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Rust-Kicker
In New Drakenstad, everybody bonds with a dragon on their tenth birthday. Everybody, that is, except for members of the Rust-Kicker Clan, the only clan whose dragons died out. Years after becoming a Rust-Kicker, fifteen-year-old Albie yearns to prove his worth by joining the fire brigade, but he fails in every attempt. So he spends his days chasing fires with his best friend, Dagney, and his nights dreaming of punching his rival, Bjorn, in the face.
But everything changes when Albie makes a shocking a fully grown Rust-Kicker dragon.
With Dagney’s help, Albie must bond with his new dragon and investigate who is responsible for a series of mysterious fires that could throw New Drakenstad into chaos. But in a world that has looked down on his kind for so long, what can a lowly Rust-Kicker like Albie do to succeed—especially when the investigation starts to turn deadly?
But everything changes when Albie makes a shocking a fully grown Rust-Kicker dragon.
With Dagney’s help, Albie must bond with his new dragon and investigate who is responsible for a series of mysterious fires that could throw New Drakenstad into chaos. But in a world that has looked down on his kind for so long, what can a lowly Rust-Kicker like Albie do to succeed—especially when the investigation starts to turn deadly?
- GenresFantasy
164 pages, Paperback
First published July 5, 2021
2 people are currently reading
20 people want to read
About the author
Daniel M. Quilter
7 books17 followersDaniel M Quilter is the multi-genre author of the sprawling space opera, the Blood-Fire Trilogy, and the imaginative portal fantasy series, the Cross-Road Travelers. He's also the author of several stand-alone novels, such as Rust-Kicker, the story of a fire department in a town where everyone has a pet dragon.
When he's not writing, Daniel enjoys camping, hiking, rock-climbing, and riding his motorcycle.
When he's not writing, Daniel enjoys camping, hiking, rock-climbing, and riding his motorcycle.
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Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews
August 26, 2021
I haven’t seen a lot of buzz about this book, and that’s unfortunate, because my twins and I read it together and we loved it! It’s one of our top reads so far this year.
In New Drakenstad, ten-year-old children go through a special ceremony where they are assigned a clan (almost always the same clan as their parents—there’s a great deal of segregation among the clans so surprises are rare) and then bonded to a dragon. Each clan has a different type of dragon—except the Rust-kicker clan. All their dragons died out, so to be assigned to the Rust-kicker clan is to become an outcast. That’s what happens to Albie, and despite his best efforts to fight fires (a common enough occurrence in a city full of dragons), he can’t even get onto the fire brigade, despite five years of trying and several clever inventions that could revolutionize fire-fighting if anyone would bother listening to a Rust-kicker. His best friend, Dagney, does her best to help him, but life for a Rust-kicker is rough. Then one day Albie finds a Rust-kicker dragon, and everything changes.
Great world-building made this an easy story to slip into. The themes of friendship and believing in yourself were well done—I loved the friendship between Albie and Dagney. The book had a bit of romance (but no kissing if your kids still think kissing is gross), enjoyable character growth, awesome twists, and an intense climax. (The high-peril ending might be too intense for some middle grade readers, but my 11-year-old twins and I enjoyed it.)
Highly recommended, especially for middle grade and teen readers, male and female, with even a small interest in dragons.
Thanks to the publisher, who slipped a complementary copy into a package they were sending me.
In New Drakenstad, ten-year-old children go through a special ceremony where they are assigned a clan (almost always the same clan as their parents—there’s a great deal of segregation among the clans so surprises are rare) and then bonded to a dragon. Each clan has a different type of dragon—except the Rust-kicker clan. All their dragons died out, so to be assigned to the Rust-kicker clan is to become an outcast. That’s what happens to Albie, and despite his best efforts to fight fires (a common enough occurrence in a city full of dragons), he can’t even get onto the fire brigade, despite five years of trying and several clever inventions that could revolutionize fire-fighting if anyone would bother listening to a Rust-kicker. His best friend, Dagney, does her best to help him, but life for a Rust-kicker is rough. Then one day Albie finds a Rust-kicker dragon, and everything changes.
Great world-building made this an easy story to slip into. The themes of friendship and believing in yourself were well done—I loved the friendship between Albie and Dagney. The book had a bit of romance (but no kissing if your kids still think kissing is gross), enjoyable character growth, awesome twists, and an intense climax. (The high-peril ending might be too intense for some middle grade readers, but my 11-year-old twins and I enjoyed it.)
Highly recommended, especially for middle grade and teen readers, male and female, with even a small interest in dragons.
Thanks to the publisher, who slipped a complementary copy into a package they were sending me.
September 4, 2023
Gotta love a good Dragon story!
I haven't read a good dragon fantasy story in a long time, but this book definitely fills that gap that's been missing. I couldn't stop reading this book, and the blossoming relationship between Alfie and Dagney is too cute! I'd highly recommend this book, and I'll be downloading more books from the author in the very near future. Great writing.
I haven't read a good dragon fantasy story in a long time, but this book definitely fills that gap that's been missing. I couldn't stop reading this book, and the blossoming relationship between Alfie and Dagney is too cute! I'd highly recommend this book, and I'll be downloading more books from the author in the very near future. Great writing.
December 28, 2024
This was a fun book. I love a good dragon story and this book did not disappoint. It had a wide verity of fun, quirky characters. I enjoyed both pov characters and I especially liked Bjorn. It had some solid twists that kept me on my toes. All around an enjoyable read.
July 29, 2021
Rust-Kicker is an entertaining fantasy tale of friendship, double-dealing and dragons that will be enjoyed by middle-grade readers and adults alike.
Set in a believable world with genuinely likeable characters, there's plenty of intrigue and twists along the way, leading up to an exciting climax.
Thoroughly recommended.
Set in a believable world with genuinely likeable characters, there's plenty of intrigue and twists along the way, leading up to an exciting climax.
Thoroughly recommended.
April 12, 2022
A dragon ride of fun
This unique and engaging fantasy follows Albie and Dagney, two teens who live in a community of dragon people. At the age of 10 each child goes through a ceremony that places them in one of four clans. Once placed, one is paired and bonded with a dragon. Albie, however, finds only disappointment and the shame of being placed in the Rust-kicker clan, a clan whose dragons disappeared following the Great War that shook the clans many years before. As a result, an ugliness of hate and prejudice exists between the clans. Albie’s only desire is to be accepted so he can join the fire brigade. Will his penchant for finding trouble keep him from his dreams? I couldn’t stop reading until I found out!
This unique and engaging fantasy follows Albie and Dagney, two teens who live in a community of dragon people. At the age of 10 each child goes through a ceremony that places them in one of four clans. Once placed, one is paired and bonded with a dragon. Albie, however, finds only disappointment and the shame of being placed in the Rust-kicker clan, a clan whose dragons disappeared following the Great War that shook the clans many years before. As a result, an ugliness of hate and prejudice exists between the clans. Albie’s only desire is to be accepted so he can join the fire brigade. Will his penchant for finding trouble keep him from his dreams? I couldn’t stop reading until I found out!
September 30, 2021
I enjoyed this book more than I expected to! (Not that I didn't expect to enjoy it, but sometimes books surprise you!) The characters were well developed, the descriptions were whimsical and imaginative, with a tone and range that young adults and older adults can all enjoy. The pace moved with great forward momentum, and the main character, underdog Albie, definitely attaches himself to his reader so that you're invested in his fate. At no point was I bored nor did I feel that the story was redundant. I look forward to checking out what else this author has created!
March 18, 2024
Rust-Kicker from start to finish was an amazing read! There was adventure, dragons, betrayal, surprising new friendships, and the list can go on! This book had a little bit of everything! I would love to see their adventures continuing on!
Available on kindle unlimited, check it out!
Available on kindle unlimited, check it out!
December 31, 2021
Great book! Would make an awesome gift for kids, but adults would enjoy it too. You could even make this a parent-child bonding time book as you read it together.
Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews