Alex Evans (12) runs from her controlling mother into the forest she shared with her dad who died two years ago, andi n her need to expell all the negativity in her, she breathes fire and burns down their favored tree. Oliphos, an ancient dragon, appears, explaining that Alex is a dragon in human form and he will take her to Skralla where she can learn to be what, and who, she was meant to be. Her mother, surprisingly, lets her go, and that stop to meet Dr. Archibald P. Puppinsworth - whose thoughts on dragons address the 'dear reader' directly throughout the book - and discover Alex might be able to help find a missing dragon artifact that Drak Midna, the oldest, largest dragon, wants more than anything else. In Skralla., she joins the other dragonlings in their school and abodes, taking time to settle in as her mother kept her under such constant control she can't be wild - or turn into a dragon. She meets human, orphan Erik who works with the fairy and giant to care for the dragonlings, and Alex begins to learn as much form him as she is the others, even her dragonmates that become her friends. Her family's secret history begins to unravel, her control begins to turn, and she begins to discover herself and her inner dragon along the path in this dynamic series opener. Laugher helps cut through the grief and fear while the conflicts between dragon and human kind weave into the plot with the threat of Drak Midna never scurrying fully into the shadows.

Alex is living with her mom, who is controlling every single moment of the girl's life, after her dad's death a few years earlier. The amount of control is really maddening, until Alex, and the reader, learn a few pages into the book that it is to keep her from discovering that she is actually a dragon on her father's side. But if one is, it is better to learn how to be one, so thanks to a happy encounter, Alex joins a school for young dragons, where she will be able to learn to shift and control her powers. Then there is, of course, a prophecy about a thousand-year-old war between dragons and humans, and an ancient evil lord who is looking for an artifact.

To me, this book was much stronger in worldbuilding than in plot development. It might be due to this clearly being the first in a series, so much of that worldbuilding is to set the stage for the future, while the plot is really slow to gain traction.

But what I really liked is that there are some twists that point the reader to the fact that narration is not an objective, innocuous act. The story starts off seemingly told by an objective, omniscient third-person narrator. And then Alex meets him, and it turns out he’s not omniscient at all. And then… then there are even more twists which I am not going to spoil here. But this is an interesting choice that can subtly suggest to readers that if we are told a story, especially one that makes us feel like we should act at once on the information we didn’t have before—maybe that act is in someone else’s interests, of those who deliberately stretch the truth.

Publication date: Oct 14, 2025.

I am grateful to the publisher for providing me with an eARC through NetGalley. The opinion above is entirely my own.

4.5 Stars
A middle-grade fantasy filled with adventure, this book is a great start to a new series for young readers who enjoy stories about dragons and lore, magical schools, tween coming-of-age characters, and quests. It's age-appropriate, fast-paced, and quickly draws in the reader. I think middle-grade students can related to these realistically flawed kids in the novel and even more seasoned readers will start to cheer for them. I'd definitely read a sequel. For fantasy fans.

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Content guide:
Foul language: none
Sexual content: none
Violence: a big conclusion battle with fantasy violence.
Substance use: none
Trigger warnings: memories of death

Dragonborn is a really good book about Alex, a young, outdoorsy, adventurous girl with an overprotective mother. When she discovers that she can turn into a dragon, she finds an exciting new world with the freedom she's been waiting for. The plot is interesting, with plenty of dramatic reveals to drive the plot forward. I would recommend this book to anyone ages 10 and up who likes fantasy.

Thank you to NetGalley and Penguin Young Readers Group / Dutton Books for Young Readers for a free e-copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

This book was amazingly good!!!! Once started, I struggled to put it down! 'Dragonborn' by Struan Murray follows Alex's journey to finding out what it means to be a dragon. In a world of the mundane, with dragons hidden in plain sight, Alex one day discovers that she is actually a dragon. Imagine her shock and dismay!!! She is taken to train on Skralla, wherein lies a hidden dragon school, with lots of fellow child-dragons who are all learning about their true natures.

This book was interesting because for the first time ever, I was able to see the world through a dragon's perspective, and a young one at that. Alex's journey was not easy, and she constantly had to fight herself and her fear along the way. The author perfectly captured so many things such as the dragons' unruliness, haughtiness and ferocity, the tumultous emotions when facing life-changing decisions, the sweetness of having friends who have your back and who accept you for who you are no matter what. I honestly had no complaints about this book - well, maybe except for the fact that I have to wait for book 2 now!!!!

This was certainly a book full of unexpected twists! Alex is a very believable character and a sympathetic one as well. You really feel jet struggles as she makes friends, enemies and gets to know her dragon. This was a delightful read with well crafted world bundling and superior characters. A+ would read more in this universe.

What if there's a dragon lurking deep inside you? Would you even know it was there? In a world where humans and magical beings are separated after a huge war, many centuries ago there are still dragons inhabiting the human world in human form who have no idea of their true nature. These are called, "slumberers." It is the mission of both the evil dragon Drak Midna and the good dragon Oliphos to find these humans and awaken their dragon spirits. A young human girl, Alex is at the center of this story; she has a dragon inside her but simply can't find a way to release it. As tensions begin to build towards another war, both sides want to use Alex and her special abilities.

Great world building with a mix of characters both human and non-human. Kids will drawn into a world where even children can turn into dragons!
Readers will route for Alex as she tries time and again to coax her internal dragon to help save her friends and her world.
A sequel would be appreciated as kids will want to learn more about how to become a dragon!

This take on dragons feels fresh and new - hidden in humans that are unaware of their origins, trained on a secret island, and fighting a long battle. The young dragons are so wild, and Alex's strict upbringing causes her many issues when she first comes to join them. Her grief over the losses in her family and struggles to find her place in this new world will ring true with young readers.

One of the best new releases of 2025! Reminds me so much of Harry Potter, Percy Jackson, Tress of the Emerald Sea, and such books. It follows the adventure of a young girl finding out she's a dragon and facing her fears while building meaningful friendships along the way. A beautifully written book.

Enjoyable Middle grade book about a young woman who has to come to terms with who she is in order to allow her dragon to come out.

Thank you to NetGalley and Penguin Young Readers Group for a copy of *Dragonborn* by Struan Murray in exchange for my honest review🐉🔥✨️

This book is perfect for school-aged readers that enjoyed Impossible Creatures, Percy Jackson and Eragon. It's full of dragons, action packed adventure, self discovery and uncovering of secrets.

Dragonborn follows 12-year-old Alex as she discovers that she's a dragon which comes with unique gifts and the ability to transform. Her journey is full of action and discovery and will have readers engaged until the end.

Adding a short review from my tween who could not put this book down and loved everything about it: Dragonborn is an amazing and exciting book! A girl finds out that she is a dragon, so she goes to a dragon island to learn to change into a dragon. I really liked this book!💛🧡❤️

Dragons born with human bodies, live a human life until they awakened. Sleeper dragons or Slumberers aren’t being activated for espionage but to fully be themselves, yet dragon society is just as complex as human. There are the good, the bad, and the manipulative. Alex Evans was a Slumberer, but now she knows she is a dragon. She’s not quite as excited about being a dragon as I think I might be, but she has lot of 12-year-old emotions.
It's a great story, with death and betrayal, secret identities and hoarding. Looking forward to the next one.

Thank you to NetGalley and Penguin Young Readers Group for this DRC.
#Dragonborn #NetGalley

I had a really fun time with this book. i really liked the characters. I did not feel that connected to them. I thought this was a very plot focuesed story and loved that it was unique take on dragon culture. I also thought this book gave me red from pixar vibes. I also really hope we get more books set in this world. I also thought this was a fun an action based story. I would def read a sequel!!

This was a great ya book. I loved the dragon shifting, the story line was well thought out, the character development is spot on. This also gave me Harry Potter vibes. But I would say think of it more like a dragon shifter fantasy book rather than a magical book that has dragons. This was an enjoyable book and I would love to read the next.

Rating: ★★★★☆ (4/5)

If you’re a fan of Impossible Creatures, Eragon, and Percy Jackson, this book is perfect for you! There’s dragons, unraveling of secrets, and it’s packed with action & adventure. Perfect for school-age readers with fast pacing and insightful themes.

Writing & Pacing:
The setting is easily depicted through illustrative words which make you feel as if you’re experiencing the world within the book. The writing is written in third-person POV, which allows the story to remain mysterious so that we find out the ‘plot’ along with the characters. It’s very easy to read, and from the beginning of the book, it’s very fast-paced which makes time fly by as you read.

Characters & Themes:
The main character undergoes coming-of-age and discovering identity and truth. There’s secrets left to be told, and relationships and friendships tested and questioned. One of the worst written characters in this book is the mom. I feel like she was a bit worthless in this story, but I still can’t figure out if that’s intentional (for now). Also, the main themes to the plot of the book occurs in the “third scene”, so I did feel a little lost in where this story was going at first.

Areas for Improvement:
I personally would have loved more in-depth world-building, but I know this is a middle-grade book, so I think overall it’s appropriate for the age group. Some of the supporting characters could also have more development/arc to their own story. The themes could also be more predominant in the earlier part of the book so that it’s easier for readers to become engaged. The ending to the book is a bit predictable, but overall, it felt appropriate that it was more of a “feel good” adventure book geared for young kids. I think the younger kids of the targeted age group would definitely enjoy this!

Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for providing an advance reader copy (ARC) in exchange for my honest review.


——

Rating Criteria:
1/5: 🌟 Horrible - “Why did I even waste my time?”
2/5: 🌟🌟 Unimpressed - It could have been better.
3/5: 🌟🌟🌟 Good/Average- I would recommend this, but nothing was too out of the ordinary; it’s what’s expected.
4/5: 🌟🌟🌟🌟 Great! - There were some good surprises, but not enough to blow my mind.
5/5: 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟 Outstanding - Above & Beyond, It left me wanting more and thinking more about it.

What worked:
From the synopsis, readers know Alex will become a dragon, but it’s fun to watch her slowly come to that realization. It may be the most captivating part of the whole story. Some readers may relate to Alex’s lack of freedom, as her mom strictly controls her life. Alex secretly sneaks into the forest to release her frustration and anger, but she also visits a favorite spot where she cherishes memories of her father. She still grieves for him, but she’ll learn later that she doesn’t know the full story of his death. Strange dreams and meeting a Skarren-Har named Oliphos precede her revelations about dragons. Dr. Archibald P. Puppinsworth provides the book’s introduction and periodic comments throughout the book and warns readers that dragons are “going to destroy humanity”.
Oliphos is an interesting character, as he’s been alive for generations. He’s extremely polite and understanding, even while imposing on others. The story takes a turn when Alex arrives home to find an uninvited Oliphos cooking a meal in her kitchen. He guides Alex to the dragon school, but other instructors aren’t as patient and understanding as Oliphos. Rannock has a tough-love philosophy and doesn’t coddle the dragons. Alex struggles to transform into her dragon form, but Rannock still puts her into the Rompus where she faces other dragons in one-on-one training battles. Luckily, Alex has a good friend named Kaida who offers moral support.
An underlying conflict concerns a legendary dragon named Drak Midna. He’s the only dragon larger than Oliphos, but he hasn’t been seen in years. Many of the greatest world disasters, like the sinking of the Titanic, were at the hands of this dragon. Drak Midna wants to eliminate all humans on Earth, and he has many secret followers among the dragons. Early in the story, Alex is the only one able to hear the voice of a dragon skull warning that Drak Midna is close to finding the Phylactery, a box that will allow him to destroy humans. Hearing the voice tells readers two big things. Alex has a rare dragon power, and it's a hint that she’s more important than it seems.
What didn’t work as well:
The author teases readers throughout most of the story before Alex finally transforms. It will require much patience from readers, but it’s well worth it.
The final verdict:
Dragon lovers will surely enjoy this book, as it emphasizes Alex’s struggle to become one. The author saves several surprises and revelations for later in the plot that refresh its intensity and suspense. I highly recommend you give the book a shot!

This book has an amazing cover and amazing main character. It won my heart when I understood the dragons can shapeshift into humans. Also it's fun to recognize famous historical tragedies like Pompeii that was actually a dragon, ahah. The characters are compllellijg and Alex's growth in her journey is great.
High-stakes game for ruling.

As someone who loves dragons, I was excited to dive into Dragonborn, and for the most part, it delivered.

This is a middle grade fantasy with an imaginative world and just enough danger and mystery to keep things moving. The dragons were definitely the highlight for me. Magestic, powerful, and woven into the story in a way that felt fresh but still tapped into all the classic dragon lore I enjoy.

The characters are likable, especially the main protagonist, who strikes a good balance between vulnerability and bravery. There were a few pacing issues, and I found myself wanting a bit more emotional depth or surprise from the plot. Still, I think younger readers will be fully swept up in the adventure of the story.

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for the ARC copy.

What's not to love about this book?

Alex is a dragon - and who among us hasn't wished for exactly that? Her closely monitored life with her mother is interrupted by a mysterious man, a man who wants to help her understand her true nature and take her to a place where she belongs, which makes this an ideal fantasy for kids, teens, and those of us as adults who are still seeking that place where we can become dragons.

Alex makes new friends - and enemies - learns the truth about her past, discovers new talents, and engages in wild dragon combat. Lots of fun, with a twisty ending that you won't see coming.

I'd recommend this book for readers who like dragons, for readers who enjoy exploring fantasy worlds, and for those who have that secret desire to take to the sky in flying lizard form.

Fun book with promises of more on the horizon. Keep your eye out for more from Struan Murray in the future!

Because of her over-protective, strict mother, Alex wants nothing more than to run into the nearby woods and scream! Which she does. And that’s when her entire life changes because she is a dragon! She is whisked away to a special island called Skralla where she meets lots of other kids like her. I loved the names of the different ages of kids from the Ashlings (youngsters) to the Emberlings like her. But Alex has trouble shifting into her dragon form. Her friends, teachers, and the bully all try to help her, but nothing works. But she does have a special power – she can hear the spirits of dead dragons. And that leads to trouble.

The settings are unique and well-written. You can “see” Alex’s room, the big house where they meet for meals, and more. The characters are unique and have real-to-them problems, especially Alex.

This is a story full of action, emotion, betrayal, secrets, and more. There are also giants, fairies, and, of course, dragons. For a YA, it is fast, intense, and full of adventures. If you like fantasy with great world building and characters, pick this one up.

Recommended.

Disclosure of Material: I received a final and/or advanced reader copy of this book with the hope that I will leave my unbiased opinion. I was not required to leave a review, positive or otherwise, and my opinions are just that… My Opinions. I am posting this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising” Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for providing a copy of this book.