Upscaled is the first volume in a new cozy middle grade/YA fantasy by Joseph John Lee. Due out 23rd Aug 2024, it's 201 pages and will be available in hardcover, paperback, and ebook formats. It's worth noting that the ebook format has a handy interactive table of contents as well as interactive links and references throughout. For Kindle Unlimited subscribers, this book is currently included in the KU subscription library to borrow and read for free at release.

This is a truly exuberant, often silly, cozy fantasy with two young protagonists, a random encounter with destiny on an errand to the market to buy eggs, and a fairy-tale version of the kitten (dragon egg) that "followed them home".

It's not derivative, but it gives the same vibe as T. Kingfisher's awesome "A Wizard's Guide to Defensive Baking", and fans of the latter will likely enjoy this one too.

Four stars. Silly (REALLY silly and occasionally overwrought), but quite good fun.

Disclosure: I received an ARC at no cost from the author/publisher for review purposes.

Thank you to Eclipseborn Publishing and NetGalley for the ARC.

I DNFed this at 20%/page 43. I tried so hard to give it a fair shake, to see if it just needed to find its feet, but it never did and I wasn’t enjoying where it was heading. This is the first time I’m DNFing an ARC and I feel really bad about that.

The cover is amazing. The synopsis is so charming. The content doesn’t match either.

This book desperately needs an editor.

I think it’s meant to be witty and quirky and a little Princess-Bride-y, but the author regularly uses the wrong word, uses repetition to ill-effect, and has a lot of clunky descriptions. The quirky moments are also alternated with otherwise very standard writing, which makes them feel cringe instead of cute.

I also have no idea who the target audience is. The “precocious eleven-year-old” main character acts like she’s seven but will have random “motherly” thoughts (which is super uncomfortable to read from any child character, even an eleven-year-old). Then there’s a secondary character that’s a full-grown adult man with no patience. The pet dragon feels like a footnote almost immediately—though this may be improved later in the book.

Unfortunately, if the book is for children, the narration is bloated with five-dollar words and flowery descriptions, so I don’t think they’d enjoy it either.

So who’s this for? Not me, at least.

To conclude, I’m sad. I usually try to recommend it to a certain type of person or reader, or talk about all the things I loved and hated, but my biggest take-away was just that it needs both a developmental editor and a line editor badly—and one of them should be a woman and/or have experience with children.

I definitely had the wrong expectations going in—I was picturing teenage characters going on a light-hearted romp through the town to get party suppliers and something silly goes wrong at each stop—and instead got a surprisingly dark and heavy keep-the-dragon-secret plot told from a small-girl-child-according-to-a-grown-man’s perspective.

Thank you to NetGalley and Victory Editing NetGalley Co-op for this free advance review copy of this e-book in exchange for an honest review.

After playing a trick on a merchant, eleven year old Ailís finds herself in possession of an illegal dragon egg, and shortly after that a newly hatched dragon, still very much illegal. With the local authorities, whose entire role is to wipe out dragon kind, breathing down her neck, Ailís, her mum and little brother must flee their village and seek out help from her uncle.

What I liked: It was quirky and cute, there were definite parts where I laughed out loud. I liked the overall idea and the characters. This should be marketed as a children’s book not a teens though.

What didn’t work for me: It felt like at times it was trying too hard to be a copy of Terry Pratchett, at some points it pushed the obscure too hard (often more silly than quirky) then at others it just fell into a more relaxed narrative, which almost seemed the exact opposite, it’s a shame it couldn’t find a happy medium. I also think some of the references to Monty Python should just go, if the main character is eleven the people reading it are not going to get the inquisition bit (I grew up in the 80’s, I got it but it’s been done to death).

Final thoughts: A fun kids adventure book about a young girl and her dragon.

Who would enjoy this: Kids who like comedy fantasy books.

Posted on GoodReads:

I received this as an ebook from NetGalley in exchange of a review.

I initially chose this book to read because I definitely judged it by its cover- super cute! I like books that have dragons and are fantasy but couldn’t get into the humor, maybe because this book is geared more towards younger readers. Overall it was cute and I enjoyed the main characters possessiveness and enthusiasm towards the dragon.

Thank you to Netgalley & Eclipseborn Publishing for this arc!
This was such good fun! 4.5 stars rounded up.
- I haven't read anything quite like this before and I was constantly surprised by how funny, heartwarming and charming it was.
- I was also surprised by how much I loved the characters, particularly the mother. It's a trope in mg/ya fiction to have really unlikeable parental figures and I'm so glad this didn't fall into that. I loved her no-nonsense yet caring attitude. The family dynamics as a whole in this were wonderful- found family in the form of Aine and blood family in the form of the siblings, ma and uncle. I loved how they all connected during the story. The main character Ailiss was also a delight. She was clearly her age, yet she still had fantastic determination!
- The humour was sort of python-esque and frequently silly, but it never got in the way of the fun of the plot which, though it was mostly shennanigans, was always engaging. Ailiss' quest to find baked goods for her dragon was just delightful. Was it epic and high stakes? No. But it didn't need to be and the author knew it!
- Speaking of dragons, I really enjoyed their prescence! While the dragon is quite cat-like at the moment (and absolutely adorable), I can't wait to see how he'll grow throughout the series.
- I think perhaps the villains could have done with a little bit of de-sillifying. They were good fun, but I could see some social commentary there that didn't quite land for me because they were so stupid. I feel like a properly sinister inquisitor could have elevated my enjoyment of the story a little bit but, honestly, that might just be personal preference.
- Overall, a really fun cosy read that's just perfect for a rainy day (or any day really) when you want to lighten your mood! However, a warning: the baked goods will make you hungry.

Upscaled by Joseph John Lee is a very cute middle grade book that will probably be enjoyed by just as many adults as children.
Set in the fictional land of Nóra, a land where dragons have supposedly been vanquished by the ominous sounding Inquisition of the Priory of the Thrice Dead Prophet, the book follows the adventures of siblings Ailís.and Camarain who rather unexpectedly find themselves in somewhat dubious possession of an unhatched dragon egg. Despite their best efforts to hide it from their mother their plans go awry almost immediately when the egg hatches. A new born dragon should be fairly easy to hide you might think, but you would be wrong and before long the whole family are on the run, not just from the Inquisition but from a band of brigands , a greedy Governor and of course the merchant who claims they stole the dragon from him. A fun chase ensues with a magical conclusion that will satisfy readers while still leaving the door open for more adventures.
This book definitely skews to the younger reader, especially in terms of the humour used, but that didn't stop this reader enjoying it too. Ailís is a great character, kind and thoughtful but with an adventurous streak that keeps her on the right side of being too good to be true and it was very easy to root for her on her quest to save her new friend. I liked the pacing of the story, short chapters kept thinks moving along nicely and there was always something to keep the reader's interest. On a side note I was fascinated to see several uses of what looked like Gaeilge, the Irish language ( though it could have been a nod to Gaidhlig as the two languages share many similarities) and I found myself keeping an eye out for them as the book progressed. I also have to highlight the beautiful cover , it immediately made me smile and was spot on for the vibes of the book.
If you want a fun whimsical tale with dragons and adventure you could do a lot worse than give this one a chance. I've already recommended it to a sibling who is a teacher for use in her classroom.
I read and reviewed an ARC courtesy of NetGalley and the publisher, all opinions are my own.

This was so fun, I’ve posted my review on my booktok. Which fantasy lover didn’t imagined about finding a Dragon Egg as a kid and actually live some magical adventure? I just loved it.. All I can say is read it

This book was so cute! It is great if you love middle grade books with dragons in them! I would highly recommend this book if you are looking for a quick fun read!

Upscaled is a whimsical story about an 11-year old girl who finds a dragon egg, in a country where dragons are forbidden. I really liked the bond between Ailís (the girl) and Pilib (the dragon). Also, Pilib was super cute and enthousiastic throughout the book. The story is very lighthearted and silly, filled with lots of humor. Unfortunately, the humor wasn't really my style and many jokes felt flat for me. I also believe that the book would have been better if it was only from Ailís's POV, instead of abruptly switching to other characters. I do want to recommend this as it was a very cozy read, and if you like this type of humor you're going to love this story.

*Thanks to NetGalley and Eclipseborn Publishing for an eARC in exchange for my honest opinion.

I had a lovely time reading this middle school to YA cozy fantasy story. I think it would be nice to read one or two chapters a night to a child. There’s nothing objectionable here.
There is clear worldbuilding. It feels like a medieval time period but with modern phrases and language. So easy for children to understand and follow.
Two young children are the MCs and they are a bit mischievous but kind. They discover a dragon egg! The adventure begins.
Some of the “bad guys” have silly dialogue and are the humorous part of the story. So kids will enjoy their ineptitude and ignorance.
Everyone will enjoy this whimsical and magical first book in a series. It’s delightful!

Upscaled was a very whimsical and cozy fantasy story about a little girl finding a dragon egg and the awesome relationship between her and her dragon. The characters are humorous and the relationship between her and her family, especially her mother is very special. What a wonderful book for YA and children alike.

The cover of this book drew me in! I was not prepared for the level of humor this story would have. It was a welcome change from my standard fantasy fare, and was a great pallet cleanser. I found it funny, lighter hearted, and a quick enjoyable read! If you're looking for a book in fantasy, with none of the angst and heaviness then this story is for you!

What an absolute riot of a book!

This book was short, sweet, and sarcastically to the point. Upscaled is not your typical dragon fantasy, but it is such a fun read, and I found myself laughing out loud more than once. I don’t think I’ve read something of this nature, with the amount of sarcasm and satire all wrapped up with dragons and delightful baked treats.

*Upscaled* is a captivating blend of fantasy and humor that will charm readers of all ages. The story centers on Ailís, a young girl who stumbles upon a dragon hatchling and is determined to celebrate its first birthday despite facing numerous obstacles. This fresh take on dragon lore mixes adventure with heartwarming moments and a dash of comedy.

Ailís and her supporting cast, including her younger brother, patient mother, eccentric uncle, and enigmatic friend Áine, create a compelling and relatable family dynamic. Their interactions bring depth and warmth to the story, making them unforgettable characters you’ll look forward to revisiting. Even when the narrative shifts to focus on the antagonists, it’s the main characters’ charm that steals the spotlight.

The book’s world-building is both rich and intriguing, with a well-developed history and dragon lore that hints at more to come. Despite being only around 200 pages, *Upscaled* manages to balance humor and deeper themes effectively. If you’re looking for a unique and engaging fantasy adventure, *Upscaled* offers a refreshing and entertaining read that’s definitely worth checking out.

Do you like slapstick comedy? Do you like the kind of humor found in the 'the princess bride' or 'I'm afraid you've got dragons' or Discworld? Do you like dragons!? then this is the book for you! filled to the brim with childish logic, that's often times very close to common sense, very silly enemies, a grand and epic quest filled with fruit, and a little girl who just wanted to throw her new baby dragon a birthday party. this is a book that made me laugh out loud, facepalm, cringe and even roll my eyes at the idiocy of some of these protagonists! entertaining from start to finish, this is a brilliant book for kids and adults alike! written in a way that makes me think of a fairytale, there's certainly a happy ever after, though not the sort of one you'd imagine, and leaves room for another book to follow, without the upset of a cliffhanger. 10/10 would recommend to everyone.

thank you to NetGalley and Eclipseborn Publishing for providing me with an advance copy of this book to review!

I did not know this was middle grade and if I'd known that, I probably would've skipped it. that said, this is a perfectly charming read! it's got a lot of jokes and not all of them land but you know what a good number of them do. and I just love stories about a girl and her dragon, what can I say. tempted to bump this up to four stars because I shouldn't hold the genre against the book and also you could tell the author had a ton of fun writing this one, which I always appreciate.

Upscaled was such a fun little book that came at the perfect time. I really enjoyed it. It set the tone for the whole novella in the very first paragraph so you know exactly what you’re getting right away. It felt like a perfect fit for my mood.

I thought it was great irony that the book said it’s not the type of epic tale with a chosen one soaring atop their scaled mount on a quest to stop evil, when—in its own way—it is exactly that, including the humble village at the start, just in a funny and cozy way instead. It makes me wonder whether the author’s other series starts exactly that way too.

Having an 11-year-old character as the main narrator wasn’t exactly my favorite but she did grow on me over time and ended up being a good fit for the story. The humor was a bit strong for my liking in some parts but hit just right in others (if you loved the humor in this, make sure to check out The Crew by Sadir S. Samir!).

Overall, this was a really fun story that was heart-warming with just enough excitement to keep a good pace and a good setup for the rest of the series. I’m really looking forward to the next one.

I did not finish this book. I struggled with the writing style - Lee tried a humorous tone, and it fell flat and felt forced to me, which made the book not enjoyable to read. The switching between POVs was also done awkwardly, and the children did not act like children but were clearly supposed to, which threw me off also.

absolutely LOVE the cover of this book. So adorable!

I was a bit confused why this book was marked as YA. With the age of the main characters, the general style/structure, and some of the jokes (a lot of potty humor), it came off as for a younger audience, just with a bit more advanced vocabulary in some places.

The humor felt very British, though the author (as far as I know) isn't British. It's not necessarily a type of humor that appeals to me very much, but if you like British humor, you might like it more than I did in that regard. But maybe not if you don't like potty humor or jokes about fat people (which I just find gratuitous and unfunny).

There were some sections where things were worded strangely or I just didn't get the joke at all. Like one paragraph where it mentions the girls at the dance recital crying and fainting from someone cursing, the way it was worded was really unclear and it felt really random.

The protagonist is 11 but she acts a lot younger, that kind of took away from the experience for me. The ending with how the men pursuing the group got dealt with was also kind of eh for me.

I really love stories with baby/small dragons, and Pilib did not disappoint. So cute!

First of all, before we get this review started, can we just take a minute to appreciate how freaking adorable the cover art is? It really sets the mood/vibe of the book and basically is a good way of showing you exactly what the book is about.

Upscaled is about two kids who live in a fantasy world full of dragons and magical creatures. However, the Inquisition has decided that creatures like dragons are evil and have made it their mission to try and exterminate them. However, these two kids, setting out with the simple task to find and procure eggs for their mom at the market, end up bring home a dragon egg instead. Much to their moms dismay, the dragon ends up hatching, and all the shenanigans start to ensue.

This was a really cute and light hearted book. I really liked the characters and the over all silliness of the story. I think this book would be enjoyable for all ages and thing both kids and parents will enjoy reading this together.

Despite it's overall silliness. I do like how some of the commentary brings up topics like disputes being made for stupid reasons or over misunderstandings because realistically that's how a lot of conflicts are. You look at them in hind sight and you're just left thinking how stupid a lot of these conflicts are and the reason why they where started. It also shows how easy it is for someone to control a narrative or how easy it is to convince people of something. I don't think the author initially intended that outcome or really meant to dive to much into it but that's just what I got out of it!

I was a little impartial to the humor but I think that's because I'm reading this from an adults perspective and not a kids. I've seen other reviews say the humors bad, dry, or something along the lines of Monty Python. I wouldn't say it's that bad. It's definitely something kids would find funny and the humor reminds me of the books I read when I was a kid. So I think going in, you need to look at it from a kids perspective and what a kid finds funny.

Overall, I enjoyed and think I'll buy a physical copy for my nephew when it releases!

3.5 rounded up

A cute middle grade fantasy adventure full of dragons, wit, and charm.

This is a humorous story that has major Monty Python vibes. It's dry, sarcastic, and over the top at points, but when paired with the adorable Pilib it makes for a sweet tale. The more meta moments add to the tongue in cheek style, and it's perfect as a light read.

Some of the dialogue is really awkward and simple, especially at the beginning, but this fits well with the dim wittedness of many of the characters. Overall, I enjoyed this book and thought the pacing was quick and the episodic plotting worked for the chaotic circumstances.

Upscaled reminded me of The Gravedigger’s Son and the Waif Girl in terms of its tone and the nonsensical rules - the world is governed by lies and selfishness, but one little decision leads to an extended journey towards truth (and hopefully a better future!). This book would be great for teaching about satire as it has so much to say about politics and storytelling, but it's also just good fun.

I'll definitely be on the lookout for book two, as it seems Cam's own adventure is about to begin!