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Dragonbreath #11
The Frozen Menace
Danny Dragonbreath doesn’t just have a cold. He is cold. His fire has gone out! And that’s super-dangerous for a fire-breathing dragon like Danny. So, following a tip from his great-grandfather, Danny and his trusty friends Wendell and Christiana head to the farthest north to find the magical ingredient that will reignite his fire. On the way, the gang faces an extremely windy bridge, killer ice worms, and one very confused baby phoenix.
208 pages, Hardcover
First published January 12, 2016
About the author
Ursula Vernon
80 books1,558 followersUrsula Vernon, aka T. Kingfisher, is an author and illustrator. She has written over fifteen books for children, at least a dozen novels for adults, an epic webcomic called “Digger” and various short stories and other odds and ends.
Ursula grew up in Oregon and Arizona, studied anthropology at Macalester College in Minnesota, and stayed there for ten years, until she finally learned to drive in deep snow and was obligated to leave the state.
Having moved across the country several times, she eventually settled in Pittsboro, North Carolina, where she works full-time as an artist and creator of oddities. She lives with her husband and his chickens.
Her work has been nominated for the Eisner, World Fantasy, and longlisted for the British Science Fiction Awards. It has garnered a number of Webcomics Choice Awards, the Hugo Award for Best Graphic Story, the Mythopoeic Award for Children’s Literature, the Nebula for Best Short Story, the Sequoyah Award, and many others.
Ursula grew up in Oregon and Arizona, studied anthropology at Macalester College in Minnesota, and stayed there for ten years, until she finally learned to drive in deep snow and was obligated to leave the state.
Having moved across the country several times, she eventually settled in Pittsboro, North Carolina, where she works full-time as an artist and creator of oddities. She lives with her husband and his chickens.
Her work has been nominated for the Eisner, World Fantasy, and longlisted for the British Science Fiction Awards. It has garnered a number of Webcomics Choice Awards, the Hugo Award for Best Graphic Story, the Mythopoeic Award for Children’s Literature, the Nebula for Best Short Story, the Sequoyah Award, and many others.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 57 reviews
January 15, 2016
The continuing adventures of Danny Dragonbreath and his friends. Trivial spoilers ahead.
Namely, that Christiana has gotten a grip on both Danny's being a dragon, and the bus system. After Danny wakes up very, very, very cold, and Wendell and Christiana visit, Wendell suggests calling his great-grandfather. And it's off to Mythical Japan, where his condition is diagnosed -- his fire went out -- and a cure is prescribed -- phoenix eggshell. Thing is, the phoenix lives in the Farthest North, anywhere else being too warm, and prone to being burned by their fire.
The result involves herbal teas, iceworms, hand sanitizer, the grandiloquent names that phoenixes bear, a sign warning of no lifeguard and another forbidding fishing, Wendell's recounting how much he's hated some of their adventures, something that smells of cinnamon, and more.
As with the earlier ones, mixed graphic novel/text. The illustrations do have plot significant events.
Not a spoiler, but speculation:
Namely, that Christiana has gotten a grip on both Danny's being a dragon, and the bus system. After Danny wakes up very, very, very cold, and Wendell and Christiana visit, Wendell suggests calling his great-grandfather. And it's off to Mythical Japan, where his condition is diagnosed -- his fire went out -- and a cure is prescribed -- phoenix eggshell. Thing is, the phoenix lives in the Farthest North, anywhere else being too warm, and prone to being burned by their fire.
The result involves herbal teas, iceworms, hand sanitizer, the grandiloquent names that phoenixes bear, a sign warning of no lifeguard and another forbidding fishing, Wendell's recounting how much he's hated some of their adventures, something that smells of cinnamon, and more.
As with the earlier ones, mixed graphic novel/text. The illustrations do have plot significant events.
Not a spoiler, but speculation:
January 9, 2020
I just love this book series, the artwork is bright and fun, and I love the humor - Danny Dragonbreath and his friends Wendell and Christiana are so funny!
March 9, 2017
highly entertaining as always :)
January 29, 2016
In this adventure, Danny’s fire has gone out and he, Wendell, and Christina must travel to the Farthest North to find a phoenix eggshell to reignite Danny’s fire before he turns into a dragon-cicle.
As always, Ursula has provided us with a delightful story about a dragon who is a little too impetuous to see the danger he’s in and the very, very, very loyal friends who go along to help him. The challenges they face along the way are scary, but not so scary that you’ll get nightmares. The illustrations are charming and rendered in a sort of icy green that makes one feel chilly just looking at them. A few of the pages have an all black background and they’re just lovely!
This is a great close to the series and it leaves Danny and his friends in a really good place. I’m ok with letting them continue on to have their adventures in Mythical Japan, or under the ocean, or in bat caves in South America without me looking in on them anymore.
(This review originally appeared at medusaslibrary.com)
As always, Ursula has provided us with a delightful story about a dragon who is a little too impetuous to see the danger he’s in and the very, very, very loyal friends who go along to help him. The challenges they face along the way are scary, but not so scary that you’ll get nightmares. The illustrations are charming and rendered in a sort of icy green that makes one feel chilly just looking at them. A few of the pages have an all black background and they’re just lovely!
This is a great close to the series and it leaves Danny and his friends in a really good place. I’m ok with letting them continue on to have their adventures in Mythical Japan, or under the ocean, or in bat caves in South America without me looking in on them anymore.
(This review originally appeared at medusaslibrary.com)
May 11, 2020
Ah, and the series comes to an end! I am both happy and sad. Happy because it's been a wonderful journey and sad because there are no more adventures to go on. I have been thrilled to enjoy so many wonderful adventures of Danny, Wendell and Christiana and in this one they travel to the frozen landscape to help Danny who is feeling very cold!
This has been the exact right series for me to read at this time (Holidays 2019 and than during COVID19), and I would do it all again. Wonderful series, great characters, delightful art and lots of fun.
This has been the exact right series for me to read at this time (Holidays 2019 and than during COVID19), and I would do it all again. Wonderful series, great characters, delightful art and lots of fun.
February 8, 2018
Most adorable book ever. I rec it to everyone 10 years and older.
A young dragon caught a cold... in his fire.
According to Grandpa in mythical Japan, he has to eat a phoenix shell in the Far North to relight his fire.
Clearly, his two friends ill will tag along to help.
A young dragon caught a cold... in his fire.
According to Grandpa in mythical Japan, he has to eat a phoenix shell in the Far North to relight his fire.
Clearly, his two friends ill will tag along to help.
September 29, 2021
This is a really fun conclusion to the series. I enjoyed getting to see more mythical creatures, as well as one last trip through Great-Grandfather Dragonbreath's magical portal (which is inside his fridge). The humor in this one was stellar; there were so many quotes I wanted to make note of!
July 3, 2025
It is a fun ending to have Danny be able to truly breathe fire. A true coming of age series, not just book.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
November 25, 2017
Danny wakes up with a cold. Really cold. He breathes frost instead of fire. So he is off to mythical Japan to talk to his grandfather about Dragon diseases.
A fine ending to a great series.
I'm sad to see Danny go.
A fine ending to a great series.
I'm sad to see Danny go.
May 8, 2025
NOOOOOOOOOO! I can't believe this is the last book (#11) in the series. My kid and I are pretty dang sad; it's been a long time that we've been working our way through these. Despite wishing the series went on infinitely, this was a nice final book. The story was fun and Herbert was the icing on the cake. Will greatly miss all these characters - but hope to revisit. At least we have one Harriet, Hamster Princess left to go!
June 18, 2024
The last book. And I didn't even realize we were on a character development journey. This was fine. Sure there were shades of Dune. And general silliness. But it had a beginning a middle and an end. The story (and series) was readable and fine. And clearly took the author in a direction I like. And now this is apparently done.
January 25, 2016
Another good addition to this wonderful series for early chapter book readers. Although this series is starting to feel a bit tired, it's still one I recommend often. Ursula Vernon is genius. Probably best for grades 1-4.
December 31, 2018
I am bummed to reach the end of this series.
January 26, 2025
I really enjoyed this series, and very much look forward to when the kiddo is old enough that we can read it together.
Longer version: Okay, parental soapbox time. There is this recent trend in publishing which absolutely infuriates me: it seems like all middle-grade books now are either 100% girl-power-centric (all-girl casts, rainbows and unicorns, girls are amazing and boys are never mentioned)… or else pretty uninspiring drivel “for boys” (graphic novels which are “fun” to read but don’t help with longer reading comprehension, and usually are chock-full of superheroes, police, and/or “I hate school” messaging).
Which is all to say: It is freaking hard to find a decent middle-grade book that is fun for boys - but they do exist! This is it! I love this series’ balance between action and nerdiness, and that Danny has friends who are boys and girls, and that bullying is never the center of the story, and that there are fun science facts to learn… it is all such a breath of fresh air. I wish these had been around when I was a kid.
Longer version: Okay, parental soapbox time. There is this recent trend in publishing which absolutely infuriates me: it seems like all middle-grade books now are either 100% girl-power-centric (all-girl casts, rainbows and unicorns, girls are amazing and boys are never mentioned)… or else pretty uninspiring drivel “for boys” (graphic novels which are “fun” to read but don’t help with longer reading comprehension, and usually are chock-full of superheroes, police, and/or “I hate school” messaging).
Which is all to say: It is freaking hard to find a decent middle-grade book that is fun for boys - but they do exist! This is it! I love this series’ balance between action and nerdiness, and that Danny has friends who are boys and girls, and that bullying is never the center of the story, and that there are fun science facts to learn… it is all such a breath of fresh air. I wish these had been around when I was a kid.
May 15, 2024
It's sad to finish this delightful series, Alex and I have been enjoying them for the entire school year! We know Danny he and Danny both have plenty of adventures ahead. Hopefully without potato salad.
December 1, 2025
Ha! Almost ten years ago Vernon wrote a last one and I missed it! But now I have caught up with Danny and his friends. Of course the smart girl is my favorite.
Watching them rally ‘round the phoenix chick (and each other) warmed me up even in the frozen Wasteland.
Watching them rally ‘round the phoenix chick (and each other) warmed me up even in the frozen Wasteland.
October 4, 2017
This was a great adventure! Ice worms, a baby phoenix named Herbert and a travel portal though Great Granddragons fridge.
July 11, 2018
I have enjoyed all of the Dragonbreath books. I highly recommend it.
December 28, 2018
I am -SO SAD- that this is the end of the series. I honestly like Harriet better than Danny, but.... I'm gonna miss Danny something fierce.
August 20, 2021
Review by B.L. : "I really enjoyed having more mystical creatures in this book. And of course, having the grandpa in it."
December 14, 2022
Off the wall and bizarre in just the right way for my 7 year old. ;)
June 12, 2024
Amazing end to Danny's saga.... Left us in a happy "the end is only a beginning" way. We'd love a second arc ...
February 25, 2025
This has been such a fun series. I'm bummed this is the last book. My kiddo and I have enjoyed reading them together.
September 18, 2025
WHY DOES IT HAVE TO ENNNNNNNNNNNNNDDDDDD!!!!!!!!!!
April 18, 2026
Enjoyment 10/10
Concept 9/10
Execution 10/10
Illustrations 9/10
Rating: 4.82/5
Concept 9/10
Execution 10/10
Illustrations 9/10
Rating: 4.82/5
January 30, 2020
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In this series finale, Ursula Vernon takes us on one of the most unique adventures we could have ever been on. This particular book has a rather strange problem. No one is being kidnapped, or having gory nightmares or getting anything stolen or trapping any pets or even being attacked. Instead, the problem is with Danny. Danny's fire is gone. Yes, he didn't have much to boast about, to begin with. But this time, it is really gone. He feels a strange cold inside of him. This is why he visits his Great-Grandfather Dragonbreath to talk to him about it, only to be sent on a journey to the farthest north to find the magical ingredients that will help him revive his fire. With Christina and Wendell in tow, this strange journey begins only to continue with even stranger adventures.
In this journey to the farther north, we meet phoenix who can speak, and very very strange ice worms. And don't even get me started on the strange things that happen over there or the dangerous obstacles the trio has to work around to get Danny his fire back.
I particularly loved the arc surrounding imprinting. It was used very cleverly in the story and I can't believe someone didn't use it earlier. I also liked the "ice worms", were they? It's been so long since I read it, I seem to have kind of forgotten a lot of things. Nonetheless, it was a nice finale. The way Vernon decided to end the story was rather good. I'm also happy that she decided to end it before it began to get boring or something like that. The series came. It left its mark. And now it's time for it to go.
In this series finale, Ursula Vernon takes us on one of the most unique adventures we could have ever been on. This particular book has a rather strange problem. No one is being kidnapped, or having gory nightmares or getting anything stolen or trapping any pets or even being attacked. Instead, the problem is with Danny. Danny's fire is gone. Yes, he didn't have much to boast about, to begin with. But this time, it is really gone. He feels a strange cold inside of him. This is why he visits his Great-Grandfather Dragonbreath to talk to him about it, only to be sent on a journey to the farthest north to find the magical ingredients that will help him revive his fire. With Christina and Wendell in tow, this strange journey begins only to continue with even stranger adventures.
In this journey to the farther north, we meet phoenix who can speak, and very very strange ice worms. And don't even get me started on the strange things that happen over there or the dangerous obstacles the trio has to work around to get Danny his fire back.
I particularly loved the arc surrounding imprinting. It was used very cleverly in the story and I can't believe someone didn't use it earlier. I also liked the "ice worms", were they? It's been so long since I read it, I seem to have kind of forgotten a lot of things. Nonetheless, it was a nice finale. The way Vernon decided to end the story was rather good. I'm also happy that she decided to end it before it began to get boring or something like that. The series came. It left its mark. And now it's time for it to go.
March 3, 2017
Another great adventure with some education slipped in and super cute art. Love the ice worms and the baby phoenix. So cute.
July 8, 2021
Best of the series. Loved Herbert!
March 21, 2024
"The Frozen Menace" is the eleventh and final entry of the Dragonbreath series. It was a quiet sendoff that had Danny and his friends embark on an adventure to reignite Danny's fire-breathing. It felt like we had gone back to the first book where we saw Danny have his first adventure doing research for the ocean by actually exploring the deep sea ocean.
I've grown up with the series and have followed it since book 3. It's weird to finally finish it and have no idea how to feel. I believe that this series had great potential to be something special with its main concept. But I think it all plays way too safe and doesn't go too far into exploring the vast world of Dragonbreath. Through eleven novels, we have come across many mystical and folklore creatures alike and I wish we could go into more about them. I completely understand that this is a children's book series. These are thoughts I've always had since I was a kid reading these books. I wanted to see what would all of Danny's adventures build up to, like one massive adventure.
This book, in particular, should have been his greatest adventure. It didn't feel like that to me though.
Danny losing his flame is the perfect way to tell a story about who Danny is and how he is going to get his fire back. He should've been challenged immensely throughout the book, so that way when he got his fire-breathing back, it would feel earned and meaningful. If it were up to me, I would have split this story into two parts. The first half would be the plot of this book with Danny trying to restore his flame, but in the end, he fails to do it in time and becomes completely frozen like Han Solo in carbonite (random reference, I know), instead of just freezing to death. Then part two will follow how Wendell and Christina are going to get Danny back which I'm not entirely sure how they will be done.
At the end of the day, I still really enjoyed this book. I have nostalgia for this particular series and It will always have a place in my heart and mind. I love the illustrations and the entire mood or feeling that this series evokes, which I can't ever seem to put my finger on. I thank Ursula Vernon for creating this series and for making as many books about Danny and his friends. Regardless of my small gripes, I have to look at the series the way it was presented. Once again, it's a children's book series that I was entertained by, therefore it accomplished its job.
Thank you for reading about me rambling here. Have a wonderful day
I've grown up with the series and have followed it since book 3. It's weird to finally finish it and have no idea how to feel. I believe that this series had great potential to be something special with its main concept. But I think it all plays way too safe and doesn't go too far into exploring the vast world of Dragonbreath. Through eleven novels, we have come across many mystical and folklore creatures alike and I wish we could go into more about them. I completely understand that this is a children's book series. These are thoughts I've always had since I was a kid reading these books. I wanted to see what would all of Danny's adventures build up to, like one massive adventure.
This book, in particular, should have been his greatest adventure. It didn't feel like that to me though.
Danny losing his flame is the perfect way to tell a story about who Danny is and how he is going to get his fire back. He should've been challenged immensely throughout the book, so that way when he got his fire-breathing back, it would feel earned and meaningful. If it were up to me, I would have split this story into two parts. The first half would be the plot of this book with Danny trying to restore his flame, but in the end, he fails to do it in time and becomes completely frozen like Han Solo in carbonite (random reference, I know), instead of just freezing to death. Then part two will follow how Wendell and Christina are going to get Danny back which I'm not entirely sure how they will be done.
At the end of the day, I still really enjoyed this book. I have nostalgia for this particular series and It will always have a place in my heart and mind. I love the illustrations and the entire mood or feeling that this series evokes, which I can't ever seem to put my finger on. I thank Ursula Vernon for creating this series and for making as many books about Danny and his friends. Regardless of my small gripes, I have to look at the series the way it was presented. Once again, it's a children's book series that I was entertained by, therefore it accomplished its job.
Thank you for reading about me rambling here. Have a wonderful day
November 20, 2023
I'm listening to Kevin and Ursula Eat Cheap while winding down for bed, so it seems like an excellent time to talk about the Dragonbreath books that I haven't reviewed!
Brief overview: Dragonbreath is a series of books, part graphic novel and part junior semieducational fiction, that follows a young dragon named Danny Dragonbreath through the trials and vicissitudes of his life, most of which are caused by him. His best friend Wendell, a brainy iguana who Does Not Want To Be Here, always gets dragged into his schemes, and they are occasionally accompanied by Suki, a salamander from Japan, and Christiana, a crested lizard who's just generally awesome. Other frequent characters include Danny's not-a-morning-person mother, his great-grandfather Dragonbreath who lives in mythic Japan and cheats at Trivial Pursuit, the local bully Big Eddy and his minions, and Danny's cousin Spencer.
Dragonbreath #11, The Frozen Menace, is the last Dragonbreath book (sadness!), and it's not my favorite of the books, but it's quite good. Danny wakes up one day with a cold, which turns out to be a literal cold; his fire has gone out, and according to his great-grandfather Dragonbreath, the only way to relight it is to eat phoenix eggshells. So Danny, Wendell, and Christiana go up to the Frozen North to find a phoenix egg to eat. Notable because it's the first book in which Danny breathes fire in front of Christiana (which immediately makes her want to vivisect him to find out how it works; Danny would be more unnerved if he knew what 'vivisect' meant). Danny gets his fire relit about halfway through the book, but by then the phoenix chick has imprinted on Wendell and ice worms are attacking their stronghold, so they have bigger problems. I guess I feel like the plot of this one is a little disjointed. Don't get me wrong, though; it's still AMAZING, it's just not my favorite of the series. This is roughly equivalent to saying "Of all these adorable puppies and kittens climbing all over me, this one is my least favorite."
Ah, Dragonbreath. You will be missed.
Hamster Princess, welcome to the world. I adore you too.
Brief overview: Dragonbreath is a series of books, part graphic novel and part junior semieducational fiction, that follows a young dragon named Danny Dragonbreath through the trials and vicissitudes of his life, most of which are caused by him. His best friend Wendell, a brainy iguana who Does Not Want To Be Here, always gets dragged into his schemes, and they are occasionally accompanied by Suki, a salamander from Japan, and Christiana, a crested lizard who's just generally awesome. Other frequent characters include Danny's not-a-morning-person mother, his great-grandfather Dragonbreath who lives in mythic Japan and cheats at Trivial Pursuit, the local bully Big Eddy and his minions, and Danny's cousin Spencer.
Dragonbreath #11, The Frozen Menace, is the last Dragonbreath book (sadness!), and it's not my favorite of the books, but it's quite good. Danny wakes up one day with a cold, which turns out to be a literal cold; his fire has gone out, and according to his great-grandfather Dragonbreath, the only way to relight it is to eat phoenix eggshells. So Danny, Wendell, and Christiana go up to the Frozen North to find a phoenix egg to eat. Notable because it's the first book in which Danny breathes fire in front of Christiana (which immediately makes her want to vivisect him to find out how it works; Danny would be more unnerved if he knew what 'vivisect' meant). Danny gets his fire relit about halfway through the book, but by then the phoenix chick has imprinted on Wendell and ice worms are attacking their stronghold, so they have bigger problems. I guess I feel like the plot of this one is a little disjointed. Don't get me wrong, though; it's still AMAZING, it's just not my favorite of the series. This is roughly equivalent to saying "Of all these adorable puppies and kittens climbing all over me, this one is my least favorite."
Ah, Dragonbreath. You will be missed.
Hamster Princess, welcome to the world. I adore you too.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 57 reviews