Lightningborn (Storm Dragons #1)

Ever since the Shattering many millennia ago, people have survived traveling by dragons and sky ships between myriad islands magically floating above the all-consuming Maelstrom. Twelve-year-old Remy, a "skinny, mop-haired street urchin," lives on the tiny pirate haven of Cutthroat Wedge, dreaming of but never expecting a chance to leave. During a tempest, he discovers an extraordinarily rare dragon hatchling, which he names Storm. But ruthless pirate captain Jhaeros is looking for the hatchling, placing Remy in great danger. Meanwhile, 12-year-old Princess Gem, a storm-mage-in-training, learns that the magic crystals that keep the islands aloft are failing, heralding certain doom for the kingdom. Against the king's wishes, Gem embarks on a mission to seek out the powerful, rumored-extinct Ancient Ones of legend, who might be able to restore the crystals' power. When the tweens' paths cross, they must work together to protect Storm and save the kingdom. In this invigorating trilogy opener, Kagawa (the Iron Fey series) conjures an atmospheric setting populated by eclectic characters and fanciful creatures and employs Remy and Gem's alternating perspectives to skillfully balance personal and epic stakes, coalescing into a captivating dynamic that is enhanced by their respective dragon companions. Ages 8-12. Agent: Laurie McLean, Fuse Literary. (Apr.)

Gr 3-6-In a land made of floating islands, there is a 12-year-old princess, Gem, who flies on a beautiful white dragon and whose silver streak in her black hair marks her as a storm mage. In this same system of islands, floating over the dangerous, scary, unending Maelstrom, lives Remy, a "mud rat" with "mud-colored hair, mud-colored eyes" who has nothing in the world, not even parents, and who dreams of dragons. In alternating chapters, Gem and Remy's stories inch closer together as Remy discovers a baby dragon and Gem realizes that the only way to save her father's kingdom is to embark on a solo quest to find the Ancients. They both need the help of Crusty Bart, former sky knight and the only human alive to have interacted with the True Dragons-sentient dragons who possess infinite magic. Falling in with sky pirates might be a bad move, but Remy must save his dragon and Gem must save the sky knight so they have no choice but to trust Captain Cutlass and her crew as they go after the most dangerous captain and mage in the most dangerous part of their world: the Vortex. This fantasy series debut has everything that readers could want: magic, used for both good and ill; dragons; a quest; a rebellious and brave princess; life-and-death adventure; and a cliffhanger ending. The writing occasionally feels stilted, but is written at an age-appropriate level, and the worldbuilding creates a very clear picture of this land. The plot moves along at an exciting clip and will keep readers turning pages. VERDICT This is a sure hit for fantasy fans, specifically those who love dragons and rollicking adventure. Highly recommended.