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Practical Guide Family of Fantasy Essentials #3
A Practical Guide to Dragon Magic
The two most popular fantasy topics--dragons and magic--combine in this fascinating new volume of the New York Times best-selling series...
Do you wish you could fly on wings of your own? Breathe fire? Cast spells in the blink of an eye? These are the secrets only dragon magic can teach you.
In this next edition in the Practical Guide family of fantasy essentials, dragon expert Sindri Suncatcher opens up his notebooks one last time to give readers an insider's look into the Darastrix Academy, a place where young wizards and dragon hatchlings live side-by-side mastering the powerful magic that makes dragons so special.
For every fantasy fan who loves dragons and wants to know everything about these enigmatic creatures, this book reveals the greatest dragon secrets of all.
Do you wish you could fly on wings of your own? Breathe fire? Cast spells in the blink of an eye? These are the secrets only dragon magic can teach you.
In this next edition in the Practical Guide family of fantasy essentials, dragon expert Sindri Suncatcher opens up his notebooks one last time to give readers an insider's look into the Darastrix Academy, a place where young wizards and dragon hatchlings live side-by-side mastering the powerful magic that makes dragons so special.
For every fantasy fan who loves dragons and wants to know everything about these enigmatic creatures, this book reveals the greatest dragon secrets of all.
80 pages, Hardcover
First published September 14, 2010
About the author
Susan J. Morris
8 books319 followersSusan J. Morris is a fantasy author best known for her Harker & Moriarty novels, including Strange Beasts and its sequel, Wayward Souls. Before succumbing to books entirely, Susan worked as a novels editor at Wizards of the Coast, ran workshops for Clarion West, and penned a popular writing-advice column—all of which, she is coming to realize, are more or less books. Susan makes her home in the rainy Pacific Northwest with her partner, her cats, and entirely too many plants. Find her online at susanjmorris.com.
Content warnings available on her website.
Content warnings available on her website.
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Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews
June 5, 2018
This is the third book of a series that takes place in the world of Dragonlance. Each one is narrated by Sindri Suncatcher who is a prominent character in the YA series. Each book in this series is also a stand alone. In this one, Sindri tells about humans and dragons bonding at an academy as they learn about dragon magic.
I have to first say that my rating does not reflect about the writing in this book. It was perfectly fine and the books in this series are nice looking books. My problem with this particular book was the material. It is not Dragonlance. I have read close to two hundred books that belong in this world and the material from this book was never even hinted at in those books. This book seems like it is a pure cash grab by the publishing company. It seems like they saw how popular books were concerning young people and them learning magic and they wanted to hop on that train. The only thing that resembled Dragonlance was the mention of the different types of dragons. Maybe they were going in a new direction for Dragonlance but it never came to fruition. All I know is that this book does not belong in this world.
The books in this series are designed for world building and background information. The first two worked with this concept as they fit into this world. I don't know why but for whatever reason this third book was totally misplaced and should not be associated with Dragonlance.
I have to first say that my rating does not reflect about the writing in this book. It was perfectly fine and the books in this series are nice looking books. My problem with this particular book was the material. It is not Dragonlance. I have read close to two hundred books that belong in this world and the material from this book was never even hinted at in those books. This book seems like it is a pure cash grab by the publishing company. It seems like they saw how popular books were concerning young people and them learning magic and they wanted to hop on that train. The only thing that resembled Dragonlance was the mention of the different types of dragons. Maybe they were going in a new direction for Dragonlance but it never came to fruition. All I know is that this book does not belong in this world.
The books in this series are designed for world building and background information. The first two worked with this concept as they fit into this world. I don't know why but for whatever reason this third book was totally misplaced and should not be associated with Dragonlance.
May 27, 2017
This illustrated guide was a fun and entertaining read about dragon magic and whether a human might consider training with dragons. There are tips about each "stormshell" (type of dragon) to help you decide the best fit for you. For example, I learned that I'm not suited to red dragons or white dragons, but I could get along well with gold dragons who are "committed to justice."
The book is full of illustrations and amusing sidenotes from "Sindri Suncatcher" who guides the reader through the ins and outs of dragons, becoming a dragon apprentice, and becoming a dragon master. If your child loves dragons, they're sure to love this Practical Guide to Dragon Magic.
The book is full of illustrations and amusing sidenotes from "Sindri Suncatcher" who guides the reader through the ins and outs of dragons, becoming a dragon apprentice, and becoming a dragon master. If your child loves dragons, they're sure to love this Practical Guide to Dragon Magic.
November 19, 2019
4.5/5
A sound addition to the wonderful D&D guides for kids (and adults!) all around. Great illustrations, even better creativity. Never have I wanted a dragon, more! My favorite if I had to choose would be Bronze.
A sound addition to the wonderful D&D guides for kids (and adults!) all around. Great illustrations, even better creativity. Never have I wanted a dragon, more! My favorite if I had to choose would be Bronze.
September 6, 2024
Some interesting ideas brought up about the relationship between dragons and mortals. It just doesn't talk about the difference in aging and the speed of power acquisition that is very different between the races. The magic items were convenient for not getting eaten or hurt by a dragon.
January 25, 2018
This is a very charming book related to the Dungeons and Dragons game with enchanting illustrations and amusing dragon lore.
November 13, 2015
A Practical Guide to Dragon Magic is packed with very important information . . . that is, if you want to be a wizard and learn dragon magic. I mean, who wouldn't want to do that? Just reading this book will make you long to meet a young dragon and somehow form that bond that will be with you for the rest of your life. Imagine, always having your best friend right by your side. A friend that can fly, do magic, protect, and totally understand you. Sounds pretty special, doesn't it?
Sindri Suncatcher, the foremost authority on everything about dragons, has spent time living with the ten different types of dragons so his cousins can help him decide which path he should take. Should he study magic under a master dragon wizard? Or, should Sindri take a young dragon as an apprentice and both learn from each other? Sindri has compiled all of the information he learned into this book so his Aunt Moonbeam can read the book to his cousins. Luckily, Wizards of the Coast was able to get their hands on a copy and was able to print it for us to buy. Thank goodness for that.
Susan J. Morris has created a significant amount of information about dragons and their magic. I thought I had learned everything I needed to know about dragons in A Practical Guide to Dragons and A Practical Guide to Dragon Riding, but I was wrong. The writing is quick and well thought out, and will keep a young reader flipping pages late into the night. The interior artwork that accompanies the writing is fabulous and filled with rich and deep colors. The dragons appear to practically jump off the page.
Ever since I read the Dragon Riders of Pern and the Harper Hall of Pern series by Anne McCaffrey, I have longed to bond with a dragon. Over thirty years have passed since I first read those books and I haven't run across a dragon yet, but I still search the skies and hope that someday I will spot one. If I do, I know that I will be ready to face one because of all of the Practical Guides I have read. Come on dragons . . . come and find me!
Overall, A Practical Guide to Dragon Magic is another excellent book with with interesting facts and information about dragon magic. No lover of fantasy should pass up this book, especially if they read the Dungeons & Dragons and DragonLance books. Even if you don't, this would be a great place to start.
I rated this book a 9 out of 10.
Sindri Suncatcher, the foremost authority on everything about dragons, has spent time living with the ten different types of dragons so his cousins can help him decide which path he should take. Should he study magic under a master dragon wizard? Or, should Sindri take a young dragon as an apprentice and both learn from each other? Sindri has compiled all of the information he learned into this book so his Aunt Moonbeam can read the book to his cousins. Luckily, Wizards of the Coast was able to get their hands on a copy and was able to print it for us to buy. Thank goodness for that.
Susan J. Morris has created a significant amount of information about dragons and their magic. I thought I had learned everything I needed to know about dragons in A Practical Guide to Dragons and A Practical Guide to Dragon Riding, but I was wrong. The writing is quick and well thought out, and will keep a young reader flipping pages late into the night. The interior artwork that accompanies the writing is fabulous and filled with rich and deep colors. The dragons appear to practically jump off the page.
Ever since I read the Dragon Riders of Pern and the Harper Hall of Pern series by Anne McCaffrey, I have longed to bond with a dragon. Over thirty years have passed since I first read those books and I haven't run across a dragon yet, but I still search the skies and hope that someday I will spot one. If I do, I know that I will be ready to face one because of all of the Practical Guides I have read. Come on dragons . . . come and find me!
Overall, A Practical Guide to Dragon Magic is another excellent book with with interesting facts and information about dragon magic. No lover of fantasy should pass up this book, especially if they read the Dungeons & Dragons and DragonLance books. Even if you don't, this would be a great place to start.
I rated this book a 9 out of 10.
Read
October 16, 2010A Practical Guide to Dragon Magic presents facts, lore, and details that every young boy or girl who would one day like to apprentice under a dragon needs to know. The guide covers the different types of dragons and how to approach them to win their favor, what to avoid so that the young apprentice doesn’t anger them and even displays the Dragonic Script and suggests key words to use when speaking with a dragon for the first time. It shows the magical equipment that will be needed before approaching a dragon, along with what is required once the dragon accepts the young girl or boy as an apprentice. Each type of dragon is carefully examined to let the young apprentice know what to look out for and what not to do. A Practical Guide to Dragon Magic also explains the responsibilities of a Dragon Master.
This guide is a well thought out book about dragons that is presented almost like an enlistment guide for a dragon academy, told from they Dungeons and Dragons mythology standpoint. I could easily see this book being handed out to prospective Dragon Riders a generation or two before the story of Eragon was written. Though new, it is presented as a used ‘textbook’ with stained pages and notes in the margins, giving the reader a feel that this book has been passed down from student to student over the course of several years. It reads like a factual textbook, though far more interesting. One little jewel that a young reader is sure to like is the questionnaire in the back of the book entitled ‘Finding Your Dragon: A Quiz'. Twelve questions are asked and the results are presented on the next page where the child can see which dragon best fits him or her. Finally, each page is loaded with artwork that is sure to interest anyone who loves to look at dragons.
Review by Bret Jordan
This guide is a well thought out book about dragons that is presented almost like an enlistment guide for a dragon academy, told from they Dungeons and Dragons mythology standpoint. I could easily see this book being handed out to prospective Dragon Riders a generation or two before the story of Eragon was written. Though new, it is presented as a used ‘textbook’ with stained pages and notes in the margins, giving the reader a feel that this book has been passed down from student to student over the course of several years. It reads like a factual textbook, though far more interesting. One little jewel that a young reader is sure to like is the questionnaire in the back of the book entitled ‘Finding Your Dragon: A Quiz'. Twelve questions are asked and the results are presented on the next page where the child can see which dragon best fits him or her. Finally, each page is loaded with artwork that is sure to interest anyone who loves to look at dragons.
Review by Bret Jordan
December 18, 2013
I have been fascinated with dragons since I was a little girl and this book reminds me why. This world of dragons is described in rich detail-it is engrossing. I love the descriptions of the different types of dragons and their human counterparts. Explanations of the dragon personalities and magical abilities were interesting. One of my favorites was the blue dragon who could “deafen its enemies by barking out a thunderclap” or shoot lightning bolts from its mouth. The human apprentices took on attributes of their chosen dragons—very curious…and extremely cool. They could “sprout dragon wings to fly on their own, gain the elemental breath of their patron dragon, and acquire the enthralling majesty and secret knowledge of dragons.” I was impressed yet again with this book in the practical guide series. It even has a quiz to determine your compatibility with a particular dragon. The illustrations alone are incredible. My oldest son kept looking over my shoulder whenever I had this book open. He loves that there is a Draconic language he can write in code. He loves to draw the dragons from it too. We are dragon fans and this keeps the “flame” going.
April 6, 2012
http://trulyrudiono.blogspot.com/2012...
Hadiah yang menyenangkan.....
Intinya sih tentang segala hal seputar naga termasuk bahasa naga and cara penulisannya.
Lucuuuuu lihat namaku dalam bahasa naga
Hadiah yang menyenangkan.....
Intinya sih tentang segala hal seputar naga termasuk bahasa naga and cara penulisannya.
Lucuuuuu lihat namaku dalam bahasa naga
Want to Read
October 22, 2010Obtained from editor to review for curledup.com....
July 16, 2012
See review of Practical Guide to Dragon Riding.
Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews