#MG Review: Rise of the Shadow Dragons by Liz Flanagan

The second story in the Legends of the Sky trilogy written by Liz Flanagan is bookended by two Hatching Day ceremonies on the fictional island of Arcosi. The time between these ceremonies reveals the gripping redemption story of Joe, the young brother of Isak and Tarya who were prominent in book 1, Dragon Daughter. Arcosi is now blessed with the gentle and inclusive leadership of young Duke Vigo, husband of Tarya. The island nation is protected by the dragons under General Milla, whilst Isak has become Head Dragonguard of Arcosi, training young dragons and their bonded humans at the Dragon School. All appears to be harmonious on Joe’s twelfth birthday, during which he is convinced that he will bond with a newly hatched dragon and join other members of his family in the prestigious Dragon School.

However, Joe’s dreams are smashed at the Hatching ceremony, he cannot control his emotions, comes very close to killing a newly hatched dragon, and flees the ceremony leaving chaos in his wake. Battered, bruised and burning with shame, Joe finds refuge in a maze of caves and tunnels below the city. He is nursed back to health by Winter, a former dragon rider who has withdrawn into a shadow of her former self after the immeasurable sadness of losing her dragon to illness. The depiction of their growing trust and dependence on each other is beautifully crafted, and their shared determination to successfully hatch two mysterious eggs which have been hidden deep in the subterranean labyrinth drives the main plot. Simultaneously, the disbanded army of former ruler, Duke Olvar, are plotting vengeance for his downfall, and a far deadlier, life-threatening power is building deep below the earth. This sweeping fantasy adventure soars with the redemptive power of acceptance and forgiveness and plunges to explore the depths of human emotions.

I highly recommend it as a solo read for children of 9+ and the short chapters (each of which features gorgeous header illustrations by cover artist Joe Todd-Stanton) make it very suitable for a whole class read in upper key stage 2. There is sufficient back story coverage to allow young readers to enjoy Rise of the Shadow Dragons even if they haven’t read the first book in the series, however, I would suggest trying to read the two books in order. The concluding story in the trilogy, The Pirate’s Dragon will be published on 15th February 2024.

I am most grateful to Antonia Wilkinson and UCLan Publishing for sending me a review copy of this book in exchange for my honest opinion.