Excellent action adventure book. Great novel for middle school kids. This novel isn't about dragons it just happens to have dragons in it and the description of the dragons makes the story even better. Dragons aside this novel is about family, overcoming obstacles and making hard choices even if it means missing out on what you want the most.

Cassidy has just turned 13, although she is mature for her age. She's a proud Texan living with her Dad and Grandma on their Dragon Sanctuary. They have all kinds of dragons and Cassidy has a special way with them, often singing to calm them.

Some of their dragons have needed extra care, coming from terrible treatment by a huge corporation called FireCorp. They think nothing of exploiting dragons for their oil operations, branding them first. FireCorp are becoming larger and more powerful, buying up farms if they're struggling, and Cassidy's sanctuary is on FireCorp's list. The pile of unpaid bills is not helping things, but letting FireCorp have their farm, and even worse - their rescued dragons, is not going to happen. At least, that's what Cassidy vows to herself.

There is one way to solve all their problems - win the Great Texas Dragon Race. Now she's 13, she's eligible to enter, but Dad won't sign the admission form. Just when things seem they can't get worse, Grandma falls ill. Her quickly growing hospital bills don't help. Cassidy knows she has to enter the race that her mother won years before to save everything she loves. Finally, she gets the signature needed.

Being the youngest and smallest with the smallest dragon, doesn't immediately inspire confidence in the judges or her competitors, but she knows she has the skills and that her dragon Ranga is the fastest there.

51 competitors begin the race. Some have sponsors and these affiliated riders have all the tech they need to win this race, the FireCorp riders in particular. But the race will need more than fancy tech. Each section begins with holograms and riddles and Texan Cassidy knows her stuff and her state. Challenge after challenge whittles the competitors down.

Dragons are injured, and so are riders, Cassidy included. Alliances are made and secrets shared. The closer to the Grand Finale they get, the dirtier the FireCorp team play. But Cassidy isn't going to give up for anything or anyone.



Wow! What a ride! Set in an alternate 21st century where dragons are commonplace in our world, The Great Texas Dragon Race is a sizzling read.

From the very first page, main character Cassidy is endearing in her courage and commitment to the dragons in her care. And so many dragons! There are small swift ones like Cassidy's dragon Ranga, or huge three headed ones as part of the race challenges. Big small, black, green and every colour in between. 

Settings and race challenges are just as varied and portrayed, making this a gripping read full of dragon action. But there is also wonderful character development as friendships are tentatively made as underdog Cassidy lets her guard down. Her passion and care for all dragons is fierce and this drives her hatred of a powerful corporation. As in reality, this is a corporation that takes all it can including people's livelihoods and the dragons themselves, by any means in the endless search for profit.

Themes of rich over poor, kindness against cruelty, and never ever giving up underlie this epic read. Hoping for many more adventures from Cassidy and her dragons!

An absolute page-turner!

Author - Kacy Ritter

Age - 8+

This was a fantastic, fast-paced, exhilarating middle grade novel featuring 13-year-old dragon-rider and firecracker Cassidy Drake. Cassidy is determined to save her family's dragon ranch and pay off her grandmother's hospital bills the only way she knows how--by winning the Great Texas Dragon race. Though she's young and small, she has the home-turf advantage and an equally small but speedy dragon to help her win. As she faces her nemeses, the well-funded and corrupt FireCorp riders, she must learn to make allies and stick to her virtues. A super-fun read with great characters, plot, and themes.

An incredible, life risking, breath taking, jaw dropping, page turning adventure, that has you begging to read it. There where difficult choices between life and death. Allies and enemies, people that become friends during the book, have an amazing relationship with each other. Betrayals and coming together to help each other when needed most.

A rollicking fantasy dragon adventure in Texas! Middle grade readers will love the exciting dragon race, and Texans will love seeing some of the best parts of the state represented. I did find it a bit difficult at times to follow some of the action - it sometimes exactly where in the sky or on the ground dragons were got muddied in the prose. I also could have used more insight into the main character’s emotions during parts of the race. But I was reading an uncorrected proof (thank you NetGalley), so maybe some of that will be clarified. I loved the spunky main character - she and her grandmother were really well drawn. This would be a fun read for fantasy & adventure lovers.

[This review was posted on Goodreads] https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/63247358-the-great-texas-dragon-race

Such a fun read for middle grades! This is definitely one I’m going to add to my classroom collection I know my students will thoroughly enjoy it just like I did!

OH what a delightful tale of a Texas girl and her dragons. I loved this story and the spunk of the main character as she sets out to save her dragon refuge.

I would like to thank Clarion Books for providing me with an ARC.

The Great Dragon Race has some bright and loud characters and messages. Ritter did a great job weaving in the messaging with the story. The characters, especially the MC are very well written. I loved being in Cassidy's head and seeing how she changed over time. I also loved her determination, stubbornness, and love of dragons. I think this book will be greatly loved by most readers, but especially young readers with a massive love for dragons.

A fun, energetic Texas great race filled with southern and country references and culture. Instead of horses, we are presented with dragons and characters full of grit who will keep us turning the page.

More than a race it's a fast pace adventure filled with trials and survival skills.
Cassidy, a thirteen-year-old confident dragon rider lives with her Pa and grandmother on a ranch that takes care of dragons with respect and love, but a major evil corporation wants to buy the property and enslave the dragons for profit. On top of that tragedy, something happens to her family that adds to the urgency. Cassidy must enter and win the race to use the prize to save them all. Can she?

I love that the race participants start as individuals with their purpose and slowly start to unify against a purpose that benefits all.

Great writing, energetic, and full of bravery. Many times we see the main character full of doubts in this type of middle-grade novel, it's not the case with Cassidy. She has a lot of fire and knows exactly what to do or sacrifice to get it. Awesome secondary characters as well.

It has what it takes to be turned into an exciting animation series.
Thank you Netgalley and Publisher for the opportunity to give my honest opinion.

An action-packed, fun adventure that will have dragon lovers racing to discover what happens next. With enjoyable characters (both of the human and dragon variety) and a heart stopping race, this debut isn't one to miss.

Kids are going to race to read this book! Cassidy is a modern day, dragon riding cowgirl full of spunk and fire. We go on a tour of Texas, hear some fantastic music from country legends, and learn how a strong loner with a purpose can harness an even greater power. Such an exciting read! I can definitely see it playing out on the big screen.

Great book for dragon lovers! Fun and fast paced. Characters were great, plot was interesting and different, and there was a lot of heart put into this book.

E ARC provided by Edelweiss Plus

Cassidy Drake has been raised on a dragon sanctuary farm in Texas by her feisty grandmother and her father. The farm takes in rescues, dragons that have been abused in other setting, like the evil FireCorps run by Michael Carne that uses the dragons in the manufacturing of fuel. Carne has been trying to buy the Drake's farm, but they will not sell. Cassidy is a talented dragon racer like her late mother, and her small but speedy dragon, Ranga, does well unless spooked. She decides to compete in a high stakes scavenger hunt race so that she can use the $250,000 prize to help pay off debts, but her father is protective of her and doesn't want to sign the paperwork. Her grandmother becomes suddenly ill and requires expensive hospitalization, and when she recovers a bit, signs the paperwork. Cassidy runs off to compete. She's not completely prepared, and unused to all of the backstabbing that goes on. She does find some competitors, like Laura, who are not as nasty as some. Ash, for examples, pretends to help by offering Cassidy soup, but it ends up drugging her and putting her behind. FireCorps has several racers who are working as a team, but Cassidy doesn't trust anyone, like Rion, enough to band together. She gets the clues, and does fairly well, but there are injuries, storms, and the discovery that FireCorps is using dragon steroids. Interest in her abilities is high, since her mother was a high profile racer, and her underdog story does well in the news. Will she be able to win the race and improve the situation for her family's farm, as well as for dragons?
Strengths: Tui Sutherland's Dragonet Prophecy books have rekindled interest in dragons, so I try to find books that might interest those readers. This was a bit like Silver Batal and the Water Dragon Races combined with, of all things, Teri Farley's Phantom Stallion books! Michael Carne seemed a lot like the evil Slocum, and the rescue dragons were sort of like the wild ponies! Even the grandmothers were similar. There's plenty of details of the races and caring for dragons, which is always appealing to my readers, and the extra layer of conflict with FireCorps will appeal to those who like London's Battle Dragons series.
Weaknesses: There was a lot of political stuff, as well as dragon doping, that just didn't appeal to me. I am not a huge fan of dragon books, so this is mainly a "me" issue.
What I really think: I will probably purchase this one, and I think it will do well with my students.

Cassidy Drake helps her father on a ranch dedicated to saving dragons that have been abused. Her current dragon she is training with for the Great Texas Dragon Race, Ranga, was rescued after being tortured by big oil company FireCorp. FireCorp uses dragons in their oil business, but also uses them for the glory of the racing circuit. They want to be the Drake Ranch which is struggling financially, and just like her mother, Cassidy is determined to win the Great Texas Dragon Race to save her ranch and dragons all across the world from companies like FireCorp. The race is based on riddles and clues, survival, ranch skills, all of which make this book a modern fantasy western. The FireCorp teams of competitors are better equipped and work together to keep the other racers down, but Cassidy might have to team up with the other indie and small ranch riders to stand a chance. The book is full of heart, balancing current issues (income inequality, big corporations) with the dragon theme of ranches and wild dragons in the state of Texas, friendship and fantasy. The adventure and survival keeps the pages turning in a solidly built world, though I would have liked more descriptions and a bit more interpersonal revelations to break up the break-neck speed. Readers who love dragons (Wings of Fire, How to Train a Dragon) and horse stories (Black Stallion) will find familiar tropes and interesting new adventures to keep them reading.

This book grabbed me from the very first paragraph. It is a fast-paced page turner that also has tons of heart. Cassidy is a compelling character, and I absolutely adored her determination and personal growth through the story, as well as her concern for the welfare of dragons and especially her relationship with Ranga, the dragon she partners with for the race. There are positive social messages seamlessly woven throughout, and the secondary characters are very well-written with their own interesting and meaningful arcs. The race itself was fascinating and kept me on the edge of my seat. I love how Kacy Ritter so brilliantly brought the existence of dragons into our world. The Great Dragon Race is a wonderful, beautifully written debut, and I can't wait to see more from this author.

What is not to love! A teenager who wants to save her family's ranch and dragons too. Cassidy will do anything to help safe her family's dragon ranch and the only way she thinks she can do that is by entering The Great Texas Dragon Race. This is a race that can have deadly consequences and not just from the obstacles but from fellow racers, who might be willing to do anything to win. There's action and great world building. I loved this book! You don't have to be a kid to enjoy it. Loved the different kinds of dragons, really inventive. I hope that there are more books in this world.
I received a ARC from NetGalley to review.

Cassidy Drake thinks of herself as an old-fashioned Texas girl. She loves helping out on the family ranch and taking care of the dragons they protect. Unfortunately, the Drake Dragon Sanctuary is on the verge of being bought out by FireCorp, a company with a history of mistreating dragons including Cassidy's own dragon Ranga. Cassidy knows she has to do something to save her family's legacy. Something like winning the incredibly dangerous and deadly Great Texas Dragon Race.

I accessed a digital review copy of this book from the publisher.
Cassidy Drake and her dragon Ranga are the underdogs of the Great Texas Dragon Race. Cassidy is only thirteen, Ranga is a recovering rescue, and they are solo riders trying to outrace everyone else, but especially the corporate-sponsored riders. Cassidy wants to win, not only to prove that she can but also because the prize money can save her family's dragon ranch.
If it weren't for the dragons, this book would fall neatly into the western category, there's a girl from a ranch, her ride, and a race in the wilds of Texas where she fights with country honor to defeat city greed. The book was an adventure from page one. The author was detailed in the description of each dragon species, and there were many, and had tame and wild ones sprinkled throughout.
This book would be great for fans of nature books, fantasy, westerns, or horse girls.

What worked:
The plot is interesting as it’s related to a couple of current, real-world issues. The story is set in West Texas on a farm dedicated to protecting abused and lost animals. Okay, the animals in question are dragons but the focus on rescuing creatures from deplorable conditions and death is similar to actual dog shelters today. The nation’s largest oil company, FireCorp, is the main violator of dragon mistreatment and their attitude is that they can do whatever they want and solve any problems with money. FireCorp wants to buy the dragon sanctuary property in order to build another refinery. Big business versus the common man is a universal conflict in many novels.
The opening pages display pictures and brief descriptions of dragons appearing in the story. It’s not overly critical to memorize them but they’re nice to reference if readers desire. Cassidy rides a Polychromatic Dragon called Ranga that she rescued when he was quite little. He’s fast but unpredictable due to what I’ll call PTSD at the hands of FireCorp. The author blends real descriptions of the desolate, dangerous Texas desert with the make-believe world of dragons that will make readers feel like their part of the race. Water and food are scarce and wild dragons are an ever-present danger so the dragon race is also a survival test. Riders are required to perform dragon-ranching skills along the way as they receive hologram clues from past race winners telling them various destinations. However, the riders must be wary of dirty tricks and sabotage from their competitors.
Cassidy wants to win the race to help with her family’s money problems but other issues make the plot more intriguing. FireCorp has dominated the winners in past dragon races and this year’s team of riders continues to intimidate everyone else. However, their sabotage and shady tactics frequently target Cassidy more than others and they’re determined to keep her from winning. Is it because her deceased mother was a former champion, because they want to get her family’s dragon ranch, or is it because of another unknown reason? Cassidy has a bad experience with one of the FireCorp riders but he apologizes afterward and says that wasn’t really him. Cassidy is well aware that ALL of the dragon riders only care about themselves and winning so she’s very reluctant to trust any of the competitors.
What didn’t work as well:
This is pretty petty but the words used to describe dragon sounds are generic and don’t work. I’m looking for onomatopoeia or additional descriptions to really help readers experience the noises.
The Final Verdict:
The story is about a fun, deadly adventure in the Texas desert where problem-solving, survival skills, and perseverance are requirements to reach the finish line. Cassidy learns valuable lessons about teamwork, friendship, and what’s important and the author wraps up the conflict in an unexpected way. I recommend you give this book a shot.

Great Texas connections. Adventure, friendship, and action linked to a race a dangerous race through the state of Texas.