Dragon Mountain (Dragon Realm)

Product Information

When 12-year-old Billy Chan finds out his parents are sending him to a summer camp in middle-of-nowhere China he doesn’t know what to expect. There he meets fellow campers Dylan, Charlotte and Ling-Fei and together they stumble upon an age-old secret: four powerful warrior dragons, hidden deep within the mountain behind the camp. They have been trapped since an epic battle with the Dragon of Death and need the children’s help to set them free before terrible evil is unleashed on the earth. Billy and his friends must set off on a dangerous adventure that will take them to the heart of the Dragon Realm. But can they save the dragon and human worlds from destruction? In almost every situation, every character gets to make a comment. This may not sound like a problem, but once other important characters are introduced, you end up with scenes where 8 characters all say essentially the same thing one after the other because everyone has to have their time to talk. The dialogue between the characters is also obnoxious af. The kids talking amongst themselves is one thing, but the ANCIENT DRAGONS sounded just as inexperienced and came across as childish themselves. Don't even get me started on Billy's acceptance of death. In the midst of him constantly questioning what they're doing he somehow comes to terms with his own death. "This might be the last thing that he ever did. He thought about his life at home, his life before dragons. And he realized that even if this was the end, it would be worth it. To get a chance to experience magic in the world. To be a part of something epic." What is he? 12? And he's known about dragons and magic for less than 24 hours. How did he go from speculative to full on I WILL DIE FOR THIS SHIT?

I would have stopped reading Dragon Mountain after the first few chapters, if it wasn't for my son. He's seven and it's about dragons, so obviously he liked it. However, the storytelling was awful. It's like the authors were trying too hard to convince readers that their characters were believably afraid of the dangers they faced. Billy constantly questioned his choices and bounced between excitement and trepidation so often it made me want to scream. Just go on your flarking adventure! We already know this book is fiction, you don't have to constantly berate me with a character's inner turmoil over one decision. There are DRAGONS for the love of God. I wish they had just accepted their situation and went with it. We get to meet new characters (as well as returning to old favourites.) We have two new humans, Lola, a Hawaiian-Chinese surfer, and Jordan, a Brit and son of a scientist. The injection of new humans was another great way of making this entry feel like the start of a new adventure, rather than a repeat of the previous. Plus the reveal of which dragons they bonded with? I was so surprised (in the best way!)All eyes are on Billy and his friends after the Dragon Realm collapses and is exposed to the Human Realm . In their search for a new home for the dragon population, they learn of the Hidden Realm , a secret so well guarded that only one dragon knows how to locate it . . . Glorious Old . But convincing her to trust them comes with its own problems, not to mention the introduction of an evil new baddie and their band of human-hating dragons . With trouble round every corner, what destiny is in store for Billy and the group? I received an eARC from the publishers through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. It has not affected my opinions. DON'T MISS the brand new DRAGON FORCE series, set in the world of DRAGON REALM. INFINITY'S SECRET out now! Personality: Xing is the more mean-spirited, straight-to-your-face attitude dragon that put a decent amount of respect on appearance, so not too far from certain standards. Buttons is the more cheerful, optimistic dragon that is also quirky and a bit different. Also highly emotional and naïve, which is not common with dragons. Tank is the ferocious one, and the closest to western versions of dragons. Finally, Spark has the calm, wise and patient personality that balances out the other three. (6/10), (4/10), (8/10), (7/10) most humans see dragons as something they can tame or claim, not as creatures that they can live alongside.'

The DRAGON REALM series reaches its show-stopping finale with the fifth adventure for 9+ readers! Perfect for fans of epic conclusions. Dragon Mountain is such fun middle-grade that really reminded me of everything I love about children's fiction. Adventurous, magical and heartwarming it so easy to fall in love with this story and it's characters!! A joy of a thing. It’s for every child who has ever longed to bond with a dragon' – Katherine Rundell, bestselling author of THE ROOFTOPPERS Power: Each have their own unique power, I think. Xing can sense things, and Spark can have visions. Tank has his brute power, while Buttons is... I don't know to be honest. He's a bit like the Dylan of the group. (5/10), (4/10), (8/10), (7/10). The dragons flip from being immensely fearsome creatures in one moment to become the cuddliest of cuddly teddy bears in the next. And dangers and scary moments dissolve from one moment to the next into thin air.

A dragon-filled adventure and the first book in an exciting new series by Katie and Kevin Tsang, co-authors of the popular Sam Wu books. But also the dragons are such lovable characters as well, and their relationship with the kids is equal parts wholesome and funny.

DRAGON MOUNTAIN has all of my favourite things! A rich mythology and a tale of friendship, snarky dragons and daring deeds...this is the kind of breathless tale that leaves you hungry for the next instalment' – Roshani Chokshi, author of the ARU SHAH series I received a promotional reading copy from the publisher. I decided to read it out of interest and my opinion will not be influenced by this. The idea of travelling from California to the ‘middle-of-nowhere’ China for a Summer Camp to help brush up on Cantonese is the worst possible use of holiday time for Billy Chan. Yet little does he know that fate has in store for him a trip like no other and the time spent far up in the mountains at Camp Dragon will turn out to be anything as dull as he had imagined. Brimming with warmth and originality, DRAGON MOUNTAIN combines edge-of-your-seat adventure, laugh-out-loud humour and hugely exciting dragons to create a sweeping fantasy that will captivate readers of all ages.’ – Catherine Doyle , author of THE STORM KEEPER’S ISLANDThis is a beguiling start to a promising adventure series, filled with humour, warmth, action and magic.

Billy, one of the main characters is bi-racial, with a Chinese father and white American mother, which I only highlight in terms of diversity and representation for kids. As the authors are a bi-racial couple, I feel like this issue was dealt and woven into the plot perfectly. A soaring, sizzling, fire-breathing gem of an adventure story' – Abi Elphinstone, bestselling author of SKY SONG There was so much I loved about this book, the characters were all so loveable, Billy was your standard middle grade protagonist full of spirit and a great leader with a good heart and his other friends complimented him so well, I love strong friendships (in middle grade especially). The dragons where also such interesting characters to follow and I loved how they bonded with the humans who had similar to hearts to them and how much they cared about there humans! I feel like I'm not able to give it a lower score in good faith simply due to the restrictive structure a short 6 episode season brings. In my eyes, they've done alright with what they got, and the first season essentially acts as an extended pilot. With the story itself I could not get rid of the feeling that I was mostly being told but not really shown, and so I found it difficult to believe anything that was told in the story. Specially, the threat that comes from the Dragon of Death is never substantiated in the children’s world. All there is, is that the dragons say, it is so, and the children just believe them and act upon it. And that is all the motivation the children have for risking their lives or for working together, apart, obviously, from being on an adventure and dealing with real dragons. Not one critical question is being asked.As the children quest for access to the Hidden Realm, to see if they can translocate the lost dragon refugees who don't want to be around humans. They seek to summon the spirit of the first dragon who was slain by humans to win her over to their cause, and help them solve the problem of Dragons having been thrown into conflict with humans. They are far too willing to believe everything that is told to them without any real doubts, hesitations or questions. Also, there is a lot of times when the characters, out of nowhere, just suddenly know what to do to solve a problem even though its something they've never done before, seen done or been told about and amazingly it works. eARC received from Simon and Schuster UK Children's via NetGalley in an exchange for an honest review. This title releases on the 16th March 2022. The fourth adventure in the ROARsome DRAGON REALM series for 9+ readers! Perfect for fans of nail-biting mysteries and cinematic battles. When I first heard about this book coming out and saw its cover I wanted to read it as soon as possible. I was so excited to discover what the actual book would hold. I was sure I would love it and that it would be an outright 5 stars read.