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The Last Dragon House
A middle-grade debut about a magical boarding house for dragons and the unlikely siblings destined to save it
Siblings Olly and Jenny Atwood have never met a dragon—Olly doesn’t even think they’re real. But when the strange and brilliant Dr. Lady Abernathy offers Olly a job at her mysterious house, the Atwoods learn that these incredible beasts are very much alive—and they need help.
Dragons have been forced into hiding, and as caretakers of the Dragon House, Dr. Lady and Olly are the only protectors these magnificent creatures have left. But when evil forces conspire to poison Dr. Lady, Olly and his dragon friends find themselves locked in a race against time, political conspiracies…and one very large corgi. Can Olly recover the antidote before it’s too late? And can Jenny harness her stirring powers to keep Dr. Lady alive until then? Or could this be the end of the Dragon House—and dragons—as they know it?
Siblings Olly and Jenny Atwood have never met a dragon—Olly doesn’t even think they’re real. But when the strange and brilliant Dr. Lady Abernathy offers Olly a job at her mysterious house, the Atwoods learn that these incredible beasts are very much alive—and they need help.
Dragons have been forced into hiding, and as caretakers of the Dragon House, Dr. Lady and Olly are the only protectors these magnificent creatures have left. But when evil forces conspire to poison Dr. Lady, Olly and his dragon friends find themselves locked in a race against time, political conspiracies…and one very large corgi. Can Olly recover the antidote before it’s too late? And can Jenny harness her stirring powers to keep Dr. Lady alive until then? Or could this be the end of the Dragon House—and dragons—as they know it?
336 pages, Hardcover
Published May 12, 2026
About the author
Liv Mae Morris
2 books18 followersLiv Mae Morris was a 2022 Lambda Literary Fellow and 2024 recipient of the Binc Foundation’s Susan Kamil Prize for Emerging Writers; equally importantly, she is the steward of two cats and one beautiful, chaotic husky/chihuahua/German shepherd mix. Originally from Kentucky, she now lives with her wife in Boston, where she works as an indie bookseller as well as a writer.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 91 reviews
May 14, 2026
My first book by this author and looking forward to enjoying more. What a fun and unique plot. A boarding house for dragons. I loved the two siblings that help to care for them. Every dragon had a special voice and individual personalities. This story just lightened my heart and made me smile. Outstanding narration. Highly recommend.
I was blessed with an ALC. Thank you, NetGalley. The opinions expressed are my own and unbiased.
I was blessed with an ALC. Thank you, NetGalley. The opinions expressed are my own and unbiased.
May 13, 2026
Recommend-O-Meter: Would be loved by any kid, along with any adult worth their salt!
I’m a sucker for a good middle-grade fantasy; they remind me of the youth I spent exploring other worlds between library pages. And this book in particular captured a lot of that magic for me.
In a world where dragons are real, angry kings and rich people have driven them to hiding and propaganda-fed generations of people into believing they were never there. On a separate note, people have to work from childhood in potentially dangerous environments (and also unions lowkey don’t exist and are tamped down by the state when they occur, which is believable enough, if rather depressing). This takes to our main protagonist Olly, a young boy about to get his first job. We watch him stumble into a house full of dragons, and we witness what exactly that entails—and it’s so, so fun.
I loved the way characters came to life in this story. Everyone seemed to have something deeper to them, and yet were all quite loveable. Especially interesting was the case of Olly’s sister Jenny, who takes up a good portion of the pages as well with her own mini adventure. (I do dearly hope to see much more of her in the next books!)
But aside from that, the novel was just a blast to read. I adored the lighthearted, at times even snarky tone. It felt very tongue-in-cheek and yet still pure and kind at the core, which I think is something very important to balance for the target audience. And, quite frankly, also for me, because I’m definitely picking up the sequel!
Audio Assessment: The narrator of this book is written to have personality, and I think the audio delivered it in spades! I loved the way they translated the wry side comments into their voice.
[I received an ALC of this book from the publisher on NetGalley. This does not in any way affect the contents of my review.]
I’m a sucker for a good middle-grade fantasy; they remind me of the youth I spent exploring other worlds between library pages. And this book in particular captured a lot of that magic for me.
In a world where dragons are real, angry kings and rich people have driven them to hiding and propaganda-fed generations of people into believing they were never there. On a separate note, people have to work from childhood in potentially dangerous environments (and also unions lowkey don’t exist and are tamped down by the state when they occur, which is believable enough, if rather depressing). This takes to our main protagonist Olly, a young boy about to get his first job. We watch him stumble into a house full of dragons, and we witness what exactly that entails—and it’s so, so fun.
I loved the way characters came to life in this story. Everyone seemed to have something deeper to them, and yet were all quite loveable. Especially interesting was the case of Olly’s sister Jenny, who takes up a good portion of the pages as well with her own mini adventure. (I do dearly hope to see much more of her in the next books!)
But aside from that, the novel was just a blast to read. I adored the lighthearted, at times even snarky tone. It felt very tongue-in-cheek and yet still pure and kind at the core, which I think is something very important to balance for the target audience. And, quite frankly, also for me, because I’m definitely picking up the sequel!
Audio Assessment: The narrator of this book is written to have personality, and I think the audio delivered it in spades! I loved the way they translated the wry side comments into their voice.
[I received an ALC of this book from the publisher on NetGalley. This does not in any way affect the contents of my review.]
May 25, 2026
Read: May 11th - May 18th
Format: Audiobook
Rating: 3 Stars
Thank you to netgalley and the publisher for this ALC in exchange for an honest review!
I think my main issue with this book is that I came out of it just shrugging and saying, "That was a book." It's not bad, and the target audience would probably enjoy it more. In general, I enjoy middle grade, but some are just really MEANT for children a lot more than others. And sometimes I still vibe hard with those types of books, but not always, and unfortunately, this was one of those 'not always' cases.
It's a cute book with a very interesting way of approaching dragons. They're these magical creatures who have lots of interesting convergent evolution things going on so that they mimic other creatures of the world (so you get corgi dragons and bat dragons, for example). Dr. Lady is a great central force who the plot swirls around, and the dragons under her care have fun personalities of their own. The other human characters, including Olly and Jenny, just give me 'typical MG character' vibes, which isn't bad. They play their part as they should.
I think the main issue here was just the writing style. The distance of it doesn't appeal to me. The climax of the book also feels extremely quick, and then we find the reason Dr. Lady was poisoned, it's just... strange. You can tell this book and its likely follow-up(s) have a very clear theme, but, for me personally, I have yet to see how dragons actually tie into that. They're such a separate entity from the struggles humans are going through and more connected to Dr. Lady's own insecurities. I dunno. I just ended up scratching my head when the big reveal of the motivation came along.
So, it's fine. A cute time with a decent message and fun variety in its dragons.
Format: Audiobook
Rating: 3 Stars
Thank you to netgalley and the publisher for this ALC in exchange for an honest review!
I think my main issue with this book is that I came out of it just shrugging and saying, "That was a book." It's not bad, and the target audience would probably enjoy it more. In general, I enjoy middle grade, but some are just really MEANT for children a lot more than others. And sometimes I still vibe hard with those types of books, but not always, and unfortunately, this was one of those 'not always' cases.
It's a cute book with a very interesting way of approaching dragons. They're these magical creatures who have lots of interesting convergent evolution things going on so that they mimic other creatures of the world (so you get corgi dragons and bat dragons, for example). Dr. Lady is a great central force who the plot swirls around, and the dragons under her care have fun personalities of their own. The other human characters, including Olly and Jenny, just give me 'typical MG character' vibes, which isn't bad. They play their part as they should.
I think the main issue here was just the writing style. The distance of it doesn't appeal to me. The climax of the book also feels extremely quick, and then we find the reason Dr. Lady was poisoned, it's just... strange. You can tell this book and its likely follow-up(s) have a very clear theme, but, for me personally, I have yet to see how dragons actually tie into that. They're such a separate entity from the struggles humans are going through and more connected to Dr. Lady's own insecurities. I dunno. I just ended up scratching my head when the big reveal of the motivation came along.
So, it's fine. A cute time with a decent message and fun variety in its dragons.
June 17, 2026
This was such a cute story! I really loved the characters and the dragons! The setting was also super fun. Great narration for the audiobook!
March 3, 2026
Wonderful dragon book for middle grade readers and those in jr high who can skip over the fact that the main character is 11!
Set in the mythical country of Aldea in a time reminiscent of England during the Industrial Revolution of the 1800s when factories were the primary source of work for a population who were clearly divided along class lines and rules governing conditions were few and always benefited the owners and not the workers, young Olly Atwood finds himself looking for work in order to help support his parents and 3 younger siblings. A timely shove from an older boy allows Olly to see an almost hidden advertisement and leads him to a large, never before noticed, house outside of town that is owned by a large, intimidating woman named Dr. Lady Abernathy and inhabited by a variety of dragons, the likes most readers will have never encountered in other dragon books. Now charged with the care and feeding of these creatures and the secret of their existence, Olly embarks on a journey of not only employment, but the furthering of his formal education and the discovery of the satisfaction in considering the needs of others instead of just one’s self.
Author Liv Mae Morris’ debut novel includes awesome dragons, a quest to save the woman who provides a safe haven for them, magic and the beginnings of organized labor unions in a fast-paced book that will intrigue a wide range of ages and could possibly set up a sequel. Main character Olly is, like many 12 to 15 year olds, just discovering all he is capable of and his sister and new friend Trev are as well and their changes from beginning to end provide plenty of opportunity for connections as well as discussion material for lit circle groups or whole class novel studies. The descriptions of new dragon species will have imaginations racing and wondering if Morris has new ones to introduce as Dr Lady continues to maintain a refuge for animals forced into hiding due to lack of understanding and habitat destruction by many humans.
Excellent addition to titles about fantastic beasts and magic similar to Brandon Mull’s Fablehaven series and newer The Extraterrestrial Zoo by Samantha Van Leer.
*Target age: grade 5 and up (altho’ lack of profanity and sexual content make it also a good choice for fantasy lovers in younger grades if vocabulary and and page count are not a discouraging factor)
*Profanity: none
*Sexual content: none
*Representation: diverse economic levels among characters; variety of family configurations-single parent and traditional 2 parent homes; Dr Lady is single, not looking for a spouse but briefly remembers her love of a woman that was not viewed favorably at their time in history
Thanks for the print arc, Abrams Kids and the eARC, Abrams and Edelweiss.
Set in the mythical country of Aldea in a time reminiscent of England during the Industrial Revolution of the 1800s when factories were the primary source of work for a population who were clearly divided along class lines and rules governing conditions were few and always benefited the owners and not the workers, young Olly Atwood finds himself looking for work in order to help support his parents and 3 younger siblings. A timely shove from an older boy allows Olly to see an almost hidden advertisement and leads him to a large, never before noticed, house outside of town that is owned by a large, intimidating woman named Dr. Lady Abernathy and inhabited by a variety of dragons, the likes most readers will have never encountered in other dragon books. Now charged with the care and feeding of these creatures and the secret of their existence, Olly embarks on a journey of not only employment, but the furthering of his formal education and the discovery of the satisfaction in considering the needs of others instead of just one’s self.
Author Liv Mae Morris’ debut novel includes awesome dragons, a quest to save the woman who provides a safe haven for them, magic and the beginnings of organized labor unions in a fast-paced book that will intrigue a wide range of ages and could possibly set up a sequel. Main character Olly is, like many 12 to 15 year olds, just discovering all he is capable of and his sister and new friend Trev are as well and their changes from beginning to end provide plenty of opportunity for connections as well as discussion material for lit circle groups or whole class novel studies. The descriptions of new dragon species will have imaginations racing and wondering if Morris has new ones to introduce as Dr Lady continues to maintain a refuge for animals forced into hiding due to lack of understanding and habitat destruction by many humans.
Excellent addition to titles about fantastic beasts and magic similar to Brandon Mull’s Fablehaven series and newer The Extraterrestrial Zoo by Samantha Van Leer.
*Target age: grade 5 and up (altho’ lack of profanity and sexual content make it also a good choice for fantasy lovers in younger grades if vocabulary and and page count are not a discouraging factor)
*Profanity: none
*Sexual content: none
*Representation: diverse economic levels among characters; variety of family configurations-single parent and traditional 2 parent homes; Dr Lady is single, not looking for a spouse but briefly remembers her love of a woman that was not viewed favorably at their time in history
Thanks for the print arc, Abrams Kids and the eARC, Abrams and Edelweiss.
June 20, 2026
Thank you to Amulet Books and Netgalley for the review copy in exchange for an honest review. This does not change my opinion in anyway.
TW: Loss of Limb (off page) | Moderate violence
The Last Dragon House is a strong middle grade debut that is layered with more than just fantasy.
We meet Olly when his parents tell him he needs to find a job to help out at home. So he goes out to a job office like so many kids. He finds an odd job offer there and feels compelled to go check it out. The factories will always be an option but something different might not be. He finds a board house for dragons. Its owner, Dr. Lady, needs help taking care of the dragons.
At surface level this seems like a very straight forward middle grade fantasy. Discovering that dragons are real, striking new friendships and an adventure. But there is more to be found here. Poverty is an underlaying theme for instance. It is clear that Olly and Jenny's family are not well off. Another kid they meet is desperate for a job so he can help out his mom. The reality of working in a factory is also there when this kid loses his hand there.
Another thing that stood out to me is that when one adult falls away, they do contact other adults (their parents). They still go on an adventure on their own because that is just how these kind of stories work but the parents aren't completely railroaded and are updated on what is going on in the middle of the book.
So while at first glance this might seem like just any other basic middle grade it has layered in other themes in a way that is still fitting for children.
TW: Loss of Limb (off page) | Moderate violence
The Last Dragon House is a strong middle grade debut that is layered with more than just fantasy.
We meet Olly when his parents tell him he needs to find a job to help out at home. So he goes out to a job office like so many kids. He finds an odd job offer there and feels compelled to go check it out. The factories will always be an option but something different might not be. He finds a board house for dragons. Its owner, Dr. Lady, needs help taking care of the dragons.
At surface level this seems like a very straight forward middle grade fantasy. Discovering that dragons are real, striking new friendships and an adventure. But there is more to be found here. Poverty is an underlaying theme for instance. It is clear that Olly and Jenny's family are not well off. Another kid they meet is desperate for a job so he can help out his mom. The reality of working in a factory is also there when this kid loses his hand there.
Another thing that stood out to me is that when one adult falls away, they do contact other adults (their parents). They still go on an adventure on their own because that is just how these kind of stories work but the parents aren't completely railroaded and are updated on what is going on in the middle of the book.
So while at first glance this might seem like just any other basic middle grade it has layered in other themes in a way that is still fitting for children.
May 25, 2026
Audiobook review: The Last Dragon House by Liv Mae Morris
Narrator: Mark Sanderlin
Vibes: 🐉🏡📚
Thanks to Netgalley and RB Media for the free ALC.
This was such a unique, fun story about bravery, learning, and of course, dragons! Extremely whimsical and full of heart, I loved Olly, Dr Lady and the whole draconic cast - including Mindy, a bookish Bat Dragon, and Amy, a grumpy and possessive Death Worm. The writing is beautiful and the author tackles some interesting concepts without talking down to their young audience which I appreciate. I want to compare it to Diana Wynne Jones - whimsical, smart, and endearing.
Mark Sanderlin's narration of the audiobook is perfect, delivering energy and enthusiasm in all the right places.
A wonderful middle grade debut and one I would heartily recommend!
Pub date: 12 May 2026
Narrator: Mark Sanderlin
Vibes: 🐉🏡📚
Thanks to Netgalley and RB Media for the free ALC.
This was such a unique, fun story about bravery, learning, and of course, dragons! Extremely whimsical and full of heart, I loved Olly, Dr Lady and the whole draconic cast - including Mindy, a bookish Bat Dragon, and Amy, a grumpy and possessive Death Worm. The writing is beautiful and the author tackles some interesting concepts without talking down to their young audience which I appreciate. I want to compare it to Diana Wynne Jones - whimsical, smart, and endearing.
Mark Sanderlin's narration of the audiobook is perfect, delivering energy and enthusiasm in all the right places.
A wonderful middle grade debut and one I would heartily recommend!
Pub date: 12 May 2026
June 19, 2026
A thoroughly charming story about a pair of siblings whose lives become enmeshed with a woman whose made it her mission to provide a sanctuary for dragons.
In this world's past, dragons were associated with uncontrolled magic and many years ago, after a whisper campaign and attacks, dragons have become hated and endangered.
Young Olly enters their world when he applies for a job after it becomes clear that his parents need the money. He hopes he won't have to work at the factory, and finds an intriguing note at the employment office describing a potential job.
After a short interview at a huge house far from his village, Doctor Lady Abernathy hires him, and Olly begins learning to care for the great variety of dragons, and also learns mathematics, geography and other subjects that Lady Abernathy thinks will be useful to someone who will need to know much to manage the dragon house for many years. At the same time, back at his home, his sister Jenny meets a small creature in the garden.
The Lady Abernathy falls gravely ill suddenly, and Olly must look for an antidote. He heads off with a few of the dragons to look for it. Accompanying him is a former bully, Trevor, who was injured working at the village factory, and who proves himself to be smart and willing to learn and to defend dragons.
Olly also brings Jenny into this world, which isn't a big surprise to her considering her friend from the garden, who is also a dragon. Jenny finds untold depths within her and she works to keep Doctor Lady alive while Olly and company race to find a cure.
The story is lively and entertaining, while all the characters, including the dragons, are compelling and sympathetic. I enjoyed this story a lot; it's full of humour, and commentary, and I really can't wait for the sequel.
In this world's past, dragons were associated with uncontrolled magic and many years ago, after a whisper campaign and attacks, dragons have become hated and endangered.
Young Olly enters their world when he applies for a job after it becomes clear that his parents need the money. He hopes he won't have to work at the factory, and finds an intriguing note at the employment office describing a potential job.
After a short interview at a huge house far from his village, Doctor Lady Abernathy hires him, and Olly begins learning to care for the great variety of dragons, and also learns mathematics, geography and other subjects that Lady Abernathy thinks will be useful to someone who will need to know much to manage the dragon house for many years. At the same time, back at his home, his sister Jenny meets a small creature in the garden.
The Lady Abernathy falls gravely ill suddenly, and Olly must look for an antidote. He heads off with a few of the dragons to look for it. Accompanying him is a former bully, Trevor, who was injured working at the village factory, and who proves himself to be smart and willing to learn and to defend dragons.
Olly also brings Jenny into this world, which isn't a big surprise to her considering her friend from the garden, who is also a dragon. Jenny finds untold depths within her and she works to keep Doctor Lady alive while Olly and company race to find a cure.
The story is lively and entertaining, while all the characters, including the dragons, are compelling and sympathetic. I enjoyed this story a lot; it's full of humour, and commentary, and I really can't wait for the sequel.
May 22, 2026
3.5 stars. Dragon stories have such an appeal. And this is no exception. I liked the characters both human and dragon for their diversity in all manners, for their depth and kindness and grumpiness too. The variety of dragons was fun and engaging. The plot took a bit to lay itself out. And then resolved itself bit quickly. But I felt engaged and bought in. The setting was curious and harkening to an older time of social unrest. My biggest challenge was the footnotes. Way too distracting. And unnecessary. I thought the subtlety of the lgbtq aspects was brilliant. The dragon with they/them pronouns was intriguing. Dr Lady’s acknowledgment of her sexuality worked. Not in your face and not apologetic. I look forward to the next book.
May 17, 2026
Oh what a lot of wonderful, magical dragons are in this exciting middle grade story! Such a novel plot , a debut novel too, I hope we won’t have to wait too long to find out what happens next. An excellent’no man/hero is an island’ theme too, we all need our networks to help us solve problems and victory is a team effort.
November 22, 2025
What worked:
The early part of the book follows Olly as he is expected to find a job after finishing the fifth grade. He answers an ad for a job opening even though the description says death is a possibility. Readers will be fascinated by the personalities he encounters at the sanctuary for dragons. He’s greeted at the door by a bat-dragon that can translate most dragon languages. Olly’s jobs include wearing down the back scales on Onyx, a stone dragon, and polishing the scales on a giant, deadly wyrm named Amy. Olly must be alert when helping Amy, because she might eat him or add him to her hoard if he’s careless. Amy adds humor to the story, as she often threatens to eat other characters. A smaller, fairy-dragon adores Olly’s hair and becomes an enthusiastic companion.
The author subtly hints at societal problems before revealing the main conflict. Most children must work to help pay for their families’ needs, since rampant poverty is a major issue. Dr. Lady created the Dragon House because humans were killing them for no reason. Onyx tells Olly about humans blowing up the mountain where he lived, killing his entire family living in caves. Many humans died while mining the mountain, and then the mines closed. It didn’t make sense to Onyx. Dragons once lived peacefully among humans until the rich and powerful became angered by how the dragons helped the powerless. Today, wealthy individuals still bribe the ruler to get laws and decisions favorable to their companies and fortunes. Readers slowly learn that the conflict has arrived at the Dragon House.
The synopsis hints at Jenny’s role in the plot, but she doesn’t make a significant appearance until the book’s second half. Early in the book, she finds a creature hidden near the family garden, but her family doesn’t believe her description of a dragon. Jenny’s transformation into performing magic happens slowly and doesn’t become significant until after Dr. Lady is poisoned. The author introduces another character later in the plot who changes the dynamics. Trev doesn’t seem to like Olly and constantly scowls and says everything is stupid. His negativity stands in stark contrast to the cooperation of other characters, but his character provides an opportunity to teach readers a lesson about understanding.
What didn’t work as well:
The story includes many amusing footnotes, but they’re not shared until the end of the chapters. Readers might prefer to see them at the bottom of individual pages, so that the context will be fresh in their minds. The number of dragons can be overwhelming, but the author takes the time to highlight the main characters. Including scenes that feature them individually helps readers differentiate and understand their personalities.
The final verdict:
This is a charming book about the highs and lows of human-dragon relations with underlying messages relevant to today’s society. Olly is the main character, and his compassion, bravery, and honesty make him an admirable, honorable protagonist. Dragon lovers or those looking for adventure will obviously enjoy this book, and I recommend you check it out for yourself!
The early part of the book follows Olly as he is expected to find a job after finishing the fifth grade. He answers an ad for a job opening even though the description says death is a possibility. Readers will be fascinated by the personalities he encounters at the sanctuary for dragons. He’s greeted at the door by a bat-dragon that can translate most dragon languages. Olly’s jobs include wearing down the back scales on Onyx, a stone dragon, and polishing the scales on a giant, deadly wyrm named Amy. Olly must be alert when helping Amy, because she might eat him or add him to her hoard if he’s careless. Amy adds humor to the story, as she often threatens to eat other characters. A smaller, fairy-dragon adores Olly’s hair and becomes an enthusiastic companion.
The author subtly hints at societal problems before revealing the main conflict. Most children must work to help pay for their families’ needs, since rampant poverty is a major issue. Dr. Lady created the Dragon House because humans were killing them for no reason. Onyx tells Olly about humans blowing up the mountain where he lived, killing his entire family living in caves. Many humans died while mining the mountain, and then the mines closed. It didn’t make sense to Onyx. Dragons once lived peacefully among humans until the rich and powerful became angered by how the dragons helped the powerless. Today, wealthy individuals still bribe the ruler to get laws and decisions favorable to their companies and fortunes. Readers slowly learn that the conflict has arrived at the Dragon House.
The synopsis hints at Jenny’s role in the plot, but she doesn’t make a significant appearance until the book’s second half. Early in the book, she finds a creature hidden near the family garden, but her family doesn’t believe her description of a dragon. Jenny’s transformation into performing magic happens slowly and doesn’t become significant until after Dr. Lady is poisoned. The author introduces another character later in the plot who changes the dynamics. Trev doesn’t seem to like Olly and constantly scowls and says everything is stupid. His negativity stands in stark contrast to the cooperation of other characters, but his character provides an opportunity to teach readers a lesson about understanding.
What didn’t work as well:
The story includes many amusing footnotes, but they’re not shared until the end of the chapters. Readers might prefer to see them at the bottom of individual pages, so that the context will be fresh in their minds. The number of dragons can be overwhelming, but the author takes the time to highlight the main characters. Including scenes that feature them individually helps readers differentiate and understand their personalities.
The final verdict:
This is a charming book about the highs and lows of human-dragon relations with underlying messages relevant to today’s society. Olly is the main character, and his compassion, bravery, and honesty make him an admirable, honorable protagonist. Dragon lovers or those looking for adventure will obviously enjoy this book, and I recommend you check it out for yourself!
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Dragons, dragons, and more dragons pack imagination while weaving in journeys of growth.
Olly is only thirteen and doesn't want to start working to help support his family, but with everyone in town struggling to even survive, he has no choice but to search for a job like others his age. What seems like a fated existence to waste away at a factory, flips upside down when he discovers a hidden employment notice and begins working for a secret home for dragons. It's wondrous and dangerous, and he's not allowed to let anyone know that the home even exists. While some dragons are nice, others might devour him, but none of that holds a candle to the danger he's about to face...and it's one that even the dragons can't protect themselves from.
Taking place in historical England, the first pages reminded a tiny bit of the beginnings of Oliver Twist, Willie Wonka, and Co. as they start in a place, where normal people can barely survive thanks to the closed industries. The twist into fantasy happens quickly and offers a buffet of intriguing dragons, each so different from the rest, stretching through all sorts of myths and possibilities. Dragon fans are sure to enjoy the effort the author takes to bring each one to life. While the interactions between Olly and the dragons offer tension, humor, and heart, the tale digs into deeper issues. The head of the home, a human, opens the door to Olly by also offering an education, which opens up his world and gives open display to the issues his family and others face in the town. There's also the societal issue surrounding the reason why the home even exists; humans hunted down dragons to near extinction. This mixes with another subplot surrounding Olly's sister and the disappearance of magic from humans to weave in plenty of food for thought. Plus, there's an entire message surrounding misunderstandings and 'truth under the surface' in connection to a boy, who first appears like a town bully. Oh, and there's plenty to learn from the dragons as their vibrant personalities and encounters carry quite a few pieces of wisdom as well.
It's a wonderful world to get lost in and offers rich descriptions without slowing the pace. Olly has his hands full and never knows what to expect, and this keeps the tension relatively tight while the imagination and imagery brighten the pages. I'd even recommend this one to tweens or slightly older readers, since there is quite a bit of depth woven into the shadows and cracks. Oh, and dragon fans are most likely going to enjoy this one.
Olly is only thirteen and doesn't want to start working to help support his family, but with everyone in town struggling to even survive, he has no choice but to search for a job like others his age. What seems like a fated existence to waste away at a factory, flips upside down when he discovers a hidden employment notice and begins working for a secret home for dragons. It's wondrous and dangerous, and he's not allowed to let anyone know that the home even exists. While some dragons are nice, others might devour him, but none of that holds a candle to the danger he's about to face...and it's one that even the dragons can't protect themselves from.
Taking place in historical England, the first pages reminded a tiny bit of the beginnings of Oliver Twist, Willie Wonka, and Co. as they start in a place, where normal people can barely survive thanks to the closed industries. The twist into fantasy happens quickly and offers a buffet of intriguing dragons, each so different from the rest, stretching through all sorts of myths and possibilities. Dragon fans are sure to enjoy the effort the author takes to bring each one to life. While the interactions between Olly and the dragons offer tension, humor, and heart, the tale digs into deeper issues. The head of the home, a human, opens the door to Olly by also offering an education, which opens up his world and gives open display to the issues his family and others face in the town. There's also the societal issue surrounding the reason why the home even exists; humans hunted down dragons to near extinction. This mixes with another subplot surrounding Olly's sister and the disappearance of magic from humans to weave in plenty of food for thought. Plus, there's an entire message surrounding misunderstandings and 'truth under the surface' in connection to a boy, who first appears like a town bully. Oh, and there's plenty to learn from the dragons as their vibrant personalities and encounters carry quite a few pieces of wisdom as well.
It's a wonderful world to get lost in and offers rich descriptions without slowing the pace. Olly has his hands full and never knows what to expect, and this keeps the tension relatively tight while the imagination and imagery brighten the pages. I'd even recommend this one to tweens or slightly older readers, since there is quite a bit of depth woven into the shadows and cracks. Oh, and dragon fans are most likely going to enjoy this one.
May 13, 2026
My 8yr old started off reading this book, switched to audio for a few chapters and went back to reading the book. She finished it before I did!
8yr old review: this is a middle grade book? But I’m only in 3rd grade! It’s so chaotic, like crazy because there’s so much happening. I like that Olly and his not-anymore-enemy found a way to get along. That sometimes people are not nice because not nice things have happened to them and that we should remember to be kind instead. Also I liked how they all tried to take care of Dr. Lady ❤️
My Review: Dickensian child labor but make it dragons 🐉 In the mythical land of Aldea, basically Industrial Revolution England with extra soot and even fewer labor laws, young Olly Atwood is hustling for work to help support his overworked parents and a small army of younger siblings. Instead of clocking into a textile mill, he lands a job at a dragon sanctuary 🐲
Liv Mae Morris’ debut manages to mash together dragons, labor rights, class warfare, magic and emotional damage into one surprisingly charming package. And yes there’s a giant wyrm named Amy who regularly threatens to eat people like she’s a grumpy cat with anger issues 🔥 Iconic behavior honestly.
The dragons absolutely steal the show. There’s a bat dragon translator, a fairy dragon obsessed with Olly’s hair ✨ and enough dragon sass to keep the whole thing from turning into a lecture about capitalism. But underneath all the scales and sarcasm, the book actually has something to say. Humans nearly hunted dragons into extinction (because of course they did 🙃) and the story digs into exploitation, education, class divides and the early sparks of organized labor movements ✊
What really works is how readable and warm it all feels ❤️The writing is accessible for younger readers but there’s enough wit and emotional depth that adults won’t feel like they’re suffering through a bedtime story. Every character has their own weird little quirks 🤪, the humor lands and the emotional moments don’t feel forced.
If you ever wanted a cozy fantasy where dragons teach life lessons while humans slowly discover workers’ rights, this book has you covered. It’s funny, thoughtful, chaotic in the best way 🔥 and very much feels like the start of a series someone’s going to get emotionally attached to 😭
Thank you Olivia Mae Morris, ABRAMS Kids, Amulet Books, RBmedia, Recorded Books for the #gifted ARC and ALC in exchange for my honest review.
8yr old review: this is a middle grade book? But I’m only in 3rd grade! It’s so chaotic, like crazy because there’s so much happening. I like that Olly and his not-anymore-enemy found a way to get along. That sometimes people are not nice because not nice things have happened to them and that we should remember to be kind instead. Also I liked how they all tried to take care of Dr. Lady ❤️
My Review: Dickensian child labor but make it dragons 🐉 In the mythical land of Aldea, basically Industrial Revolution England with extra soot and even fewer labor laws, young Olly Atwood is hustling for work to help support his overworked parents and a small army of younger siblings. Instead of clocking into a textile mill, he lands a job at a dragon sanctuary 🐲
Liv Mae Morris’ debut manages to mash together dragons, labor rights, class warfare, magic and emotional damage into one surprisingly charming package. And yes there’s a giant wyrm named Amy who regularly threatens to eat people like she’s a grumpy cat with anger issues 🔥 Iconic behavior honestly.
The dragons absolutely steal the show. There’s a bat dragon translator, a fairy dragon obsessed with Olly’s hair ✨ and enough dragon sass to keep the whole thing from turning into a lecture about capitalism. But underneath all the scales and sarcasm, the book actually has something to say. Humans nearly hunted dragons into extinction (because of course they did 🙃) and the story digs into exploitation, education, class divides and the early sparks of organized labor movements ✊
What really works is how readable and warm it all feels ❤️The writing is accessible for younger readers but there’s enough wit and emotional depth that adults won’t feel like they’re suffering through a bedtime story. Every character has their own weird little quirks 🤪, the humor lands and the emotional moments don’t feel forced.
If you ever wanted a cozy fantasy where dragons teach life lessons while humans slowly discover workers’ rights, this book has you covered. It’s funny, thoughtful, chaotic in the best way 🔥 and very much feels like the start of a series someone’s going to get emotionally attached to 😭
Thank you Olivia Mae Morris, ABRAMS Kids, Amulet Books, RBmedia, Recorded Books for the #gifted ARC and ALC in exchange for my honest review.
May 18, 2026
The Last Dragon House, by Liv Mae Morris and narrated by Mark Sanderlin (yes, we enjoyed this title in the car while running many spring errands), is joyful, imaginative middle grade adventure that my eight-year-old daughter absolutely loved listening to. The story has all the ingredients that make for a great family audiobook: humor, adventure, sibling dynamics, exciting stakes, and a world that feels playful while still carrying emotional heart underneath. The premise of dragons being nearly extinct immediately creates investment in the story, especially for young readers who naturally root for creatures that feel misunderstood or endangered.
One of my favorite elements was the sibling relationship at the center of the story. There is something so satisfying about sibling-led adventures, especially when the children are forced to work together while navigating all the usual frustrations and loyalties that come with family dynamics. I also really appreciated the storyline involving Dr. Lady, the caretaker of Dragon House. I loved that the story ultimately becomes about the children needing to save the very person who has devoted herself to protecting the dragons. That reversal added a lot of emotional warmth and momentum to the story. There are also subtle layers of social commentary woven throughout that give the adventure a little more depth without ever making the story feel heavy.
As an audiobook, this was an especially enjoyable experience. Mark Sanderlin’s narration keeps the pacing lively and engaging, making it a perfect choice for long car rides or upcoming summer trips. Overall, this is an entertaining, easy listen that feels ideal for middle grade readers who love dragons, adventure stories, and imaginative worlds filled with humor and heart.
Thank you to NetGalley and RBmedia for entrusting me with an ARC of this title. It is truly appreciated and always such a treat to be able to read new books and share my opinions with fellow literature lovers. The Last Dragon House is now available for dragon lovers of all ages!
One of my favorite elements was the sibling relationship at the center of the story. There is something so satisfying about sibling-led adventures, especially when the children are forced to work together while navigating all the usual frustrations and loyalties that come with family dynamics. I also really appreciated the storyline involving Dr. Lady, the caretaker of Dragon House. I loved that the story ultimately becomes about the children needing to save the very person who has devoted herself to protecting the dragons. That reversal added a lot of emotional warmth and momentum to the story. There are also subtle layers of social commentary woven throughout that give the adventure a little more depth without ever making the story feel heavy.
As an audiobook, this was an especially enjoyable experience. Mark Sanderlin’s narration keeps the pacing lively and engaging, making it a perfect choice for long car rides or upcoming summer trips. Overall, this is an entertaining, easy listen that feels ideal for middle grade readers who love dragons, adventure stories, and imaginative worlds filled with humor and heart.
Thank you to NetGalley and RBmedia for entrusting me with an ARC of this title. It is truly appreciated and always such a treat to be able to read new books and share my opinions with fellow literature lovers. The Last Dragon House is now available for dragon lovers of all ages!
May 15, 2026
The Last Dragon House
by Liv Mae Morris, and narrated by Mark Sanderlin.
This was such a fun and heartwarming story. It has adventure, magic, danger, humor, and dragons, but also has a lot of heart.
The story follows Olly, an eleven year old boy living in a tough world where kids are expected to work hard just to survive. Everything changes when he finds a strange job posting and ends up at the hidden Dragon House, a secret place where dragons are protected and cared for by the unforgettable Dr. Lady Abernathy.
What starts out as Olly learning how to care for dragons slowly turns into a much bigger adventure involving danger, secrets, and fighting to protect the dragons from people who fear them.
Olly is easy to root for because he’s kind, brave, and feels like a real kid. His sister Jenny also becomes an important part of the story, and Dr. Lady is one of those characters you instantly love because she’s smart, mysterious, funny, and caring all at once.
The dragons were honestly my favorite part. Each one has its own personality, and they feel like real characters instead of just fantasy creatures. Some are sweet, some are scary, and some are hilarious.
Mark Sanderlin did an amazing job with the narration. He gives every character their own voice and really brings the story to life without overdoing it.
The ending was emotional without giving everything away, and it left me wanting more adventures in this world.
This is definitely a 5-star audiobook for anyone who loves dragons, magical adventures, and stories about friendship, courage, and found family.
Big thanks to NetGalley, RBmedia, Liv Mae Morris, author, and narrator Mark Sanderlin for providing this book for review consideration. All opinions are my own.
#NetGalley
#RBmedia
#LivMaeMorris
#MarkSanderlin
#TheLastDragonHouse
http://www.patriciasreadingroom.blogs...
http://goodreads.com/patriciasreading...
This is a review of the audiobook.
by Liv Mae Morris, and narrated by Mark Sanderlin.
This was such a fun and heartwarming story. It has adventure, magic, danger, humor, and dragons, but also has a lot of heart.
The story follows Olly, an eleven year old boy living in a tough world where kids are expected to work hard just to survive. Everything changes when he finds a strange job posting and ends up at the hidden Dragon House, a secret place where dragons are protected and cared for by the unforgettable Dr. Lady Abernathy.
What starts out as Olly learning how to care for dragons slowly turns into a much bigger adventure involving danger, secrets, and fighting to protect the dragons from people who fear them.
Olly is easy to root for because he’s kind, brave, and feels like a real kid. His sister Jenny also becomes an important part of the story, and Dr. Lady is one of those characters you instantly love because she’s smart, mysterious, funny, and caring all at once.
The dragons were honestly my favorite part. Each one has its own personality, and they feel like real characters instead of just fantasy creatures. Some are sweet, some are scary, and some are hilarious.
Mark Sanderlin did an amazing job with the narration. He gives every character their own voice and really brings the story to life without overdoing it.
The ending was emotional without giving everything away, and it left me wanting more adventures in this world.
This is definitely a 5-star audiobook for anyone who loves dragons, magical adventures, and stories about friendship, courage, and found family.
Big thanks to NetGalley, RBmedia, Liv Mae Morris, author, and narrator Mark Sanderlin for providing this book for review consideration. All opinions are my own.
#NetGalley
#RBmedia
#LivMaeMorris
#MarkSanderlin
#TheLastDragonHouse
http://www.patriciasreadingroom.blogs...
http://goodreads.com/patriciasreading...
This is a review of the audiobook.
May 27, 2026
Olly loves to read. Unfortunately, the society he lives in doesn’t value education and there are few spare moments for reading. He is eleven, and it’s long past time for him to get a job and help support his family. Most of the jobs available to children his age are factory jobs, and Olly really doesn’t want to work in a place where he could lose his fingers at any time. Luckily, he finds a mysterious job posting that leads him to meet Dr. Lady and her magical house filled with all kinds of dragons. As he learns about the different kinds of dragons and how to care for them, he also learns about the state of the world and how the king and his counselors have suppressed both the people (and their unions) and the dragons who want to help them. When Dr. Lady’s life is threatened, Olly and his new dragon friends must find a way to save her.
The Last Dragon House tackles social inequity in a way that feels just right for middle grade readers. There is plenty of diversity represented in this book, such as Dr. Lady herself, described as gay, highly educated, and a person of color. The highly relatable characters come across as normal people trying to do their best in a system built to keep them from succeeding. It’s a book that celebrates inner strength and the value of family, not just the one you’re born into, but the one you find in people who share your values.
There are also quirky footnotes throughout the book, and I felt they added just the right amount of humor to the story. Link to complete review: https://ysbookreviews.wordpress.com/2...
The Last Dragon House tackles social inequity in a way that feels just right for middle grade readers. There is plenty of diversity represented in this book, such as Dr. Lady herself, described as gay, highly educated, and a person of color. The highly relatable characters come across as normal people trying to do their best in a system built to keep them from succeeding. It’s a book that celebrates inner strength and the value of family, not just the one you’re born into, but the one you find in people who share your values.
There are also quirky footnotes throughout the book, and I felt they added just the right amount of humor to the story. Link to complete review: https://ysbookreviews.wordpress.com/2...
May 20, 2026
Narnia/Eragon vibes delivered in a Roald Dahl-esque style
4.5 rounded to 5 ⭐
On the surface, this is a simple, cozy adventure story about dragons. But underneath that, this book explores so many meaningful themes like forgiveness, unity, and perhaps most important — accepting everyone as they are ❤️
It also touches on child labour, capitalism and propaganda, but in a way that never feels preachy or heavy. I was surprised to find out this was a debut novel, because introducing such topics in a MG story that's supposed to be lighthearted and cozy is no easy feat, but the author managed it effortlessly. I honestly think this book would be a great addition to any MG library collection.
The stakes were high too, but the coziness remained intact. I also loved how both brother and sister got to shine in this adventure. Stories like these almost always centre around a boy, so seeing both siblings have their own special role was a delight.
And the footnotes! They added so much fun and charm to the story. I loved learning about the lore and the different kinds of dragons. Here's hoping future editions come with illustrations! ✨
The audiobook narrator did a great job. With books written in unusual formats like this one (with footnotes and such), audio can easily get confusing. But Mark Sanderlin not only maintained clarity, but also preserved the vibes needed for the story.
I went into this expecting a standalone, but I'm so ready for book 2 now ❤️
Thanks Netgalley and RBmedia for providing me with an ALC. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
4.5 rounded to 5 ⭐
On the surface, this is a simple, cozy adventure story about dragons. But underneath that, this book explores so many meaningful themes like forgiveness, unity, and perhaps most important — accepting everyone as they are ❤️
It also touches on child labour, capitalism and propaganda, but in a way that never feels preachy or heavy. I was surprised to find out this was a debut novel, because introducing such topics in a MG story that's supposed to be lighthearted and cozy is no easy feat, but the author managed it effortlessly. I honestly think this book would be a great addition to any MG library collection.
The stakes were high too, but the coziness remained intact. I also loved how both brother and sister got to shine in this adventure. Stories like these almost always centre around a boy, so seeing both siblings have their own special role was a delight.
And the footnotes! They added so much fun and charm to the story. I loved learning about the lore and the different kinds of dragons. Here's hoping future editions come with illustrations! ✨
The audiobook narrator did a great job. With books written in unusual formats like this one (with footnotes and such), audio can easily get confusing. But Mark Sanderlin not only maintained clarity, but also preserved the vibes needed for the story.
I went into this expecting a standalone, but I'm so ready for book 2 now ❤️
Thanks Netgalley and RBmedia for providing me with an ALC. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
November 11, 2025
Oh dear where to start with this one. This is everything that little me loved about the Last Dragon Chronicles, but a lot more tailored to the target audience: Kids.
I will read anything that has dragons on the book cover. This was very well wrote, the language used was perfect for kids who love to read, especially the younger audience that thsis book is aimed at: don't let the size of this book put you off. I loved how the characters each have their own silly little mannerisms. It was charming and equally comedic.
Another thing to note, is that in books on the subject of dragons, and works of fiction, that dragons love to murmur, this book was no different, and I personally loved that small detail. The whole concept of Dragon House, how they live, how the residents and employees interact with each other, the dilemma's.
I don't recommend The Last Dragon Chronicles anymore. But this? This is what I want to see for kids of the age range it is aimed at. Brilliant worldbuilding, perfectly crafted for the target audience:
Overall- if your child is a bookworm and loves dragons, they will without hesitation love this book. I grew up also on the Eragon books which is for a slightly older audience: This is a brilliant book to bridge the gap between early readers, and advanced reading (such as the eragon series.)
I will read anything that has dragons on the book cover. This was very well wrote, the language used was perfect for kids who love to read, especially the younger audience that thsis book is aimed at: don't let the size of this book put you off. I loved how the characters each have their own silly little mannerisms. It was charming and equally comedic.
Another thing to note, is that in books on the subject of dragons, and works of fiction, that dragons love to murmur, this book was no different, and I personally loved that small detail. The whole concept of Dragon House, how they live, how the residents and employees interact with each other, the dilemma's.
I don't recommend The Last Dragon Chronicles anymore. But this? This is what I want to see for kids of the age range it is aimed at. Brilliant worldbuilding, perfectly crafted for the target audience:
Overall- if your child is a bookworm and loves dragons, they will without hesitation love this book. I grew up also on the Eragon books which is for a slightly older audience: This is a brilliant book to bridge the gap between early readers, and advanced reading (such as the eragon series.)
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
I love this story so much, certainly a great beginning to a series that I know kids will love. First of all the story is set in Oakridge, a village where kids as young as 11 have to set out and look for work to help their parents earn money to bring to the house. The story is so easy to read however what made me love it so much is that the dragons personalities were so interesting from a dragon who liked poetry, to a bat dragon who acted as a very motherly secretary for Dr. Lady.
Then we have Olly, who received as one of his birthday presents a note from his mom that said “GET A JOB”. He was a kid who enjoy looking at clouds, he liked to read about heroes, he knew he did not wanted to work in the factory. So, when he found a note that advertised a different type of job, he decided it was the best option. When he arrived at the Dragon House he meets Dr. Lady and she explains about the dragons and the house. Olly decides to stay and that’s when his adventures as a dragon caretaker begins. He meets different types of dragons and has to come up with ways to entertain the dragons like giving a poetry book to Amy, who threatened to eat him all the time.
Like with any hero story, tragedy strikes when Dr. Lady falls ill, and Olly, Mindi, Amy, and other dragons set out to save Dr. Lady from dying. However, there are other forces at play, that not only help Olly to get the antidote to save Dr. Lady but also involve his sister who ends up being an important piece in the puzzle to save Dr. Lady and the Dragon. Along the way, Olly’s enemies become his friend, while new dragon enemies arise, to destroyed the dragons and anyone who wants to help protect them.
Then we have Olly, who received as one of his birthday presents a note from his mom that said “GET A JOB”. He was a kid who enjoy looking at clouds, he liked to read about heroes, he knew he did not wanted to work in the factory. So, when he found a note that advertised a different type of job, he decided it was the best option. When he arrived at the Dragon House he meets Dr. Lady and she explains about the dragons and the house. Olly decides to stay and that’s when his adventures as a dragon caretaker begins. He meets different types of dragons and has to come up with ways to entertain the dragons like giving a poetry book to Amy, who threatened to eat him all the time.
Like with any hero story, tragedy strikes when Dr. Lady falls ill, and Olly, Mindi, Amy, and other dragons set out to save Dr. Lady from dying. However, there are other forces at play, that not only help Olly to get the antidote to save Dr. Lady but also involve his sister who ends up being an important piece in the puzzle to save Dr. Lady and the Dragon. Along the way, Olly’s enemies become his friend, while new dragon enemies arise, to destroyed the dragons and anyone who wants to help protect them.
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
The Last Dragon House
If you loved The House on the Cerulean Sea and you’ve wanted to press that into a younger reader’s hands, THIS is the book you’re looking for.
Eleven year old Olly is forced to find work to help support his family. Dr. Lady Abernathy offers Olly a job at her mysterious house. While his parents think he is working a more traditional job, Olly spends his days with dragons and other unique creatures.
This book feels like being hugged by your favorite sugar cookie grandmother. I listened to it on audio (thank you, @librofm ) and absolutely loved the narration. I do want a physical copy because there are all these super cute footnotes that I can only imagine adding to the reading experience!
If you know a middle grades reader who loves cozy fantasy, mystery, found family, uncovering secrets, and the sweetest characters, this is the book for them!
The Last Dragon House is a HUGE WIN for this reader and I can’t wait to see it find its way to other readers who will love it, too! @livmmorris knocked it out of the park with her debut novel!
The Last Dragon House
Liv Mae Morris
5 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟
#bensonreadsbooks
#middlegradefantasy
#debutnovel
May 15, 2026
There is something about children in middle grade stories that makes hope feel believable even in the worst situations, and this book captured that feeling so well. Beneath all the dragons, magic, and adventures, there is also this very raw reality of struggling families, scarce jobs, and children trying to survive circumstances much bigger than themselves. That part honestly grounded the story more than I expected.
And the dragons? Weirdly adorable. My personal favourite was the one constantly throwing temper tantrums while also loving poetry and devouring books. That combination alone made me love every scene involving them. The bond between the children and dragons carried so much warmth throughout the story, making the world feel cozy even during dangerous moments.
The audiobook narration was genuinely enjoyable and kept the adventure lively, though I do think a few sound effects could have made the experience even more immersive and fun, especially during action-heavy scenes.
Overall, I would definitely recommend this to middle grade lovers, especially readers who will pick up absolutely anything involving dragons… which is exactly me too.
And the dragons? Weirdly adorable. My personal favourite was the one constantly throwing temper tantrums while also loving poetry and devouring books. That combination alone made me love every scene involving them. The bond between the children and dragons carried so much warmth throughout the story, making the world feel cozy even during dangerous moments.
The audiobook narration was genuinely enjoyable and kept the adventure lively, though I do think a few sound effects could have made the experience even more immersive and fun, especially during action-heavy scenes.
Overall, I would definitely recommend this to middle grade lovers, especially readers who will pick up absolutely anything involving dragons… which is exactly me too.
June 30, 2026
While I didn’t have a problem with the creative spin on dragons here, if you go into this anticipating “traditional” dragon content you may feel a little disappointed.
There are moments where this mentions issues like humans adversely affecting the environment/habitats, terrible work conditions, forming unions, etc., however, none of those subjects felt fully integrated or delved into, the ideas are just kind of there, not really adding much.
I liked siblings Olly and Jenny. Olly’s story seemed to take a bit of time to get going since there was setup to do and introductions to be made at the dragon house, it wasn’t until he heads out on a quest that it felt like it picked up. Jenny’s story went the opposite way, I felt immediately engaged by her situation in the garden, yet when she ventures beyond that, my interest waned as circumstances led to her feeling less relatable than she had been and her scenes were, in a way, hijacked by another character.
This has fun aspects to it, bits of humor, enjoyable personalities, but the pacing felt a bit off at times, and this never quite hooked me emotionally the way my favorite middle-grade novels tend to do.
There are moments where this mentions issues like humans adversely affecting the environment/habitats, terrible work conditions, forming unions, etc., however, none of those subjects felt fully integrated or delved into, the ideas are just kind of there, not really adding much.
I liked siblings Olly and Jenny. Olly’s story seemed to take a bit of time to get going since there was setup to do and introductions to be made at the dragon house, it wasn’t until he heads out on a quest that it felt like it picked up. Jenny’s story went the opposite way, I felt immediately engaged by her situation in the garden, yet when she ventures beyond that, my interest waned as circumstances led to her feeling less relatable than she had been and her scenes were, in a way, hijacked by another character.
This has fun aspects to it, bits of humor, enjoyable personalities, but the pacing felt a bit off at times, and this never quite hooked me emotionally the way my favorite middle-grade novels tend to do.
November 8, 2025
I knew I would like this book just from reading the first page. Middle school fantasy book, but if you are older don’t let that stop you reading this endearing and humorous book. There’s enough for readers of every age to get their teeth into. (Just like the fairy dragons have a tendency to do.)
Yes! There are dragons! (The book’s title sort of gives that away) Lots of them - not all of them bite, some threaten to eat you. So before you start reading collect a polishing cloth or a book of poetry, those things might be the saving of you.
And Wizards, and lots of magic, and adventure, and lots of funny footnotes. Hot topic, footnotes. Don’t worry the footnotes won’t burn you, just make you laugh. Unlike some other feet I could mention. (But their owner is trying very hard to stop that happening.)
I hope this review has given you an idea that this is a fun book to spend time with. It’s a complete story, but I’m sure the author has ideas for another.
Thank you to ABRAMS kids and NetGalley for the ARC. The views expressed are all mine, freely given.
Yes! There are dragons! (The book’s title sort of gives that away) Lots of them - not all of them bite, some threaten to eat you. So before you start reading collect a polishing cloth or a book of poetry, those things might be the saving of you.
And Wizards, and lots of magic, and adventure, and lots of funny footnotes. Hot topic, footnotes. Don’t worry the footnotes won’t burn you, just make you laugh. Unlike some other feet I could mention. (But their owner is trying very hard to stop that happening.)
I hope this review has given you an idea that this is a fun book to spend time with. It’s a complete story, but I’m sure the author has ideas for another.
Thank you to ABRAMS kids and NetGalley for the ARC. The views expressed are all mine, freely given.
June 15, 2026
Olly and Jenny Atwood never believed dragons were real but their lives change forever when the strange Dr. Lady Abernathy hires Olly to work at the secretive Dragon House. The siblings discover a hidden world where dragons are being protected from those who would see them harmed. When Dr. Lady is poisoned by Olly, Jenny, and their dragon companions must take on a dangerous race against time to find a cure to save Dr. Lady and the future of dragons themselves. 🐉
🐉A fun dragon-filled adventure with an imaginative magical world.
🐉 The dragons are the highlight of this book bringing plenty of charm and personality.
🐉The mystery of the story kept me intrigued.
🐉Some sections dragged more than others but overall was a cosy little read
🐉An enjoyable adventure for younger readers and dragon enthusiasts.
I listened to this via audio and it was a enjoyable to listen to and I think it would keep younger listeners engaged.
Thank you to Netgalley, Liv Mae Morris, R.B Media and Abrams kids for an advance copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
🐉A fun dragon-filled adventure with an imaginative magical world.
🐉 The dragons are the highlight of this book bringing plenty of charm and personality.
🐉The mystery of the story kept me intrigued.
🐉Some sections dragged more than others but overall was a cosy little read
🐉An enjoyable adventure for younger readers and dragon enthusiasts.
I listened to this via audio and it was a enjoyable to listen to and I think it would keep younger listeners engaged.
Thank you to Netgalley, Liv Mae Morris, R.B Media and Abrams kids for an advance copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
March 1, 2026
Publication date: May 11, 2026
I enjoyed this story. Part quest, part learning how to grow up it’s written with a formal research format with footnotes, bit keeps its sense of whimsy. The footnotes are so funny. They do really add to the story.
The characters are diverse-ish and lovable, even those with a gruff exterior. And please, I would love a dracorgi.
Great lessons about forgiving past mistakes, seeing past a gruff exterior to the person inside, and being accepting of those who aren’t like you.
The quest was started in this book, but only halfway finished! That’s as much as I can say without a spoiler. I’m ready for book two!
For upper elementary/younger middle-grade kids who believe in the unbelievable and magic.
Content Warnings: hunger, poverty, bullying
** Thank you Abrams Kids for providing this book for review consideration via NetGalley. All opinions are my own.**
I enjoyed this story. Part quest, part learning how to grow up it’s written with a formal research format with footnotes, bit keeps its sense of whimsy. The footnotes are so funny. They do really add to the story.
The characters are diverse-ish and lovable, even those with a gruff exterior. And please, I would love a dracorgi.
Great lessons about forgiving past mistakes, seeing past a gruff exterior to the person inside, and being accepting of those who aren’t like you.
The quest was started in this book, but only halfway finished! That’s as much as I can say without a spoiler. I’m ready for book two!
For upper elementary/younger middle-grade kids who believe in the unbelievable and magic.
Content Warnings: hunger, poverty, bullying
** Thank you Abrams Kids for providing this book for review consideration via NetGalley. All opinions are my own.**
Review of advance copy received from Goodreads Giveaways
A middle-grade debut about a magical boarding house for dragons and the unlikely siblings destined to save it
Siblings Olly and Jenny Atwood have never met a dragon—Olly doesn’t even think they’re real. But when the strange and brilliant Dr. Lady Abernathy offers Olly a job at her mysterious house, the Atwoods learn that these incredible beasts are very much alive—and they need help.
Dragons have been forced into hiding, and as caretakers of the Dragon House, Dr. Lady and Olly are the only protectors these magnificent creatures have left. But when evil forces conspire to poison Dr. Lady, Olly and his dragon friends find themselves locked in a race against time, political conspiracies…and one very large corgi. Can Olly recover the antidote before it’s too late? And can Jenny harness her stirring powers to keep Dr. Lady alive until then? Or could this be the end of the Dragon House—and dragons—as they know it?
its a really cute book love it
Siblings Olly and Jenny Atwood have never met a dragon—Olly doesn’t even think they’re real. But when the strange and brilliant Dr. Lady Abernathy offers Olly a job at her mysterious house, the Atwoods learn that these incredible beasts are very much alive—and they need help.
Dragons have been forced into hiding, and as caretakers of the Dragon House, Dr. Lady and Olly are the only protectors these magnificent creatures have left. But when evil forces conspire to poison Dr. Lady, Olly and his dragon friends find themselves locked in a race against time, political conspiracies…and one very large corgi. Can Olly recover the antidote before it’s too late? And can Jenny harness her stirring powers to keep Dr. Lady alive until then? Or could this be the end of the Dragon House—and dragons—as they know it?
its a really cute book love it
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Olly lives in Aldea with his parents and three younger siblings. The local factory is the main employer for the residents with poor pay and hazardous conditions. As Olly completes the fifth grade, he is expected to find a job to help support the family. He unexpectedly finds an ad leading him to a mysterious house where he is hired to take care of dragons. His employer is getting on in years and has no family that can takeover. Olly learns that humans and dragons once lived in harmony before humans felt the dragons were a danger and sought to kill the species off. When his employer is poisoned, Olly sets off with companions to obtain the antidote. His younger sibling Jenny enters the story when she discovers a dragon in the family garden which leads her to the Dragon House where along with Olly and his companions, they will save the house and its residents.
#TheLastDragonHouse #AbramsKids #AmuletBooks #NetGalley
#TheLastDragonHouse #AbramsKids #AmuletBooks #NetGalley
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Thank you to Netgally and the publisher for an early review copy.
Something I loved was the descriptions of the different dragons! They were all so unique and fun to meet.
This started out as a super cute middle grade book about dragons and if it had continued that way and ended that way I easily would have given this 4 stars. But this divulged into political territory - and in a “middle grade”? Not only was it political themes and opinions but literal political terms that made no sense in a middle grade story. Some of these terms the intended audience wouldn’t have even learned yet in their education but the political agenda became more important than the integrity of the story unfortunately.
I wish i could rate this higher but I truly cant in good conscious recommend this to young readers knowing the author is clearly trying to push a certain political agenda whether it fit the story or not (it didnt.)
Something I loved was the descriptions of the different dragons! They were all so unique and fun to meet.
This started out as a super cute middle grade book about dragons and if it had continued that way and ended that way I easily would have given this 4 stars. But this divulged into political territory - and in a “middle grade”? Not only was it political themes and opinions but literal political terms that made no sense in a middle grade story. Some of these terms the intended audience wouldn’t have even learned yet in their education but the political agenda became more important than the integrity of the story unfortunately.
I wish i could rate this higher but I truly cant in good conscious recommend this to young readers knowing the author is clearly trying to push a certain political agenda whether it fit the story or not (it didnt.)
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
The story takes readers to a world where dragons of many types exist, but humans mostly don’t remember.
In Oakridge where life is hard, twelve year old Olly must get a job. He finds a slip of paper on the job board describing a job that sounds much better than working at the silverware factory. When he follows the directions to a house for an interview he meets Dr. Lady and dragons.
From there the story takes off on a growth arc for Olly. There is a journey, lessons in courage and problem solving and in the end a theme of doing what you can to make the world around you better.
It’s fun to encounter all the different dragons.
The moralizing is a tiny bit overdone, but I don’t think most middle grade readers would see it that way. This is an enjoyable read that utilizes something many kids are interested in to teach ideas. I think it is a story kids will enjoy.
Thanks to Netgalley and Abrams Kids division for the opportunity to read the book.
In Oakridge where life is hard, twelve year old Olly must get a job. He finds a slip of paper on the job board describing a job that sounds much better than working at the silverware factory. When he follows the directions to a house for an interview he meets Dr. Lady and dragons.
From there the story takes off on a growth arc for Olly. There is a journey, lessons in courage and problem solving and in the end a theme of doing what you can to make the world around you better.
It’s fun to encounter all the different dragons.
The moralizing is a tiny bit overdone, but I don’t think most middle grade readers would see it that way. This is an enjoyable read that utilizes something many kids are interested in to teach ideas. I think it is a story kids will enjoy.
Thanks to Netgalley and Abrams Kids division for the opportunity to read the book.
May 24, 2026
Thank you, Netgalley for an advanced copy of this middle grade book as an audiobook to listen to & give an honest review.
Also thank you #RBmedia
We follow a young boy who's been made to work by his parents because as there family expanded they don't have the money to support themsleves, yet looking he stumbles upon a hidden piece of paper saying job opportunity which leads to flying opportunity to look after and learn about the world of dragons. The Dragon house is a place thats a safe haven for not just dragons but other beings who need safety
Its adorable to see the friendships amd gentle nature of the dragons etc, as well as seeing olly who finds himself and seeing that when you have someone believe in you then you believe in yourself. The adventure they go on to save Mrs lady opens up friendship, opportunity as well as doing what is right no matter what the end result is
Kids will love this story and I am looking forward to read book 2
Also thank you #RBmedia
We follow a young boy who's been made to work by his parents because as there family expanded they don't have the money to support themsleves, yet looking he stumbles upon a hidden piece of paper saying job opportunity which leads to flying opportunity to look after and learn about the world of dragons. The Dragon house is a place thats a safe haven for not just dragons but other beings who need safety
Its adorable to see the friendships amd gentle nature of the dragons etc, as well as seeing olly who finds himself and seeing that when you have someone believe in you then you believe in yourself. The adventure they go on to save Mrs lady opens up friendship, opportunity as well as doing what is right no matter what the end result is
Kids will love this story and I am looking forward to read book 2
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