Written by: Liz Flanagan

Cover Illustrations by: Joe Todd Stanton

Published by: UClan Publishing

I love this trilogy. It is not very often I decide to review a whole trilogy in one go but it is been a long time since a trilogy has impressed me this much and what I had to say about the series is relevant to all three books.

The Legend of the Sky trilogy comprise of three distinct and dynamic, rip-roaring fast-paced adventures that will keep you on the edge of your seats and have you turning the pages to the very last word and leave you wanting another new episode – a fourth book.

Think of this series as Game of Thrones for younger readers with a real emphasis on the dragons. It puts other middle grade dragon adventures in the shade. The descriptions and the characters really pull you into the story.

I was enthralled on how the history and folklore of the dragons and the different islands was cleverly weaved into the story as it progressed so at no time did you feel like it was a massive info-dump.

The covers of all three books, by award-winning Joe Todd-Stanton, are dramatic and eye-catching that will entice readers to pick up the book to see what they are about.

Now I will spend a little time on each of these brilliant books.

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Title: Dragon Daughter (Legends of the Sky #1)

The first in the Legends of the Sky middle grade fantasy adventure series.

On the island of Arcosi, dragons and their riders used to rule the skies. But now they are only legends, found in bedtime stories, on beautiful murals and ancient jewellery. Then servant girl Milla witnesses a murder and finds herself caring for the last four dragon eggs. Forced to keep them secret amidst the growing tensions in the city, she begins to fear that the island’s ruler, Duke Olvar, isn’t all that he seems.

But how can Milla and her friends keep the eggs safe when it means endangering everything she’s ever loved? Fiery friendships, forgotten family and the struggle for power collide as Milla’s fight to save the dragons leads her to discover her own hidden past.

Milla is a shy, hard-working servant in the Thornsen household, who is unable to tell people ‘no’ even though she is exhausted. she has no self-esteem and tries so hard to please everyone she is running herself ragged. When she witnesses a murder and discovers a bag containing four oval objects, which she later realises are dragon’s eggs, she must learn to overcome her shyness and be more assertive. In this way Dragon Daughter has a brilliant and satisfying character arc that has the reader routing for her from the start.

This is a fantastic story and the dynamics between the different characters are believable as is the politics of the different islands and their struggle for power. I enjoyed reading about the contrasting relationships of the twins, Isak and Tarya, with their father and the conflicting feelings of Taya and Vigo.

An exciting fast-paced adventure with well-described charismatic dragons worth risking your life for.

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Title: Rise of the Shadow Dragons (Legends of the Sky #2)

The second in the Legends of the Sky middle grade fantasy adventure series.

Jowan wants only one thing – to bond with a dragon of his own. Then disaster strikes and his world suddenly turns into a darker and more dangerous place. But a new friend and an astonishing discovery could lead him to what he has always wanted….if he is just willing to take a leap of faith and brave the impossible.

Set on the Island of Arcosi ten years later. Vigo and Tarya are now the Duke and Duchess, Isak is chief dragonguard and runs the Dragon School and Milla is an important dragonrider and protector of Arcosi. I loved how we were introduced to some incredible new dragons in the form of the shadow dragons, Ren and Fidell, and the intriguing mystery that surrounds them. These dragons are born out of all four elements, fire, air, water and earth, so unlike other dragons they have to ability to swim underwater.

There are also some dynamic new characters who are the main protagonists of the story. Joe Thornsen, who we met briefly at the end of Dragon Daughter, is about to attend the Hatching Ceremony to see if he is lucky enough to be chosen as a dragon rider by one of the new hatchlings. When things go horribly wrong he befriends Winter, whose dragon died in the Great Loss when a terrible sickness killed over half the dragons. Together they must overcome them doubts and their overwhelming emotions.

I am in awe of Liz Flanagan’s world-building that really does without a word of a lie, keep you on the edge of your seat turning the pages. The new Game of Throne style power struggle is well-executed with highly believable motivations and disagreements, with the added peril of a volcanic disaster.

Another thrilling middle grade fantasy adventure that will fire up the imagination.

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Title: The Pirate’s Dragon (Legends of the Sky #3)

A thrilling conclusion to the award-winning Legends of the Sky middle grade fantasy series.

Serina and Raff live on separate islands, each believing the other’s people to be their sworn enemy. Forced together in dramatic circumstances, they become unlikely friends while caring for their young dragons. But when Serina’s home, family, and all the dragons of Arcosi are threatened, can Raff and Serina persuade their families to work together? It will take faith, forgiveness and courage to save the dragons!

Before I started reading The Pirate’s Dragon I thought, how can Liz Flanagan top the first two book in the Legends of the Sky series in her third and last book of this fantastic trilogy, but she certainly does. This final conclusion of the trilogy is as flawless and compelling as the other two. Again there is superb world-building and tremendous character arcs that had me enthralled to the end.

This time they are from the perspectives of another two new characters, Serina the daughter of Duke Vigo and Duchess Tarya and the Queen of the pirate’s step-son Raff Sparrowhawk. Their dragons are Alden and Pearl and each have their own characteristics and quirks in the same way as any of the humans.

Arcosi is under threat from their neighbouring nations again, as they want to own dragons of their own. The Norlanders are trying to return the city back to the way it used to be before there were dragons. Our heroes from all three books must join ranks to save the dragons and their homes.

An epic conclusion to this captivating middle grade series.

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All three books are cleverly plotted with highly motivated characters that will really capture your imagination and your hearts. With themes of determination, bravery and friendship, the Legends of the Sky series is a highly recommended middle grade read.

You can purchase copies of all three of the Legends of the Sky series from your local bookshop, or online at uk.bookshop.org which supports local, independent bookshops.

To read an interview I did with Liz Flanagan about her Wildsmith series see: An interview with… Liz Flanagan

The third book in the Wildsmith series, Wildsmith: The Hidden Sea is due for release tomorrow, Thursday 4th July 2024.