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Dragon Orb #1
Firestorm
The first installment in a thrilling series about four dragons and their riders on an epic quest to save the world Nolita is terrified of dragons! Learning to fly her day dragon would be dangerous enough without irrational fears to contend with and a vicious dragon-hunter on her tail. With Elian, another novice rider, Nolita seeks the first of four Orbs, whose combined power can restore the Oracle. Only Nolita, as a day dragon rider, can claim it. To do so, she must face her worst fears, and face them alone.
310 pages, Paperback
First published August 4, 2008
8 people are currently reading
142 people want to read
About the author
Mark Robson
49 books41 followersLibrarian Note: There is more than one author by this name in the Goodreads database.
Mark Robson was born in Essex in 1966 and raised, for the most part, in Camarthen, West Wales. In 1982 he gained a scholarship to join the Royal Air Force as a pilot and has worked for them ever since. He successfully self-published the four book series, The Darkweaver Legacy, the first book of which was largely written during tours of duty in the Falkland Islands. He now lives in Northamptonshire with his family.
Mark Robson was born in Essex in 1966 and raised, for the most part, in Camarthen, West Wales. In 1982 he gained a scholarship to join the Royal Air Force as a pilot and has worked for them ever since. He successfully self-published the four book series, The Darkweaver Legacy, the first book of which was largely written during tours of duty in the Falkland Islands. He now lives in Northamptonshire with his family.
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Displaying 1 - 21 of 21 reviews
January 31, 2020
For me the nostalgia is there with this book, but it actually doesn’t hold up as well as I expected. I really enjoyed this series as a kid and it does actually provide some inspiration to me still today in some aspects, but reading it now, there are some gaps I don’t find myself too fond of, and it actually bothered me a little how Elian and Kira dealt with Nolita’s fears at times. Some aspects of that don’t age well when you think about the concept of things such as anxiety today. But in saying that this is a book meant for younger readers, so I understand it’s not really thinking about that anyway.
The ending also felt a tiny bit rushed and it ends kind of abruptly, but it’s not awful.
Also, there wasn’t enough of Pell, but hey, that’s personal preference. And at least the next book is all about him.
All in all I did lower my rating for this book a little, but even if it’s maybe not the greatest thing in the world, it’s a fun little book, especially if you’re a kid and you dream about adventures on a dragon. The book does what it’s meant to do and that’s good.
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You can tell this book is for a bit of a younger audience with the premise and pace of the story, but the description and detail in the writing is really great. The author writes about dragons well and I enjoy the characters. Fast paced and easy to read, definitely a recommendation for young readers.
The ending also felt a tiny bit rushed and it ends kind of abruptly, but it’s not awful.
Also, there wasn’t enough of Pell, but hey, that’s personal preference. And at least the next book is all about him.
All in all I did lower my rating for this book a little, but even if it’s maybe not the greatest thing in the world, it’s a fun little book, especially if you’re a kid and you dream about adventures on a dragon. The book does what it’s meant to do and that’s good.
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You can tell this book is for a bit of a younger audience with the premise and pace of the story, but the description and detail in the writing is really great. The author writes about dragons well and I enjoy the characters. Fast paced and easy to read, definitely a recommendation for young readers.
April 27, 2022
Um, I’m sure this review will open an unpleasant can of worms, but this book is a thinly veiled story of grooming and child sexual abuse dressed up as “being brave enough to ride a dragon.” The main girl’s name is even “Nolita” (Lolita, anyone?). I was cringing so hard at some passages— cannot believe this was ever published. And a kid would never catch it, but then might have these ideas in the back of their minds. Here is just one of MANY examples, but one of the passages was about having to climb a peak called The Devil’s Finger, starting at the base and slowly making your way up toward the smooth tip. And the feeling when at the tip was like being wrapped in warm velvet. I couldn’t decide whether to gag or cry. I’m sure people who love the book will say I’m jaded, but I’d strongly recommend parents read this book before allowing their children to.
November 22, 2019
Met the author at comic con and have the whole set signed by him. He was a lovely guy and chatted to me for ages about his books and dragons and flying I just had to read them! They’re a fun read!
July 14, 2009
Even though it is a very unreal book, when I read it, it seemed to me it was real. There were puzzles as well, though not exactly, such as THE WORLD OF ARETH instead of THE WORLD OF EARTH. Can you see the jumle? I really recommend this book for all mythical creatures lovers.
August 20, 2024
Last week, I had the faint memory of reading a series about four dragon riders and the concept of there being day, night, dawn and dusk types of dragons. Let me introduce to you, one of my favourite books as a kid - ‘Firestorm’ by Mark Robson !
We follow teenage dragon riders meeting their dragons who they are destined to go on a mission with. This mission is very important to the dragons as it is their life purpose.
I really loved the message in this book, and I still do upon re-reading it. That bravery isn’t about not being scared of anything, but being scared and fighting your fears head on ! I adore the dragons chill vibes too. My one criticism is I don’t enjoy when we crossover over to our own world, as I just wanna be in the cool dragon world.
We follow teenage dragon riders meeting their dragons who they are destined to go on a mission with. This mission is very important to the dragons as it is their life purpose.
I really loved the message in this book, and I still do upon re-reading it. That bravery isn’t about not being scared of anything, but being scared and fighting your fears head on ! I adore the dragons chill vibes too. My one criticism is I don’t enjoy when we crossover over to our own world, as I just wanna be in the cool dragon world.
July 5, 2018
My son enjoyed this story very much and is eagerly waiting for me to get him the next one. I found it reasonably harmless, if a bit dull. The concept of the dragonrider who’s so terrified of their matched dragon that they throw up was interesting but did have the obvious trope of overcoming her fears. There was a villain, of sorts who wanted to hunt the dragons but with only a minor altercation, there wasn’t much more to that side story (there was one thing, but it was a little subtle and my son missed it).
December 5, 2018
Je l’ai lu en 2 jours, c’est dire si j’ai aimé. Je me suis totalement imprégnée de l’histoire et je n’ai eu aucun mal à m’attacher aux personnages. Les rares moments où j’ai dû arrêter ma lecture, ça a été une torture… j’ai hâte de lire le second tome.
https://psylook.kimengumi.fr/2018/12/...
https://psylook.kimengumi.fr/2018/12/...
May 10, 2018
L’œil du Dragon est plutôt destiné à un public plus jeune, si bien que je n’ai pas beaucoup apprécié le style assez enfantin. C’est malgré tout un bon livre pour les enfants (moins de 13 ans je pense).
January 20, 2025
I love me a good dragon/ dragon rider read. This one ended a bit suddenly, but I loved the relationship between the dragons and their riders, and the character development was good.
August 11, 2016
This review is also available on my blog, Read Till Dawn.
I was actually all set to turn this book back into the library without reading it, because I decided it looked just too cliche for my scarce time. My mother, however, convinced me not to; she'd seen it in my room, thought it looked interesting, and devoured it in a single sitting. She told me it wasn't crazy original, but it took old ground and trod it very, very well.
And so I decided to read it after all. I do agree with my mom that it was well done, but I also can't entirely get over the fact that I've read so many books like it over the years. I mean, there are only so many books about dragons and their riders and a quest to save the world. It's been done, you know?
It's a rather forgettable book, really, and it's already beginning to blend in my mind with all of the other dragon books I've read. The characters mainly follow the usual stock tropes (the strong and stand-offish female, the proud/unpleasant newcomer, the generically nice guy who keeps everyone together, etc.), though it was refreshing to read a completely different character for once: when the description says Nolita is "terrified of dragons," that's not an overstatement. She literally runs away into the woods and faces starvation because she's so afraid of going anywhere near the dragon she suddenly finds herself attached to. It takes true bravery to overcome your fears, and watching her struggle to combat them was the best part of the book.
I did get the second and third books in the quartet from the library, but I only got around to reading the second book (which isn't as good as this one). The library doesn't even have the last book. It's too bad that there are so many dragon books similar to this series, because if there weren't I think I would have totally snapped it up. As it is, though, I really can't say that it stands too far out from the crowd.
I was actually all set to turn this book back into the library without reading it, because I decided it looked just too cliche for my scarce time. My mother, however, convinced me not to; she'd seen it in my room, thought it looked interesting, and devoured it in a single sitting. She told me it wasn't crazy original, but it took old ground and trod it very, very well.
And so I decided to read it after all. I do agree with my mom that it was well done, but I also can't entirely get over the fact that I've read so many books like it over the years. I mean, there are only so many books about dragons and their riders and a quest to save the world. It's been done, you know?
It's a rather forgettable book, really, and it's already beginning to blend in my mind with all of the other dragon books I've read. The characters mainly follow the usual stock tropes (the strong and stand-offish female, the proud/unpleasant newcomer, the generically nice guy who keeps everyone together, etc.), though it was refreshing to read a completely different character for once: when the description says Nolita is "terrified of dragons," that's not an overstatement. She literally runs away into the woods and faces starvation because she's so afraid of going anywhere near the dragon she suddenly finds herself attached to. It takes true bravery to overcome your fears, and watching her struggle to combat them was the best part of the book.
I did get the second and third books in the quartet from the library, but I only got around to reading the second book (which isn't as good as this one). The library doesn't even have the last book. It's too bad that there are so many dragon books similar to this series, because if there weren't I think I would have totally snapped it up. As it is, though, I really can't say that it stands too far out from the crowd.
March 13, 2014
"Dragon Orb Firestorm" was an amazing book, with all of the descriptive details. I wanted to read more because of the mythical dragons and how they have dragon riders who are young. The Author was amazing when he described about the different types of dragons and how they look like. For example,"The real dragons are the dragon of the day, with their scales of cornflower blue, nobler than the greatest of knights, and with hearts filled with the utmost bravery"(pg 18). This quote shows that the dragon is very colorful and heroic. The descriptive words helps the reader understands more about the dragons. I can infer that the reason the author made the dragons amazing, was to make the reader have a good and clear image of the dragon. As a rule, if you know a lot of details about it, you can have a better image of it inside your head. If the author did not show that, then the dragons would be boring and unidentified. In conclusion, I think that the author did a fantastic job on showing us a awesome image of the dragon.
October 8, 2013
Okay, I'm pretty sure anything involve dragons and dragon riding gets a big eye roll from most people, right?
And it's true. The plot of this story isn't very original at all, when you think about it.
And yet the author manages to pull it off wonderfully. Sure, the plot is nothing new, but there's a certain charm to it that I can't help but love it. The author is very skilled at writing, which may be one factor; the book is beautifully written.
I also liked how the characters each have very distinct personalities and are developed well throughout the plot; they all have their flaws and strengths, and are very likeable, for the most part (I'm looking at you, Pell, though that may just be my personal opinion).
Overall, the plot is very unoriginal but still beautifully written and enjoyable, so you shouldn't let that keep you away.
And it's true. The plot of this story isn't very original at all, when you think about it.
And yet the author manages to pull it off wonderfully. Sure, the plot is nothing new, but there's a certain charm to it that I can't help but love it. The author is very skilled at writing, which may be one factor; the book is beautifully written.
I also liked how the characters each have very distinct personalities and are developed well throughout the plot; they all have their flaws and strengths, and are very likeable, for the most part (I'm looking at you, Pell, though that may just be my personal opinion).
Overall, the plot is very unoriginal but still beautifully written and enjoyable, so you shouldn't let that keep you away.
May 2, 2012
Imagine being part of a quest to save all dragonkind when you are terrified of dragons and of heights. That is Nolita's problem when she is forced to join with three other dragonriders to accomplish something that has failed twice before. This is a fast and fun read. Good characters and real fears.
November 1, 2013
I first read this two years ago but still stand by the fact that the series has enthralled me. The plot is so intricately though out, it moves at a good pace, therefore not dragging nor going too fast for the reader, and what's more the author clearly has very original ideas. Epic series, if you're aged around 9, 10, 11 ish READ READ READ OMG ^.^
October 29, 2011
An exciting adventure with fast paced action and wonderful characters. I adore the anagramed place names (Orupee - Europe, Racafi - Africa, Cemaria - America etc.) and the unique measuements (leagues, heartbeats, season rotations etc.), as they gave the book it's own individuality and atmosphere.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
August 17, 2016
I remember reading this a LOOOONG time ago. In a time when I hated books but bought this anyway.
I remember liking it so much, I thought about it everyday and even begged my mother to bring me to the bookstore asap.
(Might have to reread to refresh my memory)...
I remember liking it so much, I thought about it everyday and even begged my mother to bring me to the bookstore asap.
(Might have to reread to refresh my memory)...
Read
February 24, 2014An amazing book would recommend it to other young kids
September 21, 2014
I enjoyed this gentle paced read about Elian, his dawn dragon and companions; the dragons were vividly described, the story was a great escapist read, but with feelings to relate to.
April 17, 2025
Mon premier livre fantastique coup de cœur ❤️
January 24, 2014
Read to my dragon loving daughter we both enjoyed this book.
Displaying 1 - 21 of 21 reviews