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The Silver Dragon: Elements

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When a magical silver glow burst from inside of me, sending my bullies sprawling, I knew I was in trouble. Both Zodick and my Mother have a plan to get me away from the village that wants to end my life. When an elf appears on our doorstep claiming to be our absent Father, the idea of leaving was put on hold.

He isn’t here for us, however, but for something sinister, that is trapped as an egg in the ruins which they forbid us from entering.

The ruins that Zodick had already gone into. The ruins which called him back with every game we played and made my hairs stand on end.

What was in there?
What was my father hiding?
More importantly, why was it calling out to Zodick?

236 pages, Kindle Edition

Published February 17, 2023

26 people are currently reading
109 people want to read

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S.A. McClelland

5 books3 followers

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5 stars
25 (64%)
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7 (17%)
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5 (12%)
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 32 reviews
Profile Image for Stefanie Nici.
Author 9 books235 followers
July 8, 2023
Interesting Story

I felt for Sakura, this girl cannot go anywhere without fear of being attacked by fellow villagers, scary creatures, and possibly endangering the one friend who sticks by her side. The wolves, a mysterious egg, an elf were all interesting additions to the story that made it all that more magical. Five stars from me for this new author and first book in a series.
Profile Image for H.G. Ahedi.
Author 24 books55 followers
March 23, 2023
High rated fantasy

Wow! I have read other books by this author and this is a fine addition to her collection.
Sakura and Zodick live in a mysterious land which haunted by wolves. These scary creatures are out for blood. But where did they come from? And these creatures are not the only things they must fear. As the story unfolds, both Sakura and Zodick discover that everything has a price.

I loved reading the story from the eyes of both main characters. There were some characters I loved and others I hated.

A beautifully written fantasy. A must read.
Profile Image for Lori Peterson.
1,266 reviews39 followers
February 17, 2023
Received as a review copy from Story Origin, this is an honest review. Of all of the story, I really enjoyed the characters of Sakura and Zodick and their unique bonds of friendship as Sakura's abilities cause both of them a whole lot of trouble.
Profile Image for David Pontier.
Author 11 books1 follower
October 23, 2023
Engaging Fantasy Tale

The Silver Dragon tells the story of two young people in a small village who each experience traumatic and life-altering events.  As they struggle to deal with these changes and their relationship with each other, the village is set upon by monsters.  In order to protect their family and friends, they need to control their new powers or they might do more damage than the invading creatures.

Despite some concerns, I will bring up later, I enjoyed this story.  It was easy to root for both main characters and navigating their ever-evolving relationship was entertaining.  I think it would appeal to a younger audience as the concept of passing into adulthood was an easy parallel for what the characters went through.  And while I predicted several plot twists, the ending thoroughly surprised me, and I had to reread the last few chapters to ensure I got it right.  It was a bold choice, but well within the story's parameters and will create an interesting second book.

As for what I didn’t like, the main tension in the story was built through angst, not action.  This might appeal to some readers, but I am looking for a better balance in fantasy stories.  All of the tension was built around the MCs’ relationship with their parents, each other, their budding powers, and the village’s acceptance of them.  Because of this, the story takes place largely in one small house as they wrestle with these feelings.  This made the world seem small.  The epilogue reveals a much larger world that I wish we got to explore in the main story.

Also, while a few grammatical and punctuation errors are to be expected in self-published work, this story had more than usual.  Also, the author relied on a lot of 1, 2, and 3-word sentences to convey emphasis and emotion.  I feel this is a good tactic used a handful of times in a story at climactic moments, but each chapter had a dozen of them.

Ultimately, I enjoyed the book and would recommend it to younger readers looking for a good coming-of-age, magic-infused fantasy story.  Book two looks to build on what was established in book one, and I will probably give it a read.
28 reviews
May 21, 2023
A captivating young adult page turner. The main characters, Sakura and Zodick, are well written. Both are outsiders, but they have each other. Neither knows their full heritage. Their lives are disrupted by strange manifestations and it becomes clear that their parents are keeping secrets from them.

The two character POV flows well, revealing the bigger picture at a steady pace with plenty of action along the way. The novel is fairly clean, with some violence, but nothing gratuitous. There were errors typical of a spell checker making improper word substitutes, like weary instead of wary and reading instead of readying. An editor would be helpful, but the issues were sporadic and don’t detract from the story.

I don’t want to drop any spoilers, so I’ll just say that I liked the way the author incorporated some typical fantasy creatures with a unique origin. The world-building groundwork provides a lot of potential to expand the series in future novels. This is an enjoyable read and a well-done debut novel.
Profile Image for Alyssa Brade.
Author 1 book2 followers
June 5, 2024
Perfect New Read For Fantasy Lovers!

McClelland does a fantastic job with this first book in what promises to be a captivating fantasy series. The story is full of well-developed characters and plot twists and turns that keep you guessing. It's a perfect fantasy story as it immerses you into the world of Nohoval through vivid description.

The storyline follows Sakura and Zodick, childhood friends bound by fate who face life-altering events in their small village. Zodick's discovery of a black egg and the sinister voice that takes over his body, alongside Sakura's struggle with visions and a mysterious silver light, create an intriguing and unique narrative with lots of action. The balance of action, mystery, and magic is just right, making this book a must-read for fantasy fans.

The book kept me hooked until the end, and left me wanting more! I highly recommend to anyone looking for a great fantasy series.
25 reviews2 followers
June 8, 2024
Enchanting first book in a promising new series!

McClelland does a fantastic job with this first book in what promises to be a captivating fantasy series. The story is full of well-developed characters and plot twists and turns that keep you guessing. It's a perfect fantasy story as it immerses you into the world of Nohoval through vivid description.

The storyline follows Sakura and Zodick, childhood friends bound by fate who face life-altering events in their small village. Zodick's discovery of a black egg and the sinister voice that takes over his body, alongside Sakura's struggle with visions and a mysterious silver light, create an intriguing and unique narrative with lots of action. The balance of action, mystery, and magic is just right, making this book a must-read for fantasy fans.

The book kept me hooked until the end, and left me wanting more! I highly recommend to anyone looking for a great fantasy series.
Profile Image for Tabatha Shipley.
Author 16 books93 followers
February 19, 2023
What I Did Like:
I liked the inclusion of the wolven. They’re well-written and scary! Plus, I love when fantasy creatures are twists on real creatures with fantastical origins.
I like the magic. It’s intriguing. I loved learning about it with our main characters and when it all came together in that big reveal, it worked!
I appreciate the way this one ends. It wraps up the story we are telling here while also setting up for a sequel. This is one where I’d want the sequel quickly, however, so we can hope it’s coming soon!

Who Should Read This One:
Fantasy fans, specifically reluctant chosen one trope fans or darker magic fans.

My Rating: 4 Stars
The fantasy story here has mass appeal, for sure and it’s an intriguing start to a new series!

For Full Review: https://tabathashipleybooks.com/2023/...
Profile Image for Lyndi Allison.
Author 17 books40 followers
April 22, 2023
I was intrigued by the cover of The Silver Dragon: Elements, by S.A. McClelland and picked up a copy to read. The story is told in alternating points of view as the two main characters learn they have powers to fight off the wolvens who haunt their town at night. Family secrets are revealed as the action rises and a dark power wreaks havoc on the town.

I particularly liked the character, Sakura, a teen who struggles because she bullied by teens who see her as different and also with what she considers her mother’s overbearing protection. Her care and concern for the co-protagonist is touching, especially as he is rejected by his mother. I found her emotional reactions to the awareness of her power and the need to control it believable and would gladly continue reading her story in book 2 of this duology.
Profile Image for Vicky Peplow.
Author 61 books65 followers
June 10, 2023
Enjoyed more than I expected!

Sakura and Zodick have been best friends since been young children but to two different mothers who had parental styles. So Zodick enters the ruins and finds a black egg. He can't help himself and as time passes he hears a sinister voice in his head who tricks him into taking over his body.
Sakura has her own issues with visions and giving off a silver light or energy when she's scared or angry.
I don't want to give to much away but this is a fantastic start to a series that I'll certainly be following. The storyline runs at a great pace although there is the odd grammar mistake here and there but who cares. Look forward to reading the next book. Well done.
160 reviews2 followers
March 13, 2024
Not your typical dragon story....

The world that the author created is complex and filled with a diversity of interesting chrecters, some likable, and some that should have been drowned at birth. Yet all all are necessary to balance an unusual plot that checks all the markers needed to make an epic fantasy series. The scope of the dragons magic is both unique and believable. I like how the author carefully limited their blossoming talent. You can feel their frustration as they learn, fail, and grow in power. The story keeps you interested until the end. I am not a big fan of a cliffhanger... but I see how it could entice you to grab the next book. It is an amazing start to a series! 
Profile Image for Amy Johnson.
Author 4 books61 followers
March 13, 2023
We should first of all give the lovely McClelland a round of applause, because I read this book BEFORE the edits, and let me just tell you—Phenomenal growth here.

McClelland has managed to craft an absolutely intriguing introduction to what I know is going to be a great series. The world building is incredibly well-done, down to the fact that we’ve got unique animal and food names! The lore is also well-crafted and sprinkled in throughout the story. I just can’t stomach lore dumps.

I really liked the back and forth of the dual POV. It really added to the richness of the story!

And that ending?! Gut wrenching. I’ll be hanging on the edge of my seat waiting for book 2. 😍
Profile Image for TaniaRina.
1,589 reviews118 followers
February 17, 2023
‘She is the key’
Fae dragonblood magic is a surefire way (pun intended) to stop bullies.

There is an element of irresponsible parenthood that may (or may not) be indicative of mental illness. IRL, it’s important that we adults watch out for the kids and teens who are negatively affected by such. I agree with the late George Carlin that “it takes two parents”, but when kids need a village, give it to them.

The author provides a map at the beginning – thanks!


I would definitely read the next in series.
Profile Image for MelQ.
53 reviews1 follower
May 20, 2024
Coming of age with a dragon within

Coming of age with evolving superpowers is an intriguing concept to investigate, and the author does an excellent job of presenting the two young main characters' struggles for acceptance, discovering themselves, and each other. In an intriguing setting where evil lurks and innocents must be protected, the two heroes, Sakura and Zodick, engage in an epic battle against and with their inner dragons, that left me impressed and wanting more. Surely, I'll be checking out the next book.   
Profile Image for M.K. McCollom.
Author 24 books24 followers
May 24, 2024
Loved it

The author has done an amazing job weaving a tale that kept me hooked from start to finish. The characters are well-developed, and the plot twists keep you guessing. The vivid descriptions and emotional depth make it easy to get lost in the world of Nohoval. The balance of action, mystery, and magic is just right, making it a must-read for fantasy fans.

I'm really looking forward to the next book in this series to see where Zodick and Sakura’s journey leads. If you’re looking for a captivating fantasy series, *The Silver Dragon* should be on your list.
Profile Image for Anna Maria.
239 reviews2 followers
February 18, 2023
A very good story but it needs a lot of work. So many typos, grammatical errors and punctuation errors. You can't be taken seriously as an author if you write "your" instead of "you're" and things like that.
Like I said: the author needs to go back and triple check every little word and punctuation. It takes away from the reading experience.
Profile Image for Linda.
25 reviews
March 1, 2023
Sakura and Zodick are best friends and do everything together. Their mother’s used to be best friends and neither of them had a dad. Sakura finds out that she has a strong power and afraid to let anyone know. They end up in dangerous situations one right after another and trying to help their town.
This was a very interesting book that I enjoyed a lot. Sure hope the next book comes out soon.
Profile Image for Natasha.
Author 0 books24 followers
April 19, 2023
Want To Read More

This is a great book and fantastic start to the series. The author's writing style is a little different then the norm and it really works. That being said, this work could use a little proofreading but not much. I felt immersed in the story and I loved the characters. I want to read more but I'll have to wait until the next book is out.
Profile Image for Chelsea Kong.
Author 130 books28 followers
Read
February 21, 2024
Fantasy story

Sakura and Zodick are best friends with mothers that are different in personality. Zodick and Sakura's mother try to bring Sakura out of the village safely. An elf comes to to visit and seeks after an egg. Zodick hears a sinister voice speaking to him. Fantasy readers will love this book.
Profile Image for Pj.
76 reviews3 followers
December 5, 2024
Awesome opening for a series

There’s just not good YA fantasy about. My boy loves me reading to him, and it can be hard not to just read the same old tales. This, therefore, has been a really welcome find. We blasted through this as he was off unwell and I’ve already downloaded the next. Great stuff!
19 reviews
January 25, 2026
Good story, badly written

It's such a shame when talent and creativity get let down by poor or inexistent editing. Parts of this book look like a first draft with repetitions, spelling mistakes, misused vocabulary and inconsistencies. I would have liked to know where Sakura was headed but I can't take another badly written book.
Profile Image for D.David Croot.
492 reviews6 followers
March 25, 2023
cannot wait to read more

cannot wait to read more
McClellan style is such a relief in an oversaturated genre full of cliches and bad writing.
‘‘Twas a pleasure to sit down and take a load off in a world not my own”
Five stars
Profile Image for Hailey.
3 reviews
April 10, 2023
original, unpredictable, & intriguing

I went in to this book with out knowing what to expect and it didn’t disappoint! The writing was smooth, and well done. The storyline was original and entirely unpredictable, keeping me on edge. The concept of the magic and the dragons was neat and intriguing and I am very curious to see what happens next! Definitely recommend.
Profile Image for Irwin Glenn.
Author 8 books4 followers
July 4, 2023
an enjoyable fantastical tale

I enjoyed this tale that was full of magic, beasts, adventure in a well written world.
The author drew me in to a believable world where characters battled evil.
I am already looking forward to book two in this series
Profile Image for Tiffany.
Author 2 books19 followers
August 17, 2023
Overall good read

It’s a good fantasy story, it I did have many questions go unanswered maybe it will get answered in the next book. Cliffhangers automatically lose a star rating for me, not a fan. If you don’t mind them this is a good read.
Author 1 book6 followers
March 7, 2024
Fantasy Adventure!

This story is fill with magic and danger. I enjoyed reading the fantasy adventure. The story takes you to an exciting journey filled with twits and turns and captivating plot. Thi book is sure to enchanted fantasy fans of all age.
58 reviews4 followers
March 25, 2024
Inspired fantasy adventure

Not my typical fantasy read but I was able to keep up with story well, with main characters Zodick and Sakura being bound by fate in more ways than one (without ruining things for everyone else!). A recommended read
Profile Image for James Eldridge.
Author 7 books29 followers
September 15, 2024
Excellent

While much of the story takes place inside the headspace of the characters and it isn’t the most fast-paced, the world building and originality of the book keep the pages turning. This belongs on the shelves of all fantasy fans.
Profile Image for Sabine Garvey.
63 reviews2 followers
November 13, 2024
Engaging fantasy world

If you are looking for a book that will transport you to a fantasy world of engaging characters and a thought provoking story, look no further. The author has created a intrigue and mystery that draws the reader deeper in with every page. Not to be missed.
Profile Image for Ajay Howarth.
Author 13 books35 followers
May 6, 2023
Looking forward to book 2

The silver dragon was a good read t kept me interested right through and I look forward to reading what the author does next.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 32 reviews