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River Dragon: A Hidden Secret. An Ancient Prophecy. A Queen's Ordeal.
An adventure in courage and spirit. Another must-read in the award-winning Ari Ara Series.
Will Ari Ara risk everything – the crown, love, even her life – for what she believes?
Everyone has a secret.
At long last, fifteen-year-old Ari Ara is returning from exile to take up her duties as royal heir.
Nervous and excited, she leaps into the heart-pounding tests that will prove she’s worthy of the throne. But hidden dangers lurk beneath the rituals of the Ordeal of Queens. Ancestor spirits haunt her. Nightmares plague her. Not everyone wants a follower of the nonviolent Way Between as the next ruler. Surrounded by warriors and war culture, Ari Ara’s commitment to peace threatens her chances of wearing the crown. A hard choice lies before will she stay true to what she believes? Or will she stay silent so that she can become queen?
Through triumph and disaster, heartbreak and friendship, Ari Ara rises to the challenges with courage. But then a long-buried secret comes to light ... and the true cost of peace is revealed.
What the readers
"The characters are so alive that they get under your skin (and into your heart) like real friends and mentors. - Anne Walter
“Best storyteller in a generation! AND she makes nonviolent resolutions to complex problems seem exciting, realistic and deeply satisfying.” - Lisa Marshall
"This latest is really popular in the YA world in my town. All I have to do is give the parents one Ari Ara book … and it won't be long before they want more! (I suspect the parents are reading River Dragon just as eagerly as their children!)" - Tom Hastings, Portland State University
"This book is a treasure for readers of all ages, but it's especially meaningful for our young people who may not yet see the power of peace over conflict. It’s a remarkable guide to navigating life through nonviolent action." - Heart Phoenix,
River Phoenix Center For Peacebuilding
"The most important book I know. All the magic of Narnia and Harry Potter with a vivid, fun, and relatable embodiment of the deepest values needed right now." - Anna Beale
"I absolutely adore the Ari Ara Series. I think everyone should read these books! It's not only a fun epic adventure series but the nonviolent way between approach is inspiring. It is truly a creative masterpiece." - Melissa Pember Karapanos
"I laughed, cried and was thrilled by Ari Ara's courage and capacity to practice peace despite all odds. I am sharing this series as far and wide as possible." - Madonna Quixley, Let's Talk Peace Ballarat, Australia
"My family has enjoyed the whole Ari Ara Series immensely … we’ve already started reading it all over again!"
- Karisha Longaker
"Peace for our children’s children.” - Jeff Lott, Peace Week Delaware
"The perfect series to share with my children." - Dr. Nick Meyer
"It's not only engaging for young people, it’s also inspiring for adults, including long time activists."
- Jan Slakov, Conscious Canada
"There is nothing like the Ari Ara Series in our current cultural landscape … the kind of complexity, compassion and commitment to do no harm is the story that the human soul n
Will Ari Ara risk everything – the crown, love, even her life – for what she believes?
Everyone has a secret.
At long last, fifteen-year-old Ari Ara is returning from exile to take up her duties as royal heir.
Nervous and excited, she leaps into the heart-pounding tests that will prove she’s worthy of the throne. But hidden dangers lurk beneath the rituals of the Ordeal of Queens. Ancestor spirits haunt her. Nightmares plague her. Not everyone wants a follower of the nonviolent Way Between as the next ruler. Surrounded by warriors and war culture, Ari Ara’s commitment to peace threatens her chances of wearing the crown. A hard choice lies before will she stay true to what she believes? Or will she stay silent so that she can become queen?
Through triumph and disaster, heartbreak and friendship, Ari Ara rises to the challenges with courage. But then a long-buried secret comes to light ... and the true cost of peace is revealed.
What the readers
"The characters are so alive that they get under your skin (and into your heart) like real friends and mentors. - Anne Walter
“Best storyteller in a generation! AND she makes nonviolent resolutions to complex problems seem exciting, realistic and deeply satisfying.” - Lisa Marshall
"This latest is really popular in the YA world in my town. All I have to do is give the parents one Ari Ara book … and it won't be long before they want more! (I suspect the parents are reading River Dragon just as eagerly as their children!)" - Tom Hastings, Portland State University
"This book is a treasure for readers of all ages, but it's especially meaningful for our young people who may not yet see the power of peace over conflict. It’s a remarkable guide to navigating life through nonviolent action." - Heart Phoenix,
River Phoenix Center For Peacebuilding
"The most important book I know. All the magic of Narnia and Harry Potter with a vivid, fun, and relatable embodiment of the deepest values needed right now." - Anna Beale
"I absolutely adore the Ari Ara Series. I think everyone should read these books! It's not only a fun epic adventure series but the nonviolent way between approach is inspiring. It is truly a creative masterpiece." - Melissa Pember Karapanos
"I laughed, cried and was thrilled by Ari Ara's courage and capacity to practice peace despite all odds. I am sharing this series as far and wide as possible." - Madonna Quixley, Let's Talk Peace Ballarat, Australia
"My family has enjoyed the whole Ari Ara Series immensely … we’ve already started reading it all over again!"
- Karisha Longaker
"Peace for our children’s children.” - Jeff Lott, Peace Week Delaware
"The perfect series to share with my children." - Dr. Nick Meyer
"It's not only engaging for young people, it’s also inspiring for adults, including long time activists."
- Jan Slakov, Conscious Canada
"There is nothing like the Ari Ara Series in our current cultural landscape … the kind of complexity, compassion and commitment to do no harm is the story that the human soul n
310 pages, Kindle Edition
Published November 10, 2024
4 people are currently reading
2 people want to read
About the author
Rivera Sun
24 books161 followersAuthor/Activist Rivera Sun has written numerous books and novels, including The Dandelion Insurrection and the award-winning Ari Ara Series. She is the editor of Nonviolence News and the Program Coordinator for Campaign Nonviolence. Her articles are syndicated by Peace Voice and published in hundreds of journals nationwide. Rivera Sun serves on the board of Backbone Campaign and the advisory board of World BEYOND War. She lives on her family's organic farm in Maine.
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Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews
November 12, 2024
This whole series brings me such joy! I read The River Dragon while pregnant and can’t wait to share Ari Ara’s stories as my baby grows!
May 7, 2025
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