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Skydragon #1
Skydragon: Skydragon 1
One brave girl. Thousands of unexpected allies. A high-flying adventure series from Anh Do.
Amber knew she'd been given an incredible power, but was it a freak accident, or was there something she was supposed to do with it?
Controlling her new ability might be the hardest thing Amber has ever done. Especially when she is running for her life.
Who is her mysterious enemy? What connection does he have to Amber's past? And, most importantly, does Amber have what it takes to truly become . . . Skydragon?
Amber knew she'd been given an incredible power, but was it a freak accident, or was there something she was supposed to do with it?
Controlling her new ability might be the hardest thing Amber has ever done. Especially when she is running for her life.
Who is her mysterious enemy? What connection does he have to Amber's past? And, most importantly, does Amber have what it takes to truly become . . . Skydragon?
Kindle Edition
Published September 29, 2020
21 people are currently reading
105 people want to read
About the author
Anh Do
182 books455 followersAnh Do is a comedian, artist and also one of the highest selling Australian authors of all time, with total book sales approaching 3 million.
Anh’s first book, The Happiest Refugee, is his enormously popular memoir recounting his perilous childhood journey in a tiny boat from war-torn Vietnam to Australia. The book became an instant hit and has won numerous awards including Australian Book of the Year.
Anh has since turned his attention to children’s book writing.
Weird Do is an illustrated series starring Weir (1st name), Do (2nd name), a kid with a very unfortunate name. Aimed at the 8+ market, these books have gone off the charts as national best-sellers, resulting in 14 books total and more on the way. The first Weir Do won the Australian Book Industry Award for Older Children (2014).
Other children's book series include Hotdog, the adventures of a sausage dog and also Ninja Kid, the escapades of a 10 year old Nerd who discovers he’s the world’s last ninja.
In 2019, Anh released Wolf Girl, a series about a little girl who gets lost in forest and befriends a group of dogs and an enormous Wolf who become her family. Then came Rise of the Mythix, which marks the first of a number of sagas described by Anh as ‘A superhero movie in a book’.
All of Anh Do’s books are mega bestsellers and all rate between 4-5 star averages on websites such as Goodreads and Amazon.
It’s clear that Anh is an exciting voice in literature, able to delight across age ranges and different genres with great success, and he isn’t planning to slow down any time soon.
Anh’s first book, The Happiest Refugee, is his enormously popular memoir recounting his perilous childhood journey in a tiny boat from war-torn Vietnam to Australia. The book became an instant hit and has won numerous awards including Australian Book of the Year.
Anh has since turned his attention to children’s book writing.
Weird Do is an illustrated series starring Weir (1st name), Do (2nd name), a kid with a very unfortunate name. Aimed at the 8+ market, these books have gone off the charts as national best-sellers, resulting in 14 books total and more on the way. The first Weir Do won the Australian Book Industry Award for Older Children (2014).
Other children's book series include Hotdog, the adventures of a sausage dog and also Ninja Kid, the escapades of a 10 year old Nerd who discovers he’s the world’s last ninja.
In 2019, Anh released Wolf Girl, a series about a little girl who gets lost in forest and befriends a group of dogs and an enormous Wolf who become her family. Then came Rise of the Mythix, which marks the first of a number of sagas described by Anh as ‘A superhero movie in a book’.
All of Anh Do’s books are mega bestsellers and all rate between 4-5 star averages on websites such as Goodreads and Amazon.
It’s clear that Anh is an exciting voice in literature, able to delight across age ranges and different genres with great success, and he isn’t planning to slow down any time soon.
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Displaying 1 - 28 of 28 reviews
July 25, 2021
All superheroes need an origin story. Usually this involves surviving significant trauma. Amber is no different. She was only nine years old when both of her parents died and her thirteen year old brother, Reggie, became comatose as a result of a meteorite falling on their home.
Years later, Amber remains scarred both emotionally and physically.
The purple goo from the meteorite that seeped into Amber’s skin has changed her in ways she’s only just beginning to understand. Now she’s attracted the attention of people who definitely don’t have her best interests at heart.
The first in a new series, Skydragon provides readers with information about Amber’s life before and after the meteorite. She deals with bullies, loneliness and grief as she starts to figure out her new powers.
James Hart’s illustrations bring the wonder, danger, grief and action to life. There were a couple of times when the pictures didn’t line up with the text, e.g., the fallen beam that traps Liz isn’t shown in the illustration and a couple of times the expressions pictured don’t match those described in the text, but overall I really enjoyed them. I particularly liked the detailed illustrations of insects and when Amber has become Skydragon.
[image error]
I can see some parallels between Skydragon and Firefighter in this book and Nelson and his father in the Ninja Kid series.
I’m looking forward to watching events unfold as Amber learns some critical information readers already know.
Blog - https://schizanthusnerd.com
Years later, Amber remains scarred both emotionally and physically.
Every day she caught someone eyeballing the twisted vortex of dark red lines that covered her right cheek.Although the meteorite took almost everything from Amber, it didn’t steal her love of insects.
‘They’re the closest thing we have to dragons,’ she said.Amber is bullied by the mean girls at school but finds a friend in Justin.
It was nice that Justin also liked bugs. Perhaps they could be weirdos together?[image error]
The purple goo from the meteorite that seeped into Amber’s skin has changed her in ways she’s only just beginning to understand. Now she’s attracted the attention of people who definitely don’t have her best interests at heart.
The first in a new series, Skydragon provides readers with information about Amber’s life before and after the meteorite. She deals with bullies, loneliness and grief as she starts to figure out her new powers.
James Hart’s illustrations bring the wonder, danger, grief and action to life. There were a couple of times when the pictures didn’t line up with the text, e.g., the fallen beam that traps Liz isn’t shown in the illustration and a couple of times the expressions pictured don’t match those described in the text, but overall I really enjoyed them. I particularly liked the detailed illustrations of insects and when Amber has become Skydragon.
[image error]
I can see some parallels between Skydragon and Firefighter in this book and Nelson and his father in the Ninja Kid series.
I’m looking forward to watching events unfold as Amber learns some critical information readers already know.
Blog - https://schizanthusnerd.com
January 19, 2021
Liked this one better than Wolf Girl.
October 7, 2024
Another new favourite of Mr 10 and I. Finally convinced him to read Anh Do and he is hooked. Always holding out for the next visit to the library. Probably a bit too easy for him but still such a great storyline.
January 7, 2021
Would of been 4 stars but something happen halfway through that I really didn’t like then couldn’t forget about it for the rest of the book. Even though I liked the later half
January 6, 2023
Really good fantasy. When I read it I wouldn't stop reading it😅.I even read it school recommended!😍❤loved it!!!😍❤❤🧡💛
February 4, 2021
A house fire caused by an unusual meteor, has unimaginable consequences for Amber. Her parents are killed, and her brother is left in a coma.
Weird things start happening with insects and Amber is left confused and alienated from school. A forest cabin is her only respite. What does Amber need to do to overcome these tragedies?
I enjoyed the detailed information about dragonflies and the pace of the story. The first of a series.
Published by Allen & Unwin 2020
Illustrated by Janes Hart
Weird things start happening with insects and Amber is left confused and alienated from school. A forest cabin is her only respite. What does Amber need to do to overcome these tragedies?
I enjoyed the detailed information about dragonflies and the pace of the story. The first of a series.
Published by Allen & Unwin 2020
Illustrated by Janes Hart
August 17, 2021
Amber was only 9 yrs old when she lost her parents. In a freak accident, a meteor crashed into their home one night, engulfing it in flames. She was left terribly scarred and her brother Reggie has lain in a coma for the past 6 years.
Now 15 and at high school, Amber lives with her neighbour who has cared for her even since that devastating night. Amber would much rather be alone in the nearby woods, than at school. Her particular interest in insects brings scorn from others, especially a bully called Staci who also teases her about her scars.
There is one person however, that seems to understand Amber, even sharing her interest in entomology. Justin is a classmate, kind and sticking up for Amber when he can. Maybe she can finally stop feeling so alone?
Little does she know that a school trip into the woods is about to change her life yet again. An accident plunges them both in the midst of a large swarm of angry hornets. Somehow they survive with hardly a sting. Did she have anything to do with their incredible escape?
Again, an incident with insects arises and this time it’s very public. Amber flees, not only Justin and school, but her home as well. Something Justin said has followed her though. The government has been showing interest in strange happenings around the country. Others have been showing strange behaviour too. His warning stays with her and she avoids any contact with others.
In the meantime, there is another with strange powers. He is older than Amber, with even more alarming powers. Although he is saving people from burning buildings the media report anger in the community towards him. Who is he? Where did he come from?
The 1st in a new illustrated series from the author of Wolf Girl, Ninja Kid, and Hot Dog, Skydragon is a tale of two teens struggling with strange new powers. They believe they are doing good but for who?
Skydragon drew me in quickly with the introduction of Amber and her love of insects. She is happy and preparing for a meal with her loving family when disaster strikes. Empathy for Amber is instant, and a jump forward 6 years to Amber as a troubled teen reinforces it.
School and bullying is something we all understand, and the introduction of a strange power to combat it made me cheer for Amber. A withdrawal from people helps her hone her new skills with wonderous results. Building steadily through action and intrigue, Skydragon‘s ending left me instantly wanting the next episode. Perfect for young teens looking for an easier read, or reluctant readers.
Now 15 and at high school, Amber lives with her neighbour who has cared for her even since that devastating night. Amber would much rather be alone in the nearby woods, than at school. Her particular interest in insects brings scorn from others, especially a bully called Staci who also teases her about her scars.
There is one person however, that seems to understand Amber, even sharing her interest in entomology. Justin is a classmate, kind and sticking up for Amber when he can. Maybe she can finally stop feeling so alone?
Little does she know that a school trip into the woods is about to change her life yet again. An accident plunges them both in the midst of a large swarm of angry hornets. Somehow they survive with hardly a sting. Did she have anything to do with their incredible escape?
Again, an incident with insects arises and this time it’s very public. Amber flees, not only Justin and school, but her home as well. Something Justin said has followed her though. The government has been showing interest in strange happenings around the country. Others have been showing strange behaviour too. His warning stays with her and she avoids any contact with others.
In the meantime, there is another with strange powers. He is older than Amber, with even more alarming powers. Although he is saving people from burning buildings the media report anger in the community towards him. Who is he? Where did he come from?
The 1st in a new illustrated series from the author of Wolf Girl, Ninja Kid, and Hot Dog, Skydragon is a tale of two teens struggling with strange new powers. They believe they are doing good but for who?
Skydragon drew me in quickly with the introduction of Amber and her love of insects. She is happy and preparing for a meal with her loving family when disaster strikes. Empathy for Amber is instant, and a jump forward 6 years to Amber as a troubled teen reinforces it.
School and bullying is something we all understand, and the introduction of a strange power to combat it made me cheer for Amber. A withdrawal from people helps her hone her new skills with wonderous results. Building steadily through action and intrigue, Skydragon‘s ending left me instantly wanting the next episode. Perfect for young teens looking for an easier read, or reluctant readers.
September 21, 2024
Once when I was standing in a bookstore a young girl randomly came up to me and told me that Wolf Girl by Anh Do was the best book in the world. I've not managed to read that yet, but I picked up Skydragon from the library last week to give it a go. At first I wasn't sure I was going to like it as the language felt slightly awkward to me, but it wasn't long before I sank into the story and got swept away. I found myself wondering whether it was meant to be set in Australia or the USA (the red-tailed hawk threw me) so I Googled a few of the insects afterwards but I remain unsure!
After a strange purple meteorite smashes into Amber's house and her parents are killed and her brother left in a coma, Amber goes to live with a kind neighbour but she is a loner, and feels out of place at school with her scarred face and her love of insects. Soon she realises that thanks to the meteorite's purple gloop that covered her on the night of the accident she can communicate with insects. When she gets a call to say that her brother has died, her powers increase and she goes to live in the woods alone. But meanwhile, her brother is alive, but he has amnesia, and is put to work as a superhero by the mysterious government agents who help him to understand the new powers he has - to shoot fire from one hand and water from another.
The government send him to fight Amber, and the two of them don't realise what they are to each other. Both escaping the fight, the story is to be continued...
Great illustrations by James Hart make this feel like a semi-graphic novel.
After a strange purple meteorite smashes into Amber's house and her parents are killed and her brother left in a coma, Amber goes to live with a kind neighbour but she is a loner, and feels out of place at school with her scarred face and her love of insects. Soon she realises that thanks to the meteorite's purple gloop that covered her on the night of the accident she can communicate with insects. When she gets a call to say that her brother has died, her powers increase and she goes to live in the woods alone. But meanwhile, her brother is alive, but he has amnesia, and is put to work as a superhero by the mysterious government agents who help him to understand the new powers he has - to shoot fire from one hand and water from another.
The government send him to fight Amber, and the two of them don't realise what they are to each other. Both escaping the fight, the story is to be continued...
Great illustrations by James Hart make this feel like a semi-graphic novel.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 11, 2023
Real rating probably 2.5. But this star rating is probably not really fair- I read this to my 7yo and she really liked it. Personally I felt it fell a little flat, the writing is nothing special and the story follows pretty well worn superhero trope lines. Didn’t love the characterisation. But it is an exciting story, there are some intriguing elements: what will happen with her brother? What happened at the start to precipitate these powers? What is the Government doing? And as I said my kid liked it, and gravitated straight to the second in the series, so if you’re in the target audience this is probably a good one. For parents maybe not so much.
December 12, 2025
Tried this one on with my kiddo when she said "I don't do dragon books, Mummy." I think she's seen me read a few too many SJM/4thWing and thought it would be a boring grown-up book, ha!
This was anything but boring! I thought it might be a little too intense for her when we read the first couple of chapters that set up the lead character's powers and, er, home life, but she really got hooked in. When we got to the end and saw a page advertising the rest of the series she said "wait, you mean there's more story in these books? Do we have them?!"
Alas, we do not... yet.
This was anything but boring! I thought it might be a little too intense for her when we read the first couple of chapters that set up the lead character's powers and, er, home life, but she really got hooked in. When we got to the end and saw a page advertising the rest of the series she said "wait, you mean there's more story in these books? Do we have them?!"
Alas, we do not... yet.
May 3, 2023
3.5
The pacing gets you invested in the characters. The story is nothing new, a high school teenager getting superpowers and the drama that comes with it. There are many cliched moments but the narrative flow keeps the pages turning. It’s like the kind of show you’ve seen many of but this one done well.
The riding on top of a swarm of insects and forming insect fists are a tad too fanciful for me.
The pacing gets you invested in the characters. The story is nothing new, a high school teenager getting superpowers and the drama that comes with it. There are many cliched moments but the narrative flow keeps the pages turning. It’s like the kind of show you’ve seen many of but this one done well.
The riding on top of a swarm of insects and forming insect fists are a tad too fanciful for me.
December 18, 2020
Screening read for a Christmas gift; glad I did. It’s good but absolutely not appropriate for the 8-14 age group Scholastic recommends. I’d say more for 10+ minimum, depending on the maturity of the child; there’s some pretty dark themes for kids, including character death. Going back onto the shelf for a future date when its intended recipient is older.
dnf
November 11, 2022Too dark and traumatic for my eight-year-old.
She read a book that was a free sample of six of Do's books. She said Wolf Girl was too dark but Skydragon sounded great. So we bought Skydragon. It turns out they have the very similar traumatic events in them, but the sample picked different parts of them.
She read a book that was a free sample of six of Do's books. She said Wolf Girl was too dark but Skydragon sounded great. So we bought Skydragon. It turns out they have the very similar traumatic events in them, but the sample picked different parts of them.
October 28, 2020
Well written and captivating. How the powers are received is very much a cliché, however the powers themselves are unique and interesting. I look forward to reading the next in the series and seeing what other adventures Amber will get up to.
Read
November 8, 2021Meet Amber, a crazy event happened in her town and her family was all gone when she awoke. Amber started to notice she had a new power - the ability to talk to insects and control them! Read on to see how she uses her new power
November 16, 2024
I think national treasure Anh Do can do no wrong so I probably went in here with too high an expectation. That said, it's got some interesting morally ambiguous characters and I look forward to the next book. Spoiler: parents don't fare well in Chapter 1 so not for little or very sensitive kiddos
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
October 16, 2020
To be continued
December 3, 2020
It was so adventurous!!!
February 2, 2021
A fantasy book written for juniors. Interesting concept where the main character has power over insects.
February 17, 2021
Funny that didn't involve actual dragons. But still good
May 16, 2021
Great book
April 5, 2022
A very good book
November 21, 2022
5 stars from my 8 year old
March 29, 2024
Sky Dragon #1
Inventive tale of girl gaining powers from meteorite - quite engaging and for older readers than some of his other works.
Good fun tale.
Inventive tale of girl gaining powers from meteorite - quite engaging and for older readers than some of his other works.
Good fun tale.
September 4, 2024
My seven year old rated this 5 stars
⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️
⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️
May 13, 2025
Highly enjoyable.
Full review to come.
Full review to come.
September 19, 2023
I loved this book
October 23, 2020
Anh Do's first installment in his latest children's series is sure to please his younger fans. Nine year old Amber loses her parents in a freak meteor strike that also leaves her scarred from the fire and her brother comotose for 6 long years. Preferring to spend time away from others, the now teenaged Amber is bullied for her appearance and for her interest in insects before finding a friend in Justin, her classmate. But it appears that the meteor has changed Amber in more ways than just her scars, could she be developing strange powers that link her with insects? And is she the only one?
Anh Do addresses issues of isolation, loss, and bullying, throws in interesting facts about insects and sets the stage for a mysterious adventure as Amber learns of her superpower. I passed on my advanced reader copy on to a young friend (mad Anh Do fan) who loved it and cant wait for the next one!
Anh Do addresses issues of isolation, loss, and bullying, throws in interesting facts about insects and sets the stage for a mysterious adventure as Amber learns of her superpower. I passed on my advanced reader copy on to a young friend (mad Anh Do fan) who loved it and cant wait for the next one!
Displaying 1 - 28 of 28 reviews