Review by Booklist Review
The second book in the Storm Dragons saga, after Lightningborn (2024), continues neatly from where the first book left off, with Princess Gem continuing her mission to save the islands of her kingdom from falling into the maelstrom. She enlists the help of Remy and his dragon, Storm, as well as old Bart and Captain Cutlass with her pirate crew to figure out exactly how. On the way, she meets more dragons, discovers a city of elves long thought dead, and has another frightening encounter with the pirate mage Jhaeros, all while trying to master her magic. This is a true page-turner and adventure story, and Kagawa throws in plenty of plot twists and swashbuckling, as well as revealing the terrible truth of the crystals that hold up the islands. The cliff-hanger ending will leave readers eagerly anticipating an action-packed continuation. This book focuses on themes such as trusting your friends and comrades, having confidence in your abilities, and the meaning of true friendship as well as sacrifices. Fans of dragon-based fantasy adventures will be enchanted.
From Booklist, Copyright (c) American Library Association. Used with permission.
Review by Kirkus Book Review
Two young adventurers and their dragons continue their search for a way to save their world. Aboard the sky ship theQueen's Blade, orphan Remy and his friend Gem, princess and heir to the kingdom, are in hiding. The magic crystals that power their airborne world are failing, and Remy's connection to the depressed, often-intoxicated Sir Bartello Axtell seems to be their best shot at locating the True Dragon who holds the answers to what's happening to their world. Gem, meanwhile, is working with the ship's grumpy mage, Lysander, on honing her magical skills so that she can defend Remy and herself against Jhaeros, the bloodthirsty wizard who's still hunting them and is intent on taking Remy's dragon, Storm, for his own. Gem's father has every knight in the kingdom looking for her, too--and even if the crew can evade everyone who's hunting them, it will be a treacherous journey to the island where the only known True Dragon is believed to dwell. Well-timed flashbacks fill in gaps in the backstory without breaking the flow of the narrative, adding depth to Sir Bart's current problems while also creating hopeful space for redemption and change. Variations among the dragons' abilities give them dimensionality within the story, and the sky-dwelling kingdom of Gallecia remains an enchanting world, portrayed with a strong balance of heart and action. Gem is cued white; other characters aren't physically described. An adventurous and emotional sequel.(Fantasy. 8-12) Copyright (c) Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.
Copyright (c) Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.
