Dragon Link

Ragond's Portal War #1

by Ava Richardson

For sixteen-year-old Nova Harris, the last nine years in Florida have been a constant stream of disappointment. With her father dead and her mother missing, she’s been shuffled from one foster home to another. The only connection Nova has to happier times is the strange dragon pendant that makes her yearn to reunite with her mother and have a family again

Until a dragon lands at her feet—and offers to help find her mother.

Before they know it, Nova and her best friend Zephyr are whisked through a portal to Ragond, a realm sustained by powerful magic. Though Nova has no memory of this land, the fantastical inhabitants are well aware of her parents. Because of her family, in fact, Nova is invited to participate in the upcoming dragon rider trials, and Zephyr in the witch trials.

However, it soon becomes clear that various factions are threatened by the newcomers and want to send them back where they came from—by any means necessary. Further complications arise when Nova and Zephyr discover twin dragons…and unexpectedly bond with them.

Suddenly, Nova discovers she must choose between searching for her mother and protecting those she loves. And either choice risks embroiling them in an inter-dimensional war.

Genres: Fantasy, Dragons, Young Adult, Science Fiction Fantasy

440 pages, Kindle Edition

Published December 30, 2020

About the author

Ava Richardson writes epic page-turning Young Adult Fantasy books. She creates lovable characters and drops them into intricate worlds that are barely contained within your eReader. Ava has written 21 YA dragon fantasy series, including her bestselling series Return of the Darkening and her recent series, Destia's Dragon Shifter War.

She grew up on a steady diet of fantasy and science fiction books handed down from her two big brothers – and despite being dog-eared and missing pages, she loved escaping into the magical worlds that those authors created. Her favorites were the ones about dragons; where they’d swoop, dive and soar through the skies of these enchanted lands.

Reviews

[Juliette Locktree]

DNF

Thanks to NetGalley I was able to read this book, just after its release.

Unfortunately this book is not my cup of tea. I had a hard time getting through this book and to be honest I gave up when I reached the 50% of this book. I was a little in doubt if I should write a review about it, since I only have read the first half of the book. I have as you can read decided to write a review anyway, because I still want to share my reasons for not finishing this book. I do want to emphasize that this review is based on my opinion for the first half of the book.

First of all the writing style was really hard to get through for me. I felt that this book was written a little childish and it felt more like a middle grade book, then young adult. Story wise not everything made sense and from the start I kept thinking “sure I will roll with this…”. The reason why the story not always made sense to me were the decisions made by the main character of the story Nova. She makes a lot of rush and weird decisions that are based on nothing. She seems to trust everybody even when she doesn’t know them. She is very arrogant and acts as if she knows everything because she is sixteen years old. She is also very rude to the people who want to help her and give her shelter and food. But all this is without a reason as it seems.

Not only the decisions of Nova ruined the story for me but often the story takes weird and sudden turns. It also feels very rushed and doesn’t really give you time to breath or come to terms with what is happening. Everything just goes so fast that it almost seems unbelievable.

The side characters felt very blend and kind of kept explain the world to Nova and the reader. You really learn most about this world through side characters telling you how things go, why and how they look. I personally prefer world building were you experience it instead of being told.

Overall this book was not for me. And I do want to make it clear that this review is based on my opinion of the first half of this book. Maybe I am very wrong if I should continue this book. But I have decide not to, the biggest reason is that I don’t care for the story or characters. They are not in my head when I put the book aside. And I just don’t want to read a book that I don’t like or enjoy.

I do have a feeling I might I enjoyed this more if I read it when I was twelve of thirteen years old. But as an adult I find it hard to get through and believe the story or characters.

I won’t give stars for this book on Goodreads, since I haven’t finished it..

[A. Hadessa · Rating 4 out of 5]

Die Sprache hat mich oft eher aufgeregt aber als Jugendfantasy fand ich es nicht schlecht:
Die Hauptfigur ist sehr impulsiv und naiv zugleich was verwirrend und teilweise anstrengend war, weil ich Highfantasy für Erwachsene Leser gewöhnt bin. Nichtsdestotrotz fand ich die Nebencharaktere gut, die Vorbereitungen auf die Fortsetzung super platziert und die Drachen interessant.
Es sind schon einige Liebesbeziehungen und mögliche Hass zu Freundschaft Beziehungen ersichtlich. Was ich doof fand war, dass ich erst dachte es handle sich um eine queere Lovestory dabei waren die Hauptfiguren einfach nur übertrieben unterstützend.
Was mir nicht gefallen hat waren die etwas übertreiben kitschigen Gespräche und dann die Recht schnellen und seltsam gut verlaufenden kämpfe... Der letzte war geschrieben als wenn's belanglos wäre dass fucking Schüler gegen Monster kämpfen... Schade dass in der Welt zuviele Fragen noch offen blieben aber der Klappentext des nächsten Buches hat mir vieles beantwortet.
Ich habe das Boxset als Leseexemplar bekommen und arbeite mich nun durch das zweite Buch.

[Scott De Grift · Rating 5 out of 5]

Kept me rivited from start to finish. I cannot wait for more titles to come from the author. One of the many inspirations for my writings.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Alex · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was able to get an advanced reader copy for this book from NetGalley.

Synopsis – Courtesy of NetGalley:
''For sixteen-year-old Nova Harris, the last nine years in Florida have been a constant stream of disappointment. With her father dead and her mother missing, she’s been shuffled from one foster home to another. The only connection Nova has to happier times is the strange dragon pendant that makes her yearn to reunite with her mother and have a family again. Until a dragon lands at her feet—and offers to help find her mother. Before they know it, Nova and her best friend Zephyr are whisked through a portal to Ragond, a realm sustained by powerful magic. Though Nova has no memory of this land, the fantastical inhabitants are well aware of her parents. Because of her family, in fact, Nova is invited to participate in the upcoming dragon rider trials, and Zephyr in the witch trials.''

I read this book in a day, I could NOT put it down! I asked for an ARC because… well, DRAGONS! It did NOT disappoint!!!! They TALK and they are of historic importance! I just love dragons!

Nora is an unlikely hero, oh so stubborn with anger issues, who didn’t want to stay in Ragond. She didn’t want to help with the war effort or do things for “the greater good”, she just wanted to find her mom and go home, wherever home might be. In most fantasy or even YA books, the protagonist goes off on their adventure by themselves and meets new friends along the way. It was refreshing to see Nova and Zephyr, Nova’s best friend, going together and seeing Zephyr, who didn’t like adventures, be the one who wanted to stay.

Nova is described as having darker skin, which we can see on the art cover of the book. We don’t see Earth much, but on Ragond, the colour of skin isn’t mentioned other than for description. There are no racial tensions, but there might be financial divisions and I am hoping book 2 will delve into it a bit more. Sidenote: it’s nice to see the main character being darker than the best friend.

The description of the landscape as we enter Ragond is absolutely beautiful. Some might think it was too much, but I thought it was perfect to mentally envision this new world, so different from Earth. Weirdly enough, I enjoyed the description of the bathroom in the girls’ room, it sounded so luxurious and spa-like. It was interesting to learn about Ragond (including Stonehaven and their bathroom) at the same time as the girls’ and wondering who Nova’s parents’ were and why people keep alluding to her blood at the same time as Nova. I am soooooo looking forward to book 2 and will also look up other books by Ava Richardson.

Now, I want to mention a few hiccups, nothing too dramatic or negative. The synopsis from the author’s website (synopsis NetGalley used) is too long and includes what I would consider spoilers – I didn’t share the full synopsis previously because of this. I love a fast-paced book, but why are we skipping over many weeks of their training?

Ragond Portal War book 1: Dragon Link was published on December 30th, 2020.
FYI, Book 2: Dragon Rebellion is expected January 27th, 2021 and Book 3: Dragon Alliance is expected February 24th, 2021.

[Cath · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is book one of the Ragond’s Portal War series and the main character is sixteen year old Nova Harris who lives in a foster home with her best friend Zephyr, who she met years ago in one of her first homes. They ended up in different homes for a while, but finally ended up back in the same foster care, but at least have been in the same school for a while. They look out for each other and Zephyr will go wherever Nova does. When Nova climbs out the house to get some freedom and time away from her arguing foster parents, Zephyr follows her shortly afterwards. Nova never knew her father and has no idea what happened to her mother, who disappeared some nine years ago. She wants to try and find her, but has no idea how to go about that! When a large komodo dragon appears out of a tree behind the two girls and starts talking to Nova, the girls freak out. When the dragon, who is called Korgad, offers to help her find her mother, she agrees to go with him and they are both suddenly whisked off by a full size and very real dragon of fairy tales.

They are taken through a portal between Earth and a planet called Ragond, which is sustained by the magic of Earth and that of a neighbouring planet. The dragon Korgad has been gone from his home planet of Ragond for almost ten years, the amount of time Nova’s mother has been missing and has a huge link to her family, as is revealed later in the book. The two girls are taken to immediately see the Council of Five, the rulers of the planet, and are told they need to prepare to face the dragon rider trials, mainly in part because of who her parents were to the people there. Her father died in a war around the time of Nova’s birth and her mother was a famous dragon rider. It seems everyone knew of her parents and the pressure is on for Nova to prove herself as good as them! On their way to the mountain home of the training academy at Stonehaven, they pass a field littered with the dead bodies from a recent battle. There are a large number of dead dragons, but also lots of very strange looking creatures, from the neighbouring planet of Mythos. Ragond has been at war with the creatures of Mythos for the last twenty years, with the Mythoi somehow managing to create portals between their worlds and dropping off creatures to attack the humans and dragons of Ragond.

Nova and Zephyr are taken to the accommodation block of the training academy and everywhere they go, whispers and pointed fingers are focused on them. Some of the people there don’t want her there and others are threatened by her presence for some reason. Nova is sent on a trial day before the trials themselves start and when a portal opens, she is dropped off on a mountainside to be out of danger, and whilst there find a huge dragon egg. The egg starts to crack open just as the other students and their trainer arrive to pick her up. A small dragon comes out and is much smaller than the egg, but then another even smaller one comes out. The egg produced twin dragons, which is thought to be an omen of evil and not a good thing at all! Nova thinks they are really cute, especially as they seem to be playing with her and trying to eat her arm, but that just means they are hungry. It seems the egg must have fallen from the top of the mountain and the mother hasn’t noticed or had abandoned it. Twin dragons are of no use to future dragon riders as they have a link between each other and this means they usually can’t make a strong link to a rider, so are of no use.

Nova insists on them being taken back to Stonehaven and Korgad ends up having to volunteer to look after them, as no other dragon will take any responsibility for them. The larger one is male, but not quite as intelligent as his smaller twin sister. Neither is going to grow as big as most dragons, another point against them. They grow incredibly quickly, each time they feed, and minutes after their birth were able to articulate single words. Once they are big enough, they get taken out for training by Korgad. Nova ends up accidently bonding with the male, well before the dragon rider trials, something that isn’t possible for all those who want to train as dragon riders. The process and training is extremely difficult and people are cut every week of the training program. Those who don’t make it as dragon riders are offered the chance to become witches, but in this world that means something a little different than on Earth. As soon as Zephyr learnt about the chance to train as a witch, she was super happy and never wanted to ride a dragon again!

There is however, one massive law that cannot be broken. A witch cannot bond with a dragon! Witches are trained in one of two separate fields of magic and if a witch was to bond with a dragon, they could become more powerful than anyone, due to the strength of magic they would gain by linking to the dragon. Nova has a number of run-ins with some of the Council members, who seem against her being there to start with, and look to take any sass or error of hers as a reason to get rid of her. On the final day of the trials, Nova and her young dragon perform a move she doesn’t even have any knowledge about, using a magical link with her dragon, and she is almost thrown out, until calmer voices prevail! Zephyr aces her witch trial and now both are being talked about because of their achievements, rather than whispered about and made fun of. But they have a serious problem when Nova realises that Zephyr has linked with the young female dragon, something they cannot let anyone else ever know about, under pain of death for them and all the dragons!

Nova has to protect her friend and the two orphaned dragons she found, as well as her mother’s dragon Korgad. She may have wanted to leave and search for her mother, but she is finding the dragons really fascinating and life is opening up so many more opportunities than she had on Earth. Korgad tells her to search the library for more information on her mother, as there must be some sort of clue as to what she was doing before she disappeared or where she was going. That is more up Zephyr’s line of interest, but they both have to use it to learn so much for the trials and the history of Ragond. More attacks happen all over the planet and even closer to Stonehaven, and even the students have to get involved. One of those brings a shocking revelation to Korgad and more questions for Nova. Their new home is one they are growing used to and finding lots that would keep them there. But they also have rules and laws they are not used to and which they seem to have broken without knowing and which have placed them all in grave danger and also into the middle of an inter-dimensional war. Dangerous but fulfilling futures are wide open for both of them, but they will have to keep some huge secrets to stay alive. Loved the twin baby dragons and their bonding with the two girls. They made it really interesting, seeing them as they developed and the changes they brought to Nova’s wishes to stay or go in search of her mother. I can’t wait to see what comes next and would love to find out more about Korgad’s past life with his rider, before all the others thought he had gone insane after losing his rider. His link tells him she is alive, he is just unable to locate her, which shouldn’t be possible. I look forward to the next book in the series, by an author who knows their dragons and each series always brings something different to it! I received an ARC copy of this book from BookSprout and I have freely given my own opinion of the book above.

[Barbara Laing]

This is the first book in what promises to be a gripping series. Ava Richardson has built a new world nestling between Earth and Mythoi and peopled it with dragons, humans, and magi. Two young girls in foster care on earth find themselves transported to the new world by a mysterious, crusty old dragon and so the story begins. Korgad, the dragon, entices them through the portal with the promise of information about the whereabouts of Nova's mother. She is searching for her mother who seemingly abandoned her, and Zephyr is looking for a forever family. Nova and Zephyr are best friends, and Zephyr is determined to follow wherever Nova leads. In this first book, Nova starts on the tricky path of becoming a dragon rider, and Zephyr finally, finds acceptance and a place with the witches. They both struggle to adjust to this strange new life and coming to terms with new rules and roles, which, if broken, could lead either to death or being expelled, or both. Their new world is at war with Mythoi, and monstrous creatures are attacking through portals, and the girls have a lot of growing up to do, very quickly. The world comes to life as the story unfolds, and the tale of the girls' bid for acceptance, and survival in a world at war is enthralling. There are many twists and turns in the story which kept me both interested and intrigued. This book is a definite page-turner. I can't wait to read the next installment.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Tomatenkind · Rating 4 out of 5]

Nova und ihre Pflegeschwester Zephyr weden von einem Drachen aus unserer Welt nach Ragond gebracht - dort könnte Nova Hinweise auf ihre Mutter finden und soll zudem noch mithelfen einen Krieg zu gewinnen.
Die Welt ist wieder echt toll beschrieben und man kann sie sich richtig lebendig vorstellen.
Nova hat mir als Hauptcharakter gut gefallen und es war auch eigentlich immer nachvollziehbar, warum sie wie handelt.
Zephyr kam für mich ein bisschen zu wenig vor, ich hätte gerne noch mehr über sie erfahren - vielleicht kommt das ja dann in einer Fortsetzung?
Ich fand die Idee für die Geschichte wieder sehr gut und auch gut umgesetzt. Einiges war schon etwas vorhersehbar, aber ich finde die Erzählweise einfach schön.
Insgesamt haben mir die anderen beiden Trilogien zwar besser gefallen, aber der Auftrakt von dieser war ebenfalls vielversprechend und ich bin so gespannt auf die Fortsetzungen. Sehr schade, dass ich noch etwas darauf warten muss!

[Asl4u · Rating 3 out of 5]

(spoilers from the first chapter)
So - the story is excellent. The writing... is juvenile. This writer really needs an editor. It is written with the logic of a pre-teen. It was very very hard for me to get through it and I probably wont go after book 2.. Its kind of sad - it really is a very good story...
and example of poor writing:
- he left in a hurry, waiting for them to follow
what?? You cannot leave in a hurry if you are waiting... logic error
protagonist is at home and is thinking about following the talking lizard.. leaves him - goes back to the foster home and says - ? why stay here? there's nothing here for me... so goes back to the talking lizard and goes to the new world and IMMEDIATELY (like - for the entire rest of the book) "plans" to go BACK "Home"... ?? what? I dont understand why someone would be so determined to go back to a place that didn't she had just said - she was planning to leave.
so here! you have run away... you're safe! - you're fed - you have opportunities - but you are pining to go back?... to what?
at no time ever - in the entire book - did she reflect upon the fact that if she went back she'd go back to the foster home that didn't care about her... and what for? go back and run away?.. and what does that look like?...
the logic - the reasoning - was just off... not even juvenile - but off... and that was more than an irritation.
I read juvenile fiction all the time - just cuz its written for kids doesnt mean it doesnt have to make sense.
but - excellent story - the story... was good.. the writing was ... immature...
I hope someday this author gets about 20 years of experience as a writer (or a good editor) and comes back to fix this book.. I'd read it again

[Kaye · Rating 5 out of 5]

🐲🐲ONE ENTHRALLING JOURNEY🐲🐲
Scorching skiddles! Ava unleashes one tumultuous rollercoaster with this ground shaking wild ride, serving up some harsh facts, brutal lessons and ruthless pursuits, grabbing you from start to finish, jetting this hot number to staggering heights. Toss in riveting drama, gripping intrigue, underlying currents, heated animosity, hidden agenda's, escalating suspense and intense situations ensue in epic proportions putting our characters through their paces, testing them in ways they could have never imagined, fusing this jewel together seamlessly. Presentation and attributes in layer upon layer that you peel back with each page your drawn into this tangled web so precisely and tight until nothing else exists, secrets confessed, revelations unmasked and promises made, blowing it into a frenzy with astonishing impacts, blasting this bad boy to life brilliantly. The characters, banter, dialogue, interactions and charged atmosphere along with relatable qualities and individual traits, blend and flow adding depth and diversity, transforming into outstanding personalities. The scenes are strikingly sharp with abundant details and graphic descriptions creating an elaborate backdrop that feels as though you were transported to ground zero with them. Fantastic job Ava, thanks for sharing this amazing thrill with us.

[Asma Hafsa · Rating 4 out of 5]

BEWARE THERE ARE A LOT OF SPOILERS IN THIS REVIEW ONLY READ IF YOU HAVE READ THE BOOK!


I loved the book! The English was simple to understand. The idea of the book...Just chefs kiss! I was a bit disappointed when Korgad and Nova did not link but they bonded in the end! The way Nova and Hake linked in the end totally made up for it... The plot twist when Korgad lost his riders daughter through me COMPLETLY OF GUARD! i did not expect that at all! When Nova and Korgad see their rider/mother through a purple portal towards the end of the fight with the Mythios SHOCKED ME! The fact after living like an orphan and she finds out she has a grandfather made me soooooo happy! But i HATED he way she pushed him away! There should have been a scene or two of them bonding properly over dinner... Osa telling Nova about her parents, stories, relatives everything she has longed for... She should have gone too Osa as well when she needed to know something abut her parents.

The only thing i didn't like was Novas character... i feel like she could have been more mature... she was very childish and immature for a 16 year old... if she was younger then understandable but the responsibilities make no sense... other than this the book was amazing! Reading the next book in the series!

[Cynthia Robinson · Rating 4 out of 5]

Who doesn't love a good dragon series?

I will say that while reading this book, it did feel like it was geared more towards younger readers than YA. To be honest, that doesn't matter to me. It was still a good book! I love the world building the author paints with her words. I feel like I'm transported to this beautiful, medieval-like world of Ragond where dragons and magic exists.

16 year old Nova is stuck in the foster system with her best friend Zephyr. Nova has no idea what happened to her mom 10 years ago and pledges to find her again. One day, a dragon shows up in the forest, where Nova has run away to, and tells her that he can help her do just that! He takes both Nova and Zephyr to Ragond which only leaves them with more questions than answers.

In order to be permitted to stay and look for any information on what happened to her mom, both Nova and Zephyr have to prepare for trials to become either a dragon rider or a witch. At first they are reluctant, not wanting to get involved in another world's war, but by staying they end up finding a fresh start and that Ragond feels more like home than Earth. I can't wait to find out what happens next!

[Tamara · Rating 5 out of 5]

How can a talking lizard know anything about her mother?

Another good start to an intriguing story. This book starts here on Earth with an orphane named Nova. Nova has always had issues with people telling her what to do and her best friend Zephyr is the only one who seems to understand her. While they are our after curfew they meet a talking lizard who says he needs Nova to come with him to Ragond to find her mother.

Nova decides to listen to the lizard and the next she knows, there is a dragon standing in front of her. He picks up both girls and takes them through a portal to Ragond. Nova is against the dragon's plan because she thought he was taking her to her mom but instead he takes her to a school to become a dragon rider before finding her mother. Between the people she meets and her feelings when someone tells her what she needs to do, she fights against doing what they want her to and feeling like she doesn't fit in.

This is just the start. I recommend reading this one to see how Nova develops her relations with the people of Ragond and to find out what she is willing to do to find her mother.

[Sandra Williams · Rating 4 out of 5]

Slow start, but…

Great character and world building. Typical fostered teenager angst seems to drive Nova. And of course there’s a missing parent, blah blah blah. All the usual ploys in place and then…there is growth. Nova and her best (only) friend are taken to another world. An alternate world fueled by magic and one which Nova should be very familiar with as she was born and raised and lived on that world until she turned seven.
On Ragond there are dragons, which are the good guys, fighting off the evil Mythoi, the invading monsters made up of harpies, vampires, werewolves—indeed, all the usual villains you would find in Greek mythology.
As I mentioned in the title, this story was slow to get moving, but that is to be expected when dealing with the first episode of a new series. All the bases are covered, however, and our heroine faces a lot of challenges, both with much-needed inward growth, and the real-world challenge of finding her place in this world she doesn’t remember.
Was I drawn in? Yes. Would I recommend this story? Resounding yes. In fact, I’m on my way to pickup book two, now. I’ll let you know how that goes…

[sherri jones-teachout · Rating 5 out of 5]

She isn’t who she thought she was. She’s from another realm.
Since the age of seven when her mother disappeared, Nova has been shunted from foster home to foster home. Her only friend is Zephyr who has been her foster sister at several different homes. One night while in the woods to escape the fighting in their foster home, a talking dragon appears and says that Nova is needed and he might be able to reunite her with her mother. But what Korgad doesn’t tell her is that Nova’s mothers used to be his rider, and since she disappeared he can’t sense her. He hopes that Nova can help him but first he needs to take Nova and her friend to another world called Ragond. A world that is being threatened by monsters near them, who ultimately want to take over Ragond and Earth. Now Nova has to train to be a dragon rider and in her spare time try to find out what happened to her mother. But the people on Ragond belittle she and Zephyr and many on the council don’t like her. She has to endure if she wants to find her mother. I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Tracie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Nova Harris is living in foster care in South Florida after her mother disappeared leaving Nova with only a pendant with a dragon etched on front and no memories. Her only friend, Zephyr is in the same foster house. After listening to another argument of her foster parents, Nova sneaks out and Zephyr follows her to their favorite place in the forest. A large lizard approaches and tells Nova she must come with him to another world called Ragond and he will help her find her mother. The lizard, Korgad changes into a dragon and takes the two friends through a portal to Ragond. The two 16 year-olds both grow in potential as young woman and their relationships with the young dragons is fun to read. The story is also a serious exploration of children losing their parents as well as a dragon losing its rider and where we find our family is not always by blood relation. This is the first book in the Ragon's Portal War series and I look forward to book two. I received a digital copy of this story through the publisher and NetGalley for an honest review.

[Sara Lawson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Nova and Zephyr are ordinary teenagers living in foster care. At least, they thought they were ordinary until a giant lizard starts talking to them and insisting they come with him to another world. When he claims to know something about Nova's mother, the girls go with him. This other world is filled with magic. Nova begins training to be a dragon rider while Zephyr is drawn to witchcraft and studies spellcasting. It is illegal to learn both.

The girls befriend hatchling dragons and unknown family members. They also run into bullies and evil beings from other worlds. But they always have each other, no matter what trouble or dangers they face. But can they survive by themselves or will they need to begin trusting others to stand by them?

I loved this story. It was filled with action, yet slowed down enough to build a world that I hope to visit many more times. This is also the first book I've read by Ava Richardson and it left me wondering why I waited for so long!

I received a free ARC from BookSprout and have reviewed it willingly.

[Chris Jones · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ava Richardson new book is a different style of writing. Yes, there are dragons in is but they are not the typical ones from past books. It also includes multiple worlds accessible through portals, including earth. Nova is an orphan on Earth and has been moved from home to home in foster care. She knows her mother is alive but does not know where she is. One day contemplating running away to look for her mother, she finds something new and unusual that will take her and her best friend to a new world with the possibility of finding her mother. After a ruff start and not finding her mother, she eventually settles in and becomes someone who is look at with respect, something she never had in foster care. Still looking for her mother that others from this new world have been looking for, a hint of hope reveals itself.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Emily Pennington · Rating 5 out of 5]

Nova is a sixteen-year-old who has been in the foster system since her father died and her mother disappeared. She and her friend, Zephyr, step outside one night and a talking dragon find them and claims to know Nova’s mother. They are taken through a portal to another world, Ragond, and their adventures begins!

The new world has magic and dragons, and Nova’s family had originated here! An enemy wants to take over Ragond and Earth. Nova begins dragon riding training, while Zephyr trains to become a witch. Not everyone is happy about the newcomers being there. Are they in danger? Will they become a part of this threatening war?

This was an intriguing story that captures the imagination of the reader. The characters are well-defined and the pace of the story line keeps the reader’s full attention. Grab your copy and see how the girls accept their new studies and prepare for whatever is coming their way.

[Kelly Randall]

Uncertain, confusing times!


Ava Richardson has come up with yet another fantastic adventure once again!! Nova is a young lady that has got to deal with what life has thrown at her over night and at times seems to be very uncertain and lacks confidence in herself. As she adjusts to her new life, she starts to blossom and learns a lot about herself.
Ava introduces you to each character and by the end of the story you either love or greatly dislike each one. Dragon Link is written in such a way, you’ll find yourself swept up in the excitement of the story. I am looking forward to reading and joining in more adventures with Nova Harris in the magical world of Ragond.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Kelvin Patterson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Nova was dissatisfied her lot in life. She wore a triangular shape pendant with a dragon on one and NOVA on the other. That is the only thing is has to remember her mother. She doesn't remember her life before losing her mother. She runs away and her friend Zephyr follows. They run into a dragon who transport them to world where she was born. Nova and her train to be dragon riders and while training come upon a dragon egg with two dragon in it. This world Nova came to is at war with another world in other dimension of mythical creatures. The three worlds are connected by dimensional portals. Portals are opening all over the world.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Jerri · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a book that grabbed me from the start and had me throughout. I loved the characters and the storyline was great. I enjoyed the drama and the action that the book had. The start of the book had me feeling for the characters so much with them being shuffled around. I loved the world building and enjoyed the descriptiveness used. I could really see the world and envision myself there with them. I can’t wait for more.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Adele · Rating 5 out of 5]

BFFs isn’t just a catch-phrase for Nova and Zephyr, they have each other’s backs when it really matters.

I love it when girls are there for each other. Nova and Zephyr can’t be more different, but their loyalty to each other is the type everyone wants in a best friend. Throw in a couple of dragons and a world-threatening enemy and you have…well, Dragon Link, Ava Richardson’s first book in her newest trilogy.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Patty Root · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another Best Seller!

Ava Richardson writes books about Dragons that I wish were real.
Dragon Ink is the first book in the series set in a fantasy world where Dragons and Witches go to school to learn how to protect their planet from a very bad world that is trying to invade them..
The main character Nova is a foster child from Earth who has never fit in.
I love how the story builds and brings in new characters that make it exciting and the vulnerable at the same time.
I can't wait to read book two !!

[Jenny Schultz · Rating 3 out of 5]

Doesn't make sense

Come on you. Are cruel. You set up an illogical premise that all must be executed if they breach the witch study, rider. That makes no sense there has to be some logic behind it. Now how are you going to teach a dragon who has no partner. No link how to slip step what ever. You are not up to the bar in explaining. Why this is true. You have to have real, if made up, fine, but illogical reasons. We aren't stupid. You can only take suspension of belief so far. You have to back it up

[Sam Allen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Brilliant

An absolutely cracking start to a new series by Ava Richardson. I went into the book expecting to be wowed having read a previous trilogy by this author and she didn't disappoint. Great development of the characters and relationships between them as well as championing of the underdog. I can't wait for the next book.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Eleanor Shepherd · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fun story and mystery

This was a good book. More geared toward a younger reader. I really enjoyed the main character Nova and her sidekick Zypher. Nova and Zypher were living in a foster home with several other children. The girls were16. They run away and run into a talking lizard who turns out to be a dragon from another world. I know. Cool. Right? Anyway the quest is to find Nova's mom. So the dragon flies them through a portal and the adventure begins.

[Brenda Moser · Rating 5 out of 5]

Awesome start to a new series! The author does a fantastic job developing the story and creating strong well developed characters. She paints her scenes in vivid detail as she weaves her story with detailed and descriptive writing , taking you into a world filled with dragons and magic. I thoroughly enjoyed this book and am looking forward to the next book.

I voluntarily reviewed an ARC of this book. All opinions in this review are my own and freely given.

[David · Rating 5 out of 5]

Dragon Link is another spectacular story written by Ava Richardson. Once again, she has created a magnificent tail of dragons and self-discovery. In this story she adds greater depth by having the main characters face these challenges while also learning about a new world. The book is so well-written that I couldn’t stop reading it until I was done. I am definitely looking forward to more books in the series.

[Jeanne Richardson · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the 1st book I've read written by Ava Richardson; she has done a great job at writing a good book; I can’t wait to read more of her books.

The story line caught my attention at the very beginning and kept me interested throughout the entire book.

I received a free copy of this book via booksprout and I’m voluntarily leaving a review.

[Scarolet Ellis · Rating 5 out of 5]

Dragon Link (Ragond's Portal War Book 1) by Ava Richardson is a wonderful story to read. This is book number one in this wonderful start to a brand new series that I have enjoyed reading and can not wait to read the rest. I highly recommend this story to everyone who loves reading about fantasy

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.