Author: Kacy Ritter
Publisher: HarperCollins
Pages: 400
Release Date: 1/Aug/23
Reviewer: Kathie
Thank you to NetGalley and HarperCollins for an eARC of this book coming out on August 1st.
This fast-paced dragon adventure will keep young readers speeding through its pages beside the riders in the annual perilous five-leg race across Texas. Following in her mother’s footsteps, Cassie sneaks away to join The Great Texas Dragon Race against her father’s wishes. She is determined to save her family’s dragon sanctuary and expose the powerful FireCorp as a corrupt, money-hungry corporation that cares little for its dragons. The unsponsored riders like Cassie face not only the dangerous challenges of the race course, such as deadly creatures, powerful storms, and brutal conditions but also have to deal with the FireCorp team of riders who will stop at nothing to come out on top. There are definite Hunger Games vibes in this upper middle-grade story where Cassie and her dragon, Ranga, figure out who they can trust and how to use their wits to stay alive.
I most enjoyed the non-stop action with a moral dilemma; Cassie needs to choose between what she wants and what’s in the best interest of her new allies. The description of the dragons and their characteristics was also excellent and really brought them to life, and they are illustrated in the front of the book.
I highly recommend this book to fans of the Battle Dragon series by Alex London and readers who enjoy an underdog story with high stakes. I look forward to reading more stories from this talented debut author.
Favorite quote: “You, Miss Drake, are not the brightest star in the sky.”
I raise my chin and glare back at him. “You’re right – I’m the ever-loving sun.”
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