especbooks's review
5.0
I am honored to have worked on this book and have the opportunity to read it before it is released into the world. An imaginative and well-executed science fiction take on these majestic legends. Filled with intriguing science and social dynamics, this one is highly recommended.
reviews_musings's review
4.0
Andy Brand, also known as Draco, has always been told to hide his identity, conceal and protect from the entire world. Little does he know who he is one of a Kind, a supernatural being who has the power of a thermonuclear energy inside him called a dragon. But when he is kidnapped and unwillingly thrown into the midst of an attack, he has no other choice but to reveal himself and save the world.
It is a very novel story, combining science and fantasy together with intriguing space travel elements . Filled with betrayal, lies and deception it is a very fast paced plot with lots of twists and turns. I enjoyed this YA book thoroughly.
It is a very novel story, combining science and fantasy together with intriguing space travel elements . Filled with betrayal, lies and deception it is a very fast paced plot with lots of twists and turns. I enjoyed this YA book thoroughly.
desdeeo's review
4.0
I really enjoyed reading this book! It could be because my maiden name is Dragon and I use to day dream about what it would be like to be one. I appreciated the author's take on "dragons" and how they weren't the great big lizards that we think about when we hear that name. I enjoyed the characters and development of how there was more than meets the eye to this book as well. It was wonderful world building, too!
asanabr1's review
5.0
Really great YA book with enough science to fill the hearts of nerds like me. Andy finds himself in a situation outside of his control, taken against his will, and kept away from the world he once knew. The story is filled with deception, half-truths, doubt, and action mixed in with a bit of humor and sorrow. The story keeps you guessing, but the ride is enjoyable from start to finish. Andy as a character is very relatable, and I loved his snark throughout the story. I was constantly re-evaluating the characters and opinions on various characters changed many times. It was difficult to know who to trust! The writing flowed nicely, making it so that I was completely immersed. I enjoyed seeing the few artwork pieces as well.
shellyk51's review
4.0
Dragons was a very fun and interesting read. A YA science fiction book, it held my attention from page one. There is plenty of drama, espionage, secrets and Draco finds that he is not there for the reason he thinks he is. Miranda is just playing him. There are twists and turns at every corner. One of the best science fiction books I have read in the last two years.
roxsannel's review
5.0
Andy Brand is an eighteen year old boy who is kidnapped and ripped away from his family and friends and wakes up in a twelve by twelve room, dressed in an orange jumpsuit and the ugliest white shoes he has ever seen, there is nothing in there but a cot bed, a sink and a toilet, there isn’t even a window, but there is a vent where the fresh air is circulated through. At first he feels like it is a dream, however, when reality dawns on him, he is trapped, but as he looks more closely at his surroundings, he realises that they are a new kind of technology he has only read about and that everything in the room is made of this material, but the thing that scares and weirded him out the most is the Voice which answers some of his questions and asks some questions of him. When a piece of paper is dropped through a gap in the ceiling and the Voice asks him to burn it, he knows suddenly what they want him for, but he cannot tell them anything, he has to stick to his family’s motto, Conceal and Protect, this applies to all his life lessons and it is something he refuses to back down on and instead he pleads ignorance.
Andy is not sure how long he has been in this room, however, when the voice states quite clearly that he will not be fed unless he complies with their request, Andy goes hungry, he refuses to give in to their demands and over the next day, he only drinks the tap water and answers nature call until they eventually give in and put some food into his room. Once the Voice realises that he will not cave in to their demands, they pretty much leave him alone, this is when he hears a voice calling out to him from the vent in the corner, she introduces herself as Miranda and they soon strike up a friendship as the talk over the next few days. At some point they are both taken separately for tests, but from talking to her, it seems that Miranda is having a completely different experience to him, but he still tries not to give his captors what they want, that is until Miranda is threatened.
It is at this point that Andy shows his true colours and lets his blazing personality out to play, however, this causes some consternation and he is drawn into a world that he didn’t expect and a plan which he cannot escape from, he is told that he is needed to help a group of people, however, even though it appears that he is not trusted, he does begin to connect with a few people around him, however nothing is quite as it seems, will Andy be able to carry out his part of the plan and still live to tell the tale, or will the truth behind his unease come to the fore and play out in front of his eyes? This is a sci-fi novel which will keep you trying to work out who is telling the truth and who is lying as the unpredictability of the people around Andy ramp up the tension around him as they try to bend him to their will, but the only way to see whether they succeed is to read to the end and find out.
Andy is not sure how long he has been in this room, however, when the voice states quite clearly that he will not be fed unless he complies with their request, Andy goes hungry, he refuses to give in to their demands and over the next day, he only drinks the tap water and answers nature call until they eventually give in and put some food into his room. Once the Voice realises that he will not cave in to their demands, they pretty much leave him alone, this is when he hears a voice calling out to him from the vent in the corner, she introduces herself as Miranda and they soon strike up a friendship as the talk over the next few days. At some point they are both taken separately for tests, but from talking to her, it seems that Miranda is having a completely different experience to him, but he still tries not to give his captors what they want, that is until Miranda is threatened.
It is at this point that Andy shows his true colours and lets his blazing personality out to play, however, this causes some consternation and he is drawn into a world that he didn’t expect and a plan which he cannot escape from, he is told that he is needed to help a group of people, however, even though it appears that he is not trusted, he does begin to connect with a few people around him, however nothing is quite as it seems, will Andy be able to carry out his part of the plan and still live to tell the tale, or will the truth behind his unease come to the fore and play out in front of his eyes? This is a sci-fi novel which will keep you trying to work out who is telling the truth and who is lying as the unpredictability of the people around Andy ramp up the tension around him as they try to bend him to their will, but the only way to see whether they succeed is to read to the end and find out.
rayne's review
5.0
Intriguing, intense and intergalactic
This is definitely a case of “don’t judge a book by its cover”. I hesitated going into this book and I was so wrong. This is wonderfully written and takes the reader on a journey through self-discovery and the unknown areas of space. The author creates a whole new world and species and does so seamlessly. I was riveted from page one and didn’t want the story to end. I connected with Andy immediately and was so vested in his survival. A brilliant piece of writing - kudos Ty Drago!
This is definitely a case of “don’t judge a book by its cover”. I hesitated going into this book and I was so wrong. This is wonderfully written and takes the reader on a journey through self-discovery and the unknown areas of space. The author creates a whole new world and species and does so seamlessly. I was riveted from page one and didn’t want the story to end. I connected with Andy immediately and was so vested in his survival. A brilliant piece of writing - kudos Ty Drago!
kpp1222's review
4.0
This is a science fiction book written by an author I was unfamiliar with, but it turned out to be a fantastic story. He has quite a way of writing that drags you in from the beginning. I couldn’t put it down. He did a fantastic job with his character description that had me thinking I knew these people personally. I love that not only is this a science fiction book, but a young adult science fiction book. It has a really good story lesson for kids and takes you on an adventure that you don’t see coming. There were many twists and turns thanks to the secrets, lies and deception involved and that had me page turning on the edge of my seat. Highly recommended book.
bwagner's review
4.0
I enjoyed this science space book. This is a new author for me which I enjoyed his writing skills and his attention to details that gave the story a realistic feel. The characters are connectable and made the story fun and entertaining to read. This is a story about Andy. He has been hiding his true self from everyone. But now that he has been kidnapped and pushed to limits that he never thought he could go. From here the story takes on betrayal, lies and you just never know if things are as they appear. This is a great adventure story that would be great for any young adult and anyone who likes space. I enjoyed this book and highly recommend it.
clrushin's review
5.0
All I can say is wow. This epic tale had it all, a hero, space travel, and an epic battle. I could not put this book down. I so enjoyed going on the journey with Anthony Brand as he always strived to do the right thing in an increasingly volatile world. Ty Drago is definitely an author to follow and I fully expect more outstanding novels in the future. I look forward to reading more from this author.