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Dragon School #1-5
Dragon School: Episodes 1-5
No one is too broken to soar.From USA Today bestselling author, Sarah K. L. Wilson, comes an epic tale of a disabled teen and her beloved dragon. Sixteen-year-old Amel is disabled and rejected by society. A burden to her family and ignored by her peers, Amel travels to Dragon School for one last chance. If she can find a place among the courageous Dragon Riders, she can hold her head high. If she fails … she’ll die. But what Amel didn’t expect was Raolcan. When this empathetic dragon chooses her it changes everything.Will it be enough when Amel takes her final test?Dragon School is the epic dragon rider series you don’t want to miss. Combining dramatic dragon battles, breath-taking adventures, magical creatures, and heart-pounding suspense, this tale will warm your heart and keep you flipping pages. This omnibus edition contains episodes 1-5 of the popular novella Dragon First Flight Can disabled Amel conquer the deadly challenge of riding a fierce dragon?Dragon Initiate Magic comes to Dragon School. Can it be trusted?Dragon The Dark Prince Who says all handsome princes are charming?Dragon The Ruby Isles Rules and threats aren't enough to stop Amel when her friends need her.Dragon Sworn Things are heating up for Amel and Raolcan and not just because flames are flying in every direction!Binge-read the series reviewers are calling "Best Dragon Series on the Market" when you one-click today!
382 pages, Kindle Edition
Published February 8, 2019
2439 people are currently reading
1673 people want to read
About the author
Sarah K.L. Wilson
159 books1,087 followersSarah K. L. Wilson is a USA Today Bestselling author who writes fantasy stories featuring practical heroes & heroines in the most impractical circumstances. She loves writing because it is the only way to make a living and give back to the world when your primary skill is an overactive imagination and a tendency toward violent daydreams.
Sarah can be found in the outdoors of Northern Ontario with her young boys and beloved husband, reading a book, or fending off her husband's pet turkeys with a straw broom.
You can find Sarah's books in paperback, hardcover, ebook and audiobook and they have also been translated into Italian, German, and (very soon) Turkish.
Please, do, enjoy the read!
*USA Today bestseller list, November 2, 2017
www.sarahklwilson.com
sarah@sarahklwilson.com
Instagram @sarahklwilson
Facebook @sarahklwilson
TikTok @sarahklwilson
Sarah can be found in the outdoors of Northern Ontario with her young boys and beloved husband, reading a book, or fending off her husband's pet turkeys with a straw broom.
You can find Sarah's books in paperback, hardcover, ebook and audiobook and they have also been translated into Italian, German, and (very soon) Turkish.
Please, do, enjoy the read!
*USA Today bestseller list, November 2, 2017
www.sarahklwilson.com
sarah@sarahklwilson.com
Instagram @sarahklwilson
Facebook @sarahklwilson
TikTok @sarahklwilson
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 287 reviews
April 29, 2023
5 wild stars on the back of a dragon!
I felt the tingle in my bones of a tale to be told. I shivered slightly, curled my feet up under me and read on.
Yep! this is exactly how I felt while reading this series. Now sign me up please! I want to join Dragon School!!
Dragon School is a series of novellas written in episode style, with some of the most wonderful dragons I have ever read about. If purple hadn't already been my favourite colour it would be now, after getting to meet Raolcan.
And yet, despite the fabulous dragons, the star of this series is Amel. One of the most relatable and wonderfully written dragon riders ever if you ask me.
Sixteen-year-old Amel arrived at Dragon School just like everyone else – with a dream to ride dragons and join the Dominion Dragon Riders.
But Amel has a crippled leg and Dragon School training is grueling. And to make things worse, she even has to content with the disdain and resent of her peers. Because a cripple like her has no place among the dragon riders.
And yet, Amel holds her head high and is determined not to be any less than someone with two working legs. Because by being a part of the Dragon School, she not only eases the burden of her poor family so that they don't need to care for a cripple, but may just fulfil an unbelievable dream! To fly free!
Hurdles await everywhere on her path. From being left the last to choose a dragon, to having to manage climbing up and down cliffs for her daily chores and much more. And despite all hindrances, scorn and even doubt, Amel keeps persevering.
'There was no way I could make it. There was no way I could let myself give up.'
A ruined leg shouldn't be a reason to destroy an existence. And Amel is determined to prove it.
'If they thought I wasn't worthy then I would just have to show them all that they were wrong about me.'
'No one wants a cripple like me to do anything except stay out of the way but I'm going to show them that I stand just as much chance as everyone else.'
After all, she wants to join a Dominion Colour and gain a purpose in life. And is determined to feel grateful even if she gets a 'surly swamp-colored dragon covered in warts with breath as bad as garbage heap', as long as that dragon will be hers and she'll be able to ride it.
And this is how her story begins. One of courage and determination, in which a broken girl and a dragon who takes a chance on a brave soul, might just team up to steal your heart.
Despite being of a relatively short page count, these first five episodes have quite a lot of plot jam packed within their pages, alongside just as much character development.
The wondrous connection between Amal and her dragon, their feelings and shared gentleness, as well as all that injustice they both had to face, were some of the highlights of the tale for me. But the best part of it all was the way Amel's disability was represented. Not only in the way she herself dealt with it, but also in the way others around her perceived it. And Amel by extension.
Seeing how Amel transformed in the eyes of others, how the disdain and pity turned to grudging respect and acceptance, that was hands down the best part of the series up till now for me.
In a flawless narration that's a pleasure to read, Sarah K.L. Wilson gives us in Dragon School, a fast paced tale full of feeling. Daring, brave and endearing, to tug on all your heartstrings!
The first and last episodes of this set were my favourites and I'm already itching to get my hands on the rest of the series.
'Dragon Riders sure were strange people. They were as wild and predatory as the creatures they rode.' And how I wish I could be one of them right now!!
If you love dragons and dragonhearted girls who, despite being broken, bravely defy odds with a bravery and kindheartedness to have you cheering in their corner from the very first paragraph, YOU HAVE GOT TO READ THIS SERIES!
It is F-A-B-U-L-O-U-S!!
I felt the tingle in my bones of a tale to be told. I shivered slightly, curled my feet up under me and read on.
Yep! this is exactly how I felt while reading this series. Now sign me up please! I want to join Dragon School!!
Dragon School is a series of novellas written in episode style, with some of the most wonderful dragons I have ever read about. If purple hadn't already been my favourite colour it would be now, after getting to meet Raolcan.
And yet, despite the fabulous dragons, the star of this series is Amel. One of the most relatable and wonderfully written dragon riders ever if you ask me.
Sixteen-year-old Amel arrived at Dragon School just like everyone else – with a dream to ride dragons and join the Dominion Dragon Riders.
But Amel has a crippled leg and Dragon School training is grueling. And to make things worse, she even has to content with the disdain and resent of her peers. Because a cripple like her has no place among the dragon riders.
And yet, Amel holds her head high and is determined not to be any less than someone with two working legs. Because by being a part of the Dragon School, she not only eases the burden of her poor family so that they don't need to care for a cripple, but may just fulfil an unbelievable dream! To fly free!
Hurdles await everywhere on her path. From being left the last to choose a dragon, to having to manage climbing up and down cliffs for her daily chores and much more. And despite all hindrances, scorn and even doubt, Amel keeps persevering.
'There was no way I could make it. There was no way I could let myself give up.'
A ruined leg shouldn't be a reason to destroy an existence. And Amel is determined to prove it.
'If they thought I wasn't worthy then I would just have to show them all that they were wrong about me.'
'No one wants a cripple like me to do anything except stay out of the way but I'm going to show them that I stand just as much chance as everyone else.'
After all, she wants to join a Dominion Colour and gain a purpose in life. And is determined to feel grateful even if she gets a 'surly swamp-colored dragon covered in warts with breath as bad as garbage heap', as long as that dragon will be hers and she'll be able to ride it.
And this is how her story begins. One of courage and determination, in which a broken girl and a dragon who takes a chance on a brave soul, might just team up to steal your heart.
Despite being of a relatively short page count, these first five episodes have quite a lot of plot jam packed within their pages, alongside just as much character development.
The wondrous connection between Amal and her dragon, their feelings and shared gentleness, as well as all that injustice they both had to face, were some of the highlights of the tale for me. But the best part of it all was the way Amel's disability was represented. Not only in the way she herself dealt with it, but also in the way others around her perceived it. And Amel by extension.
Seeing how Amel transformed in the eyes of others, how the disdain and pity turned to grudging respect and acceptance, that was hands down the best part of the series up till now for me.
In a flawless narration that's a pleasure to read, Sarah K.L. Wilson gives us in Dragon School, a fast paced tale full of feeling. Daring, brave and endearing, to tug on all your heartstrings!
The first and last episodes of this set were my favourites and I'm already itching to get my hands on the rest of the series.
'Dragon Riders sure were strange people. They were as wild and predatory as the creatures they rode.' And how I wish I could be one of them right now!!
If you love dragons and dragonhearted girls who, despite being broken, bravely defy odds with a bravery and kindheartedness to have you cheering in their corner from the very first paragraph, YOU HAVE GOT TO READ THIS SERIES!
It is F-A-B-U-L-O-U-S!!
November 21, 2018
I’m not usually a fan of sequel series, where we get short snippets at regular intervals, as I much prefer to sit and devour one big book. In the case of the Dragon School series, however, I was more than happy to consume each book as it was released. Despite this, I do believe you get a much better experience if you read the combined editions so you get to enjoy the story back-to-back. With this first collection, you get books one through five to enjoy.
Dragon School: First Flight, book one, sucked me completely into the world – it was so much more than I’d expected, and I couldn’t wait to get more. Dragon School: Initiate, book two, sucked me in even deeper – it showed me there was more to the story than I’d originally thought, ensuring I would pick up the next. Dragon School: The Dark Prince, book three, was a very important book in the series – it may not have been my favourite book, but it was vital to the overall story. Dragon School: The Ruby Isles, book four, continues to move things forward in a wonderful way – it may not be my favourite of the stories, but it is another important addition. Dragon School: Sword, book five, was another brilliant read, adding more to the series – it was also the book that reminded me why I was following the series in the first place, pulling me back in after a short hiatus.
Upon finishing this collection, you’ll be more than happy to dive into book six to see what comes next.
Dragon School: First Flight, book one, sucked me completely into the world – it was so much more than I’d expected, and I couldn’t wait to get more. Dragon School: Initiate, book two, sucked me in even deeper – it showed me there was more to the story than I’d originally thought, ensuring I would pick up the next. Dragon School: The Dark Prince, book three, was a very important book in the series – it may not have been my favourite book, but it was vital to the overall story. Dragon School: The Ruby Isles, book four, continues to move things forward in a wonderful way – it may not be my favourite of the stories, but it is another important addition. Dragon School: Sword, book five, was another brilliant read, adding more to the series – it was also the book that reminded me why I was following the series in the first place, pulling me back in after a short hiatus.
Upon finishing this collection, you’ll be more than happy to dive into book six to see what comes next.
November 3, 2021
I wanted to love this so badly. The writing quality is just not there.
June 9, 2019
3.5 stars
It started out great and then for some reason i just lost interest, maybe in the future i will pick it up again and continue with episode 6 to 20.
Sixteen-year-old Amel is disabled and rejected by society. A burden to her family and ignored by her peers, Amel travels to Dragon School for one last chance. If she can find a place among the courageous Dragon Riders, she can hold her head high.
If she fails … she’ll die.
But what Amel didn’t expect was Raolcan. When this empathetic dragon chooses her it changes everything.
Will it be enough when Amel takes her final test?
August 9, 2022
This book makes no sense
The first episode of Dragon School was full of excitement, but also full of logical contradictions. Dragons are sentient beings and valuable resources. Admitting anyone to Dragon School and binding them to dragons, knowing that the dragon will die if the rider does is simply insane. A rational course would be to train the students for months before binding them to dragons, and letting them mount from the ground. Having them jump off a cliff and land on the Dragon is murderously stupid. I will not be reading the rest of the series. It is a shame, because Amel is a very attractive character, brave and compassionate.
The first episode of Dragon School was full of excitement, but also full of logical contradictions. Dragons are sentient beings and valuable resources. Admitting anyone to Dragon School and binding them to dragons, knowing that the dragon will die if the rider does is simply insane. A rational course would be to train the students for months before binding them to dragons, and letting them mount from the ground. Having them jump off a cliff and land on the Dragon is murderously stupid. I will not be reading the rest of the series. It is a shame, because Amel is a very attractive character, brave and compassionate.
July 14, 2019
Interesting Enough
2.5 stars
The story itself got 3.5 stars. It was written fairly well and I admit to be caught by the story line. Highly likely I'll at least get the next installment in the series (episodes 6-10) at least, but I was not impressed by the narration and rated the performance with 1 star. So more than likely I'll get the ebook and read rather than listen to the audiobook.
2.5 stars
The story itself got 3.5 stars. It was written fairly well and I admit to be caught by the story line. Highly likely I'll at least get the next installment in the series (episodes 6-10) at least, but I was not impressed by the narration and rated the performance with 1 star. So more than likely I'll get the ebook and read rather than listen to the audiobook.
November 25, 2020
Content warning: violence, ableist attitudes and language
I liked this book, but I wanted to like it so much more than I actually did… And I’m still trying to decide how much of that disparity comes from the quality of the writing and how much stems from my own expectations and standards possibly being too high.
On its face, Sarah K.L. Wilson’s Dragon School Omnibus #1: Episodes 1-5 is a decent YA fantasy and series opener. We open with sixteen-year-old “cripple” (Wilson’s word, not mine) Amel Leafbrought preparing to choose her dragon at Dragon School. Amel knows that her bum leg severely limits her options in life, and she is thus determined to have a purpose and prove her worth. To her, Dragon School seems ideal for this: either she will come away with a vocation and respectable position in society, or she’ll die. But Amel doesn’t get to choose a dragon – instead, the purple dragon Raolcan speaks to her psychically and chooses her.
Day-to-day life at Dragon School proves difficult for Amel on many levels. First, the school is built into the side of a butte (an isolated, somewhat narrow hill with steep sides and a flat top), and getting around involves plenty of ladders and stairs that unsurprisingly hinder a person who has only one functional leg. Pretty much everyone at the school treats Amel with coolness and disdain, meaning that most of Amel’s conversations are with Raolcan. Also, Amel deduces that the bells she hears throughout the day are some sort of schedule, but has no idea what each means until another unpopular student explains the system. Despite the prevailing attitudes toward Amel, this is neither the first nor the last time someone spontaneously pipes up with details Amel needs with no real explanation of why they’re bothering to tell her.
The worst perpetrator of this is noble-born Savette Leedris. A “cold glare” from Savette at the dragon choosing tells Amel what Savette’s opinion of her is. It makes sense, then, that most of the information Amel gets from Savette actually comes from eavesdropping. (Hey, know-it-alls are useful like that.) Yet, there are other times when Savette is clearly providing needed information directly to Amel. I might be able to understand the previously-mentioned instance with the schedule as two disliked people forming some sort of alliance – though that student is standoffish the next time he and Amel interact, so an alliance isn’t the reason there – but I’m boggled by Savette. Why help Amel? Is Savette just nice? Is she covering her bases in case she needs something later? Is it some other reason? Amel does save Savette’s life, but that’s not until later, so that can’t be the motive. The lack of clear explanation is frustrating.
Also frustrating is how long it takes to reveal the main plot arc for the series, because that doesn’t really happen until the end of the omnibus book (end of Episode 5). I wouldn’t normally make an issue of this as it seems like there are plenty of series in which the first book’s plot is a discreet unit that ends up exposing a much bigger problem for the protagonist to contend with. (For example, in Robert Jordan’s Wheel of Time series, the first book focuses on the Good Guys needing to get to a location before the Bad Guys. The Good Guys succeed, but that very success turns out to mean the apocalypse is coming.) The Dragon School series is different to me because it’s episodic: each episode was published independently prior to being collected into the book I’m reviewing. This means that the reader doesn’t get the Big Picture until what is technically the end of Book #5. A number of events occur that are ultimately tied to the Big Picture, but the reasons for those events and the ways in which they truly tie together are not at all apparent. The author maintains the reader’s attention with a fast pace and cliffhanger endings to the episodes more than anything else. The “why” is missing until the end. Even if we imagine Sarah K.L. Wilson to be a pure pantster, figuring it out as she goes along, there are details clear back in Episode 1 that suggest she spent at least a little time revising once she discovered her major arc. So what, then, is the excuse for not doing a better job of it? What’s the excuse for not noticing that a character’s name is Raktaran in Episode 3 and then Rakturan in Episode 4? (This especially bothers me because I have an unusual name and the fix I’ve found is so freaking simple: once you have decided on the final spelling, add the name to your word processing software’s dictionary! Spell-check will then flag any time that name is spelled differently from what you’ve said is “correct.”) Were there no editors, no beta readers? It all just feels a bit lazy.
Speaking of betas, one of mine requested that I take this opportunity to have a bit about language, bringing diversity into books, and appropriate representation. My beta W has an autoimmune disease that causes her some mobility issues, so I appreciate her input on this review. W tells me that “cripple” is essentially a reclaimed slur, meaning that disabled people use the word to refer to themselves but an abled person really shouldn’t use it (much like a certain racial slur that begins with the letter N). As far as I can see from Wilson’s online presence, it doesn’t seem like she is part of the disabled community. I don’t want to have some major debate about political correctness or anything, and that isn’t what my beta reader wants either. W’s point – and therefore mine – is that having a protagonist from a marginalized population might look like diversity on the surface, but the portrayal can still end up being offensive to the marginalized group in question, so it’s wise to seek out someone from that group to critique your piece before publishing it. No depiction will please everyone, of course. Yet, if you care enough about diversity to include it, maybe you should also care enough to do it well.
As I said at the beginning, I actually like this book. A main character with a significant physical impairment is wonderfully nonstandard. Yes, Amel is a bit of a Mary Sue and has problems solved for her more than she actively solves them, but I can deal with that because maybe that’s where her future character development will occur. The Big Picture plot arc, when it finally comes, promises a solid Good vs. Evil fate-of-the-world fantasy story. I want to know what happens. But I’m still annoyed. I still can’t decide if I’m being unreasonably picky about Dragon School’s flaws or if I’m justified in griping because most of those failings feel like they could have been avoided with more care. You, my readers, will have to decide that for yourselves if you choose to read Dragon School Omnibus #1: Episodes 1-5. And I do ultimately recommend it, even if only to learn what not to do.
More reviews at: readthiswritethat468412160.wordpress.com
I liked this book, but I wanted to like it so much more than I actually did… And I’m still trying to decide how much of that disparity comes from the quality of the writing and how much stems from my own expectations and standards possibly being too high.
On its face, Sarah K.L. Wilson’s Dragon School Omnibus #1: Episodes 1-5 is a decent YA fantasy and series opener. We open with sixteen-year-old “cripple” (Wilson’s word, not mine) Amel Leafbrought preparing to choose her dragon at Dragon School. Amel knows that her bum leg severely limits her options in life, and she is thus determined to have a purpose and prove her worth. To her, Dragon School seems ideal for this: either she will come away with a vocation and respectable position in society, or she’ll die. But Amel doesn’t get to choose a dragon – instead, the purple dragon Raolcan speaks to her psychically and chooses her.
Day-to-day life at Dragon School proves difficult for Amel on many levels. First, the school is built into the side of a butte (an isolated, somewhat narrow hill with steep sides and a flat top), and getting around involves plenty of ladders and stairs that unsurprisingly hinder a person who has only one functional leg. Pretty much everyone at the school treats Amel with coolness and disdain, meaning that most of Amel’s conversations are with Raolcan. Also, Amel deduces that the bells she hears throughout the day are some sort of schedule, but has no idea what each means until another unpopular student explains the system. Despite the prevailing attitudes toward Amel, this is neither the first nor the last time someone spontaneously pipes up with details Amel needs with no real explanation of why they’re bothering to tell her.
The worst perpetrator of this is noble-born Savette Leedris. A “cold glare” from Savette at the dragon choosing tells Amel what Savette’s opinion of her is. It makes sense, then, that most of the information Amel gets from Savette actually comes from eavesdropping. (Hey, know-it-alls are useful like that.) Yet, there are other times when Savette is clearly providing needed information directly to Amel. I might be able to understand the previously-mentioned instance with the schedule as two disliked people forming some sort of alliance – though that student is standoffish the next time he and Amel interact, so an alliance isn’t the reason there – but I’m boggled by Savette. Why help Amel? Is Savette just nice? Is she covering her bases in case she needs something later? Is it some other reason? Amel does save Savette’s life, but that’s not until later, so that can’t be the motive. The lack of clear explanation is frustrating.
Also frustrating is how long it takes to reveal the main plot arc for the series, because that doesn’t really happen until the end of the omnibus book (end of Episode 5). I wouldn’t normally make an issue of this as it seems like there are plenty of series in which the first book’s plot is a discreet unit that ends up exposing a much bigger problem for the protagonist to contend with. (For example, in Robert Jordan’s Wheel of Time series, the first book focuses on the Good Guys needing to get to a location before the Bad Guys. The Good Guys succeed, but that very success turns out to mean the apocalypse is coming.) The Dragon School series is different to me because it’s episodic: each episode was published independently prior to being collected into the book I’m reviewing. This means that the reader doesn’t get the Big Picture until what is technically the end of Book #5. A number of events occur that are ultimately tied to the Big Picture, but the reasons for those events and the ways in which they truly tie together are not at all apparent. The author maintains the reader’s attention with a fast pace and cliffhanger endings to the episodes more than anything else. The “why” is missing until the end. Even if we imagine Sarah K.L. Wilson to be a pure pantster, figuring it out as she goes along, there are details clear back in Episode 1 that suggest she spent at least a little time revising once she discovered her major arc. So what, then, is the excuse for not doing a better job of it? What’s the excuse for not noticing that a character’s name is Raktaran in Episode 3 and then Rakturan in Episode 4? (This especially bothers me because I have an unusual name and the fix I’ve found is so freaking simple: once you have decided on the final spelling, add the name to your word processing software’s dictionary! Spell-check will then flag any time that name is spelled differently from what you’ve said is “correct.”) Were there no editors, no beta readers? It all just feels a bit lazy.
Speaking of betas, one of mine requested that I take this opportunity to have a bit about language, bringing diversity into books, and appropriate representation. My beta W has an autoimmune disease that causes her some mobility issues, so I appreciate her input on this review. W tells me that “cripple” is essentially a reclaimed slur, meaning that disabled people use the word to refer to themselves but an abled person really shouldn’t use it (much like a certain racial slur that begins with the letter N). As far as I can see from Wilson’s online presence, it doesn’t seem like she is part of the disabled community. I don’t want to have some major debate about political correctness or anything, and that isn’t what my beta reader wants either. W’s point – and therefore mine – is that having a protagonist from a marginalized population might look like diversity on the surface, but the portrayal can still end up being offensive to the marginalized group in question, so it’s wise to seek out someone from that group to critique your piece before publishing it. No depiction will please everyone, of course. Yet, if you care enough about diversity to include it, maybe you should also care enough to do it well.
As I said at the beginning, I actually like this book. A main character with a significant physical impairment is wonderfully nonstandard. Yes, Amel is a bit of a Mary Sue and has problems solved for her more than she actively solves them, but I can deal with that because maybe that’s where her future character development will occur. The Big Picture plot arc, when it finally comes, promises a solid Good vs. Evil fate-of-the-world fantasy story. I want to know what happens. But I’m still annoyed. I still can’t decide if I’m being unreasonably picky about Dragon School’s flaws or if I’m justified in griping because most of those failings feel like they could have been avoided with more care. You, my readers, will have to decide that for yourselves if you choose to read Dragon School Omnibus #1: Episodes 1-5. And I do ultimately recommend it, even if only to learn what not to do.
More reviews at: readthiswritethat468412160.wordpress.com
September 8, 2024
Source: Kindle Unlimited
It's been a while since I read a dragon rider book. I was into the Pern books as a teen, but have been hesitant to re-read as numerous people have said they don't hold up well. I have a certain other popular recent dragon school book on my TBR, but thought I would check this one out first as it was written earlier.
Dragon School is a collection of novella-length "episodes." I will update with my thoughts as I read each one.
Episode 1: First Flight The writing is geared towards a younger audience, but I still enjoyed reading it as an adult. I was really rooting for Amel, and found it so frustrating how the school and teachers did nothing to accommodate her disability. The whole First Flight concept (needing to jump down onto the dragon in midair, which is really dangerous) seemed to be forced in for the sake of adding drama/stakes. I found it difficult to believe that it "had" to be done that way. I loved Raolcan and want more of him. I wasn't too happy about Leng being set up as a possible love interest. 5 years is a big gap at that age.
Episode 2: Initiate So, the series title is a bit misleading. I wouldn't go into this series expecting a magical academy setting or you might be disappointed. The actual school parts feel rushed (both in-universe for plot reasons, and due to the nature of the format) to set up the overarching plot/conflict. It switches to "learn on the job" pretty fast. I felt frustrated early on in this episode by how willing the school apparently is to expel bonded riders for infractions such as failing an exam (thus dooming the dragon to wither away); in several places it felt like reading a rough draft. I did empathize with Amel when she is put in a tough spot and has a moral dilemma between helping her friend and following the rules. This isn't the last time when attempting to help goes wrong, either. I got more interested towards the later part of this episode and was sucked in for the last few chapters. This one ends with more of a cliffhanger than Episode 1.
Episode 3: The Dark Prince The editing issues were occasionally jarring in this installment. Things continue to be a bit too convenient at times (usually Raolcan's telepathy being exceptionally powerful/long ranged, and Amel regularly being in the right place at the right time to learn useful information). The action scenes are still exciting. We meet a few new classmates in this episode. I liked reading about the dragons flying formations. Amel constantly referring to the Baojang people as exotic/foreign was a bit cringey by modern standards but does feel like a realistic outlook for a fairly insulated farm girl to have. I continue to feel uncomfortable with the Amel and Leng potential romance, mostly because of the age/power gap and the way Leng treated her this time, even if he did apologize.
Episode 4: The Ruby Isles We get a bit more of the "academy" here, but again it is rushed. I liked this installment and seeing the sky city, but it was a bit frustrating how useless the adults all seemed to be. (Though Amel clearly doesn't have the full picture of what is going on.) I am interested in how the twist will develop with
Episode 5: Sworn I think this was the best episode in this collection. We meet Hubric, a competent adult, and several characters point out how a relationship between Amel and Leng would be inappropriate at this time. They also realize it would be a bad idea for Amel to be Leng's apprentice since it's obvious they are developing feelings for each other. There's plenty of action in this one as well. It's a bit unfortunate that the non-school parts seem stronger, as the school/academy setting was part of why I was interested in these to start with. Unfortunately there are still some editing issues in this installment, most glaring in the spelling of Dashira vs. Dashiva.
Overall, this collection was enjoyable to read but still had the feeling of a "rough draft" in regards to editing and some worldbuilding logic, especially around the school.
It's been a while since I read a dragon rider book. I was into the Pern books as a teen, but have been hesitant to re-read as numerous people have said they don't hold up well. I have a certain other popular recent dragon school book on my TBR, but thought I would check this one out first as it was written earlier.
Dragon School is a collection of novella-length "episodes." I will update with my thoughts as I read each one.
Episode 1: First Flight The writing is geared towards a younger audience, but I still enjoyed reading it as an adult. I was really rooting for Amel, and found it so frustrating how the school and teachers did nothing to accommodate her disability. The whole First Flight concept (needing to jump down onto the dragon in midair, which is really dangerous) seemed to be forced in for the sake of adding drama/stakes. I found it difficult to believe that it "had" to be done that way. I loved Raolcan and want more of him. I wasn't too happy about Leng being set up as a possible love interest. 5 years is a big gap at that age.
Episode 2: Initiate So, the series title is a bit misleading. I wouldn't go into this series expecting a magical academy setting or you might be disappointed. The actual school parts feel rushed (both in-universe for plot reasons, and due to the nature of the format) to set up the overarching plot/conflict. It switches to "learn on the job" pretty fast. I felt frustrated early on in this episode by how willing the school apparently is to expel bonded riders for infractions such as failing an exam (thus dooming the dragon to wither away); in several places it felt like reading a rough draft. I did empathize with Amel when she is put in a tough spot and has a moral dilemma between helping her friend and following the rules. This isn't the last time when attempting to help goes wrong, either. I got more interested towards the later part of this episode and was sucked in for the last few chapters. This one ends with more of a cliffhanger than Episode 1.
Episode 3: The Dark Prince The editing issues were occasionally jarring in this installment. Things continue to be a bit too convenient at times (usually Raolcan's telepathy being exceptionally powerful/long ranged, and Amel regularly being in the right place at the right time to learn useful information). The action scenes are still exciting. We meet a few new classmates in this episode. I liked reading about the dragons flying formations. Amel constantly referring to the Baojang people as exotic/foreign was a bit cringey by modern standards but does feel like a realistic outlook for a fairly insulated farm girl to have. I continue to feel uncomfortable with the Amel and Leng potential romance, mostly because of the age/power gap and the way Leng treated her this time, even if he did apologize.
Episode 4: The Ruby Isles We get a bit more of the "academy" here, but again it is rushed. I liked this installment and seeing the sky city, but it was a bit frustrating how useless the adults all seemed to be. (Though Amel clearly doesn't have the full picture of what is going on.) I am interested in how the twist will develop with
Episode 5: Sworn I think this was the best episode in this collection. We meet Hubric, a competent adult, and several characters point out how a relationship between Amel and Leng would be inappropriate at this time. They also realize it would be a bad idea for Amel to be Leng's apprentice since it's obvious they are developing feelings for each other. There's plenty of action in this one as well. It's a bit unfortunate that the non-school parts seem stronger, as the school/academy setting was part of why I was interested in these to start with. Unfortunately there are still some editing issues in this installment, most glaring in the spelling of Dashira vs. Dashiva.
Overall, this collection was enjoyable to read but still had the feeling of a "rough draft" in regards to editing and some worldbuilding logic, especially around the school.
April 15, 2021
Exciting fantasy
Exciting fantasy story. Amel is relatable, and I love that she is a capable heroine yet realustically balanced by her disability. The world is intricate and fascinating without being overwhelming or hard to follow. I enjoyed it as much as I did Eragon and Pern.
Exciting fantasy story. Amel is relatable, and I love that she is a capable heroine yet realustically balanced by her disability. The world is intricate and fascinating without being overwhelming or hard to follow. I enjoyed it as much as I did Eragon and Pern.
June 21, 2018
Dragon School: First Flight (Dragon School #1)
This is the third series from this author for me and I am seriously hooked. This story is a great beginning of a new series and I cannot wait for the next one. It is a bit shorter than I am used to but it contains all world building and character development of a longer story. I have no idea how the author managed to accomplish that in only 100 pages but the story is intense and very interesting.
The author invented yet another new fresh and original concept, I haven’t encountered before. Or maybe I did but it was not this well written. In any case, reading Sarah Wilson’s new book is always like a ride on a brand new roller coaster for the first time. Amazing, as is her writing style.
Dragon School series features Amel, an amazing girl of the slightly weaker body but strongest will and spirit yet known. She is brave beyond comparison and she never gives up. Then there is magical dragon Raolcan and their adventures. Great beginning of the series and I highly recommend it.
Dragon School: Initiate (Dragon School #2)
This book continues about a week after the end of the first book and it continues with the same fast and intense pace. My biggest problem here is giving a fair review without any spoilers. I refused to read the summary, so I had absolutely no idea what was going to happen from the beginning, and I absolutely loved being surprised all the time.
In the first book, it is pretty obvious what was going to happen and most of the book was in preparation and anticipation of the great event, but here things go a bit sideways, as the expected does not happen due to the unexpected announcement. There are hints of upcoming demise, but when it happens, it happens hard and fast.
As previously, I cannot emphasise enough how impressed I am with the author for being able to put so much content in so few pages. This obviously had its good and bad sides. The bad is that the book is over the moment you start reading it, but the good news is that the new book will be coming soon.
Amel is still amazing, even more so than in the first book. Her strength surpasses all expectations and her compassion is inspiring and uplifting. Raolcan is a dragon I would love to have as a friend, and their friendship is probably the most amazing thing in the series. There is additional development of several side characters who suddenly become more interesting. Again, I am left in desperate need of the next book.
Dragon School: The Dark Prince (Dragon School #3)
The adventure of Amel and Raolcan continues and this was the most frustrating book of the first four. Fortunately, I was lucky enough to be able to continue immediately.
Firstly, Amel faces incredible amount of unfairness in this book, even from the people who have showed her kindness previously. It is infuriating to see how people change so easily and disregard Amel and what she has to say. She is nothing if not persistent, honourable and honest. She is also by far the bravest and strongest person in the whole story. She already achieved the impossible in the realm of dragon riders, however, that gets forgotten quite often.
There is so much intrigue and conspiracy in this book. It is not unexpected as we already get a hint of what might happen in the previous book, but the reactions of people who should know better are nothing short of a surprise. Some of the actors are stubbornly clinging to their preconceptions of certain individuals, it is infuriating.
We meet a very important character Rakturan, the Dark Prince of Baojang. There are hints that he will become very important to the story, as the future ruler of the kingdom on the brink of war with the Dominion. There are some new side characters introduced and some familiar characters from the previous books are featured prominently here. There is even a hint of romance.
It is blatantly clear that even the most experienced dragon riders and teachers do not fully understand the behaviour and personalities of the purple dragons, which are a special kind in their own right. That said, the special relationship between Amel and Raolcan is unique. It is based on mutual respect, understanding and incredible friendship.
I could not wait to see how they overcome future obstacles. Fortunately I was able to read the next book immediately. Needless to say, I devoured both books in one breath.
Dragon School: The Ruby Isles (Dragon School #4)
As expected, Prince Rakturan is featured prominently in this book, as it a fellow purple dragon rider Leng, who we only met briefly in the previous books. The book continues shortly after the previous one ends. I have just realised that these books would make a great episodes of TV series. I can already imagine beautiful landscapes, mountains and sea, glorious dragons and an epic adventure.
Amel sets out to achieve what no one else was capable to achieve. Again she needs to employ all her wits to avoid all the threats and intrigue. She is joined by an unlikely ally on her journey to distant parts of the Dominion Kingdom.
The ending of this book is equally expected as it is unexpected and I can’t wait to see how this situation is going to be resolved. It is incredibly difficult to write reviews for this series without spoilers, as so much happens in less than hundred pages. It is an epic adventure packed with action, intrigue and conspiracies. And although some issues get resolved in each book, an abundance of question remain unanswered, additional issues and questions arise and the series keeps you on your toes.
Dragon School: Sworn (Dragon School #5)
This was the most exciting installment so far. And when I was finished, I wanted to scream in frustration for not having the next book to continue. I have no idea how the author does it, making it better and better and more exciting and more action-pact and more intriguing… I love all of her series, but this one is special favourite of mine. Not just of her books but in general, in my top five of all times.
The story picks up exactly where it left off in the previous book, Amel’s situation and future are quite uncertain, as she is being threatened from all sides. Interestingly enough, some of the treats become partnerships as the interests align. Savette and Leonora are back, and three of them embark on new adventures together.
A very interesting and unexpected turn of events bring Prince Rakturan in the forefront of action as the uneasy alliance with Amel forms. Amel is brought into the spotlight, as is her new mentor Hubric. Hubric is an amazing character and I can’t wait to see more of him. And there is Dominar! In person. Most intriguing character of all, especially when he shows interest in Amel.
The best part of this book is not Amel’s progress, as she was absolutely in perfect sync with her dragon from the first moment, but the evolution of others’ perception of Amel. It is amazing to watch how everyone else went from pity, hatred, dismissal, underestimation to slowly recognising Amel’s strength, value, bravery, skill, compassion, kindness, and finally giving her proper respect and acceptance that she deserves. I believe her new crutch symbolises that respect and acceptance, as does Dominar’s reaction.
And of course, there is Amel’s beloved Raolcan, the most amazing dragon of all, and theirs is the most amazing connection ever shared between a dragon and his rider. I often wonder how the other dragons and riders connect. Is their connection as profound as the one between Amel and Raolcan or are these two special?
This is the third series from this author for me and I am seriously hooked. This story is a great beginning of a new series and I cannot wait for the next one. It is a bit shorter than I am used to but it contains all world building and character development of a longer story. I have no idea how the author managed to accomplish that in only 100 pages but the story is intense and very interesting.
The author invented yet another new fresh and original concept, I haven’t encountered before. Or maybe I did but it was not this well written. In any case, reading Sarah Wilson’s new book is always like a ride on a brand new roller coaster for the first time. Amazing, as is her writing style.
Dragon School series features Amel, an amazing girl of the slightly weaker body but strongest will and spirit yet known. She is brave beyond comparison and she never gives up. Then there is magical dragon Raolcan and their adventures. Great beginning of the series and I highly recommend it.
Dragon School: Initiate (Dragon School #2)
This book continues about a week after the end of the first book and it continues with the same fast and intense pace. My biggest problem here is giving a fair review without any spoilers. I refused to read the summary, so I had absolutely no idea what was going to happen from the beginning, and I absolutely loved being surprised all the time.
In the first book, it is pretty obvious what was going to happen and most of the book was in preparation and anticipation of the great event, but here things go a bit sideways, as the expected does not happen due to the unexpected announcement. There are hints of upcoming demise, but when it happens, it happens hard and fast.
As previously, I cannot emphasise enough how impressed I am with the author for being able to put so much content in so few pages. This obviously had its good and bad sides. The bad is that the book is over the moment you start reading it, but the good news is that the new book will be coming soon.
Amel is still amazing, even more so than in the first book. Her strength surpasses all expectations and her compassion is inspiring and uplifting. Raolcan is a dragon I would love to have as a friend, and their friendship is probably the most amazing thing in the series. There is additional development of several side characters who suddenly become more interesting. Again, I am left in desperate need of the next book.
Dragon School: The Dark Prince (Dragon School #3)
The adventure of Amel and Raolcan continues and this was the most frustrating book of the first four. Fortunately, I was lucky enough to be able to continue immediately.
Firstly, Amel faces incredible amount of unfairness in this book, even from the people who have showed her kindness previously. It is infuriating to see how people change so easily and disregard Amel and what she has to say. She is nothing if not persistent, honourable and honest. She is also by far the bravest and strongest person in the whole story. She already achieved the impossible in the realm of dragon riders, however, that gets forgotten quite often.
There is so much intrigue and conspiracy in this book. It is not unexpected as we already get a hint of what might happen in the previous book, but the reactions of people who should know better are nothing short of a surprise. Some of the actors are stubbornly clinging to their preconceptions of certain individuals, it is infuriating.
We meet a very important character Rakturan, the Dark Prince of Baojang. There are hints that he will become very important to the story, as the future ruler of the kingdom on the brink of war with the Dominion. There are some new side characters introduced and some familiar characters from the previous books are featured prominently here. There is even a hint of romance.
It is blatantly clear that even the most experienced dragon riders and teachers do not fully understand the behaviour and personalities of the purple dragons, which are a special kind in their own right. That said, the special relationship between Amel and Raolcan is unique. It is based on mutual respect, understanding and incredible friendship.
I could not wait to see how they overcome future obstacles. Fortunately I was able to read the next book immediately. Needless to say, I devoured both books in one breath.
Dragon School: The Ruby Isles (Dragon School #4)
As expected, Prince Rakturan is featured prominently in this book, as it a fellow purple dragon rider Leng, who we only met briefly in the previous books. The book continues shortly after the previous one ends. I have just realised that these books would make a great episodes of TV series. I can already imagine beautiful landscapes, mountains and sea, glorious dragons and an epic adventure.
Amel sets out to achieve what no one else was capable to achieve. Again she needs to employ all her wits to avoid all the threats and intrigue. She is joined by an unlikely ally on her journey to distant parts of the Dominion Kingdom.
The ending of this book is equally expected as it is unexpected and I can’t wait to see how this situation is going to be resolved. It is incredibly difficult to write reviews for this series without spoilers, as so much happens in less than hundred pages. It is an epic adventure packed with action, intrigue and conspiracies. And although some issues get resolved in each book, an abundance of question remain unanswered, additional issues and questions arise and the series keeps you on your toes.
Dragon School: Sworn (Dragon School #5)
This was the most exciting installment so far. And when I was finished, I wanted to scream in frustration for not having the next book to continue. I have no idea how the author does it, making it better and better and more exciting and more action-pact and more intriguing… I love all of her series, but this one is special favourite of mine. Not just of her books but in general, in my top five of all times.
The story picks up exactly where it left off in the previous book, Amel’s situation and future are quite uncertain, as she is being threatened from all sides. Interestingly enough, some of the treats become partnerships as the interests align. Savette and Leonora are back, and three of them embark on new adventures together.
A very interesting and unexpected turn of events bring Prince Rakturan in the forefront of action as the uneasy alliance with Amel forms. Amel is brought into the spotlight, as is her new mentor Hubric. Hubric is an amazing character and I can’t wait to see more of him. And there is Dominar! In person. Most intriguing character of all, especially when he shows interest in Amel.
The best part of this book is not Amel’s progress, as she was absolutely in perfect sync with her dragon from the first moment, but the evolution of others’ perception of Amel. It is amazing to watch how everyone else went from pity, hatred, dismissal, underestimation to slowly recognising Amel’s strength, value, bravery, skill, compassion, kindness, and finally giving her proper respect and acceptance that she deserves. I believe her new crutch symbolises that respect and acceptance, as does Dominar’s reaction.
And of course, there is Amel’s beloved Raolcan, the most amazing dragon of all, and theirs is the most amazing connection ever shared between a dragon and his rider. I often wonder how the other dragons and riders connect. Is their connection as profound as the one between Amel and Raolcan or are these two special?
July 18, 2024
A fun fast-paced diverse YA dragon adventure full of intrigue, loved it,!
Amel is 5th of 7 kids, born to servant parents, looking to become a Dragon Rider. She gets into Dragon School where everyone but a friendly guy called Leng wants her to fail on account of her crippled leg. Amel is chosen by a reckusive purple dragon Raolcan. Trials to Initiate, Sworn and Colour accelerate with a threat of war looming and soon Amel’s inadvertently enmeshed in adventures and conspiracy, rescuing highborns, meeting with foreign princes, agreeing to spy and accidentally getting the most infamous Dragon Rider as her master.
Thus was a fun dragon YA action-adventure. It’s a series of novellas with more to come. Loved Amel’s determination and sass as well how she accidentally ended up in the middle of things or collected loyal friends. I also loved Raolcan’s personality and their bonding through mindspeak. Did not love so many young initiates dying at the beginning, but it’s a tough job and school, I guess. Leng was cute, can’t wait for that storyline to develop in the next books. Fast pace, epic adventures, some romance, clean YA - what’s not to like?
Recommended for lovers of clean YA dragon action-adventures in academy setting with epic journeys and good vs evil warmongery.
Amel is 5th of 7 kids, born to servant parents, looking to become a Dragon Rider. She gets into Dragon School where everyone but a friendly guy called Leng wants her to fail on account of her crippled leg. Amel is chosen by a reckusive purple dragon Raolcan. Trials to Initiate, Sworn and Colour accelerate with a threat of war looming and soon Amel’s inadvertently enmeshed in adventures and conspiracy, rescuing highborns, meeting with foreign princes, agreeing to spy and accidentally getting the most infamous Dragon Rider as her master.
Thus was a fun dragon YA action-adventure. It’s a series of novellas with more to come. Loved Amel’s determination and sass as well how she accidentally ended up in the middle of things or collected loyal friends. I also loved Raolcan’s personality and their bonding through mindspeak. Did not love so many young initiates dying at the beginning, but it’s a tough job and school, I guess. Leng was cute, can’t wait for that storyline to develop in the next books. Fast pace, epic adventures, some romance, clean YA - what’s not to like?
Recommended for lovers of clean YA dragon action-adventures in academy setting with epic journeys and good vs evil warmongery.
February 20, 2025
But random. Read it over the summer on my kindle. Again random but kinda good. Will probably read the the next ones (6-10)
January 7, 2022
ok, I've seen better from this author.
There's allot of action, the plot is fast-paced, and the dragons are amazing. But I have several issues with the main character. Simply put, she's rather dull.
Sure, I like that she's disabled, and the relationship between her and her dragon is lovely, but she's far too indecisive for my taste.
And then there's the matter of her love interest. First, they seem to fall in love too fast. there's no "defining moment" in their relationship and they simply haven't known each other long enough to "slowly fall in love".
Also, his character is just flat. and why is she always having to save him? Why does he try to protect her so much when she chose this life of her own free will?
I will continue to read this to see how far it goes but I have no interest what so ever in the romance factor of things. Lenng Shardson is nothing special at all
I do think the storyline and worldbuilding is to be commended. There's no doubt the author has talent, but she just didn't give enough to some characters.
There's allot of action, the plot is fast-paced, and the dragons are amazing. But I have several issues with the main character. Simply put, she's rather dull.
Sure, I like that she's disabled, and the relationship between her and her dragon is lovely, but she's far too indecisive for my taste.
And then there's the matter of her love interest. First, they seem to fall in love too fast. there's no "defining moment" in their relationship and they simply haven't known each other long enough to "slowly fall in love".
Also, his character is just flat. and why is she always having to save him? Why does he try to protect her so much when she chose this life of her own free will?
I will continue to read this to see how far it goes but I have no interest what so ever in the romance factor of things. Lenng Shardson is nothing special at all
I do think the storyline and worldbuilding is to be commended. There's no doubt the author has talent, but she just didn't give enough to some characters.
June 25, 2019
This was a first time read for this author for me and I originally got the box set because it was free and I figured if I liked it great if not I would not get any other books in the series. Not only did I love these books right from the start I blew through the box set in a day and a half. I quickly felt connected to Amel and fell in love with Raolcan! After the first book I forgot about Amel's disability unless there was something in the storyline that brought it back to the front again. I loved how she never gave up and her courage in facing the unknown kept me glued to the story time and time again. I not only finished this first boxset but had to grab as many of the other books out there to complete the storyline as fast as I could for me. I can't recommend this author highly enough and will be looking into some of her other stories in the near future.
March 21, 2020
Love me some more dragons!
My guilty pleasure dream is to be a dragon rider and be bonded with a dragon. These first five stories have fulfilled my guilty pleasure and given me plenty of adventures and romance in the mix. Amel is a character I can actually relate to and her dragon is one I would love to have in my head. I'm looking forward to the next 5 stories to see how everything plays out. Thank you, Sarah, for a wonderfully written series, that I'm sure will be one I read over and over again!
My guilty pleasure dream is to be a dragon rider and be bonded with a dragon. These first five stories have fulfilled my guilty pleasure and given me plenty of adventures and romance in the mix. Amel is a character I can actually relate to and her dragon is one I would love to have in my head. I'm looking forward to the next 5 stories to see how everything plays out. Thank you, Sarah, for a wonderfully written series, that I'm sure will be one I read over and over again!
February 18, 2019
I totally loved this series. This was the first of Sarah’s books that I read and I was captivated from the first page. I love the fact that the series has now been put out in an Omnibus. It makes the reading of the series so much easier than waiting for each new book. This is a fabulous series with a great heroine. Grab your copy, your favourite beverage, curl up in your favourite reading spot and lose yourself in a fabulous series. Highly recommended.
March 1, 2019
Episode One
A daring read!
Join Dragon School...
Learn to fly...
Can Amel survive First Flight?
Or will she fall to her death?
Or choose to be a servant instead of death and dragons?
I feel sorry for the heroine, not because of her disability, but because of the hateful words people say about her because of her disability. I cannot wait for her to prove these people wrong. I love reading main characters that have disabilities because it shows how people in the real world suffer not only from their disability but from people who insult them. This book brought that into light and I loved how the heroine proved them wrong.
This book was an amazing start for this series. Loved meeting the main character and her dragon, loved getting to know the school and reading about the flights - loved the explanations/descriptions of it. Made it surreal.
I am officially hooked on this book, especially after that ending. Looking forward to the next book.
Full of dragons, dragon riders, decisions, uncertainty, magic, choices or lack thereof, courage, trust and bravery.
Perfect for readers of fantasy reads.
Episode Two
A defying read!
Magic comes to Dragon School...
Can it be trusted?
Everything is happening so fast that I can't keep up (but that is good!). Whoa... was it a good, short and quick read that keeps you on your toes. Love reading the character's adventures and navigation of this whole new world.
I enjoyed returning to Dragon School and reading from the MC's perspective. A pleasing, stunning and awesome read! Do not miss this series!
Full of dragons, dragon riders, magic, secrecy, conspiracies, loyalty, honour and bravery.
Perfect for readers of fantasy reads.
Episode Three
A fiery read!
Who says all handsome princes are charming?
Betrayal and treachery...
Things are definitely heating up in this fast-paced read. The betrayal, the conspiracies and the action. All of these makes an excellent fantasy read that will leave you hooked.
Another fantastic hit - this book knocked it right out of the park! So excited for the next book after the events in this novel.
Full of dragons, dragon riders, magic, secrecy, conspiracies, treachery and betrayal.
Perfect for readers of fantasy reads.
Episode Four
An adventurous read!
If you want a damsel in distress saved right...
sometimes you have to save her yourself...
An epic, adventurous read! A damsel in distress, her friends saving her and dragons - what more could you ask for?
So beautifully written! Loved the descriptions, the world and the characters. Great world building.
Another exciting read in this series. The adventures that keep on coming and the dangerous waters the heroine is threading. So good!
Full of dragons, dragon riders, bravery, friendship, decisions, threats and enemies.
Perfect for readers of fantasy reads.
Episode Five
A fiery read!
Things are heating up for Amel and Raolcan, and not just because the flames are flying in every direction...
Who can they trust?
Another eye-catching, brilliant read that keeps you on your toes, excited for more, eager for what next adventure awaits.
The tension. The conspiracies. The secrets. All of these (and more) makes this read an intriguing, exciting, heart-pounding and entertaining read! A read that will leave you eager for more - to put it into perspective for you: Now, imagine your favourite that has a cliffhanger ending and you need the next book but it will only come out in a year - this is how eager you will be!
Full of dragons, dragon riders, magic, secrets, action, adventure, conspiracies and trust.
Perfect for readers of fantasy reads.
At first, I was not to sure of the narrator but, in the end, she won me over. So excited to listen to more of these books because of the narrator!
A daring read!
Join Dragon School...
Learn to fly...
Can Amel survive First Flight?
Or will she fall to her death?
Or choose to be a servant instead of death and dragons?
I feel sorry for the heroine, not because of her disability, but because of the hateful words people say about her because of her disability. I cannot wait for her to prove these people wrong. I love reading main characters that have disabilities because it shows how people in the real world suffer not only from their disability but from people who insult them. This book brought that into light and I loved how the heroine proved them wrong.
This book was an amazing start for this series. Loved meeting the main character and her dragon, loved getting to know the school and reading about the flights - loved the explanations/descriptions of it. Made it surreal.
I am officially hooked on this book, especially after that ending. Looking forward to the next book.
Full of dragons, dragon riders, decisions, uncertainty, magic, choices or lack thereof, courage, trust and bravery.
Perfect for readers of fantasy reads.
Episode Two
A defying read!
Magic comes to Dragon School...
Can it be trusted?
Everything is happening so fast that I can't keep up (but that is good!). Whoa... was it a good, short and quick read that keeps you on your toes. Love reading the character's adventures and navigation of this whole new world.
I enjoyed returning to Dragon School and reading from the MC's perspective. A pleasing, stunning and awesome read! Do not miss this series!
Full of dragons, dragon riders, magic, secrecy, conspiracies, loyalty, honour and bravery.
Perfect for readers of fantasy reads.
Episode Three
A fiery read!
Who says all handsome princes are charming?
Betrayal and treachery...
Things are definitely heating up in this fast-paced read. The betrayal, the conspiracies and the action. All of these makes an excellent fantasy read that will leave you hooked.
Another fantastic hit - this book knocked it right out of the park! So excited for the next book after the events in this novel.
Full of dragons, dragon riders, magic, secrecy, conspiracies, treachery and betrayal.
Perfect for readers of fantasy reads.
Episode Four
An adventurous read!
If you want a damsel in distress saved right...
sometimes you have to save her yourself...
An epic, adventurous read! A damsel in distress, her friends saving her and dragons - what more could you ask for?
So beautifully written! Loved the descriptions, the world and the characters. Great world building.
Another exciting read in this series. The adventures that keep on coming and the dangerous waters the heroine is threading. So good!
Full of dragons, dragon riders, bravery, friendship, decisions, threats and enemies.
Perfect for readers of fantasy reads.
Episode Five
A fiery read!
Things are heating up for Amel and Raolcan, and not just because the flames are flying in every direction...
Who can they trust?
Another eye-catching, brilliant read that keeps you on your toes, excited for more, eager for what next adventure awaits.
The tension. The conspiracies. The secrets. All of these (and more) makes this read an intriguing, exciting, heart-pounding and entertaining read! A read that will leave you eager for more - to put it into perspective for you: Now, imagine your favourite that has a cliffhanger ending and you need the next book but it will only come out in a year - this is how eager you will be!
Full of dragons, dragon riders, magic, secrets, action, adventure, conspiracies and trust.
Perfect for readers of fantasy reads.
At first, I was not to sure of the narrator but, in the end, she won me over. So excited to listen to more of these books because of the narrator!
February 12, 2021
An omnibus made up of the first five serial installments of the Dragon School series and one I've had a few ups and downs with. There are many things that are good about these bite sized pieces of fiction. I really liked the portrayal of the lead character for instance. Having a disabled yet capable lead is refreshing and I largely found her engaging. A lot happens in these first five installments, so if you like action packed fantasy then they might be right up your street.
What I found more difficult was how thin on the ground a lot of the world building and character development was throughout; the world building in particular didn't really begin to bulk out until the final installment, and I found many of the side characters to be inconsequential and poorly defined. A lot of this is likely due to the short serial format as each installment has to have enough action to keep it moving and yet that doesn't leave a lot of space for anything else in the 80-100 pages.
Final ratings of all installments:
The First Flight; 3/5 stars. There is a huge amount of potential here, but it’s rushed and so whilst it’s easy reading, I found it lacking. However the writing style is engaging and the world building is interesting if a little bare bones.
Initiate: 3/5 stars. I found the same issues present here though that I had with the initial installment; the world building is imaginative, but sketchy, with the short format just not giving enough space to flesh it out fully. However, once more the writing flows well and I'm interested in where the over-arching narrative is going to go.
The Dark Prince; 2/5 stars. This felt more like a filler installment, and I can't help but feel that it could have been used to pad out the Initiate and The Ruby Isles instead of being a piece in and of itself. I also struggled with the characters here as previously interesting characters behaved in utterly obnoxious ways and I hate the 'It's for your own good!' trope with a passion.
The Ruby Isles; 3/5 stars. I enjoyed this far more than The Dark Prince and appreciated the glimpses of the wider world outside of Dragon School. This is action packed, yet offers some interesting world and character development.
Sworn; 4/5 stars. This was the strongest installment of the lot, and offered a lot more in terms of world building as well as some interesting new characters. It balances the final climatic action with the slower world development well.
I suspect part of my issue here is down to my difficulty in engaging in the serial format, particularly as I felt the world building and side characters were often neglected in favour of immediate action. But it's an engaging series that I would likely recommend for the younger teenage audience.
As with all of the individual installments however, my final critique stands. These are only worth it if you have a Kindle Unlimited subscription in honesty. If you don't subscribe to KU, then these are an expensive way to get short bites of fiction.
What I found more difficult was how thin on the ground a lot of the world building and character development was throughout; the world building in particular didn't really begin to bulk out until the final installment, and I found many of the side characters to be inconsequential and poorly defined. A lot of this is likely due to the short serial format as each installment has to have enough action to keep it moving and yet that doesn't leave a lot of space for anything else in the 80-100 pages.
Final ratings of all installments:
The First Flight; 3/5 stars. There is a huge amount of potential here, but it’s rushed and so whilst it’s easy reading, I found it lacking. However the writing style is engaging and the world building is interesting if a little bare bones.
Initiate: 3/5 stars. I found the same issues present here though that I had with the initial installment; the world building is imaginative, but sketchy, with the short format just not giving enough space to flesh it out fully. However, once more the writing flows well and I'm interested in where the over-arching narrative is going to go.
The Dark Prince; 2/5 stars. This felt more like a filler installment, and I can't help but feel that it could have been used to pad out the Initiate and The Ruby Isles instead of being a piece in and of itself. I also struggled with the characters here as previously interesting characters behaved in utterly obnoxious ways and I hate the 'It's for your own good!' trope with a passion.
The Ruby Isles; 3/5 stars. I enjoyed this far more than The Dark Prince and appreciated the glimpses of the wider world outside of Dragon School. This is action packed, yet offers some interesting world and character development.
Sworn; 4/5 stars. This was the strongest installment of the lot, and offered a lot more in terms of world building as well as some interesting new characters. It balances the final climatic action with the slower world development well.
I suspect part of my issue here is down to my difficulty in engaging in the serial format, particularly as I felt the world building and side characters were often neglected in favour of immediate action. But it's an engaging series that I would likely recommend for the younger teenage audience.
As with all of the individual installments however, my final critique stands. These are only worth it if you have a Kindle Unlimited subscription in honesty. If you don't subscribe to KU, then these are an expensive way to get short bites of fiction.
February 14, 2019
Dragon School: First Flight is a coming-of-age fantasy novella by Sarah K. L. Wilson. The main character is a handicapped sixteen-year-old girl named Amel. She has always loved dragons and dreamed of learning to fly. Her need for a crutch has put her at a severe disadvantage on the rocky mountain cliff where the dragon school is located. The other students don't even bother making friends with her, because they have already figured that she will probably die during the perilous training. The author brings this story to life with vivid descriptions, strong characters, and dangerous adventure.
Dragon School: Initiate is the second book in the Dragon School series and is an exciting read! Amel's story is one of grit and determination as she tries to be all that she can with a disability that causes her to suffer prejudice and slows her down. Her friendships are tested and she's not sure who she can trust.
Dragon School: The Dark Prince is the third book in this fun and fast paced young adult series. Amel is learning to be a dragon rider, but she is at a severe disadvantage being crippled in one leg. However, Amel never gives up. She's also perceptive, loyal, and caring. In the third book, she faces greater perils. There's plenty of intrigue and good people die. Leng is severely injured and Amel must watch over him. Can she keep him alive when others want him dead?
Dragon School: The Ruby Isles is the fourth book in this fun and fast paced young adult series. Amel is being threatened from different sides, but she doesn't let threats or the consequences of leaving Dragon School without permission stop her from doing what she believes is right. With Raolcan's full support, the two of them set out on a quest to save Savette. Their destination is the Ruby Isles. Amel discovers that she has friends who want to help. Will their bravery be enough? Be warned, it has a cliffhanger ending!
Sworn is Book 5 in Dragon School, a new and exciting series by Sarah K. L. Wilson. Each book is action packed with plenty of life-threatening adventure. This time Amel is learning that she needs friends who will stand by her. She's been having to fend for herself as people at Dragon School didn't believe in her, but things are changing. It has a cliffhanger ending. This series is lots fun and will delight all ages.
I received ARCs (Advance Reader Copies) and these are my honest and voluntary reviews.
Dragon School: Initiate is the second book in the Dragon School series and is an exciting read! Amel's story is one of grit and determination as she tries to be all that she can with a disability that causes her to suffer prejudice and slows her down. Her friendships are tested and she's not sure who she can trust.
Dragon School: The Dark Prince is the third book in this fun and fast paced young adult series. Amel is learning to be a dragon rider, but she is at a severe disadvantage being crippled in one leg. However, Amel never gives up. She's also perceptive, loyal, and caring. In the third book, she faces greater perils. There's plenty of intrigue and good people die. Leng is severely injured and Amel must watch over him. Can she keep him alive when others want him dead?
Dragon School: The Ruby Isles is the fourth book in this fun and fast paced young adult series. Amel is being threatened from different sides, but she doesn't let threats or the consequences of leaving Dragon School without permission stop her from doing what she believes is right. With Raolcan's full support, the two of them set out on a quest to save Savette. Their destination is the Ruby Isles. Amel discovers that she has friends who want to help. Will their bravery be enough? Be warned, it has a cliffhanger ending!
Sworn is Book 5 in Dragon School, a new and exciting series by Sarah K. L. Wilson. Each book is action packed with plenty of life-threatening adventure. This time Amel is learning that she needs friends who will stand by her. She's been having to fend for herself as people at Dragon School didn't believe in her, but things are changing. It has a cliffhanger ending. This series is lots fun and will delight all ages.
I received ARCs (Advance Reader Copies) and these are my honest and voluntary reviews.
June 12, 2019
What an amazing series! Don’t miss out!
1. I really enjoyed this dragon ride! Amel wants to be a Dragon Rider, even though she’s a cripple. Sadly, people discriminate against her because her one leg isn’t working properly. So, she just has to work extra extra hard to prove herself. Dragon School is not equipped for cripples, what with all the ladders and rocky cliffs. You can’t help but admire her courage and love her for who she is. As a reader you just feel for her - not pity, but empathy. Amel reminds me a bit of Lilith from The Council by Kayla Krantz: crippled thus handicapped, but very determined and strong-willed - a fighter. I really, really liked it. I started on book #2 immediately after finishing book #1!
2. Addictive! I had only just finished book #1 and actually had other responsibilities, but I had to keep on reading! It was amazing! Something is going on and Amel doesn’t know what. The initiates cannot follow the normal study program, but are thrown into the deep end. It ends a bit mid-story; it’s just a beginning of more to come and I can’t wait!
3. Exciting enthralling enticing. A new episode of Dragon School! This is the third installment and you need to read books 1 and 2 first. But, believe me, that is no punishment! This book was immediately suspenseful. People always, ALWAYS, underestimate Amel. But she is courageous. It was a thrilling read!
4. Exhilarating entertaining enchanting. Amel is at the heart of it all, yet she hasn’t got any power; the Grandis doesn’t believe her and she’s told to keep her mouth shut. She’s being put in an impossible position. She has to find a way to save Savette. Luckily, her dragon Raolcan is always there for her. You gotta love him; he’s one special dragon! And she has courage. Then there is an unexpected ally. People keep underestimating Amel, frustrating, but also a strength that she can use. Yet another amazing installment! I loved it! Already looking forward to the next :)
5. Another great installment! I read the previous installment a few weeks ago, so you’d think I’d need some time to get back into it. But right from page 1 the book took me there again BAM in the middle of the action. Another installment I enjoyed immensely. Loveloveloved it!
1. I really enjoyed this dragon ride! Amel wants to be a Dragon Rider, even though she’s a cripple. Sadly, people discriminate against her because her one leg isn’t working properly. So, she just has to work extra extra hard to prove herself. Dragon School is not equipped for cripples, what with all the ladders and rocky cliffs. You can’t help but admire her courage and love her for who she is. As a reader you just feel for her - not pity, but empathy. Amel reminds me a bit of Lilith from The Council by Kayla Krantz: crippled thus handicapped, but very determined and strong-willed - a fighter. I really, really liked it. I started on book #2 immediately after finishing book #1!
2. Addictive! I had only just finished book #1 and actually had other responsibilities, but I had to keep on reading! It was amazing! Something is going on and Amel doesn’t know what. The initiates cannot follow the normal study program, but are thrown into the deep end. It ends a bit mid-story; it’s just a beginning of more to come and I can’t wait!
3. Exciting enthralling enticing. A new episode of Dragon School! This is the third installment and you need to read books 1 and 2 first. But, believe me, that is no punishment! This book was immediately suspenseful. People always, ALWAYS, underestimate Amel. But she is courageous. It was a thrilling read!
4. Exhilarating entertaining enchanting. Amel is at the heart of it all, yet she hasn’t got any power; the Grandis doesn’t believe her and she’s told to keep her mouth shut. She’s being put in an impossible position. She has to find a way to save Savette. Luckily, her dragon Raolcan is always there for her. You gotta love him; he’s one special dragon! And she has courage. Then there is an unexpected ally. People keep underestimating Amel, frustrating, but also a strength that she can use. Yet another amazing installment! I loved it! Already looking forward to the next :)
5. Another great installment! I read the previous installment a few weeks ago, so you’d think I’d need some time to get back into it. But right from page 1 the book took me there again BAM in the middle of the action. Another installment I enjoyed immensely. Loveloveloved it!
April 20, 2020
The Dark Prince 5 stars
This episode was a great continuation of the series. I found myself getting pulled deeper into the plots of the characters. Amel finds herself in a perilous position as she tries to survive dragon school because she knows too much information but she must find out even more about what the magikas are planning before they put their evil plot into action. Even though she has already shown she is capable of much more than anybody ever thought her teachers, fellow students and superiors still doubt her abilities. Despite all of this she manages to rise above the adversity and puts her life on the line to save her friends. My only complaints about this book is it is too short and every episode has seemed to end on a cliffhanger.
The Ruby Isles 5 stars
One of my favorites so far in the dragon school series. In this installment Amel and Raolcan are put to the test when it is announced that years of study are now being condensed into weeks. She must learn everything or fail and become a servant. Things get worse when she is stalked by Prince Rakturan who is determined to have her spy and report back to him. The dark forces at work and actions of others land Amel in a place she has never been but this time she has comrades who will help her on her most important mission yet. This author's complex story and writing always brings me back. Amel is such a strong resilient and loyal character who will do anything for her friends.
Sworn 5 stars
A thrilling continuation of the dragon school series. Many of the questions readers have been asking will be answered in this episode. Amel has found herself in the middle of something bigger than even she could have imagined after she managed to free Savette and Leng from the magikas. Amel must choose a side and in doing this becomes an apprentice to a great rider. It will take all her skill to become the dragon rider everybody expects her to be. With a war threatening she must also pick her allies carefully. Just when I think the story will provide more answers than questions another major plot twist comes into play. This author has me constantly guessing what will happen next. I am so hooked on this series and can't wait to read the next episode.
This episode was a great continuation of the series. I found myself getting pulled deeper into the plots of the characters. Amel finds herself in a perilous position as she tries to survive dragon school because she knows too much information but she must find out even more about what the magikas are planning before they put their evil plot into action. Even though she has already shown she is capable of much more than anybody ever thought her teachers, fellow students and superiors still doubt her abilities. Despite all of this she manages to rise above the adversity and puts her life on the line to save her friends. My only complaints about this book is it is too short and every episode has seemed to end on a cliffhanger.
The Ruby Isles 5 stars
One of my favorites so far in the dragon school series. In this installment Amel and Raolcan are put to the test when it is announced that years of study are now being condensed into weeks. She must learn everything or fail and become a servant. Things get worse when she is stalked by Prince Rakturan who is determined to have her spy and report back to him. The dark forces at work and actions of others land Amel in a place she has never been but this time she has comrades who will help her on her most important mission yet. This author's complex story and writing always brings me back. Amel is such a strong resilient and loyal character who will do anything for her friends.
Sworn 5 stars
A thrilling continuation of the dragon school series. Many of the questions readers have been asking will be answered in this episode. Amel has found herself in the middle of something bigger than even she could have imagined after she managed to free Savette and Leng from the magikas. Amel must choose a side and in doing this becomes an apprentice to a great rider. It will take all her skill to become the dragon rider everybody expects her to be. With a war threatening she must also pick her allies carefully. Just when I think the story will provide more answers than questions another major plot twist comes into play. This author has me constantly guessing what will happen next. I am so hooked on this series and can't wait to read the next episode.
June 5, 2020
I've been listening to this set of books in my car along with my kids. We love them. They need to be listened to in order because the stories build on each other and if you try to start in the middle of the series, you will wi be lost. Amel is a cripple and is determined to become a dragon rider. Her determination and strength is amazing. I love Reolkin (sorry if I misspell names, I'm listening to the audiobooks). Her dragon is absolutely amazing. Their minds connect unlike any of the others in her class and it is magical.
Unfortunately for her, Dragon School has to go through a significant change in a short amount of time and she is tossed into the deep end before she's ready. There is so much that happens in these first five books that I couldn't say too much without giving things away. I will say the author has surprised me with Amel's ailment and not magically fixing it immediately, which is what I expected. Rather it is an integral part of the story and how she has to overcome it is amazing. If at some point, the ailment is fixed, great but I think the author has done a great job with not taking the easy way out from the start.
I do love the romantic spark the author has put in here. There is always a mystery or a question of loyalty and I love that Amel is determined to do right and not let others sway her concept of right and wrong. She wants to understand things and not just be lead around like a child. She grew and changed a lot in these first stories and we've already started the second set so I cannot wait to see where the author takes all of the characters I've grown to love!
It's a 5/5 for me. My children (ages 5, 10, and 11) ask for the book to be turned on immediately when we get into the car and I love sharing these stories with them.
Thank you to the author for the review copy of this book. I received this book in exchange for an honest review and the opinions stated above are 100% mine.
Unfortunately for her, Dragon School has to go through a significant change in a short amount of time and she is tossed into the deep end before she's ready. There is so much that happens in these first five books that I couldn't say too much without giving things away. I will say the author has surprised me with Amel's ailment and not magically fixing it immediately, which is what I expected. Rather it is an integral part of the story and how she has to overcome it is amazing. If at some point, the ailment is fixed, great but I think the author has done a great job with not taking the easy way out from the start.
I do love the romantic spark the author has put in here. There is always a mystery or a question of loyalty and I love that Amel is determined to do right and not let others sway her concept of right and wrong. She wants to understand things and not just be lead around like a child. She grew and changed a lot in these first stories and we've already started the second set so I cannot wait to see where the author takes all of the characters I've grown to love!
It's a 5/5 for me. My children (ages 5, 10, and 11) ask for the book to be turned on immediately when we get into the car and I love sharing these stories with them.
Thank you to the author for the review copy of this book. I received this book in exchange for an honest review and the opinions stated above are 100% mine.
May 11, 2022
I was surprised at this one. I've had this on my TBR list for quite a while because I like this author. But I put off reading it because I don't like 'academy' books. They all seem to follow the same format: girl learns she has magic, gets sent to an academy, falls for the 'out of her league' royal, or bad boy, gets crossways with the cool girls, and is suddenly the best magic user, strongest, fastest, best fighter/leader at the school . . . you get the drift.
I took a look at this before returning it to KU so I could get a different book. It is so not what I expected. Amel Leafbrought is crippled and must use a cane to get around. She is from peasant stock and one way she can not be a burden on her family is to try to make it as a dragon rider. If she fails at that, she will automatically be made a servant at the dragon rider school. Either way, she will not be a burden on her parents. The story kept my interest from the first page, it moves fast, but has enough description and detail to make it easy to follow and interesting. Amel seems believable, I like Raolcan (her dragon), and the world building is very good. Amel's infirmity is constantly thrown in our face, that got a bit much for me. But on the other hand, I guess it would be something that a person constantly would have to deal with.
If you like imaginative and unusual YA fantasy and dragons, with lots of action, take a look at this one.
I took a look at this before returning it to KU so I could get a different book. It is so not what I expected. Amel Leafbrought is crippled and must use a cane to get around. She is from peasant stock and one way she can not be a burden on her family is to try to make it as a dragon rider. If she fails at that, she will automatically be made a servant at the dragon rider school. Either way, she will not be a burden on her parents. The story kept my interest from the first page, it moves fast, but has enough description and detail to make it easy to follow and interesting. Amel seems believable, I like Raolcan (her dragon), and the world building is very good. Amel's infirmity is constantly thrown in our face, that got a bit much for me. But on the other hand, I guess it would be something that a person constantly would have to deal with.
If you like imaginative and unusual YA fantasy and dragons, with lots of action, take a look at this one.
June 1, 2024
Dragged a bit
The whole dragon schooling process was pretty boring and I almost abandoned the book, but it started to pick up in maybe the last quarter. Ended in plenty of action with promise of more to come. The continuing self-doubt (and other issues) of some of the characters gets to be thoroughly repetitive. Other characters are two-dimensional at best. Fairly good adventure story, with flaws, so I suspect I will give up after the next 5 'episodes.'
There's no real division between 'episodes', and the story continues for god-knows-how-many-more (20, total, actually), but this is a good enough stopping place if you want to accept that everything will work out OK in the end, without knowing the details. $40 for the full series if you buy them in packs, $60 if you buy them by individual episodes, which I think is a bit much for an electronic book. An 'episode' is equivalent to several chapters in a print book, and each one goes nowhere by itself. I'm getting pretty tired of trilogy cliffhangers. It's one thing like the story line of Avatar to have some of the villains survive...but the tale itself is complete. But this constant practice of cutting a story off in the middle and pretending it's a complete book is getting to be tiring. Sure, even Tolkien did it, but Tolkien was the Grand Master, creating a world rich in history, language, and depth of back-story...and Sarah Wilson is no Tolkien.
The whole dragon schooling process was pretty boring and I almost abandoned the book, but it started to pick up in maybe the last quarter. Ended in plenty of action with promise of more to come. The continuing self-doubt (and other issues) of some of the characters gets to be thoroughly repetitive. Other characters are two-dimensional at best. Fairly good adventure story, with flaws, so I suspect I will give up after the next 5 'episodes.'
There's no real division between 'episodes', and the story continues for god-knows-how-many-more (20, total, actually), but this is a good enough stopping place if you want to accept that everything will work out OK in the end, without knowing the details. $40 for the full series if you buy them in packs, $60 if you buy them by individual episodes, which I think is a bit much for an electronic book. An 'episode' is equivalent to several chapters in a print book, and each one goes nowhere by itself. I'm getting pretty tired of trilogy cliffhangers. It's one thing like the story line of Avatar to have some of the villains survive...but the tale itself is complete. But this constant practice of cutting a story off in the middle and pretending it's a complete book is getting to be tiring. Sure, even Tolkien did it, but Tolkien was the Grand Master, creating a world rich in history, language, and depth of back-story...and Sarah Wilson is no Tolkien.
August 15, 2024
K883SQEF9NA3CAmel is child 5 out of 7 kids, born to servant parents and she is looking to become a Dragon Rider. She gets into Dragon School and discovers that everyone is not friendly and they all want her to fail on account of her crippled leg. Then Amel is chosen by a reckusive purple dragon Raolcan and they bond completely. She has a better bond with her dragon than any of the others. They mind speak together and work well as a team. After passing the trials she begins flying and soon learns she loves it. Then it happens. The purple dragons are message carriers and when her one friend shows up injured she must take his message tube and guard it until she can deliver it to where it belongs. Then one girl tries to take the message and Amel finds herself invilved in a plot with a threat of war and conspiracy. Amel’s is then inadvertently entangled in adventures and conspiracy, rescuing highborns, meeting with foreign princes, agreeing to spy and accidentally getting the most infamous Dragon Rider as her master.
This was a fun dragon YA adventure. I loved Amel’s determination and sass as well how she accidentally ended up in the middle of things and collected loyal friends. I also loved Raolcan’s personality and their bonding through mindspeak. Did not love so many young initiates dying at the beginning, but it’s a tough job and school, I hope that Leng and Amels relationship can become more in future books.
This was a fun dragon YA adventure. I loved Amel’s determination and sass as well how she accidentally ended up in the middle of things and collected loyal friends. I also loved Raolcan’s personality and their bonding through mindspeak. Did not love so many young initiates dying at the beginning, but it’s a tough job and school, I hope that Leng and Amels relationship can become more in future books.
Want to read
March 13, 2025No one is too broken to soar.From USA Today bestselling author, Sarah K. L. Wilson, comes an epic tale of a disabled teen and her beloved dragon. Sixteen-year-old Amel is disabled and rejected by society. A burden to her family and ignored by her peers, Amel travels to Dragon School for one last chance. If she can find a place among the courageous Dragon Riders, she can hold her head high. If she fails … she’ll die. But what Amel didn’t expect was Raolcan. When this empathetic dragon chooses her it changes everything.Will it be enough when Amel takes her final test?Dragon School is the epic dragon rider series you don’t want to miss. Combining dramatic dragon battles, breath-taking adventures, magical creatures, and heart-pounding suspense, this tale will warm your heart and keep you flipping pages. This omnibus edition contains episodes 1-5 of the popular novella Dragon First Flight Can disabled Amel conquer the deadly challenge of riding a fierce dragon?Dragon Initiate Magic comes to Dragon School. Can it be trusted?Dragon The Dark Prince Who says all handsome princes are charming?Dragon The Ruby Isles Rules and threats aren't enough to stop Amel when her friends need her.Dragon Sworn Things are heating up for Amel and Raolcan and not just because flames are flying in every direction!Binge-read the series reviewers are calling "Best Dragon Series on the Market" when you one-click today!
March 13, 2019
A powerful story about a crippled teen, Amel, who does not let her disability hold her back. Leaving home at 18 to join Dragon School, she picks (or is picked by) a purple dragon name Raolcan. The other initiates in her group soon let her know they are not happy to have a cripple in their midst but Amel finds that her dragon is the best friend anyone could wish for.
With an unlikely allies found in Savette Leedris (a High Castelan) and Purple Dragon Rider Leng Shardson, Amel sets about proving to everyone including herself that she deserves her place in Dragon School.
Word soon arrives that the country is on the brink of war with all training of Dragon Riders to be expedited and those that don't pass reduced to servants. Savette is promised in marriage to a foreign Prince and then kidnapped. Somehow Amel manages to be in the midst of all goings-on and catches the attention of the Prince who threatens her if she doesn't spy for him and help him out.
Rescuing Leng (who was caught attempting to rescue Savette) and Savette from her kidnappers, Amel, Savette and Lenora (another dragon rider initiate) are forced into a secret society who helped them escape and prevent Amel from being expelled from Dragon School.
With an unlikely allies found in Savette Leedris (a High Castelan) and Purple Dragon Rider Leng Shardson, Amel sets about proving to everyone including herself that she deserves her place in Dragon School.
Word soon arrives that the country is on the brink of war with all training of Dragon Riders to be expedited and those that don't pass reduced to servants. Savette is promised in marriage to a foreign Prince and then kidnapped. Somehow Amel manages to be in the midst of all goings-on and catches the attention of the Prince who threatens her if she doesn't spy for him and help him out.
Rescuing Leng (who was caught attempting to rescue Savette) and Savette from her kidnappers, Amel, Savette and Lenora (another dragon rider initiate) are forced into a secret society who helped them escape and prevent Amel from being expelled from Dragon School.
June 6, 2025
Dragon riders doing dragon riding
I loved this series. It ends on a cliffhanger, and despite it being 5 books, it reads more like a single one. The originals must have been very thin. The story is good, young disabled commoner joins dragon school to try to become a rider. When the students choose their dragon, she instead is chosen by Raoclan, a purple dragon. School is not setup for disabled people, lots of ladders, lots of walking, but she makes things work until all are called to war. Suddenly things and training are incredibly sped up, things that would usually take months and even years to learn instead have to take days or less. Also, she gets wrapped up in events much bigger than herself when one of the few people she considers a friend gets kidnapped away during the engagement celebration. The series is good about acknowledging the challenges of being disabled, without truly dwelling on it, yet at the same time making it clear it is an omnipresent thing that makes life infinitely harder. In the end she becomes apprentice to an 80 year old iconic dragon rider and almost gets killed. Did I mention cliffhanger?
I loved this series. It ends on a cliffhanger, and despite it being 5 books, it reads more like a single one. The originals must have been very thin. The story is good, young disabled commoner joins dragon school to try to become a rider. When the students choose their dragon, she instead is chosen by Raoclan, a purple dragon. School is not setup for disabled people, lots of ladders, lots of walking, but she makes things work until all are called to war. Suddenly things and training are incredibly sped up, things that would usually take months and even years to learn instead have to take days or less. Also, she gets wrapped up in events much bigger than herself when one of the few people she considers a friend gets kidnapped away during the engagement celebration. The series is good about acknowledging the challenges of being disabled, without truly dwelling on it, yet at the same time making it clear it is an omnipresent thing that makes life infinitely harder. In the end she becomes apprentice to an 80 year old iconic dragon rider and almost gets killed. Did I mention cliffhanger?
June 16, 2021
Great series so far. 4 1/2 stars
I’m really enjoying Amel’s story. A peasant who is crippled, becomes a dragon rider to the fantastic purple dragon, Raolcon. I really enjoyed the interaction between Amel and Raolcon. It was also great to see Amel grow in confidence as as a person and a dragon rider. Her perseverance and integrity really shine through in this story. One thing I didn’t understand is why the author often chooses to have Amel think to herself and then have her dragon respond, rather than speak (mentally) directly to her dragon. I understand the reasoning behind this in the beginning, but later it seems rude to so often ignore the fact that her dragon reads her thoughts. I stopped worrying about it and tried to just accept it as a quirk, but it was one of those things that bug you sometimes. I’m looking forward to continuing the series and see what adventures Amel encounters next.
I’m really enjoying Amel’s story. A peasant who is crippled, becomes a dragon rider to the fantastic purple dragon, Raolcon. I really enjoyed the interaction between Amel and Raolcon. It was also great to see Amel grow in confidence as as a person and a dragon rider. Her perseverance and integrity really shine through in this story. One thing I didn’t understand is why the author often chooses to have Amel think to herself and then have her dragon respond, rather than speak (mentally) directly to her dragon. I understand the reasoning behind this in the beginning, but later it seems rude to so often ignore the fact that her dragon reads her thoughts. I stopped worrying about it and tried to just accept it as a quirk, but it was one of those things that bug you sometimes. I’m looking forward to continuing the series and see what adventures Amel encounters next.
December 5, 2021
So this is more of a Serial than a Series. Each episode is very short, and not worth calling them novels or novellas. That being said they are good, just not worth the price tags associated with them. I would recommend purchasing them while on sale or through Kindle Unlimited, and never get less than the omnibuses. There were times when the Author is very predictable, but the unpredictable moments were more than enough to balance it out. Each story ends on a cliffhanger until the end of the particular character, the next serial series picking up with a new hero and new adventures. At the time of my writing this I've read 3 different series (Dragon School, Dragon Chameleon, and Dragon Tides). I purchased the second omnibus for $1.99 which is a very reasonable price for these, the rest of the series I read on Kindle unlimited, because they are far too short for the $9.99 price tag on them.
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