The Rise of Neptune: The Dragonship Trilogy, Book 2

The Dragonships #2

by Scott Reintgen

Lunar prepares his allies for an attack from Neptune in this sequel to the New York Times bestselling sci-fi and fantasy mash-up The Last Dragon on Mars , sure to delight fans of Skandar and Eragon !

Lunar Jones and the Dread Knights have brought hope to Mars. Between Dread’s power and a newly formed alliance with Earth, the once-dying planet is headed for prosperity at last. The only shadow is the one cast by Dav Robinson’s Neptune is coming.

As predicted, Neptune’s ships arrive in Martian space—and they’re not interested in talking. The ships launch an immediate attack. Lunar was prepared for hostilities, but the way the attack happens is unexpected. Neptune’s dragons seem divided, and its ships, while countless in number, are almost too easy to defeat. It’s clear there’s more to Neptune’s story than meets the eye, and Lunar and his Dread Knights must figure out the mystery behind their looming foe quickly…before those secrets doom Mars for good.

Genres: Fantasy, Science Fiction, Middle Grade, Dragons, Fiction, Young Adult, Audiobook

Audible Audio

Published October 7, 2025

About the author

Scott Reintgen grew up in North Carolina, and took full advantage of the fact that he lived on the same street as fourteen of his cousins. It could be a little crowded, but he threw a few elbows and carved out a space for himself as the family storyteller. He enjoyed the role so much that he decided to spend most of college and graduate school investing in the world of literature. This led to a career teaching English and Creative Writing in the great state of North Carolina, where he currently lives with his wife and family. To his great delight, the demand for stories and storytellers is alive and well. As such, he can often be found at local coffee shops laboring over stories that he hopes his family, and fans, will love.

Reviews

[Bookishrealm · Rating 5 out of 5]

THIS WAS EPIC. I cannot wait for the 3rd novel to drop!

[joy彡 · Rating 5 out of 5]

This second instalment was just as good (better?) as the first book! Proteus <333

[Basia · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5*

[Sandy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sharing on behalf of my son and I!

After reading The Last Dragon on Mars, I was really excited to read book 2. I liked this book because it had great action scenes, characters, plot twists and more.

The story dives deep into interesting characters, letting you make attachments. There are good dramatic scenes, interesting Greek mythology and great humor. The twist in the epilogue at the end of the book make you excited for what’s to come in book 3.

I highly recommend this book to anyone in this reading age group who has interest in space, dragons, mystery, or all of the above.

Thank you to Simon and Schuster for this advance copy in exchange for my honest review.

[rebecca]

i am so sat. already preordered. arriving in time for my bday. gonna be insufferable and annotate the whole thing for hours. no one talk to me

[Krissy · Rating 5 out of 5]

THE best!! We (my son and I) can not wait for the 3rd. We’re kind of bummed we have to wait a while, but it will ALL be worth it. I’m sure!

[Jessica Austin · Rating 5 out of 5]

Holy cow!! Just when I said I loved The Last Dragon on Mars! This was amazing!! I’ll say it again I wish this was a Netflix series or a movie. Such a great story that keeps you wanting to read more and more! I feel like it left me on another cliff hanger so I’m super excited to read the 3rd book!! Please Scott get it out soon I’m dying to know what happens next!!

[Renee · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5 stars

space dragons are my favorite type of dragons

[Anna · Rating 5 out of 5]

"And now look at me! Living my dreams out. Inside a trash can in space." (285)

[Murray · Rating 4 out of 5]

I received an ARC copy from NetGalley for this honest review. Lunar Jones and the Dread Knights are back for another adventure as they prepare for an attack on Mars by the moon dragon Titan and his minions. They get the information from two new dragons. One, Proteus, who is a shapeshifter and a seer, tells Lunar and the knights that he sees various scenarios of how the impending battle will turn out Lunar and the knights have to trust what Proteus is telling them. Triton does have his own weapon a trident that can steal one secret from each person or dragon that it penatrates. There are surprises and twists and over all great fun as a high adventure low sci-fi (ignores actual the environmental constraints of Mars and Neptune) that is an entertaining follow up to "The Last Dragon on Mars." Not for hard science fans but for the target audience of 10-14 year-old readers.

[Trigger Warning Database]

Trigger & Content Warnings

Fantasy violence & battles, including combat & stabbings

[Grace ໒꒱ · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was just as fun as the first, maybe more fun. Once again, I'm impressed with this series and I'm looking forward to the next book!

[Stef (Noveltea Corner) · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is excellent - first 5 star of 2026. Bring on book 3!

[Stephanie · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5/5

[Jan farnworth · Rating 4 out of 5]

For fans who enjoyed the first book’s battle scenes and fast-moving plot, this sequel delivers. The opening is very action-oriented, and the tension grows as mysteries around Neptune deepen. Incorporating dragons tied to planets and moons in our solar system gives the story a mythic scope. Neptune’s dragons are being split among themselves, the military roles of dragons and dragoons (humans bonded with dragons), and how lunar, planetary, and off-world politics work. Lunar continues to grow into his responsibilities. Being young, facing leadership challenges, and anticipating betrayals and strange alliances force him to mature. The dynamics among the Dread Knights, with supporting characters like Proctor, Doc, Mara (“Wildcard”), Little Will, etc., help flesh out the cast. The Rise of Neptune is a solid and engaging sequel, especially if you’re already invested in Lunar Jones’s journey and the Dragonships universe. It builds well on its predecessor: expanding the scale (moving further into space, involving more planetary stakes), deepening the lore, and upping the tension. While it sometimes leans on genre conventions and some plot conveniences, it delivers for readers who like fast-paced action, dragon mythos, and interplanetary conflict. The Rise of Neptune is for middle-grade / young-adult readers (ages ~10-14, though older fantasy/sci-fi lovers will likely enjoy it too), especially if you liked The Last Dragon on Mars. It leaves you wanting more, wondering what the true motivations behind Neptune are, and eager to see how Lunar will grow further and what challenges lie beyond.

[The Book Nerd's Corner · Rating 4 out of 5]

The space saga continues as Lunar Jones and his crew of Dread Knights work to protect Mars from the forces of Neptune.

After a successful mission that allied Mars with Earth, Lunar Jones and the Dread Knights are hoping to reign in an era of peace on Mars. Unfortunately, when Neptune's ships arrive and attack Mars, there is nothing they can do but defend their home. Things seem a little off about this invasion though... Neptune's ships are too easy to destroy, and the enemy forces seem to be acting a bit strange. It's up to Lunar, Dread, Rose, and the rest of the bunch to figure out what is going on before it is too late.

Man, I forgot how much I enjoyed this world. Dragons in space is such a fun concept, and seeing such exciting stories executed again and again isn't getting old for me. I was so invested in the end of this one; I was saddened when I read the last page. I'm so stoked to see what Lunar and the gang gets up to in book three! But for now, let's talk about the things that I liked about this one.

The action in this one gets started pretty quickly and never stops. The momentum of the plot truly keeps going the whole way through and I never found myself bored, even for a single moment. An interplanetary war between Mars and Neptune was really exciting. The first book had video game elements that were certainly expanded on in this one. And I got to say, a video game of this series would be so sick to play in real life.

My favorite part of this series still has to be the prose. The banter between Dread and Lunar is so funny; I found myself constantly highlighting their humorous conversations. The figurative language that Reintgen uses is so fresh and easy to understand. This writing is a perfect blend of entertaining and easily comprehendible.

I still stand by the fact that the rest of Lunar's crew still feels pretty caricature-esque. They each have a role to full as the tactician, or the tinkerer, or the fighter, and they aren't anything more beyond that. A new addition to the cast, Proteus, has personality for days though. He is a moon of Neptune that has the unique gift to see all the possible future's simultaneously (much like the unicorn alien in "Men in Black" if you've seen that). He is constantly worrying about a million things simultaneously which often has the rest of the cast of characters confuzzled. Proteus is an absolute hoot, and I look forward to seeing more of his character in future installments of this series.

Overall, "The Rise of Neptune" was such a fun sequel in the "Dragonships" series! Returning back to this space adventure was such a treat, and it was fun to see how the plot thickened in this one. The writing was as strong as ever, and I'm absolutely in love with Proteus, a new addition to the cast. I was so hooked on the ending of this one that I was saddened when I finished the last page. I am very much looking forward to reading the next book in this series as soon as it is available to do so!

[Robert Bollinger · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a wonderful read ! Shades of Heinlein's juvenile stories with an absolute mind-boggling experiment in a new solar system wide revision of how and why the way things are and how they work. It seems that each star, planets and their moons are home to at least one spacefaring dragons that effectively rule their locations and interact among themselves in a complex hierarchy that bears some resemblance to a mythology of our system. In this complex and enthralling set-up humanity is a late addition brought about by the sacrifice of Gaia (earth's dragon) which allows life to evolve into the humanity we are familiar with. Certain humans (dragoons) interact with their dragons as crew in their adventures and battles with an inventive nanolike tech that allows the near instant creation of spaceships built around and using the dragons innate energy and crewed by these dragoons as they travel in the solar system. This story is a standalone sequel to 'The Last Dragon on Mars' which is referenced but not necessary to your enjoyment of this book. The story follows Mars top Dragoon Lunar Jones and the dragon Dread (new Ares) as they learn of an incoming invasion from Neptune headed their way. This story involves the initial attack and defense of Mars from a seeming never-ending wave of barely capable enemy ships whose debris transforms into a space net capable of cutting Mars and her moons off from any outside help just as our protagonists learn of the plot. It should be mentioned that these huge dragons each have at least one unique power that can be a huge advantage in the right circumstances. It turns out that the biggest moon of Neptune (Triton) is the one leading this attack and he has been stealing memories and powers from his lesser moons with the aid of a massive trident that is attached to one of his claws. This story has a rich history that continues to provide both hints and depth to the ongoing story. A prophetic dragon escapee from Triton's control is both helpful and frustrating to the Martian defenders providing cryptic hints and teases of possible futures while driving them crazy. (This is perhaps the best use I have come across of the 'each decision leads to a new timeline' alt universe theory). The constantly shifting sides and potential outcomes keep the reader guessing as the story is followed to its immediate conclusion but the final reveal hints this is just the beginning of a new and even larger story to come. I for one cannot wait and hope to catch up with the first book as well in this highly intriguing addition to young adult sci-fi /fantasy book series. I received an ARC copy of this book in a Goodreads giveaway and was overjoyed to give an honest review.

[Kaylee Middleton · Rating 5 out of 5]

OH MY GOSH. I’m obsessed with this series so far!! Scott Reintgen left us dangling off a cliff so sharp it might as well be a dragon’s tooth. I’m anxious, excited, and spiraling while I wait for Book Three. The pacing is fast, the emotional stakes are real, and the world-building keeps expanding in ways that make me want to reread every chapter for hidden clues. I love how I can practically see the pieces fitting together—like every detail is part of a bigger plan I haven’t fully unlocked yet. It’s the kind of story that makes you feel smart and paranoid at the same time.

(Spoiler alert—don’t read further unless you’ve finished cover to cover!) The most jaw-dropping moment? Achilles, full of confidence, practically narrating Lunar’s next move like he’s the author—“He’ll just teleport”—and then… blood, pain, and typical Lunar for not being scared. That scene didn’t just wreck me. I literally HAD to throw the book across my bed (where I read). I was kind of annoyed Lunar ever offered him the knife in the first place—but I get it now. (I hope he gets that knife back to Muriel...) I also love how Scott writes from multiple perspectives. It’s not just clever—it’s necessary. Every shift in POV feels like a new layer of truth, and it makes the tension feel real. You’re not just watching the story unfold—you’re inside it, dodging emotional shrapnel.

Now, I have questions.

If Proctor’s full name is Rose Proctor, why is she always just called Proctor? Is it a title? A power move?

Is she the one Lunar ends up marrying at his “future wedding”? Because if so, I need to reread every interaction between them with a magnifying glass and a conspiracy board.

What is that creepy thing Proteus meets at the end? It did speak, but it felt ancient, terrifying, and somehow tied to Neptune's history we haven't learned. Is it a dragonship intelligence? A forgotten Neptune god?

Will anyone from Mars become real friends with someone from Neptune? And if so… will they wait for weakness and strike? Because trust in this world feels like a trap waiting to happen.

Are there still humans on Earth? Everyone seems to be on Mars or Neptune, and I need to know if Earth is just background noise now.

And finally—when is Book Three coming out?! I need it ASAP. As in now. As in yesterday. As in I might start writing fan chapters just to survive.

All in all—an amazing book. I’ve loved this journey since it started—well, since I started. And I’m not getting off this ride until the last dragonship lands.

[Sheila Bracken · Rating 5 out of 5]

In the second book of The Dragonships series, 14-year-old dragonrider Lunar Jones and the Dread Knights have brought hope to Mars, which is recovering from decades of hardship. Between Dread’s power and a newly formed alliance with Earth, the once-dying planet is headed for prosperity at last. The only shadow is the one cast by the warning that ended book one: Neptune is coming.
When the dragons from Neptune attack Mars, it's up to Lunar and his dragon, Dread, to stop them. Lunar was prepared for hostilities, but the way the attack happens is unexpected. Neptune’s dragons seem divided, and its ships, while countless in number, are almost too easy to defeat. It’s clear there’s more to Neptune’s story than meets the eye, Lunar and Dread are prepared to do whatever it takes to defend Mars, but it quickly becomes clear that Lunar won't be able to win on his own. He and the Dread Knights must figure out the mystery behind their looming foe quickly, decide which dragons to trust, and rally their allies.
Part two of the series, like part one, is fun and action-packed. The action and adventure start sooner and focuses less on Lunar's struggle with becoming a hero. The characters, particularly Proctor (whose perspective is the focus of some scenes), play a bigger role in the story. The humor and humanity are here, too, and we see how the struggles Lunar faced in the first book will pay off. Though the ending feels a bit rushed, the final scenes set up the next story nicely. It’s a solid sequel that both expands the world of its predecessor, particularly the lore of dragons introduced in the first book, as well as teases even more to come. It will be fun to see how the story progresses in book three! 4.5

[Melissa Brainard · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Rise of Neptune
By Scott Reintgen

RELEASE DATE: OCTOBER 7

The Rise of Neptune, the sequel to The Last Dragon on Mars, is looking like one of my absolute favorite children's/middle grade books of 2025.

The Last Dragon on Mars was one of those books that you enjoy while reading, and after finishing it, the thought consistently pops into your brain, "What the heck happens to Lunar Jones and Dread?!" It sticks with you. I desperately needed to know.

In The Rise of Neptune, we get back to Lunar Jones, the solar system's newest Dragoon, and Dread, the King Dragon of Mars. After the events of book one, Lunar and Dread are facing a new, bigger, stronger, mysterious force. Neptune is coming.

This book is full of fun characters, interesting relationships, engaging sci-fi elements, and a fresh take on humanity's place in the cosmos. This is a dragon filled space adventure that every kid should go on. I'm definitely getting it for my son when he's a touch older. He's already excited about it after listening to me gush.

The Rise of Neptune truly delivers. I think I enjoyed it even more than The Last Dragon on Mars. And now I'm stuck waiting for book three!

Thank you to Scott Reintgen and Simon and Schuster Children's Publishing for access to this eARC in exchange for my honest review.

[Bethany Mock (bethanyburiedinbooks) · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thank you @libby.app for gifting me this epic space adventure!

Okay, so turns out in real life I have absolutely zero interest in blasting off into space…BUT sit me down with a Scott Reintgen book and suddenly I’m first in line for takeoff. 😂

This is the second book in the Dragonships series and I’m telling you these books are fan-freakin-tastic! I just may actually dare I say this adventure might be even better than the first one. Best of luck to you once you start because if you’re like me I did not want to put it down.

We’ve got:
🪐 Space attacks
💥 Planets under siege
⚡️ BIG energy
😂 Hilarious banter
🕸️ Nets the size of…well, planets
🗑️ A sneak attack involving trash cans (yes, really)
✨ And a magical suit that I absolutely want in my size.

This series is seriously perfect for all ages and genders...but calling all boy moms (🙋‍♀️ same here)! If you’ve ever been on the hunt for a book that’ll grab your kid’s attention during that tricky middle grade phase, this is it. I can remember scouring shelves trying to find some books that might peak their interest...nudge nudge, look no further!

I don’t know about you but I’ll be buying every single book Scott writes in this series because they’re just that entertaining, clever, and totally rad. Ope, did I just age myself saying “rad”? 😎. I promise, I’m a cool mom.

Anywho…I absolutely adore this series, love these characters, and I’m already getting my astronaut suit ready for the next ride. Let’s GOOOOO!🚀✨

[YSBR · Rating 5 out of 5]

Lunar Jones, born on the cursed planet of Mars and named after the great moon dragon Luna, becomes an unlikely dragoon when circumstances enable him to bond with Dread, Mars's planetary dragon. Each planet and moon in the solar system has its own dragon protector, commanded by warrior teams led by dragoons. When Neptune, thought to be a long-dormant planet dragon, emerges with his armies and launches an unique attack on Mars, the entire solar system could be forced into chaos. Planet and moon dragons choose sides as the conflict escalates into an epic battle that will determine everyone's fate. Set across Mars and deep space, Reintgen’s unique narration immerses readers into a futuristic world where dragons rule the cosmos. This adventurous tale blends folktale and fantasy elements in an innovative way that will captivate dragon enthusiasts and action lovers alike. The classic battle between good versus evil will keep readers turning pages and eagerly awaiting a sequel. Link to complete review: https://ysbookreviews.wordpress.com/2...

[Joe Kessler · Rating 3 out of 5]

The first volume in this middle-grade sci-fi series about dragons in outer space didn't blow me away, but it was promising enough that I decided to check out this sequel to see how the cliffhanger resolved. And I guess I'm reasonably satisfied on that front, although overall this entry is heavier on the action and lighter on the character dynamics than I would ideally prefer. Unlike in the last book, the plot never seems to seriously challenge the teenage hero beyond his having to figure out military campaign tactics, which isn't the most interesting way to spend a novel. I also miss how the friendship bonds and a sense of the daily struggle for life on Mars provided some nice background texture to the story before.

Two-and-a-half stars rounded up, in recognition that I am not the target audience here, but I don't intend to read any further in the saga at this point.

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[ᴄᴀᴛ · Rating 5 out of 5]

🐉: I loved this book so much. This was just as good, if not better, than the first, and I can't wait to see what happens in the third when that one is published.
Greek mythology, dragons & space are all things I 𝘭𝘰𝘷𝘦 in a book so the three combined is amazing.
I love Dread's character so much, especially his humor. Proctor is also a favorite, she's a very fierce character and I loved how she took charge. And of course Lunar Jones is a really good mmc.
This 𝘪𝘴 a book series for younger kids (google says ages 9-13) but it's seriously so easy to follow and still very enjoyable even if you're older. Like you can tell it's written for a younger audience but it's funny, charming and a very fun read.
I'd say this series is one of my top reads of 2025 so far?? It's so good omg
Thank you to Netgalley and the publishers for giving me an e-arc of this book, even though I didn't finish it till 5 days after it was published I still really appreciate being able to read this.

[Olivia · Rating 5 out of 5]

I absolutely love the powers that the dragons are given and how they correlate with their given names. Such as with Phobos, he is named after the Greek god of fear. As we know from this book and the first, his powers are based on fear. It really make me want to research who the moons and planets are named after so I could guess as to what their powers will be and how that will affect Lunar.
The writing and character really make me want to read this book all day. The pacing is nice and speeds up and slows down at the right times. The book is really well written and I can’t wait for the next one!

[Elyse · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really loved this sequel. The action, the suspense! Everything about this series as a whole is so good. Fast paced sci-fi dragons is something I genuinely didn’t know I needed but now that I have it I’m so happy.
This is a series I would love to show my nieces and nephews, a story I’ve already started promoting to my friend.
We’ve seen more growth of Lunar in this installment, how much he’s changed over the past year but also the same goofball. All the other characters are great as well, especially the new dragons.
The fact that I have to wait for the third book after that ending and also binging the first two is going to be torture!

[Lisa Cain · Rating 5 out of 5]

Lunar Jones is back in action, and the Rise of Neptune starts with a battle right out of the gate. Reintgen excels at writing epic battle scenes, military strategy and page-turning action. Just when Mars is thriving, thanks to its dragon and Lunar saving the day, it’s under attack from Triton, Neptune’s moon dragon. I read this book in a day, because I couldn’t put it down. This book is especially good for readers who are looking for Star Wars-style action. Reintgen's books are always a hit, and I can’t wait for the next one in the series!

[Amanda Ocilka · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you for the ARC copy.

I really liked it! It took a little while to get into it, but once I did, it was so worth it. Dread was honestly such a vibe with his dry humor. He was definitely my favorite character, with Proctor being a distant second. She was so fierce, and I loved the way she took charge. The book, overall, was so good. I loved the plot twists that I did not see coming at all. I also just loved the idea behind the book on how it was based on Greek mythology but in a way that was so new.

[Janet Miller · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was incredible- Scott Reintgen keeps topping himself with his latest books imo🤩 The plot kept me on my toes and several moments had me dropping my jaw with shock and delight. I also love a book with good banter and this book delivered. Not super surprising if you’ve seen the author present but I found myself chuckling often despite the at times dire situations the characters were facing. I’m recommending this to everyone, but especially if you like sci fi or fantasy, and definitely start with the first book in the series The Last Dragon on Mars.

[book · Rating 5 out of 5]

reintgen's world building knocks it out of the park again! this book continues to expand on the world of dragons in space and I LOVE IT. the Rise of Neptune can feel a little slow as the characters sort of spend a lot of the book in one place, but being a middle grade read the monologues and talking scenes are not long winded which is a nice change of pace. the plot is complex without being repetitive and it's a calmer read when you know the heroes will inevitably win! plus the ending has me so ready for book 3!