Summer of the Dragons

Sep 20, 2024 1:34 PM

Author:Ed Clarke,Gwyneth Keyworth

Brought to you by Penguin.

'That's not a bird,' Mari said, disbelievingly. 'That's another dragon . . .'

A year after she discovered a tiny dragon on the beach, life is getting back to normal for Mari Jones and Gweeb, when two unexpected events turn it upside down again.

First comes the news that Mari's mum Rhian is expecting a baby, meaning that her boyfriend Gareth and Mari's best friend Dylan will be moving in with them on the farm. Even more incredibly, Gweeb's family have returned to lay their eggs in the same cave where Mari first found her secret dragon.

With tourists flocking to the beach for the summer, Mari has her work cut out to keep the dragons hidden and safe, especially when disgraced scientist Dr Griff Griffiths turns up on the hunt for a story. And when Griff manages to find and steal Gweeb's precious egg, Mari must stage a daring rescue mission before it's too late...

Reviews

Heart-warming

—— The Guardian on The Secret Dragon

Gripping . . . with a touch of Frances Hardinge's bizarre brilliance

—— Imogen Russell Williams , The Guardian

Unputdownable . . . Murray has an extraordinary imagination

—— Alex O'Connell , The Times

Energetic and inventive . . . and with some startling surprises, this is also touching about friendship, siblings, loss and courage

—— Nicolette Jones , The Sunday Times

Struan Murray . . . effortlessly joins the ranks of the most skilled world-creators . . . Unpredictable, filled with plot twists and shades of moral grey, Orphans of the Tide is both gripping and original.

—— Kitty Empire , The Observer

A beautifully written fantasy adventure with prose that is both muscular and musical, and outstanding world building.

—— Sarah Webb , Irish Independent

Orphans of the Tide is singularly brilliant. So inventive, and weird, and beautiful, with just the right amount of bite and darkness. I predict big things!

—— Kiran Millwood Hargrave, author of The Girl of Ink and Stars and The Mercies

I loved it! Dark and thrilling. Great characters to root for. Perilous plot. Extraordinary, vivid world building . . . brilliant!

—— Eloise Williams, Children's Laureate Wales

The most original opening I've read in years and a plot twist that turns brilliantly

—— Abi Elphinstone, author of Sky Song

This is a terrific debut of strange myths and dark secrets, fierce loyalties and ruthless villains, told against the thrilling backdrop of a half submerged city.

—— The Bookseller – Editor's Choice

Compellingly inventive and unpredictable, kept me guessing right till the end.

—— Piers Torday, author of The Last Wild

Absolutely cracking! Great characters, with quite the nastiest villain I've met in a long while.

—— Fleur Hitchcock, author of The Boy Who Flew

Outstanding and immersive . . . I devoured this in one go

—— book blogger Lily SugarPlum Faery

An imaginative journey to a stunning fantasy world, full of twists and heart . . . an absolute corker . . . filled with swashbuckling adventure . . . an enthralling fantasy that moves through dark and grisly scenes of grave peril to positively touching moments of profound friendship. An incredibly imaginative narrative that fills its reader with wonder and thrills while also not being afraid to share quieter moments of real heart.

—— The Daily Express

There is a touch of Phillip Pullman about the world that Murray creates, and Murray matches Pullman lyrical prose [...] The comparison, however, should not take away from Murray's originality [...] the characters themselves, led by the plucky Ellie, anchor Orphans of the Tide in an urgent, human reality.

—— Irish Times

The energetic steampunk vibe overlies a thoughtful fable about compassion and justice

—— New Statesman

Previous Article：My Secret World of Mermaids Next Article：The Wizard of Oz

Comments

Welcome to zzdbook comments! Please keep conversations courteous and on-topic. To fosterproductive and respectful conversations, you may see comments from our Community Managers.