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Official Minecraft Novels #8
Minecraft: The Dragon
Take flight with the ender dragon in this official Minecraft novel! When a desert town is threatened by illager raids, a young adventurer turns to a newborn dragon to save her home.
Zetta is the best potion-maker in the village of Sienna Dunes. Okay, maybe she's the only potion-maker in the village of Sienna Dunes. And maybe her potions don't exactly work like they're supposed to all the time. But when her village is menaced by a pack of illagers, only Zetta can see that the traditional ways won't keep Sienna Dunes safe anymore.
Zetta journeys to her eccentric aunt's workshop outside town to search for an answer and finds a lot more than she bargained for. A mysterious egg hatches into a scaly creature with purple eyes, black wings, and poisonous breath. It can't possibly be the mythical ender dragon . . . can it? And if it is, can Zetta raise it to be the savior her village needs?
The threat of the illagers is growing fast, and Zetta's accidental dragon is growing even faster. With the help of her two best friends and her daydreaming little cousin, Zetta must train the scariest (and scaliest) baby in the Overworld. But when the dragon is fully grown, will it save Sienna Dunes? Or will it spell the village's end?
Zetta is the best potion-maker in the village of Sienna Dunes. Okay, maybe she's the only potion-maker in the village of Sienna Dunes. And maybe her potions don't exactly work like they're supposed to all the time. But when her village is menaced by a pack of illagers, only Zetta can see that the traditional ways won't keep Sienna Dunes safe anymore.
Zetta journeys to her eccentric aunt's workshop outside town to search for an answer and finds a lot more than she bargained for. A mysterious egg hatches into a scaly creature with purple eyes, black wings, and poisonous breath. It can't possibly be the mythical ender dragon . . . can it? And if it is, can Zetta raise it to be the savior her village needs?
The threat of the illagers is growing fast, and Zetta's accidental dragon is growing even faster. With the help of her two best friends and her daydreaming little cousin, Zetta must train the scariest (and scaliest) baby in the Overworld. But when the dragon is fully grown, will it save Sienna Dunes? Or will it spell the village's end?
Hardcover
Published July 6, 2021
102 people are currently reading
483 people want to read
About the author
Nicky Drayden
37 books885 followersNicky Drayden is a Systems Analyst who dabbles in prose when she’s not buried in code. She resides in Austin, Texas where being weird is highly encouraged, if not required.
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Displaying 1 - 24 of 24 reviews
May 21, 2022
Firstly, I have to applaud the author for introducing a character who uses they/them without EVER making a fuss about it. It normalizes it instead of unnecessarily parading it around like it's a ploy to get clout. It was handled beautifully.
Sadly, I found this book to be a massive waste of potential.
The main character is very hard to like, mostly because she never seems to learn anything from her mistakes that sticks for longer than 30 seconds. She makes astonishing leaps in skill without practice. One paragraph she's blowing up her aunt's house, the next she's making perfect potions without any real effort being needed. I would have loved to see her working on that so much more. There was a lot of importance placed on her getting her aunt to teach her and then, other than a sentence or two, nothing comes of it. She doesn't even stay at her house for very long after her aunt makes the bizarrely timed trip to the nether. It felt like as soon as her aunt agreed, the entire thing was forgotten about. Very poor execution of something that was integral from the start of the book.
The rest of the characters are similarly flat. We get a few small bits of their personalities but not enough to really get a feel for them.
Given that this is a middle grade book, none of that is as important, but the ending is horrible and that IS important.
The entire last chapter feels so rushed and cramped. I hit the end of the book and it took me by surprise. It genuinely felt like there should have been another chapter at the very least.
There was so much potential here. The setting was handled so well and the ideas present could make for a rich and detailed story, but sadly it just fell flat.
Sadly, I found this book to be a massive waste of potential.
The main character is very hard to like, mostly because she never seems to learn anything from her mistakes that sticks for longer than 30 seconds. She makes astonishing leaps in skill without practice. One paragraph she's blowing up her aunt's house, the next she's making perfect potions without any real effort being needed. I would have loved to see her working on that so much more. There was a lot of importance placed on her getting her aunt to teach her and then, other than a sentence or two, nothing comes of it. She doesn't even stay at her house for very long after her aunt makes the bizarrely timed trip to the nether. It felt like as soon as her aunt agreed, the entire thing was forgotten about. Very poor execution of something that was integral from the start of the book.
The rest of the characters are similarly flat. We get a few small bits of their personalities but not enough to really get a feel for them.
Given that this is a middle grade book, none of that is as important, but the ending is horrible and that IS important.
The entire last chapter feels so rushed and cramped. I hit the end of the book and it took me by surprise. It genuinely felt like there should have been another chapter at the very least.
There was so much potential here. The setting was handled so well and the ideas present could make for a rich and detailed story, but sadly it just fell flat.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
March 21, 2022
I'll start out by saying that I am admittedly a bit older than the target audience for these books, however I do frequently read and enjoy many of the Minecraft novels and play the game itself on a daily basis.
If you want a fun read for a child in your life who enjoys Minecraft, this book will probably work for you! If you're looking for something with a believable world, likeable characters, and writing that doesn't break the immersion every ten minutes, then maybe don't pick this one. Some mechanics such as the game inventory are handled decently well, with brief allusions that allow the reader plenty of wiggle room to imagine how it works, or the brewing stands that are described in detail, but in way that makes sense. Other mechanics such as the crafting table and item durability are thrown in carelessly in a way that made me go "Huh? What? Hold on a minute, how is that supposed to work?!" There's also some minor consistency issues that once again shatter the immersion, such as one chapter explaining that apples are an exotic delicacy, and then in the next chapter the local grocer is throwing apples (and carrots) around like it's nobody's business.
The plot itself is very basic, which isn't a bad thing on its own, but it reads more like a collection of teen fiction tropes cobbled together than it does a gripping and enticing storyline. Most of the characters aren't particularly likeable OR unlikeable, they're simply there. Oddly enough, the most frustrating and unbearable character is the main POV character!
That being said there were a few aspects of the book I found enjoyable. One of the characters is referred to with they/them pronouns. The titular dragon molts as it grows, just like real-life reptiles. And the characters are consistent and distinct even when they aren't memorable.
This book can be enjoyable as long as you don't think too hard about it, but it's not a good fit for anyone interested in fleshing out the deeper lore of Minecraft in ways that make sense.
If you want a fun read for a child in your life who enjoys Minecraft, this book will probably work for you! If you're looking for something with a believable world, likeable characters, and writing that doesn't break the immersion every ten minutes, then maybe don't pick this one. Some mechanics such as the game inventory are handled decently well, with brief allusions that allow the reader plenty of wiggle room to imagine how it works, or the brewing stands that are described in detail, but in way that makes sense. Other mechanics such as the crafting table and item durability are thrown in carelessly in a way that made me go "Huh? What? Hold on a minute, how is that supposed to work?!" There's also some minor consistency issues that once again shatter the immersion, such as one chapter explaining that apples are an exotic delicacy, and then in the next chapter the local grocer is throwing apples (and carrots) around like it's nobody's business.
The plot itself is very basic, which isn't a bad thing on its own, but it reads more like a collection of teen fiction tropes cobbled together than it does a gripping and enticing storyline. Most of the characters aren't particularly likeable OR unlikeable, they're simply there. Oddly enough, the most frustrating and unbearable character is the main POV character!
That being said there were a few aspects of the book I found enjoyable. One of the characters is referred to with they/them pronouns. The titular dragon molts as it grows, just like real-life reptiles. And the characters are consistent and distinct even when they aren't memorable.
This book can be enjoyable as long as you don't think too hard about it, but it's not a good fit for anyone interested in fleshing out the deeper lore of Minecraft in ways that make sense.
November 5, 2025
"Minecraft: The Dragon" is a fantastic addition to the Minecraft novel series, especially for younger fans of the game. The story centers around a young adventurer named Zetta, who finds herself in a desert village where strange events are unfolding. As she navigates life in this remote village, she stumbles upon something unexpected in her aunt’s house that sets off a thrilling chain of events.
While the cover might lead you to believe that the adventure takes place in the End dimension, the story actually unfolds within the desert village and its vast surrounding landscapes. This unique setting gives the book a refreshing twist, as it explores themes of discovery, bravery, and the lore within the Minecraft world itself.
One of the most enjoyable aspects of this book is its full immersion in the Minecraft universe. Unlike some other titles, this story isn't about real-life people; instead, it features characters who live and breathe within the blocky world of Minecraft. Zetta and her companions are drawn from the game's mechanics, making the tale a true delight for fans.
That said, the plot might be a bit predictable for adult readers, and the characters can sometimes feel a little shallow. However, if you approach it with the understanding that it's aimed at younger Minecraft enthusiasts, you'll find it to be one of the better books in the series.
Overall, "Minecraft: The Dragon" is a must-read for any fan of the Minecraft novels. Whether you're a young reader or simply a die-hard fan of the game, this book offers an enjoyable adventure that's worth the read.
While the cover might lead you to believe that the adventure takes place in the End dimension, the story actually unfolds within the desert village and its vast surrounding landscapes. This unique setting gives the book a refreshing twist, as it explores themes of discovery, bravery, and the lore within the Minecraft world itself.
One of the most enjoyable aspects of this book is its full immersion in the Minecraft universe. Unlike some other titles, this story isn't about real-life people; instead, it features characters who live and breathe within the blocky world of Minecraft. Zetta and her companions are drawn from the game's mechanics, making the tale a true delight for fans.
That said, the plot might be a bit predictable for adult readers, and the characters can sometimes feel a little shallow. However, if you approach it with the understanding that it's aimed at younger Minecraft enthusiasts, you'll find it to be one of the better books in the series.
Overall, "Minecraft: The Dragon" is a must-read for any fan of the Minecraft novels. Whether you're a young reader or simply a die-hard fan of the game, this book offers an enjoyable adventure that's worth the read.
January 8, 2023
E ARC provided by Edelweiss Plus
Even though I have never played Minecraft, I have read valiantly through this series because my students love them so much. I have bought all the books but #7, Brooks' The Mountain. This is the sequel to The Island, which a student checked out last March and hasn't returned, so if I buy it, I might also have to rebuy the first book, but I'm hoping that it will be returned in September. (It actually came back! Wooo!)
Apparently, there are villagers, pillagers, AND illagers in Minecraft, and that's sort of where this lost me. I enjoyed the story of Zetta, who really wants to be a potioner even though her father doesn't want her to. She runs off to apprentice herself to her Aunt Meryl in order to help her town, Sienna Dunes, defend itself against invaders, and ends up taking care of a baby dragon.
Readers who understand stone swords, traveling with pumpkin pies, and walls made out of terra cotta defending towns from zombie hoards and ravening beasts will love this video game turned into a story, especially since the writing is solid and the plot advances nicely. Those unfamiliar with the video game might get stuck on the plentiful details, like I did.
I will purchase this one, but it might be the last one that I do. Interest in the game seems to be waning.
Even though I have never played Minecraft, I have read valiantly through this series because my students love them so much. I have bought all the books but #7, Brooks' The Mountain. This is the sequel to The Island, which a student checked out last March and hasn't returned, so if I buy it, I might also have to rebuy the first book, but I'm hoping that it will be returned in September. (It actually came back! Wooo!)
Apparently, there are villagers, pillagers, AND illagers in Minecraft, and that's sort of where this lost me. I enjoyed the story of Zetta, who really wants to be a potioner even though her father doesn't want her to. She runs off to apprentice herself to her Aunt Meryl in order to help her town, Sienna Dunes, defend itself against invaders, and ends up taking care of a baby dragon.
Readers who understand stone swords, traveling with pumpkin pies, and walls made out of terra cotta defending towns from zombie hoards and ravening beasts will love this video game turned into a story, especially since the writing is solid and the plot advances nicely. Those unfamiliar with the video game might get stuck on the plentiful details, like I did.
I will purchase this one, but it might be the last one that I do. Interest in the game seems to be waning.
May 1, 2022
Not the worst Minecraft I've read but it's certainly not the best. The best way to explain it is, it was okay. This novel has a strong Hollywood vibe to it, with a lot of plays taken out of their book. We have a rebel child who has daddy issues, an extended relative they admire, adults who don't listen, a family divide right before the climax, heroes coming in at the right moment. It's all something we see often on television. You can say this is the book version of a Halmark movie. Doesn't mean it's bad or anything, it's just not original.
Zetta is trying her best to become a potioner, even though magic is forbidden in her little desert village. When her town bare survives an attack from a raid, she goes in search of her aunt, who was banished for being a potioner. When she finds her, she finds an egg she accidentally opens and she needs to decide if the little dragon inside can her town's salvation, or it's end.
I had these two problems. One, I think the character development of Rift and Rayne was poor. I could not tell who was who because they were that interchangeable. The author tried giving the characters attributes that would separate the two, but in the end, I could not tell the difference. Two, the ending felt rushed and loose-ended.
Zetta is trying her best to become a potioner, even though magic is forbidden in her little desert village. When her town bare survives an attack from a raid, she goes in search of her aunt, who was banished for being a potioner. When she finds her, she finds an egg she accidentally opens and she needs to decide if the little dragon inside can her town's salvation, or it's end.
I had these two problems. One, I think the character development of Rift and Rayne was poor. I could not tell who was who because they were that interchangeable. The author tried giving the characters attributes that would separate the two, but in the end, I could not tell the difference. Two, the ending felt rushed and loose-ended.
August 19, 2025
My son is a huge Minecraft fanatic, so we read this book together. From my perspective, as an adult, I didn't find it that compelling but my son really loved the references to Minecraft creatures (mobs) and descriptions of game mechanics that wouldn't have made sense to anyone that didn't hadn't played the game. I'll always remember how he lit up when Zetta almost inadvertently summoned the Wither. Much recommended to Minecraft fans.
October 19, 2021
One of my son's favorites. It was an entertaining and quick read, had a solid story throughout and was both easy to follow for the younger audience and had good depth for the older audience. The Minecraft books really thread the needle when it comes to mixing Minecraft and life lessons.
August 24, 2022
i was really hoping id like this one as much as the end, but it's unfortunately just not the same.. an interesting premise which is diluted by flat characters, a boring middle, and cutting off the only interesting part of the whole book prematurely. did she have to leave for THAT long?
September 7, 2021
Enjoyed from beginning to end.
March 2, 2022
Exceptional read! One of my favorite Minecraft books so far.
I recommend this to lots of people... NO SPOILERS!
I recommend this to lots of people... NO SPOILERS!
March 27, 2022
That was a crazy intense read! I got caught up on the plot and the main character. Another fantastic read from this series.
July 31, 2022
Good read with my kids
We read this a chapter at a time for bedtime. It was a great time. Easy breezy fiction for 8ish year olds.
We read this a chapter at a time for bedtime. It was a great time. Easy breezy fiction for 8ish year olds.
August 9, 2022
This book was actually cool, all though it was not really like the game. but I’m ok with that. So over all it was a 5 out of 5 for sure
December 20, 2022
I found the end of the book pretty emotional
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
August 25, 2023
Awesome book for anyone looking for an adventure book. Not only is it a great book for people who like Minecraft, but people who don't know what Minecraft is will also enjoy it.
April 4, 2024
The entire book focuses on bonding with the dragon (whom they never name) and at the end the aunt lady just... takes it away and they're all back to square one.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Read
June 29, 2024Another audiobook with the kids. Meh.
November 12, 2024
Z całym szacunkiem ale CO TO ZA GÓWNO!?
Dam 2 gwiazdki tylko za to że im wioskę pillagerzy wydupili (w sumie potem ją naprawili ale nie ważne). Nie polecam.
Dam 2 gwiazdki tylko za to że im wioskę pillagerzy wydupili (w sumie potem ją naprawili ale nie ważne). Nie polecam.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
August 24, 2025
Another good one for my kiddo.
July 31, 2025
I would give it a 3.9
I liked the story in the beginning , middle and close to the end. Some parts made me laugh at some parts. Although the ending was a bit weird which is why I gave it a 3 (3.9) star rating and felt like it was rushed to finish and a cliffhanger?.... But overall, not bad for a children's novel and good Minecraft story. good read. 🌟
I need to thank my nephew for recommending this book. It was still worth reading and I hope to give other books in the series another chance. 💛🌟
I liked the story in the beginning , middle and close to the end. Some parts made me laugh at some parts. Although the ending was a bit weird which is why I gave it a 3 (3.9) star rating and felt like it was rushed to finish and a cliffhanger?.... But overall, not bad for a children's novel and good Minecraft story. good read. 🌟
I need to thank my nephew for recommending this book. It was still worth reading and I hope to give other books in the series another chance. 💛🌟
January 27, 2024
… PACKEND, FANTASIEREICH, FESSELND & DIE PERFEKTE UNTERHALTUNG FÜR JUNG & ALT…
Minecraft gehört seit Beginn den Einzug in unser zu Hause zu den Favoriten, so komplex und kreativ. Perfekt um die Fantasie anzukurbeln und einen in die Welt der viel Möglichkeiten zu entführen.
Insbesondere jetzt auch die Möglichkeit zur Lektüre rund um diese Welt zu greifen.
Ich konnte sofort voller Begeisterung zu dem Buch greifen, wurde in eine packende als auch fantasiereiche Geschichte gezogen.
Hierbei wird es auch noch durch mein Fantasietier gesteigert, der süße Anhang, der Drache war einfach nur entzückend.
Natürlich bietet das Buch noch viel mehr, man verliert sich in den Seiten und fiebert einen guten Ausgang mit.
Dieses Werk bereitet nicht nur Kindern, sondern auch älteren Generationen Lesevergnügen.
Eine definitive Herzensempfehlung für Jung und Alt. Nicht zu vergessen der pädagogische Anteil dabei, dass das Buch eine perfekte Motivation für junge Leser ist, ihre Liebe zum Spie auch zwischen den Seiten zu finden.
Ich habe es in einem Rutsch verschlungen, bleibe total begeistert und mit Vorfreude auf mehr aus der Welt von Minecraft zurück.
Vielen Dank für das Rezensionsexemplar an den Verlag.
Trotz der Bereitstellung hat dies in keiner Weise meine ehrliche Meinung zum Buch beeinträchtigt.
#Minecraft
#DerDrache
#NickyDrayden
#JasonFrey
#Rezension
Minecraft gehört seit Beginn den Einzug in unser zu Hause zu den Favoriten, so komplex und kreativ. Perfekt um die Fantasie anzukurbeln und einen in die Welt der viel Möglichkeiten zu entführen.
Insbesondere jetzt auch die Möglichkeit zur Lektüre rund um diese Welt zu greifen.
Ich konnte sofort voller Begeisterung zu dem Buch greifen, wurde in eine packende als auch fantasiereiche Geschichte gezogen.
Hierbei wird es auch noch durch mein Fantasietier gesteigert, der süße Anhang, der Drache war einfach nur entzückend.
Natürlich bietet das Buch noch viel mehr, man verliert sich in den Seiten und fiebert einen guten Ausgang mit.
Dieses Werk bereitet nicht nur Kindern, sondern auch älteren Generationen Lesevergnügen.
Eine definitive Herzensempfehlung für Jung und Alt. Nicht zu vergessen der pädagogische Anteil dabei, dass das Buch eine perfekte Motivation für junge Leser ist, ihre Liebe zum Spie auch zwischen den Seiten zu finden.
Ich habe es in einem Rutsch verschlungen, bleibe total begeistert und mit Vorfreude auf mehr aus der Welt von Minecraft zurück.
Vielen Dank für das Rezensionsexemplar an den Verlag.
Trotz der Bereitstellung hat dies in keiner Weise meine ehrliche Meinung zum Buch beeinträchtigt.
#Minecraft
#DerDrache
#NickyDrayden
#JasonFrey
#Rezension
January 13, 2023
The Dragon in this book is VERY realistic and not a person in an animal’s body. I liked that. The final battle was EPIC to read but… unfortunately the dragon wasn’t in the book in times it should. Also, the characters, especially the main character, were hard to understand personality wise at times. The Mayor gave the ok too quickly and suddenly. But The Aunt was a fun character to read though.
August 1, 2023
I liked it.
December 31, 2025
Just not readable. Bad all the way around.
Displaying 1 - 24 of 24 reviews