Thanks to NetGalley and Puffin for the advanced copy of this title in return for an honest review. I have been captivated to read this ever since I first heard about it. I love a good kids book, and I love a fantasy book with dragons in, and so this sounded right up my street. I had just finished a hard-hitting emotional memoir so I needed a bit of fun to perk me up. I have read quite a lot of dragon books recently, adult and kids, and whilst all very good, they all tend to stick with known dragon lore. Whereas Struan has given us the traditional dragons but within a new and exciting form, which was a lovely surprise. There's definitely an element of A.F Steadman's Skandar series about it, and it had the magical feeling of the Narnia books too. It's fun and exciting but it doesn't hide away from difficult topics, such as death, loss, and grief. Struan has beautifully created a wonderful world. He's so descriptive that you can see everything; the island, the dragons, even the fear. It feels like such a real place and you're right in there with them. A lot of adults won't read children's books, thinking they wouldn't enjoy them, but they're missing out. Because I love a good thriller book or crime novel, but sometimes I want a dragon, and Struan gives us plenty. As an adult reader, it can be hard to identify with child characters, especially as this book has a lot of children in it, but they're all fabulous. I'm not going to say I identify with children who happen to be dragons, but Alex is a well rounded protagonist who you really root for. She's surrounded by lots of others, good and bad, teacher and pupil, and they all work so well together. Its great fun, thrilling, exciting, funny, magical, scary, but it has a really big heart. It's quick and easy to read. I did it in a few hours, but I can definitely see it being a book children get their parents to read them at night. It's destined to become a classic fantasy story. I sure hope it's the start of a series. There's so much still to say and do, and I want to be a part of it.

Struan Murray is one of my favourite children’s writers (the Orphans of the Tide series is one of my most recommended to children in year 5 and 6) and I was so excited to get a proof copy and dive into a world of a dragons. Our main protagonist, Alex, has a real journey throughout this novel and I’m hopeful there will be a sequel so we can return to her development. The imagery in Struan’s books is perfection - he is an expert at world building (whilst simultaneously not making it over complicated for children) and some of the fast paced scenes are written with such astonishing imagery; I could really visualise the dragons in all their glory. The concept of the book itself is really clever but I’m keeping my lips sealed as I don’t want to ruin it for anyone. You’ll have to read it and find out for yourselves. I know that the children in my class will love it! Don’t miss out on this one.

Ever since her father's death, Alex struggles to follow the strict rules her overprotective mother has imposed on her, often escaping into the wildness of the forest. But then she discovers there's a wildness inside her, because she is a dragon! She's whisked away to the island of Skralla to train with other dragon children. But somewhere, a dark dragon is rising. Will Alex be ready for this fight? "Dragonborn" by Struan Murray is a twisty, exciting story that I couldn't put down. Set in an epic world of wild dragons and other mythical creatures, this middle-grade adventure combines the familiar with something very original. Alex is a fantastic main character, and I loved following her struggles to finally embrace her inner dragon. I have enjoyed all of Struan Murray's books, but this is the best one yet!

An enchanting adventure, full of magic, mystery and captivating characters. Dragonborn is a five star, incredibly powerful and poignant story and I cannot wait to see what happens next. Huge thank you to the author, publisher and NetGalley for the opportunity to read an ARC.

I thoroughly enjoyed this, it felt like a treat to myself to lose myself in this amazing dragon filled world. I love a vulnerable protagonist who takes time to come into their own , and this certainly describes Alex. I did feel that more could have been made of Alex’s realisation about her loss at the end of the book but it fully deserves 5 stars anyway and I’m hoping we will be able to return to the magical island of Skralla soon.