3 stars, Metaphorosis Reviews
Summary
Ciara, slowly starving in a mining town distant from the capital of the empire, has found an old journal. She keeps it to herself even when the Emperor sends troops to find it, and even when her father and then her mother are forced to work in the mines and contract disease. But then one day, when the troops finally find the book, it somehow summons a dragon.
Review
The Dragon’s Apprentice takes a while to get it’s feet on the ground. It’s so intent on being cute (“STOP. Don’t read any further. There are magic spells in this book…”) that the story itself has to fight to make its way through. After the first few chapters, though, it finds its stride.
While competently put together, there are few surprises here, beyond what seemed to me a mismatch between a simple plot and somewhat more sophisticated vocabulary that left me unsure of the intended audience. Given a premise of a spellbook, a young girl, and a dragon, the plot is largely what you’d expect. There are villains and very little violence, which fits the mostly young seeming tone. More disappointing is a very intentional cliffhanger ending. There’s some mystery here to explore, but it all felt a little too manufactured for me.
I wish I’d been able to engage with the characters more. The viewpoints are split between girl and dragon, but I didn’t find either one appealing or well developed enough to really draw me in, and the pace of the book felt rushed. Overall, it’s inoffensive, and a quick read, but unlikely to stay with me for long.
I received this book for free in exchange for an honest review.

This is the start of a new middle grade series by this author, and I really wanted to like it. It has everything: magic, dragons, and mystery. I really liked the characters Ciara and Scorch, and the bond that they form throughout the book.

Unfortunately, it did feel a bit rushed and very much like a middle grade read that does not translate well to older readers. I think this would be a good book for younger (ages 10 and under) readers but sadly was not for me.

Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for this early arc!

"The Dragon's Apprentice" by James Riley is a captivating read that seamlessly blends humor, heart, and high-stakes adventure. The story follows a young protagonist who stumbles upon a life-altering secret, drawing them into a world of dragons, magic, and perilous quests. Riley's writing is engaging and accessible, making it a perfect pick for middle-grade readers while still offering plenty to enjoy for older audiences. The characters are well-developed and relatable, and the plot is full of twists and turns that keep you hooked until the very end.

One of the book's greatest strengths is its ability to balance lighthearted moments with deeper emotional themes. The story explores themes of friendship, courage, and self-discovery, all while maintaining a sense of fun and excitement. The world-building is also impressive, creating a vivid and imaginative backdrop for the adventure to unfold.

Overall, "The Dragon's Apprentice" is a fantastic start to what promises to be an exciting series. It's a must-read for fans of fantasy, adventure, and stories with a touch of magic.

3.5 stars
I received an electronic ARC from Random House Children's Publishing through NetGalley.
I'm a huge fan of Riley's work but this story felt rushed at times. It could be the shorter format. Readers meet Ciara in a very difficult situation that she feels she originally created. She found an ancient journal from one of the Dragon Mage's apprentices. The Warden has been sent to retrieve it and has enforced cruel sanctions and sacrifices on the entire village as no one gave him this book when he came. From here, the story begins with she and her mother facing arrest if they do not give up the book. Her mother is arrested and Ciara flees to the ancient tower. There, she opens the book and reads the journal entry. To her shock, a dragon arrives, and not just any dragon, but one of the original dragons tasked with teaching magic to humans by the Dragon Mage. I appreciate the tension between Scorch and Ciara as each learns to trust the other. The plot is a bit predictable but elementary level readers will enjoy following it. As expected, the final chapter sets up other characters and a major cliffhanger to be resolved in future books. I am looking forward to reading more from this series.