4 stars
A delightful read with some truly heartwarming moments. This book does a great job of blending the simple with the complex. There’s the obvious appeal of magic, dragons, and other mystical creatures, but it also pulls in some more mature themes and emotions including loss, guilt, and shame.
This is a well-rounded read that can be enjoyed by a range of ages. Young readers will be captivated by the magical world-building and engaging plot while older readers can also enjoy the character development, shifting relationships, and handling of difficult emotions. Both characters have to deal with the loss of a loved one. But through new connections and understanding, they hold on to those memories while making new ones.
Adventure, magic, humor, and fun. I really enjoyed this one and can’t wait to read the sequel.