Book Reviews and More: Cave of the Crystal Dragon - Tracey West and Graham Howells

Friday, 8 November 2024

Cave of the Crystal Dragon - Tracey West and Graham Howells - Dragon Masters Book 26

Cave of the Crystal Dragon

Dragon Masters Book 26
Tracey West (Author)
Graham Howells (Illustrator)

Scholastic

ISBN 9781339022376

eISBN 9781339022390

ASIN B0C1646Z7Y

Cave of the Crystal Dragon - Tracey West and Graham Howells - Dragon Masters Book 26

My daughter who is now almost 14 she still loves these books, but she did not make it through this one. She read 40% in one sitting and after a few months I have stopped remaindering her we have it on the go. She is now reading books for older teens and young adult titles with he cousin. When we started reading these it would take her more than a week to read one. The title before this she devoured this one in less than 40 minutes. She was insisting we would read them all, but that has come to an end. She hated the cliff hanger endings.

This book and series is wonderful for young readers. It is an early chapter book or Middle Grade read. The next book in the series is #26 Haunting of the Ghost Dragon. There is also a second special edition denounced The Epic Guide to Dragon Masters, that has just released.

This is a great read in wonderful series. I have said it before and I state it again, this series gets better and better. It has serious staying power. I am in my 50’s and I still enjoy these stories and finished this one on my own rather than add it to me ‘did not finish’ pile.

In this volume there several surprises, and for the first time in a while no cliff hanger ending! This is book 26 but I have reread a few of the volumes, making it the 38th time I have read. As a family we used to eagerly await the new volumes that have been announced. I have yet to decide if I will continue the series on my own or leave it before now. There are 3 forthcoming titles announced. In this volume Graham Howells is the illustrator, he has illustrated a few in the series. But let us return to this volume.

The description of this volume is:

“In the latest action-packed installment of this New York Times bestselling series, Drake must help free the brilliant Crystal Dragon!

Pick a book. Grow a Reader! This series is part of Scholastic's early chapter book line, Branches, aimed at newly independent readers. With easy-to-read text, high-interest content, fast-paced plots, and illustrations on every page, these books will boost reading confidence and stamina. Branches books help readers grow!

Griffith is in trouble! Drake and Rori travel to Greenshire to find him. They meet a boy named Llew, who uses a wheelchair. He shows them the Crystal Cave where Griffith was last seen. Once inside, they are attacked by Belydor, a Crystal Dragon who does not trust humans. Can Llew help the Dragon Masters gain the dragon’s trust? And will they find Griffith?

With engaging black-and-white artwork on every page, kids won't be able to put down this action-packed adventure!”

This story is the concludes a darker and longer story line than any of the others in the series. My daughter reads through the chapter titles before beginning, and she guesses what might happen, she did before reading the first part of this one. The chapters this time are:

Where is Griffith?

A Rescue Mission

Guardians of the Cave

Looking for Clues

The Cave’s Secret

A Surprising Find

Belydor

A Fast Escape

Where’s Rori?

Dragon vs. Dragon

A Calming Crystal

Danger in Disguise

Gerik’s Plan

Found!

What’s Next?

The story continues directly from the last. This time we meet a young man in a wheel chair, who is fascinated with quests, stories and adventures. He ends up playing a key role in the story. In this story not all is as it at first appears. And there are some serious surprises in store for readers young and old.

This is another excellent read in a great series. The series has real staying power. I am a little sad my daughter feels she has outgrown these stories. But she has read most of them several times and they were great reading friends for a number of years, for that I am deeply thankful. We can easily recommend this book and series!