Dragons in the Clouds

by David Blair

‘’Dragons in the Clouds’’ is a epic adventure that takes place during a time period when Dragons were alive and freely roamed the land. The people during this time were getting eaten by a vicious species of Dragons. The ruling King finally orders the total annilation of all living dragons. A powerful wizard, named Merlinus, who is a friend to the king, does not agree with the Kings order, for Merlinus knows all Dragons are not what they seem. So he does what he must to protect a family of Dragons that he had befriended. And to protect his Dragon friends, Melinus performs the spell of weightlessness and tells the Dragons to fly up and to hide in the cover of the Clouds. He then gives the Dragons strict instruction to live within the clouds and to only come down at night to eat. An apprentice to the wizard who has grandeur of his own has a plan for Dragons that he has hidden deep within a mountain cavern. Now enters a young boy, who had also befriended a dragon, though a very young one, suddenly find themselves caught between the Kings order and a battle that has begun between two species of Dragons. A battle that would determine control of the skies above the Kingdom of Albian. This Apprentice’s plan has consequences that may bring the Kingdom and perhaps the very world we live in today to an devastating end.

Genres: Fantasy, Epic, Book Club, Summer, Ebooks

136 pages, Paperback

First published November 16, 2018

Reviews

[Grady · Rating 5 out of 5]

A fantasy to treasure

Author David Blair makes his literary debut with this fine fantasy book for youngsters. He knows and understands the attraction of the theme of Dragons: it is likely his readers will have experienced their parent’s obsession with the Game Of Thrones series in which dragons play a major role. And look to the current plethora of animated films that focus on these exceptional beasts – this book is very well timed for audience appeal.

In his Foreword, David sets the tone of this short but very well developed story – ‘Remember when you were young, being stuck inside because it was raining heavily outside. You and your siblings would be in your room, staring out the window watching the raindrops gathering into puddles. The thunder in the distance would be getting louder, and you knew it was coming your way. You and your brother or sister would run out to the living room. So you could get a better view when the lightning started. But the real reason you ran out to the living room is because that was where your parents were and you really wanted the security of your parents being there in the same room… But! What if I told you, you had every reason to be scared!!! What if I told you that lightning really is fire being blown from a Dragons mouth and that the thunder was a Dragons ROAR!! Dragons in the Clouds will reveal all that has been kept secret up until this day.’

And with that well-scribed note to his readers, David begins a fantasy adventure that rivals the best of them. We journey to the land of Albion and learn of the duplicity of dragons – those who eat people and those who have been granted the spell of being able to fly – thanks to the wizardry of one Meriinius. The plot involves the misguided laws against dragons by King Arturus (just one of the fine bits of parody in the author’s writing!), the salvation of the cloud-housed dragons, the impact of the young apprentice, David, and the conversations among the dragons and with the human characters make this explanation of the secret of thunder and lightning a treasure.

The story is brief (just over 100 pages) making it the right size for the intended audience of ages 8 – 12 years, while at the same time offering a quick read for adults who still treasure imagination. This is an excellent by a new writer of skills. Recommended.

[Penney · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is one of most exciting books I have read in a long time. It had me on the edge of my seat and I couldn't put the book down, stayed up all night to finish this awesome read.

If you love adventure and enjoy a great story, I would highly recommend you buy this book. I think it could be made into a movie or even an internet game, it is that good.

If you want to discuss this book with me, please feel free to contact me.

[Lauren Stoolfire · Rating 3 out of 5]

I received an ecopy from Reedsy Discovery in exchange for an honest review.

Dragons in the Clouds is an epic adventure that takes place in the land of Albian during a time when Dragons were alive and freely roamed the land. The people during this time were being devoured by a particularly vicious species of dragon. To protect his people, the ruling King finally orders the total annihilation of all living dragons. A powerful wizard, named Merlinius does not agree with the King's order. For he knows all Dragons are not what they seem. Merlinius performs the spell of weightlessness and tells the dragons to fly up and to hide in the cover of the clouds. An unforeseen ability of the dragon's spell is that a Dragon's fire now looks like lightning and their roar is like that of thunder. Merlinius' apprentice who has grandeur ideas of his own. He has a plan for evil dragons that he has hidden deep within a mountain cavern. Now enters a young boy, who has befriended a very young dragon. The two suddenly find themselves caught between the King's order and a battle that has begun between two species of dragons. A battle ensues that will determine control of the skies above the Kingdom of Albion.

Dragons in the Clouds by David Blair is a solid epic fantasy novella. I wasn't at all familiar with the author, his style, or the story at all going in, but I'm glad I decided to take a chance on it via Reedsy Discovery because it is quite a bit of fun. I mean, it features dragons, magic, the grand struggle between good versus evil, and an introduction that is reminiscent of the fantasy adventure classic The Princess Bride. Plus, I can't resist anything that is even remotely Arthurian legend related. That said I didn't realize going into the novella that it's geared more toward middle grade readers rather than adults.

Blair's novel has a lot to enjoy about it. It is a quick read, it is quite imaginative, and the magic system is clearly laid out. The sense of adventure is very refreshing. There were a few elements, though, that I wish could have fleshed out and improved upon. Primarily, those elements are the cast of characters and the world-building. There was so much more I was looking for in the characters. I wasn't particularly invested in any of the characters of the main cast. The same goes for the overall world-building in that I didn't find myself especially interested in the world the characters inhabit. It is solidly done, but it just never quite managed to hook me in the same way as other epic fantasy novels. In terms of the writing, I also wanted to note that there's a fair bit of repetition even though it's as short as it is as well as the a few turns of phrase that just don't quite fit in with the main style.

Overall, Dragons in the Clouds by David Blair is a good yet short novella, but it could still do with a little work. If it were a little longer that could perhaps allow for some additional improvements in terms of character development and the world. In the end, this short read has several positive qualities, but it didn't particularly stand out from the crowd of other epic fantasy stories out there for me. If you enjoy MG adventure fantasy, dragons, or Arthurian legend, you may want to give this novella a try.


My review is also available on Reedsy Discovery and my blog.

[Kimberly · Rating 5 out of 5]

Oh my was this a phenomenal book! It did start out a little slowly, though it was adorable as the author introduced us to the characters and gave us the backstory. Then, as out of nowhere, the action started and I can't even begin to tell you all how often I held my breath throughout all of it.

If this book were ever made into a movie I would be the first in line to watch! The author gifted us with a reality that was as vivid as it was colorful. I hope beyond hope that there is a sequel as the ending left the story wide open for one, though if this is the only book, the ending was excellent.

I recommend anyone who loves fantasy and dragons to read this book. It is a perfect quick read just for yourself or it would be a great book to read to the kids. Anyone, regardless of age, can find something to love in this action-packed fantasy land.

DRAGONS IN THE CLOUDS

[Valery · Rating 4 out of 5]

Geared toward ages 8-12, Dragons in the Clouds by David Blair is a captivating tale that features dragons and much more in the way of fantasy. An adventure story that takes place during a mystical time when dragons were a part of everyday life, this tale weaves itself in and out of trouble. There are dragons who eat other dragons, a wizard named Merlinus, ( a take on Merlin), and a king who wants to eliminate all dragons because he thinks they are all dangerous. A magical part of the story is that Merlinus gives the at risk dragons the ability to become weightless and to hide in the clouds, only to come down when they eat. However, their world is still not without danger, as you will soon see as you read along in this adventurous book. With writing that will grab your attention, a fast pace, plenty of problems to solve, and fun characters, this is an entertaining book that will delight and captivate younger readers. Highly recommend.

[Stephen R. · Rating 5 out of 5]

This story is set in a time when dragons lived. A vicious species of dragons used to feast on people. Concerned by this development, the King ordered all dragons killed. A wizard and king’s friend, known as Merlinus, believes all dragons are not bad and therefore does not agree with the king's orders.

To protect the dragons, he casts a weightlessness spell and tells the dragons to take cover in the clouds. The dragons should only come at night to eat. Enter the wizard's apprentice and a young boy. The apprentice has hidden dragons in the mountains. The boy has a young dragon friend. Amid war between the two dragon species and the king’s orders, the apprentice’s plan has consequences, which could annihilate the whole world. Dragons in the Clouds is a captivating fantasy book that offers epic adventure. It seems like it would appeal more to the younger generations, but I certainly found it enjoyable as an adult.

[Nirvarnia · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a great fantasy story aimed at a younger audience and the language /writing caters to that. The writing is pretty good, considering the style for the intended audience. There were a few errors (like in the end “Reilly’s House” is presented as regular text when really it’s a scene change).

I’m more impressed by the creativity of the plot. Basically, a powerful wizard attempts to save dragons as the creatures have been widely vilified (wrongly so, as not all dragons were bad/evil). It’s a pretty wonderful idea with a message to avoid sweeping generalizations about something without taking the time to get to know both sides well.

The story reads as a father telling the story to his daughter. We kick off (after the intro) in modern times, watching a glimpse of Ray and his family delve into the excitement of dragons. Ray begins the story, and shortly after we cut to Albion, picking up just after the introduction and jumping into the world of dragons.

[Angie · Rating 4 out of 5]

My Review: I received a complimentary copy of this book from Pump Up Your Book promotions. The following is my honest review and opinion I was expecting a big epic fantasy but what I actually got was a novella length book, and I am not sorry. This is an interesting fantasy twist on the reason for thunder, lighting and various weather events. I really enjoyed the shorter length of this story, it is not often you find a fantasy with a shorter length that leaves you satisfied. The magic system is clear and developed and the characters are also developed. I do feel like there could be more to the story, there are hints at more with the characters of the fantasy world but I am still satisfied with what we are given. This is also a fairly easy fantasy to read, and could be enjoyed by audiences as young as 8-10 but it is still enjoyable for adults to read.

[Emerson · Rating 5 out of 5]

I am inclined to agree with both David Blair and J. R. Tolkien that in regards to fantasy novels, the best adventures always have dragons. This is something that I particularly enjoyed in children's and young adult fiction, which is the age range that this book leans toward. That being said, I thought that this book was well-written, entertaining, and fun to read, regardless of age. This classic high fantasy adventure story follows the wizard Merlinus and his apprentice who are striving to save the dragons. I thought that the way that the author created his own version of Merlin to be fun and unique. My favorite part of this book was probably the friendships created between the apprentice and the dragons. This is a wonderfully magical story that makes for a lovely read.

[Jia · Rating 4 out of 5]

What a cute and action-packed fantasy book! Who doesn't love a good fantasy that has dragons in it?
The book gave major "How to train your Dragon" vibes because of the two classes; the good dragons aka "plant-eating dragons" and the bad ones "meat-eating dragons" and also, David being a friend with a dragon, Rago just like Hiccup and Toothless !!! I loved it.
The concept of wizards and dragons living together gave me Fairytail anime vibes and God, I adore Fairytail so, it added another reason for me to like this book.
The story is pretty different from both of these and it is fun to read. I enjoyed reading it a lot but at a few places, I wanted a little bit more action like the Odious and Jaysha's fight escalated pretty quickly. In my opinion, it could have been a little more thrilling than how it happened but overall the book is awesome and fast-paced. Definitely worth a read if you want to have a good time.

[Aneela ♒the_mystique_reader♒ · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a fantasy story filled with magic, action and lots of adventures. Long ago when there were kingdoms, dragons and wizards, some meat-eating dragons attacked and killed people so King Arturus ordered his knights to kill all dragons including the plant-eating ones. Meanwhile, a powerful wizard and friend of the King, Merlinius, helped the plant-eating dragons by casting a weightlessness spell on them so they could hide in the clouds and can only come down to eat at night when the world is all asleep. However, the wizard's apprentice, Odious, has other plans. He stole the spell and cast it on the meat-eating dragons as well. A young kid, David, is also hiding a baby dragon and their friendship was the cutest. Now, a vicious fight erupted between the dragons and David and his baby dragon, Rago, were caught between it and the king's order to kill all dragons.

The author's writing style is simple and gripping. The world-building and plot were so good and engaging that I didn't want to put the book down. It is a short story aimed for readers between 8-12 but adults will find this book equally enjoyable.

[Sally Wolf · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good start but needs a bit of polish.

This book is about an epic battle of dragons versus man. Both plant and meat eating dragons are under attack by the king. The herbivore dragons are helped by a wizard who sends them into the sky. A great idea is spoiled by jealousy, however, and tragedy for all is the result or is there still hope? You will just have to read this book to find out.
This is an interesting young adult fantasy novel filled with action, adventure, dragons, magic, and friendship. The underlying plot of this book is well thought out and is interesting. The characters were somewhat diverse and flowed well with the plot. For the most part it is a solid read, because of its uniqueness, and it made a good fantasy. The biggest downfall of this book was the overall writing style. For example, there were many overused phrases such as "Kicked the horses into a gallop" was used three times in the same paragraph consisting of only four sentences, and that is just one of many examples. There were also several phrases which didn't fit into the time period like "the king and his pose". The whole book said a lot, but lacked a good description of the environment, and characters. The beginning started out strong but as the story within the story unfolded the characters and the world they lived in seemed to loose depth and the overall book became tedious. It is hard to say whether or not I would recommend this book to any reader. I enjoyed the storyline, but the monotonous phraseologies and lack of connection to the characters made it hard to read. Some older readers may dislike this, book due to these factors and should pass. On the other hand younger individuals who pay less attention to details, and the repetition would not bother them, would probably enjoy the dragons, and magical undertone, but there is a lot of violence, so finding the correct reader demographic may be difficult.

[Shannon · Rating 4 out of 5]

The cover for Dragons in the Clouds is intriguing. There is just enough there to hint at the story while catching the readers eye. There is the mystery of who the man is within the clouds and lightening. 5 Stars It is important to define your characters so that they are each unique so that the reader can love or hate them. The characters in Dragons in the Clouds are endearing and likeable except for the villains. I found the names for Blair's characters to fit with their personality. Odious was aptly named as were the dragons. Blair made them unusual. I found myself picturing the characters just from the names he gave them. I wanted to have one as a friend the same way young David did. 5 Stars Dragons in the Clouds is a unique and interesting idea. The way Blair has used dragons to explain different weather events is imaginative. I think it opens up the possibility of the what if factor. It could be true or it could be make believe. 5 Stars I liked the way Blair had the story of the dragons told to a child by her father after he returned from a business trip. He gives his daughter a stuffed dragon and then tells her a bedtime story involving said dragon. As an author myself, I love that this parent told his child a story. This will enable the child to grow up to do the same with their child. I liked the way Dragons in the Clouds subplot was what the book started with, then Blair delved into the plot. 5 Stars A book is an escape into an adventure for the reader. I found Dragons in the Clouds to be a nice little adventure, however there were times I found my thoughts wandering. That being said, overall the story is good. 4 ½ stars I give Dragons in the Clouds 4 ½ stars. I think middle grade and young adult readers will enjoy the story. Blair has left the reader saying what happened next. I believe this book needs to be in every school library so children can read it.

[Alea Simons · Rating 4 out of 5]

I received a complimentary PDF version of this story from twitter. Views of this story are my own.

Overall, I throughly enjoyed reading this story! Fantasy stories are not something I usually read but I found myself enjoying this one. I found the characters interesting, particularly David and Rago. I liked how the author showed the two communicate in a special sign language and were able to maintain a great and protective friendship despite the humans drive to kill off all the dragons. This leads me to also dicussing how I found the overall plot to well developed and fascinating enough to keep my attention. It wasn't just about a battle between humans and dragons but also a battle between the dragons and a battle between the humans on how Albion should deal with this issue.

The only major issue I had with this story is the transition from present day to the actual story. It could have been more clearer. There were other sentence structure errors that weren't too distracting. Otherwise, this is a book worth reading.

[Good Reader · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was charmed by this book from the opening pages. It opens with a heartwarming homecoming where a father reunites with his young daughter. He tells her a bedtime story that unfurls beautifully. There are a lot of things to love about this book. There are refreshing elements that make it stand out from the generic "Dungeons and Dragons" fantasy variety. My perception of dragon has always been shaped by the St George image of slaying the fire breathing monster. This book presents dragons in much more sensitive light. Did you know that some were herbivores? Also, they are sensitive, family orientated creatures. The wizard Merlinious not only can speak to the dragons but is their advocate in the face of human wrath. His spell to save the dragons takes the plot to a "higher level." The prose is effortless demonstrating the author's great flair. I recommend this book to all ages. 5 stars

[Vowelor Books · Rating 5 out of 5]

In his book Dragons in the Clouds, David Blair creates a fantasy world full of magic, mystery and imagination which you would not want to come out of even after finishing the book.



The story is set in times when dragons existed on earth and the author takes you on a thrilling journey of how they vanished.

With a folklore style of story featuring kings, knights and magical wizard, the Author has targeted the kids between age 8-13 years but the extremely vivid description of events and places will make even adults believe in the story.

Though the climax was quite certain, David Blair deserves applause for keeping the reader glued to the pages.

Verdict: Makes you believe in the existence of dragons and magic and fantasy. Must-read for Harry Potter fans.

[David Blair · Rating 5 out of 5]

I hope everyone finds this book as fun and exciting as it was for me writing it. I wanted to capture the mystic, the power and the might of the fabled Dragon.

[María Andrea · Rating 5 out of 5]

When Sir Jonathan, David's father, dies fighting meat-eating dragons, a battle led by King Arturus and his knights ensues, putting the whole dragon species in danger, whether they are aggressive or not. How will the powerful wizard Merlinius deal with this catastrophe? And what will happen to Rago, David's innocent dragon best friend? "Dragons in the Clouds" by David Blair is a fantasy novella that follows the tradition of medieval oral literature with values and struggles that are timeless. In the footsteps of the Arthurian legend, David Blair has created an endearing and action-packed tale that not only fulfills our need for fantasy, but restores our faith in the human capacity for tolerance, acceptance, and respect for nature.

Although most of the story takes place in what we can assume are medieval times, the language is modern without being extremely anachronic, which opens this book for a broader audience. The cast of characters is diverse and provides a lot of admirable role models: from Jaysha's bravery to Rago's and David's loyalty. It is admirable how the author kept a uniform and page-turning pace without overlooking character development. In fact, the action and the vivid imagery of “Dragons in the Clouds” would make for an excellent movie.

The only flaw in this delightful tale is some minor editing mistakes that do not diminish from the reading experience.

I would recommend this novella to all fantasy lovers: adults and children alike. Kids in middle school and up can read "Dragons in the Clouds" though younger readers might need adult assistance with some vocabulary. This is one of those rare stories that are clean enough for kids, but not too simple for young adults and adults to enjoy. The embedded narrative makes this short tale an excellent book for parents or educators to enjoy with little ones. I would not recommend this book to fundamentalist Christians who feel uncomfortable with magic and wizardry.

In a bipartisan world where we often label an entire group for the mistakes of one of their members, "Dragons in the Clouds" by David Blair is the endearing novella we didn't know we needed.

[S. Jeyran Main · Rating 4 out of 5]

Dragons in the clouds is a fantasy fiction story and begins with the tales of dragons and their connection with lightning and thunder. The book is geared towards the younger generation and is filled with action and adventure. There is a mystery, magic and a lot of imagination make it excellent for the age range it aimed for.
I particularly enjoyed reading about the dragons fighting as it was descriptive and exciting. The pace of the story was steady, and it was straightforward to follow. The story isn’t very long. The description is what pulls the story together.

I was impressed with the ending. It closed many aspects that needed closure but still left more wanting for sequels.

I recommend this book to young fantasy readers and look forward to reading more from this author.

[Terri Dixon · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a can't miss between dragons, wizards, Arthurian worlds and symbolic allegory. The use of dragons and the medieval story about Arturus sending his knights to exterminate them is an amazing tale of the beginnings of thunder, lightning and storms. There is non stop action, battles between good and evil, and of course, magic. I enjoyed the dichotomy of there being a good guy for every bad guy, leaving us with the old addage where there is good there will be evil. You can't have one without the other. I found the book a great read, with a quick pace that never leaves you bored.

[Jeel Porwal · Rating 4 out of 5]

The author is very much expressive throughout the story. The way author tells the story is so good that we can easily understand each and every character's place in the story. The story has a very soft and sweet start with the childish and cute behavior of Reilly daughter of Ray Evans. The wizard, dinosaurs, castle all the things which can create another world in your mind, the world beyond your imagination, you will find in this book. Ray Evans beautifully narrates the story to his Reilly, which he heard from the owner of a toyshop.

I felt amazed at the end when the dragon "Rago" actually got real.I personally recommend this book for all the children's as this book will ignite the fire of imagination in you. I loved to read the whole story in one go. Apart from all, I would like to thanks David Blair for this story, it was quite different from other dragon tales.

[Mary Yarde · Rating 5 out of 5]

“Merlinus might be hiding dragons...”

On the orders of King Arturus, all dragons are to be killed on sight. There have been too many deaths, too many good men devoured by these loathsome beasts. It is time to put an end to the dragons' unchecked reign of terror.

For the powerful sorcerer, Merlinus, Arthurus’ decree is both troublesome and disturbing. Not all dragons, kill. Not all are loathsome. But the King is set upon driving the dragons to extinction and this Merlinus cannot allow. However, to go against the king and the will of the people is a monumental risk. If it is ever discovered that he is hiding dragons, then the consequences will be severe.

Unbeknown to Merlinus, he has an enemy. An enemy who will do anything to discredit the renowned wizard.

Can Merlinus save the dragons in time? And who is this enemy that would destroy everything that Merlinus has worked so hard to achieve?

From a dark and dangerous night in the Albion Forest to the dragons last stand high up in the sky above Merlinus’ castle, Dragons in the Clouds by David Blair is the unforgettable story about one man’s fight to save a species from annihilation and the unbreakable friendship between a young boy and his dragon.

With its easy prose style and a wonderfully compelling narrative, Dragons in the Clouds is a real treat for children of middle grade reading age. The story is compelling, without being overcomplicated, and there is enough action to keep even the most reluctant reader entertained.

Set within the backdrop of Arthurian legends, Dragons in the Clouds is a thoroughly enchanting story and perfect for children to not only read alone, but it also works as a great bedtime story. I thought the relationship between David, and his best friend, Rago the dragon, was beautiful in its simplicity and enjoyable in the telling. David has more reasons than anyone to hate the dragons, but like Merlinus, he understands that not all dragons are the same. David will defend Rago, no matter what that may cost him. David is a young hero that the reader can really get behind, and his relationship with Rago helps drive this story forward.

I thought the characterisation of Merlinus was terrific. He is everything a wizard should be. He is intelligent, cunning, and above everything else, he is someone who will take a stand against injustice even in the face of considerable opposition. His desire to help the dragons is marred only by the fear that the dragons will be discovered.

I thoroughly enjoyed this book. It had everything an excellent middle-grade book should have. Younger readers of Cressida Cowell’s How to Train Your Dragon series will be utterly enchanted by David Blair’s Dragon in the Clouds.

I Highly Recommend.

Review by Mary Anne Yarde.
The Coffee Pot Book Club.

[Rakhi (New Book Reviewer) · Rating 5 out of 5]

The story starts with Mr. Evans returning home from a business trip. Greeted by her eight-year-old daughter, Mr. Evan gives a gift that he brought for her from an old antique shop; a dragon toy. He explains to her that there is a story behind it that the old man told him. So after dinner, Mr. Evans started telling the story about the dragon that the old shopkeeper told him. So the journey of the story began, once there were dragons that lived among us; with us. There were two types of dragons; plant-eaters and meat-eaters. Among the villagers lived a great wizard; Merlinius, who kept the village safe from meat-eater dragons. Then there was one incident happened that lead to the incident where all the dragons from his world extincted and early ending the life of humans too.

So it starts with the death of a royal Knight; Sir Johathan. Knights are the soldier that hunted dragons and kept the village safe. So at the funeral of knight Johathan, his widow Jayasha was angry at the king knight. She blamed him that it was his fault that her husband was dead. Being a king is not an easy task, so after losing the finest knight king commanded to kill all the dragons which led to extinct of all the dragons from the world.
But the great wizard; Merlinius had his own plans and he hid a family of dragons. After the death of almost all dragons, the death in the village didn’t stop as the rival of the wizard had used the same spell to hide the other dragons who ate meats too. So how will the villagers survive this? And why would any humans save a meet eater dragons?

My Take: Having a passion for writing makes a normal person a writer and the writer that not only feels his story but also passes on the same feeling and makes the reader believe in what he believes is what makes a writer a hardworking Author. When you read a book, you can see and feel the hard work of the Author by seeing the details and by feeling the surroundings of the book by reading the details explained. In this book, I found the same vibe. The Auther David Blair has done a great job, I could see his hard work and his passion for writing, as I could feel all the moments as it was described beautifully and he has really done excellent work. As the Title reads, Dragons in the Clouds, and when I finally finished the book, at the end, it did make me believe that maybe dragons do exist in the cloud :) The main highlight in the book is the friendship between the baby dragon and the kid David. The friendship shows the deep affection and meaning between a human and animals. From the very start of the book till the very end it's a delight to read. I also like the character Jayasha mother of David the way the author has developed her character is astonished, from a grieving widow to a fearless mother, the persona of a fearless, independent and gifted with the skill of archery, the character made the book even more interesting. I also like the ending with a twist and magical.

Overall loved the magical vibes of dragons and would recommend to read it to find the dragons and enjoy the ride to the clouds.

[Francesca Quarto · Rating 3 out of 5]

For his first venture into publishing for the Young Adult reader, I found the concept of the two kinds of dragons quite interesting. Just as good verses evil in life , there is plenty to challenge the heroes in the story. I think the boy David will appeal to the younger reader and the fantasy woven around the story will provide an exciting backdrop. Definitely not a book for more mature readers in my view.

[Lily Ashtree · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a story about a man telling his girl the tale of how Rago, the little dragon, came to be. Long ago, there was a kingdom, and in this kingdom there were two kinds of dragons. Those who ate plants, and those who ate humans. The King of Albion, King Arturus, declared that all dragons should be hunted and killed. He had intentions to save his people from the dragons who were bad, but in doing so, he is sentencing several friendly dragons to death.
Rago is one of the friendly dragons. He and his family are fighting for survival as they navigate their new world. The numbers of dragons are slowly decreasing. A group of flesh eating dragons task themselves with eating the King’s people. They feast at night, while the villagers are sleeping.
This is a cute tale with a twist worth reading. I enjoyed reading about Rago and his friends, and I believe this is a wonderful novel for the Young Adult age range. Although, I do believe a lot of people would enjoy this little fantasy. It wasn’t too long, the pace of the novel was a little rough, but I found it a nice little escape into another world.
The climax was long and went on for a good quarter of the book without the ups and downs of a normal story flow, but overall I felt it had a good flow. Blair followed the natural curves of the story, and you could almost hear the father telling the story.
I did feel as though there was a little disconnect to the characters just because of how many people you end up following, and the writing style. At the same time there was enough of a connection with the real world that I was still wrapped up in the story. David Blair made fun little connections to our world and I will never look at a thunderstorm the same. I’ll always wonder if there really are dragons up there. This story was simply magical.

Lily Ashtree

[CHenry Roi · Rating 5 out of 5]

The imagery! This guy puts a movie in your mind.

For me, the way characters talk to each other is important. Cliches and flowery or overly lyrical prose just isn't compelling. David does a pro job keeping readers attached to the scenes with authentic dialogue. It's a wonderful story. If you love bad to the bone dragon stories, grab this one.

[Joe Pranaitis · Rating 5 out of 5]

Author David Blair brings us a tale of a dragon family and how a wizard made them weightless so they can live in the clouds. The story begins with a father coming home to his little girl and brings her a toy dragon named Rago. As the father sits down to dinner with his daughter and his wife he begins to tell them of Rago and how everything came to be that the wizard had made sure that they would survive the dragon purge going on. The wizard preformed the spell and his apprentice at the time stole the ingredients that the wizard used in order to make a pack of meat eating dragons weightless too but under one condition that they serve him. This began the war of dragons and how the thunder and lighting that we hear in the clouds. This is a great novella and I highly recommend it for all dragon lovers and you'll enjoy the end of it too. 

[Reader.From.Elsewhere · Rating 4 out of 5]

A story full of dragons, magic and adventure!The plot and characters are well formed by the author. This story is simple and I imagined it all the way with ease. I loved the storyline and the concept of thunder, lightning and tornadoes in the story. Rago, the little dragon was indeed very brave. I liked David's (Rago's human friend) mother Jaysha's character, such a strong woman she was! throughout the story she showed great courage and bravery. Although the plot was good, the story became dull at some points for I had high expectations but surely it could have been better with a bit more struggle.

Recommended!
You'll surely find it likeable:)

[Amber Hawke · Rating 5 out of 5]

Dragons in the Clouds was a well written fantasy book that included magic, Kings, and dragons with a story line that perfectly integrated multiple characters, plots, and settings. I found myself quickly pulled into this unique fantasy book as I have always loved dragon fantasy fiction!

[Misty · Rating 5 out of 5]

DRAGONS IN THE CLOUDS was a great fantasy read filled with adventure, magic, and dragons! I enjoyed the diverse collection of characters. It was quite clear that this author is quite the talented fantasy writer!