I absolutely adored this middle grade novel. The world that was created was so interesting and I just couldn't put the book down! While this is marketed as a middle grade novel I felt there were ideas and words used that were pretty advanced so I'll keep that in mind when recommending the title. I can't wait to start reading the next book in the series!

Scarlett Thomas’ Dragon’s Green is magical new middle grade fantasy

DRAGON’S GREEN, by Scarlett Thomas, Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers, May 30, 2017, Hardcover, $17.99 (ages 9-12)

Author Scarlett Thomas offers a new take on magic in Dragon’s Green, the first book in her Worldquake series.

Effie Truelove has always believed in magic, and despite her father’s denial of it, she holds that belief close to her heart. Effie’s grandfather, Griffin, seems to confirm its existence but refuses to do any or to teach Effie how to use it.

When Griffin is attacked and left for dead, Effie finds herself in the possession of an unusual silver ring and tasked with protecting her grandfather’s library of rare and powerful books. While Effie is able to salvage a number of Griffin’s strange objects, the library falls into the hands of a shady scholar.

Unwilling to see her grandfather’s things sold off, Effie enlists the help of her new friends — nerdy Maximilian, rugby-mad Wolf, helpful Lexy, and eccentric Raven. It’s a ragtag group of children that one would never expect to join forces, but as they quickly discover, they each hold true powers that could make all the difference.

At first glance, Dragon’s Green seems a little formulaic — a child discovering magical powers and using them to thwart evildoers. Once you start ready, though, you realize there’s much more to the book.

Dragon’s Green isn’t as straightforward as the Harry Potter series. It feels, instead, more like The Neverending Story. The magical world unfolds in bits and pieces, allowing the reader to experience it just as Effie does.

Author Scarlett Thomas has created a unique world where magic exists in the most unexpected places. Dragon’s Green isn’t just told from Effie’s point of view. Readers also get to know her friends, although Maximilian gets much more attention here. I’m excited to see all the children develop as the series advances.

All in all this was a fun read. The plot takes some left turns sometimes and you are not really sure what is going on but it is eventually all explained. This could be an issue with some kids, but I’m sure others will be like me and just roll with it. The left turns are interesting, just sort of startling at first.

The characters are all delightful children and some horrid adults. In this way it does remind me of Roald Dahl a bit. The adults don’t understand the kids and are quite horrid to them, but the kids take it in stride for the most part and continue to do what they need to. The exception is Effie’s grandfather and Maximilian’s mom, who both seem to know more than they ever tell the kids.

Effie is more or less the main character, but the other kids are almost as important and also tell part of the story. They are a nice mix of kids, smart, funny, athletic and they are all willing to help each other when they get into trouble. I liked all of the kids and found all of them likable and engaging.

The setting of the story is an alternative London. There has been a cataclysmic earthquake, called the Worldshake, which has destroyed most technology and removed most of the magic from the world. Books play a very large role in this story, but I won’t spoil it by telling you how. I’ll just say that it was the main reason for the left turns the plot takes.

There is a dragon in this book, although Dragon’s Green refers to a place. He is a different sort of dragon, described as looking more like a man with scales, claws and wings than what we typically think of as a dragon. But I found him quite amusing. The dragon is the ‘he’ in the quote at the top of this post. He likes to eat princesses, it is his favorite food.

This was an enjoyable read, and I look forward to seeing more adventures with Effie and her friends.