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The Dragon and the Stone, Book 1
305 pages, Kindle Edition
Published April 18, 2022
8 people are currently reading
71 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews
August 18, 2025
This was an interesting read! I loved the biblical themes interwoven throughout the story. I especially enjoyed the last few chapters and the end. It was quite riveting! My only complaint is this book felt like a copy of The Chronicles of Narnia with some of the characters and the world-building. This was a struggle for me, but I think it’s a me thing. Since taking writing and editing courses, I look for stories that are different from others. However, I think fans of Narnia might enjoy it for this reason! I especially think young readers would enjoy this!
April 19, 2025
This book is insane!!! I love it 🥰 it is a great middle grade read
August 3, 2025
Actually 3.5 stars. I gave it 4 though because I do think it would be a fun read for a young middle schooler (which is who it’s geared towards). Loved the subtle Christian themes throughout. I just felt the storyline was lacking a little bit- things happened really fast at times and I thought she could have spent more time world building/filling in gaps. I’m going to read the next one though, hoping it gets better from here! I would definitely recommend to middle schoolers.
December 29, 2025
Wow! What a page-turner! If you or your children enjoy Narnia or The Lord of the Rings, you’ll probably love this one. It’s action-packed and full of excitement, with lovable and creative characters. I especially enjoyed Cedric with his quotes and strong sense of loyalty and friendship made him such a fun character.
While the action is thrilling, there isn’t as much focus on character development, which I wish had been explored a bit more. So many of the characters are unique and creative, and it would’ve been nice to see them fleshed out a little further.
This book may not be ideal for sensitive readers, as there are some scary scenes. For example, one scene features a teddy bear with its face half-eaten, emerging from the sand.
Lily McKinley is whisked away to a magical world where dreams live, a new dimension filled with magical creatures and adventurous places. Along the way, she makes new friends and must fight evil to protect the world. This book is allegorical, contrasting good and evil and highlighting our need for a savior.
"Cedric, I have washed your blood clean. You are made new, brave scout. You need not fear your past any longer."
Notes: The main character is grieving the death of her father, with mentions of bullying, name-calling, and some scary scenes.
* I received a copy of this book for my honest thoughts.
While the action is thrilling, there isn’t as much focus on character development, which I wish had been explored a bit more. So many of the characters are unique and creative, and it would’ve been nice to see them fleshed out a little further.
This book may not be ideal for sensitive readers, as there are some scary scenes. For example, one scene features a teddy bear with its face half-eaten, emerging from the sand.
Lily McKinley is whisked away to a magical world where dreams live, a new dimension filled with magical creatures and adventurous places. Along the way, she makes new friends and must fight evil to protect the world. This book is allegorical, contrasting good and evil and highlighting our need for a savior.
"Cedric, I have washed your blood clean. You are made new, brave scout. You need not fear your past any longer."
Notes: The main character is grieving the death of her father, with mentions of bullying, name-calling, and some scary scenes.
* I received a copy of this book for my honest thoughts.
October 18, 2025
Fun book! 3.5 stars
I don’t personally think that there’s anything particular remarkable about it (except for the cover ahhhh) but it was a solid debut with some really nice faith elements. The characters were well done (I especially loved Cedric and Flint) however I was kinda annoyed by Adam’s full 180. He definitely did not have a realistic arc, but since he’s a side character it’s not too big of a deal.
A couple of scenes seemed a BIT too close to Narnia, and the concept wasn’t the most original, but again that’s just my preference. That said, there were some scenes that really stuck out.
Definitely seems like the perfect read-aloud and the kind of thing kids would really get into. I think I would have appreciated this much more if I hadn’t read so many books like it already. It’s the type of thing I could imagine growing up on, if it had been written when I was younger.
I don’t personally think that there’s anything particular remarkable about it (except for the cover ahhhh) but it was a solid debut with some really nice faith elements. The characters were well done (I especially loved Cedric and Flint) however I was kinda annoyed by Adam’s full 180. He definitely did not have a realistic arc, but since he’s a side character it’s not too big of a deal.
A couple of scenes seemed a BIT too close to Narnia, and the concept wasn’t the most original, but again that’s just my preference. That said, there were some scenes that really stuck out.
Definitely seems like the perfect read-aloud and the kind of thing kids would really get into. I think I would have appreciated this much more if I hadn’t read so many books like it already. It’s the type of thing I could imagine growing up on, if it had been written when I was younger.
January 7, 2026
My daughter loves this series and has been begging me to read it, so I'll be doing so in 2026.
Part of me loved the mishmash world-building, with creatures from different tales and mythologies, but it also made the world less cohesive and harder to know what to expect. It didn't feel too cheesy to me (as children's fantasy often does), but wasn't my favorite either.
I'm also not sure how I feel about the Jesus figure being a unicorn, but then, if I didn't grow up with Aslan, maybe that would feel strange to me, too, so the bigger question may be how that role will be throughout the series (the Tolkien side of me often wins over the Lewis side and I prefer subtler "typology" in stories to more direct correspondence).
I'm interested in seeing where the series goes and how Butler's writing develops.
My rating: 2.5 stars. My daughter's rating: 4 stars
Part of me loved the mishmash world-building, with creatures from different tales and mythologies, but it also made the world less cohesive and harder to know what to expect. It didn't feel too cheesy to me (as children's fantasy often does), but wasn't my favorite either.
I'm also not sure how I feel about the Jesus figure being a unicorn, but then, if I didn't grow up with Aslan, maybe that would feel strange to me, too, so the bigger question may be how that role will be throughout the series (the Tolkien side of me often wins over the Lewis side and I prefer subtler "typology" in stories to more direct correspondence).
I'm interested in seeing where the series goes and how Butler's writing develops.
My rating: 2.5 stars. My daughter's rating: 4 stars
July 30, 2025
3.5 A quick fantasy read for young middle grade readers. I understand it is supposed to parallel the Bible, and I could see snippets of lessons, but nothing as clear as seen in The Chronicles of Narnia.
May 19, 2025
Action-packed, adorable, beautiful. A fun and meaningful book for middle grade. Narnia for a new generation. I couldn't put it down.
August 1, 2025
My imagination was not captured by this world or the characters.
October 13, 2025
Bedtime read-aloud with the kids! Lots of fantasy and allegorical elements.
Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews