Riding the Storm

Dragonsdale #2

by Salamanda Drake

When Breena and Moonflight go missing, it's Cara and Skydancer to the rescue, RIDING THE STORM to save Book 2 in the fully illustrated, highly accessible new DRAGONSDALE series!

Cara's so overjoyed to be a dragonrider at last, she doesn't notice Breena's jealousy. And when Cara deliberately loses a competition to help her friend, Breena's not grateful--she's insulted, and lashes out at Hortense, who sets about sabotaging the girls' friendship. Disqualified from competition, Breena and Moonflight suffer a terrible fall. Cold and hurt, the two seek shelter in the Cave of Sighs. But the tide is rising, threatening to wash them away! Cara must sacrifice the championships and seek instead the help of the merfolk in order to rescue her best friend and her beloved dragon!

Genres: Fantasy, Dragons, Middle Grade, Childrens, Animals, Young Adult, Fiction

320 pages, Hardcover

First published March 3, 2008

About the author

When it comes to dragons, SALAMANDA DRAKE knows her Goldenbrows from her Finbacks.

She is sixteen years old and lives with her father, a dragon rider in the Isles of Bresal. Her love of dragons began at the age of three, when her "Da" began taking her to fairs and showings around the islands. Discovering she had a special way with even the most unruly of creatures, she soon learnt that (in her own words) 'The only way to train a dragon is to be patient and never give up.'

She spends much of her free time (sometimes when she should be at school) sweeping, grooming, and exercising her father's dragons. Salamanda has a Trustbond with Hillsweeper, a Firecrest dragon, and together they are now competing at Showings. They have high hopes of representing Finnglass at the Island Championships.

Reviews

[Max · Rating 4 out of 5]

A cute book, fantasy for older children. I would have LOVED this as a child (I still enjoy it as an adult, lol). Kick-ass characters, dragons and friendship are central themes of this book. I still have the hardcopy, and I'll keep it to gift my niece in a few years, hopefully she will like it as much as I would have around that age!

[AnneDrawsArt · Rating 5 out of 5]

Just stunning, I had so much fun reading this. as a childhood favourite it was like chatting with an old friend. I wish there were more books in this series.

[Emily — Books and Bocks · Rating 4 out of 5]

In this sequel to the first book in the Dragonsdale series, Salamanda Drake once welcomes the reader back into the world of Bresal, and further expands on it in a sweet story.
Now offically a dragon rider, Cara has begun showing with her precious Skydancer, and has made quite a stir among the island. Everyone watches her progress through the competition circut, and Cara herself struggles with the ambition of living up to her late mother's reputation. Cara finds herself struggling with competing against her best friend, Breena, and as Breena loses multiple opportunities to qualify for the biggest show on Bresal, risky actions threaten her and her dragon's futures in showing and in the guard flight.
I have to say, I didn't like this one as much as the first book, but for me, that's to be expected, I always like the first better than the rest. The world is developed more deeply with expansions on locations previously mentioned, and you meet a new character who bonds easily with the cast of the story. Necessary reminder that this is a children's/YA book, so I'm not the target demographic, so my criticism differs from what other readers would think. But as always, a beautifully done story, with beautiful formatting. Salamanda Drake will forever have my heart when it comes to heartwarming easy reads.

[Ellen · Rating 4 out of 5]

It's been ten years since I read the original Dragonsdale and watched second and third graders devour it the take of friendship and magic that felt like a horse story and yet so much more. Now when I saw another third grade girl whose mom had to come find her after school because she just had to read a few more minutes of Dragonsdale, I wondered vaguely if there was more to the series.

Now that I've read the second book, I'm certain this will be a similar hit to the first. It's the same story of friendship, combined with the same gorgeous illustrations on every page. Although it read a little predictably for an adult, it will be a comfortable journey for a young reader. It's another win for the series.

[Lauren · Rating 3 out of 5]

And I quote:
<"Fly safely." Cara groaned inwardly. Would her father never forget that her mother had died in a fall from a dragon?>
Nothing more needs to be said.
Summary: Cara and Breena turn into idiots and jerks.

[Corinne Morier · Rating 4 out of 5]

The first half was kind of "meh," then it picked up again near the middle, then it was like "Really? Using the exact same plot device from the climax of Book 1?" then it was like "WHAT IS GOING ON" then it was like "CRY" then it was like "D'AWW."

Full review to come soon!

[Sarah · Rating 3 out of 5]

A bit slow in the middle but an exciting end. Three and a half stars

[Lucie · Rating 1 out of 5]

Beaucoup moins bien que le premier. Je déconseille, le premier se suffisait à lui-même.

[Celeste Vandiver · Rating 5 out of 5]

Love the story and the pictures in it good fantasy with dragon riders bonding with their dragons

[Brittany · Rating 5 out of 5]

A great story about friendship and courage.

[Karel · Rating 3 out of 5]

Children's book. I love dragons, so I enjoyed it.

[Cori Cooper · Rating 4 out of 5]

Liked this just as much as the first! It's a cute story with a lot of great morals!

[Richard Pittman · Rating 4 out of 5]

A good set-up and a very exciting third act of this book make up for a weak second act. Unfortunately, this book suffers from a common problem that much of the conflict in the story could have been easily resolved if only someone, anyone had used his or her brain for half a second. Still, this is otherwise a very solid second part of a very entertaining series. The pseudonymously identified author, Salamanda Drake, is very skilled at ramping up the excitement and danger and resolving it in a way that is believable. The rescue that closes the action of this book is harrowing. The conclusion is exciting. We were excited to get to the next chapter throughout our reading of the last quarter of the book.

[Rita · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a very interesting book. It is about friendship, jealousy, conflict, and trickery. I liked how the characters developed throughout the story and how they were connected. There were some unexpected turns, and that made the story exciting. I liked this book better than the first one in the series. I would recommend this for anybody.

[Ami · Rating 3 out of 5]

I accidentally picked up the second book in the series. I was not lost reading. Enough detail was given that the book could stand on its own. I had a hard time reading about the internal conflicts between characters who were friends. I guess the lesson to learn about friendship is to trust your friends and don't let others venom come between you.

[Vernon · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have read both "Skydancer" and "Riding the Storm" from this series many years ago. They are amazing! Such lovely, well written fantasy adventures about dragon riders. I want to read the third and the last books in this series so bad but they are notoriously hard to find! Especially if you live outside UK.

[Wrigley · Rating 5 out of 5]

I think it is really exciting and magical in a really cool way, and IO think it's just a brilliant book. It is just as good as the first one, yeah, it's really good. It was so good I didn't have a favorite part.

[Dolores · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is actually kind of a good read. It is light and fun, but there are unexpected depths. Within a story about a merboy is a lesson about prejudice and inequality. The book makes its points without ever seeming too preachy. Nice.

[Holly · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a sequel to Dragonsdale, and will appeal to the same group of people. I suspect elementary-school aged girls will like it best.

[Sannasue]

I love Brooke, but I am going to have to wait for her to tell me how this book ends. I just couldn't get into it.

[Debbie · Rating 4 out of 5]

My daughter and I liked this book. It was a good sequel to the first Dragonsdale book. We are looking forward to the next book.

[Kimberlee · Rating 5 out of 5]

love the way friendship comes in this book

[Atifa · Rating 5 out of 5]

SWEET!! continue to read the last book!!

[Cloverjoy · Rating 5 out of 5]

I liked this book, it was amazing. I liked the idea that there was a see dragon and that he liked the normal dragon. I actually read the german version; but it's probably good in both languages.

[Haley Fitzjerrell · Rating 5 out of 5]

The best book ever!!!! I think that it was awesome how great it was I recommend reading it by far!!!!!

[ForeverDay · Rating 4 out of 5]

Overall rating (for the age group it was aimed at): 4/5

A nice book for a younger reader.

[Celeste · Rating 5 out of 5]

it took so many werd terns after the 1st book . gust reading the interdtion I was so serpised you need to read this book!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Feathertail]

You feel the characters-I was Breena drowning in the Cave of Sighs. Salamanda Drake has beautiful writing.

[Rowan P5 · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really liked the book and I thought it was amazing to read about how friends have a strong enough friendship that they can pull out of a fight.

[Miss Amanda · Rating 3 out of 5]

This felt like a horse story, but with dragons and other magic creatures.