Happy Saturday y’all! Today we have a double feature for you. My son and I have recently finished devouring the first two books in the graphic novel series Dragon Kingdom of Wrenly, which is a spin-off of the ongoing chapter book series The Kingdoms of Wrenly. Both books are fast-paced adventures, perfect for early independent readers or the kids who enjoy graphic novels and of course DRAGONS.
I received this book via YA Book Central. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of this review.
The Coldfire Curse by Jordan Quinn Illustrator: Glass House Graphics
Series: Dragon Kingdom of Wrenly #1
Published by Little Simon on 2021-02-02
Length: 144 pages
Reviewing Hardcover from YA Book Central
Rating:
In the first installment of the exciting Dragon Kingdom of Wrenly graphic novel series, the scarlet dragon Ruskin’s bravery is put to the test when a curse threatens his kingdom.
As the pampered pet dragon of the Prince of Wrenly, Ruskin has never known life beyond the walls of the palace. Until the day a young dragon from Crestwood comes to the palace to plead for help. An evil curse has been unleashed in Crestwood and threatens to destroy all of Wrenly. Ruskin has a choice to make: stay safe at home in the palace, or try to help save his kingdom. For Ruskin, there is no choice. He knows he has to try and help if he can.
What Ruskin and his new dragon friends don’t yet realize is that the curse was awoken for one reason only—to put Ruskin in harm’s way. The mission to reverse the curse is far more dangerous than anyone realizes…in fact, it’s seemingly impossible. Why is Ruskin the target of these shadowy forces? And how far is Ruskin willing to go to save his kingdom?
The Coldfire Curse by Jordan Quinn is the first book in her graphic novel series Dragon Kingdom of Wrenly which is a spinoff of her ongoing chapter book series The Kingdom of Wrenly. Following the scarlet dragon Ruskin, who hatched in book two of the series, the book will take you on a fast paced adventure quest perfect for newly independent readers.
Ruskin is a mischievous young dragon who acts more human than dragon. The pet of Prince Lucas, Ruskin is treasured by those at the castle and doted upon by all who meet him. Then Cinder arrives, a young dragon from Crestwood. She is searching for the dragon king who can stop the Coldfire Curse from spreading throughout the land. Instead she finds the legendary scarlet dragon who is her own age. How can he save them?
The illustrations are engaging, telling the story as much as the words do. While a bit under my son’s reading level, he still enjoyed it, devouring the book in one sitting as I imagine most kids would. This is a great introduction to the kingdom of Wrenly world as a whole, which I believe will serve the author well. As children age because they are familiar with Wrenly, they will be more likely to pick up those chapter books, especially those that enjoy Ruskin and his adventures.
Overall I highly enjoyed The Coldfire Curse. For those not familiar with Wrenly, it introduces you to the world and it’s main characters. Told exclusively from the dragons’ perspectives offers a unique take on the way you may perceive Wrenly. The dragons themselves are fun characters, youthful and outgoing. I’m excited to see what adventure they go on next.
I received this book via YA Book Central. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of this review.
Shadow Hills by Jordan Quinn Illustrator: Glass House Graphics
Series: Dragon Kingdom of Wrenly #2
Published by Little Simon on 2021-02-02
Length: 144 pages
Reviewing Hardcover from YA Book Central
Rating:
In the second book in the Dragon Kingdom of Wrenly graphic novel series, Ruskin, Cinder, and Groth are back for another exciting quest, this time to save a group of cursed shadow dragons!
A royal errand brings Ruskin, Cinder, and Groth to Shadow Hills, home to the most mysterious creatures in all of Wrenly—the shadow dragons. Legend says that shadow dragons are hostile to outsiders and cannot be trusted. But that’s not how it seems to Ruskin and his friends.
In fact, nothing is quite as it seems in Shadow Hills. The young dragons have been sent there by sinister forces that believe Ruskin is destined to rule over all of Wrenly. These same forces will do anything to prevent that from happening…even if it means putting the entire kingdom at risk. Will Ruskin and his friends see through the deception and learn who they can really trust before it’s too late?
In this second installment of Dragon Kingdom of Wrenly, Ruskin is on a royal errand to find lava rocks to stop a deadly firestorm from destroying the kingdom when he and Cinder find their way into Shadow Hills. Here the land and dragons are cursed. There is no color, and everything is a struggle, as if they are living underwater. The only dragon immune is Ruskin who remains scarlet.
Shadow Hills is a fast paced adventure quest that finds Ruskin back with his dragon friends of Crestwood. Cinder accompanies Ruskin to find the mystical lava rocks, but they are trailed by another dragon, jealous of their friendship. This dragon creates all sorts of mayhem for our heroes.
As I’ve come to expect with this series, the illustrations are just as telling as the words themselves, sometimes expressing more of the story to the readers. Early independent readers will delight in the fast-paced nature of the story and will love the playful nature of the dragons. Even my ten year old loves the stories, devouring them in one sitting. I highly recommend it!
Aww these two look cute! The designs on the cover look very nice. I don’t really read children’s books, but if I ever have kids, I’m definitely jumping on board.
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