The Journey to Dragon Island

March 15, 2017
Visions of dragons, treasure, and glory lead swashbuckling Capt. Cassie O'Pia and her doughty pirate crew into deadly waters once again.After a quick precis that really doesn't do the opener, Voyage to the Magical North (2016), justice, Fayers sends the good (if slightly malnamed) ship Onion into the long-uncharted Agena Ocean in search of fabled dragon nesting grounds and, perhaps, the home of distinctively dark-skinned, -crinkly-haired- foundling Brine Seaborne. Following diverse challenges (-Giant spiders! Why is my ship full of giant spiders?-), Brine and her young white crewmates follow their intrepid captain ashore on remote Apcaron Island. There, the beaches glitter with gold, dinosaurs roam the forests, and in a floating castle dubbed Orion's Keep after a legendary dragon, efforts to prevent the local volcano from erupting have driven resident chief magician Belen Kaya off the deep end. Stage thus set, the author delivers a second rousing whirl of sudden attacks, narrow escapes, shocking revelations, treachery, and derring-do leading to massive explosions, magical transformations, and, yes, dragons. Brine's search for her family only comes closer to fruition, though, so there are plainly further voyages to come. Chapter epigraphs just add to the fun, especially the recipes for exotic pirate chow. Avast! Pirates and magicians. Dragons and dinosaurs. Big spiders and, for good measure, a pesky ghost. Anchors aweigh. (Fantasy. 11-13)

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May 1, 2017

Gr 4-6-Dragons, dinosaurs, magic, and a search for missing parents blend together to create a dynamic, addictive follow-up to The Voyage to Magical North. This second installment brings back Brine, Peter, and Tom as they look for Western Island, home to dragons, and try to solve some rather big mysteries along the way. Fans of the first book will be thrilled with the continuing story, which once again features the ghost of Marfak West, the big bad villain from the previous adventure who haunts poor Peter. This title is full of swashbuckling escapades and crazy circumstances that will hold the attention of fans and new readers alike; even those not familiar with the first volume will be able to jump in easily. VERDICT A solid addition to middle grade collections; be sure to hand this to fans of fantasy and pirate stories.-Ashley Selima, Lincoln Public Library, RI

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