About the Book
Title: Dragon Defender (Dragon Defense League, Book #1)
Author: J.A. Blackburn
Publication Date: October 19, 2013
Publisher: Pip & Grey
Number of pages: 242
Recommended age: 10+
Summary (Amazon):
For over a thousand years dragons have existed in secret . . .
Peter Clark can build a robot from scratch and pick a lock in two minutes or less. But he can’t figure out why his mother left or why his grandma refuses to talk about her. When Uncle Dominick shows up on Peter’s twelfth birthday with a letter that hints at answers and an incredible story about dragons, Peter follows him, determined to find out the truth about his mother’s disappearance.
What he finds is a reality far different from what he ever could have imagined – where dragons live in hiding, hunted by poachers for their magical parts, and a small group of men and women work tirelessly to protect them. These are the Dragon Defenders. Peter’s uncle is one. So was his mother. Now it’s Peter’s turn.
* Finalist in the Pacific Northwest Writers Association 2013 Literary Contest *
My Review
Peter Clark is not such an ordinary boy, since he’s quite a loner with exceptional computing skills, but then it’s not surprising he’s become introvert after being abandoned by his mother and brought up by his grandmother. The story starts in a beautifully described storm, where Peter is scared to open the door to let a stranger in (quite rightly), but then realises it’s his uncle.
Despite his grandmother’s opposition, Peter joins his uncle on an expedition to Mexico, having learned a lot more about his past and his mother, and a little bit about what he might grow up to be. Of course, the expedition does not go smoothly; Peter is pressed to demonstrate considerable resourcefulness, and finds friends in the right places who help him out of a whole load of difficulties, caused by… a baby dragon.
Awww! Who wouldn’t want to rescue a baby dragon? Well, you might change your mind if its mother showed up! Peter shows he has the skills necessary for such a task, and the whole story twists and turns through numerous encounters with baddies seeking to destroy the dragons and take parts of them said to have magic powers. Rhino and elephant poachers spring to mind.
This is an exciting, well-written, fast-paced story that I didn’t want to put down. The characterisation is first-class and the dragons… gorgeous. I’m looking forward to more books from J A Blackburn!
PS Everyone should carry a wind-up torch, but then, the adventure wouldn’t have such an edge!
More Buzz About the Book
“We read an advance copy of this book on kindle earlier this year and our 5th grade son read it twice and is anxiously awaiting the next book in the series. Great adventure, really kept our interest reading it together at night. This was one of the kids books I most enjoyed reading myself as well. The characters and the plot are well developed, and appealing to a wide range of kids (both genders). The writing is sophisticated but easy to understand, not ‘dumbed down’ like many kids books. The subject of dragons was so well crafted that it’s easy believe that dragons just might exist, after all.” ~ 5 Star Review, Leigh A., Amazon
“Reminiscent of the Fablehaven series (with just the right touch of Harry P.) this middle grade book is both an adventure and a pleasure…Fast-paced and full of wonder, this book takes middle grade readers on a vivid journey from the southwestern U.S. to Mexico; where jungles, ancient ruins and local folklore add to the enchantment that Peter finds when he discovers that dragons are in fact, real. As a former elementary school teacher, my strong feeling is that kids will eat this book whole, and then turn to searching for dragon eggs in their own backyards!” ~ 5 Star Review, Grace W., Amazon
“Dragon Defender was an absorbing action packed read! The author pulls you in from the first page and I’m not sorry to say I read it all in the first day. I’m 33 but still! This is a fun book for a chapter a night with your 5 year old (my son is loving it so far) or for yourself. The characters are well developed so you feel like you’re really there, and the dragon is so believable. I’d venture so far as to say I had to remind myself that dragons don’t really exist…. or do they?” ~ 5 Star Review, MGC, Amazon
Purchase
Amazon (Print) | Amazon (Kindle)
About the Author: J.A. Blackburn
J. A. Blackburn lives in Seattle, Washington in a small white house overlooking the sea with her husband, Jason, her son, Camden, and their dog, Bella. Dragon Defender is her first novel.
Website | Twitter | Facebook | Goodreads
Dragon Defender Blog Tour Schedule (2014)
January 6
Mother Daughter Book Reviews (Launch & Review)
January 7
The Dragyn’s Lair (Dual Reviews)
Cherry Mischievous (Guest Post)
January 8
Reading and Sharing (Book Review)
January 9
Carpinello’s Writing Pages (Author Interview)
January 10
The World of ContestPatti (Author Interview)
January 11
January 12
January 13
Books Direct (Author Interview)
January 14
January 15
A Year of Jubilee Reviews (Review)
January 16
Stitch Says (Author Interview)
January 17
We are the Noisy DinoFamily (Review)
Musings by Jay Faulkner (Guest Post)
January 18
Kay LaLone I Love Books (Review)
January 19
Lakshmi Gosyne (Guest Post & Review)
January 20
Sher A. Hart: Written Art (Review)
WS Momma Readers Nook (Guest Post/Excerpt)
January 21
January 22
Cassandra Lost in Books (Review)
Word Magic: Articles & Tips for Authors (Review)
January 23
January 24
Identity Discovery (Guest Post)
January 25
Jemima Pett, Princelings Author (Review)
January 26
When I Grow Up I Wanna Write a Kids Book (Review)
Heart of a Philanthropist (Review)
* $50 Blog Tour Giveaway *
Prize: $50 Amazon Gift Card or PayPal cash (winner’s choice)
Contest runs: January 6th to January 31, 11:59 pm, 2014
Open: Internationally
How to enter: Please enter using the Rafflecopter widget below.
Terms and Conditions: NO PURCHASE NECESSARY TO ENTER OR WIN. VOID WHERE PROHIBITED BY LAW. A winner will be randomly drawn through the Rafflecopter widget and will be contacted by email within 48 hours after the giveaway ends. The winner will then have 72 hours to respond. If the winner does not respond within 72 hours, a new draw will take place for a new winner. Odds of winning will vary depending on the number of eligible entries received. This contest is in no way sponsored, endorsed or administered by, or associated with Facebook. This giveaway is sponsored by the author, J.A. Blackburn and is hosted and managed by Renee from Mother Daughter Book Reviews. If you have any additional questions – feel free to send and email to Renee(at)MotherDaughterBookReviews(dot)com.
Pingback:Blog Tour Launch, Review & Giveaway: Dragon Defender by J.A. Blackburn | Mother Daughter Book Reviews
Pingback:Blog Tour & Book Blast Sign-Ups: Dragon Defender by J.A. Blackburn | Mother Daughter Book Reviews
It was a fun book. And, you’re quite right about the storm description in the beginning being brilliant.
Thanks for dropping in, Destiny!
I thought this was a great read too. It was nice to read your opinion of the book. Thanks for sharing!
Thanks, Stacie – nice to see you here!