A very good introduction to this world where some lucky girls are gifted dragon eggs. Once these egg hatch they become a dragon that the girl is bonded with for life, when one dies the other does as well. While this seems like it would be a dream come true this first volume does a great job of showing why this might not be the "gift" it first appears. I am loving this world and can't wait to learn more about it in future volumes.

The middle-grade graphic novel “Kindred Dragons (Book 1)” by Sarah Mensinga follows Alice who is obsessed with dragons. While she is waiting to see if she will ever get a dragon's egg from the fairies, she finds an abandoned giant dragon in the woods and starts on a journey to help him find his Kindred.

The graphic novel describes itself as “Anne of Green Gables meets How to Train Your Dragon” and I think this description is spot on! The story is engaging and heartwarming. I really loved Brimstone the giant dragon as a character and really felt for him. Supported by the wonderful illustration styleI had a good time reading.

In my opinion it sadly was a great deal more “Anne of Green Gables” than “How to Train Your Dragon”. The familial conflicts had too much room for my taste and I would have liked to have a greater focus on the dragons. If you are a fan of the classic however this will be perfect for you!

Overall this was a solid read with great illustrations and heart.

A big thanks to NetGalley and the publisher ABRAMS Kids | Abrams Fanfare for giving me the opportunity to read an advance copy in exchange for an honest review.

I really enjoyed this book! I loved the premise, and the mix of real world and fantasy!

I felt like I related to Alice a lot... especially in her passion for dragons and being left out, once her best friend got a dragon!

I really wanted Alice to get her own dragon, or become kindred with Brim once Edith died, but I do really love that she became a foster parent for the abandoned dragons!

I did not like her grandma, however. I felt like she was too stubborn in holding a grudge against Edith for something she did when she was a teenager, and had basically no ability to see Edith's point of view until after Edith died and Alice helped her.

I do think that Alice was too easy in forgiving her Grandma for how she treated her, and I would have liked to see Alice get her own dragon, but I really enjoyed this and I'm excited to read the full color version when it comes out!

I will start off by saying I've never read Anne of Green Gables so I can't compare the two!
I had a lot of issues with the characters and how they treated the main character, Alice. Especially the grandmother. I think the author could have done better to make the grandma stern but not harsh. She belittled Alice and completely tore down her character at the same time that all of Alice's old friends and companions were doing the same thing to her.
It felt like there was very little hope in a book targeted for children. The bleakness of it dimmed the story. It wasn't sweet and whimsical, it was dark and misty because there were so many devastating moments and scenes.
I didn't really enjoy this and I had a tough time making my way through it.

Kindred Dragons was a beautiful story. They got it right when they described it like Anne of Green Gables with dragons! I am excited to read more from the world and to learn more about the main character's special ability. The Drawings were gorgeous and I am eager to see them come to life in full color. Thanks to Netgalley for the E-ARC!

"Kindred Dragons" is a middle grade graphic novel by Sarah Mensinga. The main character, Alice will remind you a bit of Anne of Green Gables at first, being headstrong with fanciful ideas. She is absolutely sure that the fairies will gift her a dragon egg and that she will get a kindred dragon (a dragon that you raise, speak to telepathically, and are tied to life-wise: when one dies, the other dies). When she doesn't, she begins helping a grumpy dragon in the forest. I love the world-building and how emotionally touching the entire book was. I imagine it will be even more beautiful in full color. A must-buy for middle grade graphic novel collections everywhere.