Two princesses have been training for their royal roles. Seika is the oldest and the heir, she will one day rule the kingdom of the Hidden Islands. Her sister Ji-Lin has been training to be her royal protector. She has bonded with the winged lion Alejan and learned to fight.

On their twelfth birthday, the princesses are sent on the Emperor's Journey to find the dragon who protects the islands. They are wholly unprepared for this unexpected journey. They must travel a predetermined route across the islands to reach the dragon on the fourth day. Each night they are supposed to be greeted by villagers along the route. Of course things don't go according to plan. They discover that koji have broken through the dragon's barrier and are harassing the villages. The princesses also come across a pirate ship from outside the barrier. They take the captain's son along on their journey in order to heal him from a fatal beetle bite.

Durst did a great job creating this world. I love the thought of a dragon creating a barrier to protect her egg and that barrier also protecting the humans inside it. I thought the mythology of the koji monsters was interesting. I did think the inclusion of the unicorn seemed a bit much though. I went back and forth on the princesses themselves. At times it was hard to distinguish them and at others I found it difficult to remember Ji-Lin was a girl and not a boy. I liked the journey they went through though, both physically and mentally. I thought their mental journey was actually a bit more interesting as both Seika and Ji-Lin had to make choices that helped them mature into responsible princesses.

I received this book from Netgalley.

I've come to tell you a story. Have you come to listen? It is a very good story. It began 200 years ago when an emperor and a dragon struck a bargain. In exchange for a guarantee of protection given by the emperor, the Dragon of Himitsu created an impenetrable barrier to keep the koji, hideous monsters who ravage and kill, away from the islands. Since that time, the successive emperors of Himitsu have renewed that bargain, maintaining the barrier which provides safety for all the islanders. On their twelfth birthday, Seika, the heir to the emperor, and her twin, Ji-Lin, the future empress' protector, are unexpectedly sent off on to meet the dragon and renew the bargain. Accompanied by Ji-Lin's compatriot and friend, Alejan, one of the powerful flying lions of Himitsu, their journey will become a tale worth retelling.

Sarah Beth Durst's novel Journey Across the Hidden Islands is an engaging, entertaining story -- full of courageous flying lions, princesses sent on special missions, and beautiful, yet fierce dragons. The author also details well the changes and growth in each of the main characters, giving depth to their emotions, struggles, and triumphs. Ultimately, along with Ji-Lin, Seika and Alejan, we will be lead to ask: what does it take to be a hero?

Thank you to NetGalley and Clarion Books for an e-ARC of this book for review. All opinions contained are my own.

I enjoyed this fast paced book! Had a fun time going through the book

I received an ARC of this book from NetGalley in exchange for my unbiased opinion.

Princesses Seika and Ji-Lin are training to become the next empress and her guard. On their 12th birthday, their father tells them that it is time for them to make the traditional Emperor’s Journey, where they will renew the bargain with the dragon that keeps their islands safe. As they make their journey, the princesses discover unexpected monsters and other perils in their way. Will the princesses be able to complete their journey and protect their people?

This was an enchanting tale, and I would love to be able to visit Himitsu and see all of the magical animals they have (except the koji!). The princesses understandably felt unready for their journey but were able to see what they were made of through necessity. I highly recommend this book for middle grade readers and think it will also appeal to many older readers, too – this is definitely a book I could see parents and children reading together and enjoying.

This was a really sweet coming of age story. It was a beautiful story of the bond between sisters as they fought to save their world. It had important messages at it's core about how people have to do things before they're ready to but how things will usually turn out okay.

As an adult, I connected so much with this book. The messages are so important because I feel like you can never truly be ready for the things life throws at you. And maybe the idea that things might just turn out all right is a good thing to hear.

The characters were really cool. I loved getting to know them and their distinct characters. It was good to see their strength and weaknesses complimenting each other. It shows how the ability to fight or a knowledge of history is not enough alone, but together they can do things that they can't do alone.

This is a great book for all ages.

Great story! This is the 2nd Sarah Beth Durst book I've read and I have loved both. I plan to purchase this for my library and expect the 3-5th graders to enjoy it.

A magnificent portrayal of a realistic coming-of-age story, made me have faith in humanity at some point in this story.

We follow a set of twins,Princess Ji-Lin and the royal heir Seika who must go on a perilous "Emperor's Journey" to talk to a dragon who protects their residence, Hidden Islands, via a barrier with the outside world and effectively protecting them from the outside world. Until now, when then face unprecedented threats and the sisters must make a final decision that will change the history of their beloved islands.

I don't read many middle-grade novels, they're not usually in my wheelhouse but I really felt like I could connect to these characters and could grasp the simplistic fantasy world of the Hidden Islands. There were delightful pet companions, a flying lion in this case that warmed the story with his humor and dedication to the bond between him and Ji-Lin.

As always there are frustrations when children that are extremely inexperienced and unprepared make stupid choices, but I actually feel like these princesses were humble enough to accept their shameful decisions and learn from their mistakes. Still, they journeyed way too young (out of necessity) and you could visibly see how sorely unprepared they were, but at least they could realize this and not hide from it with pride.

I could also admire their vast determination to "make things right" and keep their villagers as safe and happy as possible. For two twelve years olds, I almost found it unbelievably how wise these children were, although of course this could stem from their wise teachers and guiding companions that are with them along the way.

One thing that I really loved is that the author avoided including a romantic interest with the boy companion that they picked up on their journey. At first it seemed like these romantic interests may evolve, but then when I saw the author kept the storyline romance-free I truly appreciated this as non-romance book from young tweenagers.

**Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for providing me with an arc of this book in exchange for my honest review.**

Received an advance reader copy in exchange for a fair review.
Thanks to NetGalley and Clarion Books for the opportunity to read and review Journey Across the Hidden Islands by Sarah Beth Durst! Ji-Lin and Seika are sisters and best friends. Their father is the Emperor and both daughters have been sent on their own Emperor's Journey. Seika is all about tradition, whereas Ji-Lin struggles with focus. The two sisters are sent on their journeys together. Seika is following the traditional journey that takes place every generation, to speak with the dragon and renew their bargain of protection. Ji-Lin will be Seika's protector and they will be riding on the winged lion, Alejan, Ji-Lin's companion. They will travel for five days to converse with the dragon and then the following morning they will meet the Emperor and Guardians to celebrate the end of the ritual. The author describes the scenery and creatures beautifully by painting pictures with her descriptive words and the mythological tales are entertaining and interesting. The sisters work through their insecurities together and come to relate to each other better as they discover the truth behind the ritual. This adventure fantasy is wonderful for tweens - 4 stars!