I really enjoyed this middle grade novel from Julie Kagawa. While I do not know whether this is her first middle grade novel or not, I have appreciated her writing in several of her young adult novels. Kagawa built an intricate fantasy world while keeping it understandable for middle grade readers and relatable as well. I did notice a little bit of stilted language in some of the chapters from the female main characters, usually when her father spoke to her, but that did not last long or play a significant part.
I look forward to reading the rest of the books in this series.

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for granting me free access to the advanced digital copy of this book.

Lightningborn is the first in a series of books by Julie Kagawa called Storm Dragons. The series title tells you that storms and the magic surrounding these kinds of dragons are involved. Our tale is told from alternating points of view between a princess and an orphaned boy. The two views will collide, and eventually, they will have the same goal: save the island before they crash into a monster and rescue the baby dragon from a power-hungry pirate. What I like most about this story is that Julie Kagawa knows how to write dragons, whether in a young adult fantasy or a younger middle-grade series. She lays out the world's magic in easy-to-understand language; the simple world-building is intriguing and leaves room for exploration in the future book of the series. I don't know how many books are in this new series, but I am eager to see what other kind of storm dragons we get to meet.

Lightningborn is a fast paced adventure that takes place in a world of floating islands in the sky. A princess, a thief, a dragon and an old soldier come together to try to save the world. There were some Eragon-like elements in the story, but it really was fairly original. The book is well written, as all Kagawa books are. It is obviously part of a series of books, so it does not have a satisfactory ending. I am anxious to read the next installment.

I would recommend this book for middle grades and older. There is violence and a lot of suspense.

I received an advance reader copy for free. All opinions are my own.

I will be presenting this book to upper elementary students when I visit schools to booktalk before our public library's summer reading program begins. There are never enough dragon books to satisfy kids. The fact that this one is set on floating islands definitely adds to the appeal. Add in an underdog protagonist coupled with a rebelious girl from a magic school and a race to save their world from destruction, and you've got a recipe for adevnture sure to satisfy young readers!

Remy and Gem will take you on a marvelous journey. Full of dragons, mystery, and mayhem, this book will keep you going! I can't wait to read the next one!

Lightningborn is the first book in Julie Kagawa's newest fantasy series and I believe it is her first Middle Grade book. This was the perfect way to start a new series. The world building was phenomenal for a first in series, I could easily picture the floating islands and the maelstrom. Remy and Gem were interesting and their dynamic was interesting. This gave me flashes of Skylanders meets How to Tame Your Dragon - which I noticed other reviewers picked up on so I don't feel so old! The book is a bit big and might scare off some of our younger readers, but I felt that the story moved at a fast pace so I wouldn't hesitate to recommend it to readers who love dragon stories and high fantasy.

This story is perfect for those who love dragons and fantasy! The ending makes it seem like there will be a sequel, so it’s perfect for those who prefer a series.

This novel is fantastic! The switch of perspectives between the two protagonists is fantastically done. The fact that the author is consistent in every other chapter being the same perspective makes it extremely easy to follow along. The novel is marketed as a middle grade, and I truly believe the writing is perfect for that age group. Additionally, it holds all those subjects of great interest to that age group as well-dragons, knights, royalty, pirates and an important quest! The novel has a great pace and the world building is well done. I cannot wait to read the next book in the series!

A wonderful addition to the genre, Lightningborn takes several familiar fantasy tropes and places its own spin on them. The story is action packed from page one and quickly brings the reader into a world of magic, peril, pirates, and of course dragons! With memorable characters and highly illustrative text, this book invites young readers to explore a universe similar to those seen from the likes of Jim Butcher or Patrick Rothfuss.

Lightingborn is a great first installment to this new Middle Grade series. It has characters you’ll come to love, adventure and of course Dragons!! I can’t wait to continue the series and get even more world building. There is so much potential here.

As the juvenile rendering of a dragon on the cover hints, this is indeed a fantasy book for middle grades. The artwork should appeal to the target audience perfectly.

The book should, too. Kagwa begins a dragon series (because if the book has a dragon it, then it’s a dragon series, am I right?) featuring a boy, a girl, and a sidekick name Crusty Bart. Crusty Bart is the second clue that this is geared toward middle school students- they will love this character.

The story is good, exciting at times, often entertaining, but students who read a lot of dragon stories may have a hard time voicing their thoughts of disappointment that nothing new happens. No new world building takes place, nothing earth-shaking is developed in the story. Kagwa’s imagination seems sufficient to write the story, but not enough to really create a dragon world.

However, world-building is difficult and that doesn’t mean this is a bad book. In the contrary, fantasy lovers will enjoy this addition to the genre. Buy without hesitation.

This middle grade fantasy novel about a princess trying to save her kingdom and a poor thief who ends up finding a dragon is an exciting and well crafted story that I know middle grade readers will appreciate. The main characters: Gem (the princess) and Remy (the thief) were relatable, likable characters, with back stories. The world building was perfect for middle grade.

Lightningborn is a great start for a middle-grade high fantasy (not portal) dragon rider story. The magic system and the worldbuilding are easy to follow and we are never confused about who is who, even when it feels like it's predictable we are hoping our predictions turn out true.

It starts with two different points of view and location, a boy (Remy) finds a baby dragon being hunted by an evil sky pirate mage. This pirate's intentions are not good and Remy will do whatever is needed to protect the dragon with the help of Bart (we learn more about him as we read). Gem, the princess has Cloud a white dragon. They belong to another perspective of this story. Her goal is to find a way to save her kingdom, to heal the crystals she must find someone who knows about the true dragons.

I love how Gem and Remy's story gets tangled and they become a team in an adventure against time to rescue more than just a baby dragon. Gem has a great personality: focused, brave, and goes against rules but for the greater good. Remy is also brave with his heart in the right place and Bart is very honorable and knowledgeable. Lightning is more than just a baby dragon.

This first book ends with a promise of a larger quest and higher stakes to solve. I will look forward to reading the rest. It's easy to read and the author's style flows well.
Thank you Netgalley and publisher for the e-arc.

In a world where everything floats and the space under the cities is a magical maelstrom that will fry anything that comes down there. But Remy’s life changes forever during a powerful magical storm when a baby dragon falls down in front of him. After Remy saves the dragon they spend the night hidden from the storm and that is when Remy manes the dragon Storm and they for a bond. Gem is the princess and only child of the king. Gem longs to be a great mage, but when she find out some very disturbing news about the kingdom and goes off on her own to try and save it if she can.
This is a wonderful book and I can not wait for more to see what happens next. Remy and Gem sound like two real kids, head strong and think they know everything. Lucky for them there are a few adults that don’t want to see them dead and help them along. This book was so fun with all the action and suspense this is sure to keep even a reluctant reader entertained.

Remy and Gem are children from the opposite ends of their society; Remy is an orphan, forced to beg and steal to survive, while Gem is a princess, heir to the throne. Remy is in the right (or wrong) place just as a baby dragon escapes from a pirate, and, having found him, Remy will do anything for Storm, as he names the dragon - even seek help from Crusty Bart, the old drunk who tells dragon tales in the tavern. Gem is on a search for information to save their world; the floating islands the comprise their land are sinking, and only one man, Sir Bartello, may have the information she needs to find the True Dragons, who may know how to fix the storm crystals that keep their islands afloat in the sky. Their quest brings them together, in the first book of a fun and fast-paced series. Recommended for readers middle school to adult.

I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

A fast paced fantasy thrill featuring dragons, airships, magic, and forbidden knowledge. Prince and pauper type characters but with strong, unique personalities. A fun read with great visual writing. The book is a quick read but packed full of descriptive details and is a great read.

Thanks to NetGalley & Disney Publishing Worldwide for the early copy in exchange for an honest review.

A fun adventure involving a thief finding a dragon and a princess looking for a solution to her kingdom's troubles.

I'd like to rate this higher but the book just feels very... cookie-cutter, almost. It serves its purpose as a decent adventure story with dragons but the writing nor characters are anything to write home about. It doesn't really offer anything new to the table and checks all the boxes...a boy and his dragon, a princess, pirates, sorcerers, mysterious secrets. Grumpy old wise man, too. Kids who like Wings of Fire and Eragon will like this book though.

Lighningborn is a highly entertaining beginning to a new series for middle school readers. It has strong lead characters who come from very different backgrounds. In the beginning, it felt like it was going to be a very cliché story, but the story quickly picked up speed with the introduction of an orphaned baby dragon. This book ends well, leaving the reader anxious for the next volume of the Storm Dragons series.

This will go over well with middle grade readers. I stopped after chapter 1 (6%), but it has good vibes balanced with good action.

Thank you to NetGalley and Disney for the ARC.