MG Takes on Thursday

This is my weekly meme celebrating amazing middle-grade books. I hope others will enjoy taking part in this too!

How to take part:

• Post a picture of the front cover of a middle-grade book which you have read and would recommend to others with details of the author, illustrator and publisher.
• Open the book to page 11 and share your favourite sentence. 
• Write three words to describe the book.
• Either share why you would recommend this book, or link to your review.

This week, I’m celebrating …

This book in three words:

EPIC ADVENTURE, DRAGONS, FRIENDSHIP

Favourite Sentence from Page 11:

[Spark’s hoard] contained living plants and fish, as well as stardust, which dragons believed all things were made of, making it more powerful than the other dragons’ hoards, as precious as they were to them.

Dragon Legend is the second book in the Dragon Realm series and follows on from the explosive ending of the first book, Dragon Mountain. This is a scintillating return to this world:  a gripping, fast-paced and exciting adventure that kept me captivated throughout. 

Billy Chan and his friends, Charlotte and Ling-Fei are determined to follow the terrifying, power-hungry Dragon of Death through time to the Dragon Realm in order to save their friend Dylan, who has been taken there after a betrayal by someone they thought they could trust.  They are also intent on defeating the fiendish Dragon of Death before she can unleash her reign of terror on the Human Realm.  Fortunately, they have their dragons with them with whom they have formed a unique and close bond.   After creating a portal that takes them to the same time period as Dylan and the Dragon of Death, they begin their epic quest …

And what an electrifying, action-packed adventure ensues, an adventure brimming with terrifying danger, incredible revelations and heart-pounding twists as the children and their dragons race to collect the eight magical pearls needed if they are to defeat the Dragon of Death and her followers.  Who will reach Dylan and his kidnapper first?  Can the Dragon of Death be stopped, or will her dark magic prove too powerful to be resisted, and impossible to defeat?

The world-building is fantastic as the children venture through the wonders and dangers of the Dragon Realm and the Human Realm, from the Frozen Wasteland where they meet terrifying giant worms to the imperial palaces of Ancient China.  The non-stop action, coupled with the tension, danger and sometimes scary moments, makes it compulsive reading that kept me on tenterhooks as I turned page after page.  THAT ENDING!  That’s all I’m saying except:  I NEED the next book now!

As with Dragon Mountain, I adored the heart bond between the dragons and the children.  They gain strength, comfort and courage through their friendship and bond.  The children and dragons form a formidable team as they resolve to use all their incredible talents and skills in their quest to defeat the Dragon of Death. The personalities of both dragons and children are wonderfully portrayed, and I especially liked the honesty that Billy shows as he battles with his conscience.

Dragon Legend is a perfect continuation of this exhilarating, action-packed adventure series.  Be prepared to be amazed, astounded and excitedly anticipating what happens next as this daring team attempt to save both Realms from a terrifying, relentless and powerful foe.  I REALLY can’t wait to read the next one.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for an e-ARC in exchange for my honest opinion. 

I’d love if anyone who wants to give this meme a go would comment in the comments box and include a link to your post so I can visit, comment and find some great middle-grade recommendations. If you do create a post and are on Twitter, and would like to share your post, please use the hashtag  #MGTakesOnThursday so I can find it, read it and share it!