Book Reviews and More: Shine of the Silver Dragon - Tracey West and Nina De Polonia

Friday, 13 November 2020

Shine of the Silver Dragon - Tracey West and Nina De Polonia - Dragon Masters Book 11

Shine of the Silver Dragon

Dragon Masters Book 11
Tracey West (Author)
Nina De Polonia (Illustrator)

Scholastic
ISBN 9781338263657

eISBN 9781338263671

ASIN B078TM4Z6J

This is the 11th book in this series, but it is 19th I have read. It is also the first illustrated by Nina De Polonia. I started reading them to my son a few years ago. And now my youngest daughter is reading them to me. This was the second that was new on this second time through the stories. As a family we really love these books! A few years ago, I read the first eight books of this series to my son. My youngest daughter really enjoyed it and the three of us read them. This year my youngest has been reading them to me. And this was the first book we had not read previously. This year we found out that my nephew has been reading them and was only 1 book ahead of us. He is reading the physical books and We are reading the eBook editions. It is a great story in a wonderful series.

I have said it before, and I state it again, ‘this series really has staying power’. I have read some of the stories 4 or 5 times now. And have been reading them for over 4 years. And I still enjoy the stories as do my children. My son who thought he had outgrown these stories has been sitting in and listening to his sister read them to me again lately. And my brother’s family loves them as much as ours. It is fascinating to watch the kids interact and compare notes about the books that they are both reading. And to predict what will happen next based on the endings of the book, or title of the next as we queue it up.

One of the best things about this series is that it is an actual series, not just a bunch of books with the same characters. Each story builds upon the last. Yet, they are strong enough to be read on their own, but as a whole we get to watch the growth of the group as they come together as a team and learn to work together and support each other. Also interact with other dragons and dragon masters from around the world. In this volume we find out about a legendary dragon the Naga. And about two keys that control and lock this dragon away. A golden key and a silver key. And as you can guess by the title of this volume, We go to find the silver key with the silver dragon. But there is a reason for this, for Maldred is controlling Diego and is on a quest to release the Naga. And it is time for the Dragon masters to do what they do best, ‘save the day’.

Soon Drake, Worm, Carlos, Lalo, and Bo and Shu are off to the kingdom of Gallia to try and stop Maldred getting the key and to free Diego. There they meet Jean and her dragon Argent. But all does not go as planned. But to find out what happens you will need to read this story.

As mentioned, this is the first volume illustrated by Nina De Polonia. The illustrations are wonderful and keep the continuity of the story. Every time we saw Joan I could not help but think of Joan of Arc. The illustrations are an integral part of the stories. The images are woven in and around the pages of text. And De Polonia has done a great job with her first in the series.

These stories are strong enough to be read on their own. But they are excellent when read in order and as a series. It is an excellent read in a great series. These are wonderful books for young readers and also entertaining enough for older readers. I am continually impressed with the staying power of this series. After multiple reads over several years I still really enjoy returning to the Dragon Masters. And look forward too many more reads in this series, as my daughter is insistent, she will read them all to me! And she stated we had to give this book 5/5 stars!