Content Tags:
Perfect for readers who want:
- Hi-lo books (content well-suited for more mature readers with easy text for struggling readers)
- DRAGONS! (And honestly, who doesn’t want dragons?!)
- Portal fantasy that sees characters traveling to a world on the brink of destruction.
- Dystopia for middle graders
- A squad that has to work together to succeed
- Superpowers (sort of!)
Many thanks to Union Square Kids and Rockstar Book Tours for copies in exchange for an honest, unbiased review.
I feel like no one should be surprised that I jumped on the chance to read a series called Dragon Realm. I mean . . . *gestures vaguely around the blog*. Also, those covers? Yeah, they’re stunning. I just absolutely could not resist picking this series up.
The Dragon Realm Series teams up humans with dragons to save the world. It’s filled with adventure, bravery, action, super high stakes, banter, a very fun squad, and, of course, (best of all) DRAGONS!
I’m going to review the series in general in this post, which means that this will be spoiler free for all three books. So no worries if you’ve never picked up the series! I won’t ruin anything big for you.
Because this is a series review, I’m going to do things a little differently! I’m going to review the series as a whole, then introduce the separate books and give you some of my favorite quotes. Y’all, if you could see how many sticky note tags I have in these books for quotes I love. There is no way I’m going to be able to fit them all in here (and choosing is also hard, so never say I don’t make sacrifices for you). I think the quotes speak for themselves!
The Dragon Realm series is jam-packed full of adventure, high stakes, danger, and action. The sort that will appeal to pretty much everybody.
I will admit that the first one is a little slow, necessarily so. It takes place mostly in the real world, and it’s setting up the premise for the whole series. Fairly common first book syndrome. But hey, you know there’s going to be dragons at some point, so that’s always worth the wait, right?
By the end of book one, things are rolling, and they just smash through books two and three, where the reader is swept from one thing to another in all its fast-paced glory. The authors do a wonderful job of building up tension and stakes that’ll have you biting your nails wondering how the characters will get out of this one.
Book one starts fairly light, but by book three, the tone definitely gets darker, and the stakes are at an all-time high. Make no mistake, these kids (and their dragons) go through some things during this series, and it’s a trip to join them on their journey.
This is a squad of characters that readers will love. They’re all very different, but they bring their own unique thing to the group. Plus, who doesn’t love a little team banter?!
Not gonna lie, it’s probably easy to tell who my favorite was, because he appears in almost all of my favorite quotes. What can I say? I never claimed not to play favorites. ¯\_(ツ)_/¯
Billy Chan is the main character of the series. He’s an American, though his family is Chinese. He’s steadfast and loyal. Basically, he’s the rock of the team, willing to sacrifice anything to keep them together and always providing the motivation and optimism they need, even if he doesn’t feel it himself. It’s hard not to love that type of character.
Charlotte Bell, on the other hand, may be a little harder to love for some. She’s very loud and outspoken, highly competitive, and slightly full of herself. She’s used to doing a lot and being good at what she does, and she wants everyone to know it. Charlotte is a kid used to getting her way and very much not accustomed to failure. When push comes to shove, though, she puts her friends first and is willing to do the difficult things that others may not.
Liu Ling-Fei is Chinese and often willing to share her culture (which makes sense, considering they’re at a Chinese language camp). She’s quite and soft-spoken, a bit of a loner, until she really starts coming out of her shell. Out of all of them, she’s the kind-hearted one of the group—always thinking of others, putting others first.
Dylan O’Donnell is from Ireland, and he’s obviously my favorite. Mostly because he says the things we’re all thinking. Dylan is what I like to call the “everyman” character. He’s brave, but not too brave; strong, but not too strong. He has moments of doubt and fear and trauma, which is basically what you’d expect from anyone in this situation. I mean, there are plenty of times he could’ve left his friends, and even though he wanted to (because duh, danger!), he chose to stay with them and see it through. Also, he’s extremely snarky, which I very much appreciate.
What I love most about these four characters is the way they work together. Each is very different in their own right, and they’re just what each other needs. I appreciated the diversity of the characters, too!
Most of the series takes place in the Dragon Realm, which is absolutely breathtaking. Seriously, can I just move there already? (And no, it’s not just because of the dragons!)
I mean, the dragons help, sure. Who could resist a whole world full of them? But there are so many other really freaking cool things that exist in the Dragon Realm. You know, like a lake that smells (and tastes) like lemon water! Along with quite a few other really neat things that I don’t want to talk too much about because they might be spoilers. Needless to say, it’s a magical realm. And boy does it live up to that.
The Tsangs do a wonderful job of inviting readers into the Dragon Realm and giving them the full experience. Yes, there are some dark things to be encountered there. It’s not a great time for the realm, after all. Despite that, though, there are some beautifully described scenes that make me wish I was there! Plus, the place has a deep history (as you might expect). I loved the little snippets of lore and legend and nuggets of the history of the realm that made it feel like a real place.
The plots are a bit simplistic, with several deus ex machinas coming along to save the day and very hazy logic to explain it, but it makes them great hi-lo books.
On the one hand, this is pretty common in a lot of lower to middle mid-grade books. But if this frustrates you, and you want concrete reasoning and a grandiose climax, this series may not be for you. That’s okay, though, because this series would be great for a lot of middle grade readers I can think of!
If you aren’t familiar with the concept of hi-lo books, it’s a really fancy term for books that are full of high-concept things that matter (usually content reserved for older readers) but with writing that’s more accessible for readers who struggle a little with their reading. Dragon Realm fits this need perfectly! The first book is tame enough, but by the second book, there’s a pretty bleak picture painted of where things are headed. It isn’t graphic and not mature, but it is heavier subject matter and higher stakes! Plus, the third book? Totally hits that young adult dystopia feel but for middle graders.
Dragon Mountain
by Katie Tsang, Kevin TsangPublished by: Union Square Kids on July 27, 2021
Genres: Middle Grade, Fantasy, Adventure
Pages: 256
Format: Paperback
Source: Publisher
Rating:
Deep within the mountain, a great creature stirred in its sleep. Its eyes rolled back in its head, and its wings jerked wide open...
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: there are four powerful warrior dragons hidden deep within the mountain behind the camp! They need the children's help to set them free before terrible evil in the guise of the Dragon of Death is unleashed upon 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?
Favorite Quotes
“This is my worst nightmare,” she said, the blood draining from her face. “I can’t go out there. I never lose.”
“We were just chased by a tiger and survived an earthquake, and this is your worst nightmare?” asked Dylan.
“We’re alive. And if I’m not dead, I’m coming in first,” said Charlotte.
“You don’t sound too upset by that,” said Billy, nudging him.
“If you’ve got to go, death by dragons seems a pretty good way to go,” said Dylan with a wry grin.
“Very good!” exclaimed the tiger. “Why, yes, indeed. It is me! They say a tiger never changes it stripes, yet here I am. Orange yesterday and purple today. You can call me Victor. I picked the name myself. Oh, what a joy that was—so many options! Now, if you’d come last week, you would have had to call me Diana. So boring, being tied to just one name, don’t you think? I like to switch it up. Those hopeless dragons of yours, on the other hand, really take the whole naming thing seriously, but that’s another conversation.”
Dragon Legend
by Katie Tsang, Kevin TsangPublished by: Union Square Kids on September 21, 2021
Genres: Middle Grade, Fantasy, Adventure
Pages: 224
Format: Hardcover
Source: Publisher
Rating:
When destiny calls, heroes take flight!
Billy Chan was having the summer most 12-year-olds dream about—bonding with his very own dragon. But Billy’s friend Dylan has been kidnapped by the Dragon of Death, and the only way to save him is to travel through time with his friends and their dragons. Will Billy, Charlotte, Ling-Fei, and the dragons get to Dylan in time? And can they work together to stop the Dragon of Death from destroying the past?
Favorite Quotes
“Why has it got . . . so much stuff on it?” said Billy.
Dylan laughed. “It’s just waht they look like. The hands represent friendship. The heart represents love. And the crown is for loyalty. My mom and dad both wear one. Everyone I know does. I never take mine off.”
There was a pause. “Come on, Billy. You’re smarter than that,” said the tree in Dylan’s voice. “I’m stuck in the tree. I’m not the tree.”
“I knew you weren’t the tree!” yelled Charlotte. “Obviously you are stuck in the tree.”
“Could have said something,” said Billy under his breath, but he was smiling.
“I am moderately alarmed by the implication that things up to now haven’t been tricky,” said Dylan.
Dragon City
by Katie Tsang, Kevin TsangPublished by: Union Square Kids on April 12, 2022
Genres: Middle Grade, Fantasy, Adventure
Pages: 224
Format: Hardcover
Source: Publisher
Rating:
Billy Chan and his friends have been transported 5,000 years into the future where the evil Dragon of Death has become ruler of Dragon City. Humans now live to serve the dragon population, and it’s no different for Billy, Charlotte, Dylan, and Ling-Fei. After losing contact with their own dragons, they’re determined to track them down in this new city, even if it means putting their own lives at risk. But one dragon has turned to the dark side and has no plans to return. With the help of a new clan of dragons, can the four friends undo the Dragon of Death’s villainous work—or will she triumph eternally?
Favorite Quotes
“Thank you,” Billy said with a wide grin.
“I wasn’t talking to you,” said Dylan pointedly. “I was talking to the pig.”
The dragon raised one of his extremely furry eyebrows. The eyebrow extended off his face, and sometimes Ling-Fei would trim it. “Do not attempt to flatter or fool me, young human. You know that dragons prize honesty.”
“Then I’ll admit that I probably need a bath. And I’m glad you didn’t decide to swallow me along with the chickens.”
“We’re not dead yet,” Charlotte quipped.
“But we should be! We should be dead a hundred times over.”
“Dylan, we’re okay,” said Ling-Fei. “That’s what matters.”
“We aren’t dead, but we’re definitely NOT okay.”
“Dylan! Are you stuck in a tree again?”
Dylan’s head emerged from the foliage. “Oh, Billy, thank goodness you’re here too! And, no, I’m not in the tree, not the way I was. But I did land on one.” He grimaced and rubbed his behind. “It was highly uncomfortable.”
About Katie Tsang
Katie Tsang and Kevin Tsang met while studying at the Chinese University of Hong Kong. Kevin works as a healthcare technology consultant, and Katie writes YA as Katherine Webber. Together, they have also coauthored the Sam Wu Is Not Afraid chapter-book series. They currently live in London with their young daughter and can be found on Twitter @kwebberwrites and @kevtsang.
About Kevin Tsang
Katie Tsang and Kevin Tsang met while studying at the Chinese University of Hong Kong. Kevin works as a healthcare technology consultant, and Katie writes YA as Katherine Webber. Together, they have also coauthored the Sam Wu Is Not Afraid chapter-book series. They currently live in London with their young daughter and can be found on Twitter @kwebberwrites and @kevtsang.
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Week One
| 4/4/2022 | YABooksCentral | Guest Post |
| 4/5/2022 | Kait Plus Books | Guest Post/IG Post |
| 4/6/2022 | Rajiv’s Reviews | Review/IG Post |
| 4/7/2022 | Lifestyle of Me | Review |
| 4/8/2022 | The Momma Spot | Review/IG Post |
Week Two
| 4/11/2022 | Celia’s Reads | Review/IG Post |
| 4/12/2022 | Two Points of Interest | Review |
| 4/13/2022 | The Bookwyrm’s Den | Review |
| 4/14/2022 | @coffeesipsandreads | Review |
| 4/15/2022 | Books a Plenty Book Reviews | Review |
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