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Dragon Games #1
The Thunder Egg
An adventure-packed series about three kids who travel into a magical, dragon-filled world!
Play the game. Save the realm.
One fateful afternoon, classmates Luca, Yazmine, and Zane stumble upon a strange-looking rock called a geode in one of the rooms at school. To their surprise, a touch of this geode transports them to a magical land named Imperia.
The geode is actually a dragon egg! It’s one of three Thunder Eggs that needs to be returned home to secret locations in Imperia. Once these eggs hatch, the dragons born from them will restore peace to the land. In order to return the first egg, the kids must face off against the evil ruler of Imperia in a dangerous game.
Play the game. Save the realm.
One fateful afternoon, classmates Luca, Yazmine, and Zane stumble upon a strange-looking rock called a geode in one of the rooms at school. To their surprise, a touch of this geode transports them to a magical land named Imperia.
The geode is actually a dragon egg! It’s one of three Thunder Eggs that needs to be returned home to secret locations in Imperia. Once these eggs hatch, the dragons born from them will restore peace to the land. In order to return the first egg, the kids must face off against the evil ruler of Imperia in a dangerous game.
71 pages, Kindle Edition
Published May 2, 2023
40 people are currently reading
197 people want to read
About the author
Maddy Mara
93 books69 followersMaddy Mara is the pen name of Melbourne-based creative duo Hilary Rogers and Meredith Badger. Hilary and Meredith have been collaborating on children's books for nearly two decades. Hilary is an author and former publishing director; Meredith is the author of countless books for kids and young adults, and teaches English as a foreign language. Maddy Mara is the melding of their respective daughters' names.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 32 reviews
July 5, 2023
A new to me chapter book series that features dragons! I recently acquired this series for my own library and was extremely excited to pick up another series that features dragons. I didn't read the synopsis for this one so I just assumed that dragons were the center of the story (based on the cover); however, I quickly found that the series actually focuses on three students who find themselves transported to this magical world that features dragons. This is a quick and easy read that focuses on friendship and teamwork. The writing isn't necessarily the best, but younger readers who are interested in dragons will find themselves entertained and will want to continue the rest of the series. To be quite honest, I enjoyed the book and I'm excited two check out the next two adventures that the characters will embark on to save Imperia. Overall, a solid beginning to a new series. I would recommend this for kids in 2nd-3rd grade or anyone that is a fan of dragons!
April 28, 2023
Perfectly acceptable early chapter book. The story is fine. The writing is fine. It’s not exceptional, it’s not bad. It’s fine.
August 5, 2023
A book my daughter asked me to read. We've had so much fun discussing it since. Definitely will be doing it again with her!
September 4, 2023
This is the first in a new series by the writing duo, Maddy Mara. It is the pen name of writers Hilary Rogers and Meredith Badger, who have released several bestselling children’s book series, including The Dragon Girls.
Dragon Games: The Thunder Egg is a chapter book. Three classmates, Luca, Yazmine and Zane are asked to stay behind one lunchtime, for reasons unknown, by their teacher, Ms Long. The teacher often tells tales of a supposedly imaginary land called Imperia. The classroom is old-fashioned, containing a blackboard and a locked glass display cabinet which contains various objects, including a football-sized rock that Ms Long refers to as a geode, also known as a Thunder Egg. She has warned her students that if any of them interfere with the egg, they will find themselves “in a whole world of trouble.”
As the students wait for her arrival, they stare quizzically at a strange drawing on the blackboard containing things that look like a crown, a tooth and a fork. The 3 students try to work it out and suddenly realise it’s a sketch of a map of Imperia, and say the name aloud together. As they do, the glass cabinet unlocks and the thunder egg rolls forward. One of the students catches it and throws it to the other. Lights flicker, colours flash and nobody understands what is happening.
Thus begins a fantastic dangerous, adventurous game. The three find themselves elsewhere and dramatically changed. Eventually, they realise that the Thunder Egg has taken them to Imperia and needs to be taken home to a secret location. Through seemingly impossible obstacles, threatening creatures, perilous journeys and an evil ruler, the classmates move ahead in the quest. Will they achieve the mission and survive?
This story is guaranteed to thrill young readers 7+ years of age. The authors have left the ending ready to lead into the next adventure in the series. Five stars.
Dragon Games: The Thunder Egg is a chapter book. Three classmates, Luca, Yazmine and Zane are asked to stay behind one lunchtime, for reasons unknown, by their teacher, Ms Long. The teacher often tells tales of a supposedly imaginary land called Imperia. The classroom is old-fashioned, containing a blackboard and a locked glass display cabinet which contains various objects, including a football-sized rock that Ms Long refers to as a geode, also known as a Thunder Egg. She has warned her students that if any of them interfere with the egg, they will find themselves “in a whole world of trouble.”
As the students wait for her arrival, they stare quizzically at a strange drawing on the blackboard containing things that look like a crown, a tooth and a fork. The 3 students try to work it out and suddenly realise it’s a sketch of a map of Imperia, and say the name aloud together. As they do, the glass cabinet unlocks and the thunder egg rolls forward. One of the students catches it and throws it to the other. Lights flicker, colours flash and nobody understands what is happening.
Thus begins a fantastic dangerous, adventurous game. The three find themselves elsewhere and dramatically changed. Eventually, they realise that the Thunder Egg has taken them to Imperia and needs to be taken home to a secret location. Through seemingly impossible obstacles, threatening creatures, perilous journeys and an evil ruler, the classmates move ahead in the quest. Will they achieve the mission and survive?
This story is guaranteed to thrill young readers 7+ years of age. The authors have left the ending ready to lead into the next adventure in the series. Five stars.
September 22, 2023
We're already fans of the Dragon Girls series. Dragon Games had us hooked right from the start. We love books that grip you within the first few pages and this is one of those titles. What a great premise - a teacher telling stories of an assumed mythical land Imperia in class. Little do three children know that Imperia is going to become very real and they will need to overcome their indifferences to each other to be successful in the game of their lives. Action packed from start to finish and we can't wait to read the next title in the series.
January 24, 2025
I adored this early reader fantasy book! As a 5th grade teacher I try to find all different books that meet the fantasy structure, but at a lower level text for some of my readers! This is it!! It has high vocabulary, strong fast moving plot, likable character, and very easy to follow.
I like how it is a series! So often these early readers like predictable plots and have background. By knowing the characters it makes the read easier and more attainable with vocabulary and predictions.
I am excited to share it with my 5th grade students!
I like how it is a series! So often these early readers like predictable plots and have background. By knowing the characters it makes the read easier and more attainable with vocabulary and predictions.
I am excited to share it with my 5th grade students!
June 1, 2023
It's far different from the Dragon Girls series, but still a good children's book. This series seems to focus on teamwork and thinking outside of the box. Initially, my daughter was hesitant, but as soon as I started reading, she was hooked. The authors again created a fantastic world to visit. There were a few parts that didn't seem to flow or were as smooth, but still a good read.
August 18, 2025
Solid read for my son (8 / 3rd Grade, & ASD, AD/HD, loves dragons). He's excited to continue with the next two books in the series.
I'm grateful the author has the "Games" books in addition to her "Dragon Girls" series because the latter looked interesting but he didn't "want to read girly stuff" 🙄🤦🏼♀️
I'm grateful the author has the "Games" books in addition to her "Dragon Girls" series because the latter looked interesting but he didn't "want to read girly stuff" 🙄🤦🏼♀️
February 28, 2023
This was a clean short novel that will absolutely be a page turner for the young dragon enthusiast. Themes of teamwork and the strength in our different abilities were nice additions! Highly recommend for the young fantasy reader.
August 6, 2023
More like 3.5 stars.
I loved reading this story, its really easy for a kid/young teen to follower along. I love the action and the whole plat as well. I love the cover art of said book and I loved the fast past of the story as well.
cant wait to read book two.
I loved reading this story, its really easy for a kid/young teen to follower along. I love the action and the whole plat as well. I love the cover art of said book and I loved the fast past of the story as well.
cant wait to read book two.
October 29, 2024
Very cute fantasy kids book for beginning chapter book kids. 3 Kids get sucked into a world they thought was made up by their weird teacher- and the three kids learn to work together to beat round one of the Dragon Games- very fun
January 31, 2023
A typical mass produced paperback series, but younger kids should enjoy it.
February 5, 2023
A great next read for fans of Magic Treehouse. Great suspense level for 1st and 2nd grade readers. They will be looking for books #2 and #3!
April 18, 2023
"It was exciting and had a lava snake. That was cool" -Henry
"The best part is the adventure doesn't end there. This is more"
"The best part is the adventure doesn't end there. This is more"
May 17, 2023
A cute adventurous friendship-building book for beginning chapterbook readers (2nd and 3rd grades)
June 7, 2023
Read with son who enjoyed!
October 14, 2023
My son enjoyed listening to this one.
October 28, 2023
My daughter loved it (8yrs old)
January 10, 2024
This was an interesting dragon series compared to the others. It's exciting from beginning to end with the games. My daughter and I give it 5 stars.
January 13, 2024
Of Maddy Mara’s dragon-themed trilogy openers, this is by far the best. It introduces lore and hints at a larger world in a more engaging way.
February 18, 2024
Read aloud with my boys. They found it very funny. A fine early chapter book.
April 25, 2024
It’s no Lewis or Tolkien, but it gets 5 stars because my dragon-loving first grader was so into the story that she read 52 pages in this today. 🙌🏻
June 3, 2024
My kiddos loved this!
July 1, 2024
My 8yr old says "I like everything about it". Great books for young kids just getting into chapter books. Words are spaced out and easy to read. Great book for grade 2-3.
November 18, 2024
Read this book to my son we read it in one day had to buy him the other two books. Thank goodness I got them the next day.
December 3, 2024
Fun read with my 6 year old son!
February 10, 2025
Absolutely adorable. Great book for friendship and working together :)
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October 27, 2025Some of my second graders enjoyed this read aloud so much that they keep looking for the series on the Bookmobile. 😍 They get very excited when they find a copy!
November 3, 2025
❤️ the best book in the world 🌎 👌 ❤️ ♥️ ✨️ 😍 🌎 👌 ❤️ ♥️ ✨️ 😍
Displaying 1 - 30 of 32 reviews