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
Over the course of this fun and fast-paced novel, readers get to know Ciara, a girl whose life has been hard due to the greed of the local magistrate, as well as the long-term designs of the Emperor, the only person legally allowed to do magic (along with his son). Ciara is impulsive, likely to leap headlong into action without considering the outcome, but her intentions are good: she wants to heal her mother's illness, save her village, and learn magic to help her do those things. I look forward to the sequel the epilogue predicts. Recommended for readers of all ages.
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book provided by Netgalley. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
June 28, 2025
I received a free copy of this book from NetGalley and Random House Children’s in exchange for my honest review.
Great first book setting up a series. World building, magic system reveal, and character intros were all really well done.
This is clearly the start of a fantastic series through a world that is coming to life off the page. The pacing and exposition were handled very well for its intended audience with nothing being overwhelming nor getting bogged down in too many details. I found myself very engaged in the story wondering how these characters were going to get themselves to the end. I was very happy with the story and plot as they both illustrated that the author definitely knows how a 12-year-old would try to handle their obstacles.
Really great story about a 12-year-old who thought they needed to handle it all on their own.
As a reader, I really enjoy diving into middle grade books as they are soothing and healing to my own inner 12-year-old. Ciara is a very strong, smart, and capable young lady. She CAN do what she sets her mind to, but this story is super important to illustrate that even if you think you need to take care of it all on your own, you probably have an amazing team around you. Ciara and her friends learn a lot of great lesson and the power of working together.
The Final Verdict: Great middle grade story about telling the truth, standing up for what’s right, and being a great friend.
Stars 4
Would I Recommend? Yes
Great first book setting up a series. World building, magic system reveal, and character intros were all really well done.
This is clearly the start of a fantastic series through a world that is coming to life off the page. The pacing and exposition were handled very well for its intended audience with nothing being overwhelming nor getting bogged down in too many details. I found myself very engaged in the story wondering how these characters were going to get themselves to the end. I was very happy with the story and plot as they both illustrated that the author definitely knows how a 12-year-old would try to handle their obstacles.
Really great story about a 12-year-old who thought they needed to handle it all on their own.
As a reader, I really enjoy diving into middle grade books as they are soothing and healing to my own inner 12-year-old. Ciara is a very strong, smart, and capable young lady. She CAN do what she sets her mind to, but this story is super important to illustrate that even if you think you need to take care of it all on your own, you probably have an amazing team around you. Ciara and her friends learn a lot of great lesson and the power of working together.
The Final Verdict: Great middle grade story about telling the truth, standing up for what’s right, and being a great friend.
Stars 4
Would I Recommend? Yes
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