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Dragon Wings
The world against dragons. One girl against the world.There are dragons in the Arizona Mountains, and only Alita Drake knows it. No one believed her at three years old when she stumbled across them during a family picnic. They certainly wouldn’t believe her now.Not that she’s allowed to tell anyone anyway—her dragon, Yackros, made that clear. The other dragons can never know about the human who now visits their hidden forest, and humans aren’t supposed to know about dragons.But nothing stays secret forever.Now Alita must accept that she alone can save her dragon from the dark clutches of Ruxsiu, a false king acting as ruler. Finding the true dragon king can save her best friend, but it isn’t something she can do alone. She must convince her boyfriend to help despite his disbelief in dragons and trust a strange old librarian in the race to save the only relic that can fix everything—the dragon’s pearl.
296 pages, Kindle Edition
Published June 19, 2018
57 people are currently reading
256 people want to read
About the author
Konstanz Silverbow
14 books374 followersKonstanz Silverbow is a creator of jewelry, player of violins, and student of medieval weaponry. She discovered a love for writing by accident and it became her passion. Her nights are now filled with getting words on the page and keeping her pet dragons tamed.
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Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews
June 23, 2018
Check out more reviews @ Perspective of a Writer...
There are dragons in the Arizona Mountains, and only Alita knows it. No one believed her at 3 years old when she stumbled across them during a family picnic. They certainly wouldn’t believe her now. Not that she’s allowed to tell anyone anyway—her dragon, Yackros, made that clear. The other dragons can never know about the human who now visits their hidden forest, and humans aren’t supposed to know about dragons. But nothing stays secret forever.
The short review...
I realllllllllllly wanted to love this book. Dragons are a favorite of mine and frankly I have to be REALLY turned off by the writing not to give a book with a dragon a go. And as you can see I finished it and it wasn't a slog fest by any means! ...I just wasn't blown away. The dragons weren't anything special and their motivations for hiding away seemed lame. And they were so passive!? If there is anything a dragon IS NOT its passive. They aren't cats languishing around waiting to be fed. They actively hunt and take whatever they need or want. While a good dragon won't just steal they are just as go getting as evil dragons!
The chosen one trope just didn't work here. Some effort was made to set Alita apart as special but having something happen when she's three years old just isn't enough. It ended up coming off as a gimmick so she could easily meet her dragon. A lot of effort went into making her investigations natural for a high school girl to learn, so if she was just a regular girl pulled into an extraordinary situation that would have worked better. And Alita does feel like a regular, uncertain high school girl. She is a bit of an odd girl out... I would have preferred her to have more that one seriously unhappy guy as a friend who quickly transitions into a love interest.
It's not that there wasn't world building. There was and it was intriguing how Alita came to learn more of the dragon's world. At least she wasn't just told everything by her dragon (which incidentally there wasn't anything stopping Yackros from doing so...) But what should have been a stepping stone to more exciting events was suddenly all that was needed. And suddenly we were at the end of the book in a series of rushed events that didn't really make any sense!
Cover & Title grade -> B+
This is an excellent self-published cover. I know I was drawn to it when I saw it even though it gives the book an urban fantasy vibe (the real person on the cover) while being a wholly fantasy look (the rock-like environment and the dragon, no city in sight). The design is frankly too literal for my tastes and thus feels amateurish. YA books of like stories published traditionally would have gone for a more subtle cover with a more symbolic design. Still I think scrolling through Amazon this would certainly make a reader pause to get the low down.
As a Writer...
GAHHHHHHHHH! How it pains me as a writer to write this review, especially for a self-published indie author putting their hard earned work out there in the book community under their own power. I want to stress this isn't a bad book! There were some rookie mistakes that kept me from enjoying it like I wanted to...
#1 - No development of the relationships.
This was a biggie! First I didn't feel like Alita and Max were best friends. In fact, he didn't feel like her friend at all. And to have that relationship progress to love interest was super creepy. And she had ZERO girl friends?! Alita wasn't passionate enough about anything (like music, computers, reading, etc.). No potential friends were pushed away because a hobby/interest held her attention.
And then she becomes best friends to Yackros in like a page?! Time just passed with them sitting around in a meadow like he was this big, fat lazy cat and she his contented owner that didn't know he was a thinking, intelligent being?! WHERE IS THE FRIENDSHIP?! If you want to start with their bond already solidified then skip the 3 years old meeting, skip the first meeting and start with them already bonded! Otherwise SHOW US!!
#2 - Motivations made no sense.
When a character suddenly appears who has all the answers but who has been sitting on them for no apparent reason... that is a MAJOR plot hole! Give us motivations! And they've got to make sense in that it seems like that character would do that from what you know of them. You can't just have that character keep repeating an answer that makes no sense.
And if you have a character who keeps insisting someone is bad and you should stay away from them suddenly reverse that in the most important instance of your and their life there had better be a damn good reason! (And incidentally the writer figuring it out and not telling us or giving us a clue or anything makes the whole thing a contrivance!)
This is the most annoying of the three mistakes as this is simple brain storming. Gather a group of friends and lay out the holes in your story and ask they for ideas! If all else fails this can successfully get your own inspirations flowing.
#3 - Tooooooo many questions?!?!?!?!
This is simply a writing thing. Read any basic writing book and it tells you to leave off the questions. Actually, a thinking being doesn't think too often in questions otherwise we'd start to get a complex. We assume things and adjust our thinking as we obtain more information. As a writer you want the READER to have all the questions... questions should show up in subtext, not the actual text of a book.
Just re-writing every single question (with the exception of maybe 2 or 3 in the entire book) would improve this book by a star! Questions particularly become grating when they run on for more than a page. Too many questions shows a lack of understanding for the character whose POV you are in. Going back and deepening the protagonist's background to give her more specific thoughts would also allow the narrative to flow more smoothly with less questions arising.
I had high hopes for Dragon Wings and they were disappointed. If dragons are your thing this may be a series you want to try... but be prepared to wait for the next book to get answers. Readers who breeze through a book in one sitting probably won't even notice the mistakes I did! Some re-writing would make this a solid 4 stars for everyone.
⋆ ⋆ ⭐⭐⭐ Authenticity
⋆ ⋆ ⋆ ⭐⭐ Writing Style
⋆ ⋆ ⋆ ⭐⭐ Plot & Pacing
⋆ ⋆ ⭐⭐⭐ World Building
Thanks to the author for providing me with a copy in exchange for an honest review. It has not influenced my opinions.
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You can find this review and many others on my book blog @ Perspective of a Writer. See my special perspective at the bottom of my reviews under the typewriter...
July 11, 2018
Sunning and snoozing on the warm rock, Yackros suddenly sneezes and hears nearby laughter. Humans cannot enter the dragon lands of Runavelius which are protected and separated from them by strong magic. Yet a young girl around 3 years old is standing there on a rock! She is delighted to see him, and she reaches out to touch his warm scales that fascinate her. She tells him her name is Alita, but she addresses him as “Sparkles”, her friend. He gently told her to leave and never come back – there were rules that had to be followed.
Alita is hiking in the mountains with Max who quickly moves out of sight, forging ahead as he tries to catch up to where he thinks his foster parents might be. When Alita finally catches up, he suggests they split up to search, despite Alita’s obvious fear of getting even further lost – especially as it has started to get dark! She sees a familiar alcove and feels a pull to go toward it. And there, sitting directly in her path, is a burnt-orange dragon! Her parents had put her through years of therapy so that she knew they didn’t really exist! How can she be seeing one! But he calls her by name and explains why no one else believes. She must keep his existence a secret. And when dragons are in danger, Alita must do something to save them, and must convince Max that they are real so that he will help her. Can she save her beloved dragon? Will the dragons be in greater danger than before? Who is trustworthy?
This is such a beautiful story. I really loved reading it. It brings back all the magic we feel as children, when we know in our hearts that dragons are real and can certainly be our friends. The characters are well imagined. I can’t say I liked Max very much since he seemed inconsiderate and Alita tried too hard to keep him happy – even when he seems to be unhappy with everyone in his life. Her dragon, of course, is the star of the show! Grab a copy and let yourself get lost in the story and re-experience a love of dragons. I enjoyed this book very much!
Alita is hiking in the mountains with Max who quickly moves out of sight, forging ahead as he tries to catch up to where he thinks his foster parents might be. When Alita finally catches up, he suggests they split up to search, despite Alita’s obvious fear of getting even further lost – especially as it has started to get dark! She sees a familiar alcove and feels a pull to go toward it. And there, sitting directly in her path, is a burnt-orange dragon! Her parents had put her through years of therapy so that she knew they didn’t really exist! How can she be seeing one! But he calls her by name and explains why no one else believes. She must keep his existence a secret. And when dragons are in danger, Alita must do something to save them, and must convince Max that they are real so that he will help her. Can she save her beloved dragon? Will the dragons be in greater danger than before? Who is trustworthy?
This is such a beautiful story. I really loved reading it. It brings back all the magic we feel as children, when we know in our hearts that dragons are real and can certainly be our friends. The characters are well imagined. I can’t say I liked Max very much since he seemed inconsiderate and Alita tried too hard to keep him happy – even when he seems to be unhappy with everyone in his life. Her dragon, of course, is the star of the show! Grab a copy and let yourself get lost in the story and re-experience a love of dragons. I enjoyed this book very much!
June 24, 2018
I do think that this book is every dragon lovers fantasy. Finding out that they really exist, that they are hidden from us by a magic barrier but that some of us could bond with them and that our love for dragons could bring them back into our world is what we all dream of. Alita a child of three years manages to cross the magic barrier into Runavelius, the land of the dragons. This barrier was forged by dragon sorcerers to protect and hide the dragons after humans waged war on them. Only one with magic could break through the barrier and this young child unknowingly did this. She went on to befriend the dragon guardian Yackros and could never get him out of her mind no matter the amount of therapy her parents made her undergo till at age fifteen she once again is drawn to the magical place on the mountain. Alita's love and bond with Yackros aka sparkle pushed her to her limits even when everyone thought that she was crazy and she did all that she that she had to do to prove to the world that dragons do exist. This is a wondrous tale of love, magic, courage, perseverance, dragons and the usual fight of good against evil. Enjoy this thrilling adventure, I know I did!
June 11, 2018
This is a story about humans and dragons in the modern world. A girl named alita wanders of at the age of 3 and finds herself in front of a dragon. That's how it starts not long after it switches to the same girl only now she is seventeen. Konstanz has written this book at an lovely pace that is good to follow. If you have the time to read you can read this +/- 300 pages in 1 á 2 days. The story covers all the basic stuff as love, loyalty, betrayel , hardmanships and even bully's.
The way the surroundings are told about makes you feel like you are there with Alita and is very beautifull. Almost as or just as good as the worldbuilding from Naomi Novik that I have always loved.
The way the surroundings are told about makes you feel like you are there with Alita and is very beautifull. Almost as or just as good as the worldbuilding from Naomi Novik that I have always loved.
December 21, 2018
As a child, Alita stumbles into a magical realm at the edge of a forest and meets Yackros, a dragon she calls Sparkles . The problem is that no human should be able to cross the invisible barrier. As a teen, she visits Yackros and develops a close friendship with him. No one close to her believes dragons are real, not even her boyfriend. Alita alone must rescue the dragon king and restore the bond between dragons and humans. Then, one day she meets a mean librarian who knows about the dragons too.
In general, the story is a good read. There are some areas that seem to contradict each other which makes things a bit confusing, but those who love stories of dragons may not mind so much.
In general, the story is a good read. There are some areas that seem to contradict each other which makes things a bit confusing, but those who love stories of dragons may not mind so much.
June 19, 2018
Okay, I love love loved this book!! :D I know I've found a good book when I'm hooked from the first page, can hardly put it down and 80% through I'm thinking, waaaahh, it's almost over! I adore dragons and this was such a satisfying take on them. An unravelling mystery, characters whom you don't know whether to trust or not, a fascinating hidden world and alternative history - it's got the goods! :D I'm really eager to see where book 2 goes, as Alita's powers have not even been revealed yet and there are so many ways other characters could go! Now where's that time machine?? ;)
June 20, 2018
Quite entertaining. Waiting for the next one in the series
June 29, 2018
Dragon exciting
I LOVED IT! It was fun and exciting, it lured me in and held me captive to the end. I cannot wait until next book. You never fail to make me love your writings.
I LOVED IT! It was fun and exciting, it lured me in and held me captive to the end. I cannot wait until next book. You never fail to make me love your writings.
July 9, 2018
Amazing
This is one of the best books I have read and I can't wait for the next book to be released.
This is one of the best books I have read and I can't wait for the next book to be released.
June 24, 2024
The whole thing felt stilted, jarring, and a little too on the nose. I really didn’t love the writing or the characters. All of the relationships felt forced. Can’t recommend.
June 19, 2018
What a fantastic read! In a world where Dragon's are just fantasy, one little girl sets into motion a incredible journey! One of love, intrigue, bullying, magic and so much more!
A beautiful storyline, well built characters and all the love and hate of dragon's!
A beautiful storyline, well built characters and all the love and hate of dragon's!
January 15, 2020
Dragon Wings by Konstanz Silverbow is the first book in a brand new series.
Note: this review contains spoilers!
They say that young children can see more of the wonders of the world than adults. Children see jewels in raindrops and dragons in secret glens. And that is what 3 year old Alita finds on the mountain while the rest of her family picnics. Sparkles. All the joy, wonder, and thrill of meeting a dragon. Only the glen is secret for a reason and rational humans don’t believe in dragons. Or they’re told not to.
That is until Alita is a teenager and stumbles across that magic barrier once again. The barrier that humans and dragons aren’t supposed to be able to cross.
The story starts slowly as some good stories are apt to do with Alita spending more and more time in the hidden glen with her beautiful dragon and the rest of life passing her by. Until that fateful day when they are discovered by another dragon. Another dragon who doesn’t like Alita’s dragon and is ready to condemn them both to death.
Alita gets away so she, her boyfriend, and the wacky librarian can find the true king of the dragons. He will make everything right, won’t he?
You have to read this great new book by Konstanz Silverbow where dragons fly and girls dream.
Note: this review contains spoilers!
They say that young children can see more of the wonders of the world than adults. Children see jewels in raindrops and dragons in secret glens. And that is what 3 year old Alita finds on the mountain while the rest of her family picnics. Sparkles. All the joy, wonder, and thrill of meeting a dragon. Only the glen is secret for a reason and rational humans don’t believe in dragons. Or they’re told not to.
That is until Alita is a teenager and stumbles across that magic barrier once again. The barrier that humans and dragons aren’t supposed to be able to cross.
The story starts slowly as some good stories are apt to do with Alita spending more and more time in the hidden glen with her beautiful dragon and the rest of life passing her by. Until that fateful day when they are discovered by another dragon. Another dragon who doesn’t like Alita’s dragon and is ready to condemn them both to death.
Alita gets away so she, her boyfriend, and the wacky librarian can find the true king of the dragons. He will make everything right, won’t he?
You have to read this great new book by Konstanz Silverbow where dragons fly and girls dream.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
May 29, 2018
I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
Alita's family never believed her when she said she met a dragon as a kid. Clumsy and made in to a joke, she just wants to date her best friend Max, and for everyone to forget about the dragon girl. Finding her dragon again means she was right all along, but now she needs to save the dragons and get Max to beleive that dragons aren't just her obsession.
I enjoyed the characters and how Alita's family felt so genuine. My only issue was with Max. I didn't see why she liked him, and he annoyed me from the start. I understood his emotions, but just didn't see anything between them.
I am definitely excited for book two though. The relationship between Alita and Yackros feels very real, and I cant wait to find out how they save the world.
Alita's family never believed her when she said she met a dragon as a kid. Clumsy and made in to a joke, she just wants to date her best friend Max, and for everyone to forget about the dragon girl. Finding her dragon again means she was right all along, but now she needs to save the dragons and get Max to beleive that dragons aren't just her obsession.
I enjoyed the characters and how Alita's family felt so genuine. My only issue was with Max. I didn't see why she liked him, and he annoyed me from the start. I understood his emotions, but just didn't see anything between them.
I am definitely excited for book two though. The relationship between Alita and Yackros feels very real, and I cant wait to find out how they save the world.
Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews