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Battle Dragons #1
City of Thieves
In a modern mega-city built around dragons, one boy gets caught up in the world of underground dragon battles and a high-stakes gang war that could tear his family apart.
Once, dragons nearly drove themselves to extinction. But in the city of Drakopolis, humans domesticated them centuries ago. Now dragons haul the city’s cargo, taxi its bustling people between skyscrapers, and advertise its wares in bright, neon displays. Most famously of all, the dragons battle. Different breeds take to the skies in nighttime bouts between the infamous kins―criminal gangs who rule through violence and intimidation.
Abel has always loved dragons, but after a disastrous showing in his dragon rider’s exam, he's destined never to fly one himself. All that changes the night his sister appears at his window, entrusting him with a secret...and a stolen dragon.
Turns out, his big sister is a dragon thief! Too bad his older brother is a rising star in Drakopolis law enforcement...
To protect his friends and his family, Abel must partner with the stolen beast, riding in kin battles and keeping more secrets than a dragon has scales.
When everyone wants him fighting on their side, can Abel figure out what's worth fighting for?
Once, dragons nearly drove themselves to extinction. But in the city of Drakopolis, humans domesticated them centuries ago. Now dragons haul the city’s cargo, taxi its bustling people between skyscrapers, and advertise its wares in bright, neon displays. Most famously of all, the dragons battle. Different breeds take to the skies in nighttime bouts between the infamous kins―criminal gangs who rule through violence and intimidation.
Abel has always loved dragons, but after a disastrous showing in his dragon rider’s exam, he's destined never to fly one himself. All that changes the night his sister appears at his window, entrusting him with a secret...and a stolen dragon.
Turns out, his big sister is a dragon thief! Too bad his older brother is a rising star in Drakopolis law enforcement...
To protect his friends and his family, Abel must partner with the stolen beast, riding in kin battles and keeping more secrets than a dragon has scales.
When everyone wants him fighting on their side, can Abel figure out what's worth fighting for?
272 pages, Paperback
First published September 21, 2021
97 people are currently reading
2296 people want to read
About the author
Alex London
34 books912 followersThe Short Version:
Alex London writes books for adults (One Day The Soldiers Came: Voices of Children in War), children (Dog Tags series; An Accidental Adventure series) and teens (Proxy). At one time a journalist reporting from conflict zones and refugee camps, he is now a full time novelist living in Brooklyn, NY, where he can be found wandering the streets talking to his dog, who is the real brains of the operation.
The Long Version:
C. Alexander London grew up in Baltimore, Maryland. He's an author of nonfiction for grown-ups (under a slightly different not very secret name), books for teens (as Alex London...see above), and, younger readers. He once won a 12-gauge skeet-shooting tournament because no one else had signed up in his age group. He's a Master SCUBA diver who hasn't been diving in way too long, and, most excitingly, a fully licensed librarian. He used to know the Dewey Decimal System from memory.
He doesn't anymore.
While traveling as a journalist, he watched television in 23 countries (Burmese soap operas were the most confusing; Cuban news reports were the most dull), survived an erupting volcano in the Democratic Republic of Congo, a hurricane on small island in the Caribbean, 4 civil wars (one of them was over by the time he got there, thankfully), and a mysterious bite on his little toe in the jungles of Thailand. The bite got infected and swollen and gross and gave him a deep mistrust of lizards, even though it probably wasn't a lizard that bit him.
Although he has had many adventures, he really does prefer curling up on the couch and watching some good television or reading a book. He enjoys danger and intrigue far more when it's happening to somebody else.
He lives in Brooklyn, NY.
See also C. Alexander London and Charles London
Alex London writes books for adults (One Day The Soldiers Came: Voices of Children in War), children (Dog Tags series; An Accidental Adventure series) and teens (Proxy). At one time a journalist reporting from conflict zones and refugee camps, he is now a full time novelist living in Brooklyn, NY, where he can be found wandering the streets talking to his dog, who is the real brains of the operation.
The Long Version:
C. Alexander London grew up in Baltimore, Maryland. He's an author of nonfiction for grown-ups (under a slightly different not very secret name), books for teens (as Alex London...see above), and, younger readers. He once won a 12-gauge skeet-shooting tournament because no one else had signed up in his age group. He's a Master SCUBA diver who hasn't been diving in way too long, and, most excitingly, a fully licensed librarian. He used to know the Dewey Decimal System from memory.
He doesn't anymore.
While traveling as a journalist, he watched television in 23 countries (Burmese soap operas were the most confusing; Cuban news reports were the most dull), survived an erupting volcano in the Democratic Republic of Congo, a hurricane on small island in the Caribbean, 4 civil wars (one of them was over by the time he got there, thankfully), and a mysterious bite on his little toe in the jungles of Thailand. The bite got infected and swollen and gross and gave him a deep mistrust of lizards, even though it probably wasn't a lizard that bit him.
Although he has had many adventures, he really does prefer curling up on the couch and watching some good television or reading a book. He enjoys danger and intrigue far more when it's happening to somebody else.
He lives in Brooklyn, NY.
See also C. Alexander London and Charles London
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 107 reviews
January 14, 2022
An excellent read, this book brought out a new world of people living among dragons. The school bus that took Abel to school everyday was a dragon! How cool! Definitely loved the idea of dragons burning our trash. This is my first middle grade read where young readers are introduced to gender non-binary. My 10 year old son read this book and learned about Roa, who’s pronoun was they/them. He took in this new knowledge well. He loved reading this story too and have since read it twice. (My other reads with gender non-binary characters: Small Knight and the Anxiety Monster, A Psalm for the Wild-Built, and The Love Square). I enjoyed the sprinkle of surprises as the story moved forward. The audiobook was excellent. The narrator did a good job with tones and voice changes, especially when Abel was scared by the huge dragon. I liked that this story gave learning opportunities to young readers by introducing them to new terms such as benefactor and catastrophizing. I appreciate the author teaching young readers to calm down, take deep breaths, and imagine rainbows when they are stressed out. I loved that my 10 year old got to learn the OODA loop: Observe, Orient, Decide, and Act!
This book followed Abel, 13, as he tried his best to stay awake until midnight to see the Department of Sanitation at work. One dragon fly around to burn the trash on the roof of buildings and another fly after the first to eat up the ashes. While watching out of the window before midnight, he saw a figure dressed in black leaping around outside of his building, which was crazy because they would risk getting eaten up by the dragon cleaning crew. It was his older sister Lina. Lina came to Abel to ask him to promise to protect something of hers, but didn’t have time to explain what it was. At 11, Abel failed his Dragon Rider Academy Entrance Exam because he’s afraid of heights and easily distracted so now he attended a normal junior high. He still dreamed of being a dragon rider though, at least sometimes. There were gangs of criminals called kin in the city of Drakopolis and the well known ones were Red Talons, Sky Knights, and Thunder Wings. They use dragons to battle against each other. With their power and fame, they can intimidate people in different ways. Many people want to be in a kin for different reasons. Abel has an older brother named Silas, 19, a cadet at the Academy. Silas wanted to find Lina just as much as the Red Talons because he has surveillance video showing Lina stealing a dragon. Silas said the secret police called Dragon Eye were after Lina too. Abel didn’t want to handle his sister’s secret alone so he enlisted his best friend, Roa to help. Abel got a surprise of his life when he entered his sister’s secret room. This book was divided into 4 parts.
Battle Dragons: City of Thieves was well written and a fast paced read! The humor in this story was fantastic, especially Abel’s dad with his spiffy comments. I think many young readers can relate to Abel. Not an A student but do know how to utilize what he learned or heard from various peoples. His best friend Roa was great. An A student who liked to bend school rules. The school bully Topher wasn’t bad once people gave him a break. The ending was definitely a surprise I didn’t see coming. Abel’s family were unlike others. The siblings each had their own beliefs about what’s right vs wrong. They disagreed with each other. Their parents were the super glue that tried to hold the siblings together. This middle grade book challenge young characters to take on adult troubles. Abel had to come up with ideas to keep his family safe and to protect the dragons he loved. He was scared but he had friends and WW3D plus the OODA loop to brave him up. A great read and I highly recommend everyone to read it!
xoxo, Jasmine at www.Howusefulitis.com for more details
Many thanks to Scholastic for the opportunity to read and review. Please be assured that my opinions are honest.
This book followed Abel, 13, as he tried his best to stay awake until midnight to see the Department of Sanitation at work. One dragon fly around to burn the trash on the roof of buildings and another fly after the first to eat up the ashes. While watching out of the window before midnight, he saw a figure dressed in black leaping around outside of his building, which was crazy because they would risk getting eaten up by the dragon cleaning crew. It was his older sister Lina. Lina came to Abel to ask him to promise to protect something of hers, but didn’t have time to explain what it was. At 11, Abel failed his Dragon Rider Academy Entrance Exam because he’s afraid of heights and easily distracted so now he attended a normal junior high. He still dreamed of being a dragon rider though, at least sometimes. There were gangs of criminals called kin in the city of Drakopolis and the well known ones were Red Talons, Sky Knights, and Thunder Wings. They use dragons to battle against each other. With their power and fame, they can intimidate people in different ways. Many people want to be in a kin for different reasons. Abel has an older brother named Silas, 19, a cadet at the Academy. Silas wanted to find Lina just as much as the Red Talons because he has surveillance video showing Lina stealing a dragon. Silas said the secret police called Dragon Eye were after Lina too. Abel didn’t want to handle his sister’s secret alone so he enlisted his best friend, Roa to help. Abel got a surprise of his life when he entered his sister’s secret room. This book was divided into 4 parts.
Battle Dragons: City of Thieves was well written and a fast paced read! The humor in this story was fantastic, especially Abel’s dad with his spiffy comments. I think many young readers can relate to Abel. Not an A student but do know how to utilize what he learned or heard from various peoples. His best friend Roa was great. An A student who liked to bend school rules. The school bully Topher wasn’t bad once people gave him a break. The ending was definitely a surprise I didn’t see coming. Abel’s family were unlike others. The siblings each had their own beliefs about what’s right vs wrong. They disagreed with each other. Their parents were the super glue that tried to hold the siblings together. This middle grade book challenge young characters to take on adult troubles. Abel had to come up with ideas to keep his family safe and to protect the dragons he loved. He was scared but he had friends and WW3D plus the OODA loop to brave him up. A great read and I highly recommend everyone to read it!
xoxo, Jasmine at www.Howusefulitis.com for more details
Many thanks to Scholastic for the opportunity to read and review. Please be assured that my opinions are honest.
September 10, 2021
First, I have to tell you how much I love Alex London. I was first introduced to his work with BLACK WINGS BEATING and quickly fell in love. His writing style is perfect and his characters are cheer-worthy. His new middle-grade book BATTLE DRAGONS: CITY OF THIEVES is the perfect book for your tween boys-girls love dragons too, but there is a shortage of middle-grade books for boys IMO-looking for an action-packed book with actual dragons! So rarely do we get dragons books (or movies) boasting dragons but only get a sliver of page-time.
This book was fantastic. We're introduced to a world where humans and dragons coexist. When I said this book has dragons, THIS BOOK HAS DRAGONS. When Abel's sister gets him involved in dragon theft, he finds himself bonded with a dragon and learning the ropes on how to ride it. But things get more complicated when he finds his loyalties tested. In the end, he makes a decision that's best for him and leaves the book open to a wonderful series to come.
We get an introduction to the world of dragon battles in this book and while the action was fast-paced and spectacular, i have a feeling it's going to only get better. I cannot wait to learn more about the other different kinds of dragons when book two drops.
I rec to this...everyone. Thank you Edelweiss and Scholastic for the e-arc!
This book was fantastic. We're introduced to a world where humans and dragons coexist. When I said this book has dragons, THIS BOOK HAS DRAGONS. When Abel's sister gets him involved in dragon theft, he finds himself bonded with a dragon and learning the ropes on how to ride it. But things get more complicated when he finds his loyalties tested. In the end, he makes a decision that's best for him and leaves the book open to a wonderful series to come.
We get an introduction to the world of dragon battles in this book and while the action was fast-paced and spectacular, i have a feeling it's going to only get better. I cannot wait to learn more about the other different kinds of dragons when book two drops.
I rec to this...everyone. Thank you Edelweiss and Scholastic for the e-arc!
September 13, 2021
DRC provided by Scholastic Inc. via Edelweiss+ in exchange for an honest review.
Representation: protagonist with ADHD, non-binary secondary character, queer tertiary character, tertiary character of colour.
Content Warning: bullying, violence, organised crime, animal abuse, kidnapping.
City of Thieves by Alex London is a fun medium-paced, middle-grade fantasy with strong How to Train Your Dragon vibes, set in a city called Drakopolis, where dragons have been subdued and integrated into society, starring a courageous kid with ADHD, his brilliant best-friend and his family.
Abel is a teen dragon-aficionado who lives in Red Talons territory, in Drakapolis. One night, he decides to stay awake beyond midnight to see how the dragons clean the city’s streets with their fire. After the event, he notices a mysterious figure coming towards him, who he does not recognise until Lina is hanging from his window asking for his help. His sister gives him a special version of his favourite comic-book with a hidden message inside in the form of an address. Her departure is followed by the sudden arrival of two Red Talon kinners, criminal dragon riders who are looking for Lina and threaten Abel’s family. The next day, Abel and his best-friend Roa decide to go to the address hidden in the comic-book where they find a rare dragon. This discover will be the beginning of a chaotic journey for Abel.
I really had fun reading this book and I am very certain a lot of young teens will pleasantly obsess over the novel and the different species of dragons.
The only aspect of the story that somewhat irked me was that one scene in the beginning in which Abel explained Roa’s gender identity. One does not say gender non-binary, saying that Roa is non-binary would have been enough. I also thought that the way being non-binary is described was too simplistic as there is not one way to be non-binary. And while I get this is a middle-grade novel and yes, Roa’s description is one way to be non-binary, I reckon it would have been better if a marginal note had been included explaining that there are different ways of being non-binary.
That aside, I quite enjoyed reading City of Thieves and I loved both Abel and Roa and the overall story and I am interested in reading what other troubles will they end up in.
Representation: protagonist with ADHD, non-binary secondary character, queer tertiary character, tertiary character of colour.
Content Warning: bullying, violence, organised crime, animal abuse, kidnapping.
City of Thieves by Alex London is a fun medium-paced, middle-grade fantasy with strong How to Train Your Dragon vibes, set in a city called Drakopolis, where dragons have been subdued and integrated into society, starring a courageous kid with ADHD, his brilliant best-friend and his family.
Abel is a teen dragon-aficionado who lives in Red Talons territory, in Drakapolis. One night, he decides to stay awake beyond midnight to see how the dragons clean the city’s streets with their fire. After the event, he notices a mysterious figure coming towards him, who he does not recognise until Lina is hanging from his window asking for his help. His sister gives him a special version of his favourite comic-book with a hidden message inside in the form of an address. Her departure is followed by the sudden arrival of two Red Talon kinners, criminal dragon riders who are looking for Lina and threaten Abel’s family. The next day, Abel and his best-friend Roa decide to go to the address hidden in the comic-book where they find a rare dragon. This discover will be the beginning of a chaotic journey for Abel.
I really had fun reading this book and I am very certain a lot of young teens will pleasantly obsess over the novel and the different species of dragons.
The only aspect of the story that somewhat irked me was that one scene in the beginning in which Abel explained Roa’s gender identity. One does not say gender non-binary, saying that Roa is non-binary would have been enough. I also thought that the way being non-binary is described was too simplistic as there is not one way to be non-binary. And while I get this is a middle-grade novel and yes, Roa’s description is one way to be non-binary, I reckon it would have been better if a marginal note had been included explaining that there are different ways of being non-binary.
That aside, I quite enjoyed reading City of Thieves and I loved both Abel and Roa and the overall story and I am interested in reading what other troubles will they end up in.
June 7, 2021
This book is awesome!! Enthralling, action-packed, & full of heart, the world Alex London created in Battle Dragons is an exciting one where each heist/race/battle has dire stakes. Perfectly paced for middle grades readers, these 🐲 arrive 9/21/21. I'll be anxiously awaiting the sequel to find out what will happen next!
October 11, 2022
4.5 / 5: There is no Wind Breakers kin,” he said. “Not really. They’re not, like, a gang with a leader. They’re more a symbol for anyone who’s fed up with the system. The other kin terrorize us and the Dragon’s Eye controls us, and the dragons are forced to serve us. I’m doing something in the Wind Breaker’s name, but there’s no one to give me permission or take it away.”
“So you decide for yourself what the right thing is?”
“Yeah.” Abel nodded, watching his friend smile.
update: after rereading this book just a couple months later, i can honestly say that i am…very sad to see how underrated this series is. the author has built a world for kids who love dragons & epic battles with such vivid atmosphere and fiery action. there’s so many moments where just being in abel’s head makes you feel connected to all his youthful thoughts & feelings, all his confusion & exhilaration, and the cast of characters we have here make this story feel even bigger. it’s an epic tale, and so many more readers, young & old alike, should know that this gem exists. hopefully that day can come even sooner.
original review: for months, the author has been promoting this book as this epic cyberpunk fantasy dedicated to all the young readers out there who dream of riding their own dragon one day. and for that, i was really excited to pick this up myself because despite not being the target audience, there's something so cool about getting to see a 13-year old kid live out a dream that was once yours in a reality that feels very similar but is living in some sort of alternate universe. this world that the author built is so bright in colors as the characters are living in a modern landscape that rides itself on top of dragons who have lived long before even humans existed. seeing how these same dragons are implemented into this system where people fight for different territories in battles while others rely on dragons for transport was really interesting. it was like the author's vision of what it would be like in our regular society if such huge creatures existed among commerce and politics, and as the reader we get to see the good and bad things that come with this kind of existence.
alongside that, there was some discontent because just as our main character, abel, questions--one has to wonder if these dragons are capable of so much more than simply living for the benefit of the people. the awe that abel feels when he first bonds with karak is that spark to understanding how significant the relationship between a dragon and human is, beyond just using dragons for a human's own gain. the kinship that lies between them to the end of this first book was really special because abel never thought he could have something like that. he couldn't believe he would have the chance to ride upon any dragon due to the system that holds itself to such a high esteem according to who's smart and more capable. while the older characters in this book do make solid points about the dangers and realities that come with even being near a dragon, there's so much heart found in abel's exhilaration whenever he's riding with karak, all rules & technicalities dim next to that spark of elation this child has with their animal companion.
all the comics and DrakoTek cards in the world can't compare to that human feeling of seeing a dragon with your own eyes and having them look right back at you, sizing you up and trying to understand the other's intentions. again, the adults are right in what one must know in order to gain the trust of a dragon and the absolute necessity of respecting this dragon according to their own needs. in order for there to be any close bond as abel gradually builds with karak, there has to be respect first, and every dragon rider/healer is aware of that. it just feels like as much as the kids have to learn about dragons, the adults too must understand the importance of what it means to exist at the same time as these creatures and have such dragons fly at their own speed with humans marveling at what they're possible of.
i liked that as much as the story focuses on dragons, there's also some exploration of abel's family and the cracks that seem to form between them well before this book even begins. at first, abel's parents seemed really useless in this book, as is the case (in my reading experience) with most of the parental figures in the middle-grade books i've read. as funny as that might be, i do appreciate how the author goes out of their way to show in this book that abel can't simply hold in all the secrets he comes to learn to himself. sometimes, a kid really does need their parents and his do show up, thankfully. as for abel's siblings, that fracture feels more sharp and gets sharper to the very end; knowing how much abel wants for them all to stop being so far apart from each other added an extra level of tension when they all proved to be at opposite sides. i'm really hopeful to see how this sibling relationship between the three of them--abel, lina, and silas-- develops throughout the course of this series because just as there's so much thrills and adventures to be had, every good fantasy rides upon the backs of the human relationships who guide the story, even with dragons at the top in this one.
the familial relationships in this story were hard-hitting, the battles drawn between kins as dragons fought each other were epic, and the queer rep was delightful to see as more kids will definitely be able to see themselves fit into this narrative no matter what bigots in the real world try to say. the ADHD rep with abel’s character i could relate to a lot when his thoughts seemed to trail off in moments that required the most focus, so i felt Seen on that front. one of the misfortunes that come with having ADHD is that feeling like you’ll never measure up according to how other people perceive you because you feel like you’re running at a slower speed than others and you’re not able to handle the responsibilities that seem to be piling all around you.
in a world that’s as high stakes as the one that abel lives in, there’s just so many expectations to live up to, even according to the ones you build yourself, as someone who’s also just a kid and so not taken as seriously as the adults who believe themselves more capable. it meant a lot to see how abel was able to persevere using the tools that he does have, along with the support that he gets from other characters. i loved that as a 20-year old myself, i could feel just as seen in the story among the older characters and also get to laugh at how funny the younger characters were, easing the tension as this fantasy felt comforting while also battling its own demons.
i can't wait for what more this author reveals in the city of Drakopolis, and what more secrets will be revealed that are practically bursting to be let free according to some small bits of foreshadowing. also the cover is absolutely fantastic!!
content warnings:
brief descriptions of violence, injury/injury detail, and fire
“So you decide for yourself what the right thing is?”
“Yeah.” Abel nodded, watching his friend smile.
update: after rereading this book just a couple months later, i can honestly say that i am…very sad to see how underrated this series is. the author has built a world for kids who love dragons & epic battles with such vivid atmosphere and fiery action. there’s so many moments where just being in abel’s head makes you feel connected to all his youthful thoughts & feelings, all his confusion & exhilaration, and the cast of characters we have here make this story feel even bigger. it’s an epic tale, and so many more readers, young & old alike, should know that this gem exists. hopefully that day can come even sooner.
original review: for months, the author has been promoting this book as this epic cyberpunk fantasy dedicated to all the young readers out there who dream of riding their own dragon one day. and for that, i was really excited to pick this up myself because despite not being the target audience, there's something so cool about getting to see a 13-year old kid live out a dream that was once yours in a reality that feels very similar but is living in some sort of alternate universe. this world that the author built is so bright in colors as the characters are living in a modern landscape that rides itself on top of dragons who have lived long before even humans existed. seeing how these same dragons are implemented into this system where people fight for different territories in battles while others rely on dragons for transport was really interesting. it was like the author's vision of what it would be like in our regular society if such huge creatures existed among commerce and politics, and as the reader we get to see the good and bad things that come with this kind of existence.
alongside that, there was some discontent because just as our main character, abel, questions--one has to wonder if these dragons are capable of so much more than simply living for the benefit of the people. the awe that abel feels when he first bonds with karak is that spark to understanding how significant the relationship between a dragon and human is, beyond just using dragons for a human's own gain. the kinship that lies between them to the end of this first book was really special because abel never thought he could have something like that. he couldn't believe he would have the chance to ride upon any dragon due to the system that holds itself to such a high esteem according to who's smart and more capable. while the older characters in this book do make solid points about the dangers and realities that come with even being near a dragon, there's so much heart found in abel's exhilaration whenever he's riding with karak, all rules & technicalities dim next to that spark of elation this child has with their animal companion.
all the comics and DrakoTek cards in the world can't compare to that human feeling of seeing a dragon with your own eyes and having them look right back at you, sizing you up and trying to understand the other's intentions. again, the adults are right in what one must know in order to gain the trust of a dragon and the absolute necessity of respecting this dragon according to their own needs. in order for there to be any close bond as abel gradually builds with karak, there has to be respect first, and every dragon rider/healer is aware of that. it just feels like as much as the kids have to learn about dragons, the adults too must understand the importance of what it means to exist at the same time as these creatures and have such dragons fly at their own speed with humans marveling at what they're possible of.
i liked that as much as the story focuses on dragons, there's also some exploration of abel's family and the cracks that seem to form between them well before this book even begins. at first, abel's parents seemed really useless in this book, as is the case (in my reading experience) with most of the parental figures in the middle-grade books i've read. as funny as that might be, i do appreciate how the author goes out of their way to show in this book that abel can't simply hold in all the secrets he comes to learn to himself. sometimes, a kid really does need their parents and his do show up, thankfully. as for abel's siblings, that fracture feels more sharp and gets sharper to the very end; knowing how much abel wants for them all to stop being so far apart from each other added an extra level of tension when they all proved to be at opposite sides. i'm really hopeful to see how this sibling relationship between the three of them--abel, lina, and silas-- develops throughout the course of this series because just as there's so much thrills and adventures to be had, every good fantasy rides upon the backs of the human relationships who guide the story, even with dragons at the top in this one.
the familial relationships in this story were hard-hitting, the battles drawn between kins as dragons fought each other were epic, and the queer rep was delightful to see as more kids will definitely be able to see themselves fit into this narrative no matter what bigots in the real world try to say. the ADHD rep with abel’s character i could relate to a lot when his thoughts seemed to trail off in moments that required the most focus, so i felt Seen on that front. one of the misfortunes that come with having ADHD is that feeling like you’ll never measure up according to how other people perceive you because you feel like you’re running at a slower speed than others and you’re not able to handle the responsibilities that seem to be piling all around you.
in a world that’s as high stakes as the one that abel lives in, there’s just so many expectations to live up to, even according to the ones you build yourself, as someone who’s also just a kid and so not taken as seriously as the adults who believe themselves more capable. it meant a lot to see how abel was able to persevere using the tools that he does have, along with the support that he gets from other characters. i loved that as a 20-year old myself, i could feel just as seen in the story among the older characters and also get to laugh at how funny the younger characters were, easing the tension as this fantasy felt comforting while also battling its own demons.
i can't wait for what more this author reveals in the city of Drakopolis, and what more secrets will be revealed that are practically bursting to be let free according to some small bits of foreshadowing. also the cover is absolutely fantastic!!
content warnings:
brief descriptions of violence, injury/injury detail, and fire
September 17, 2021
We were so excited for the representation in this book for ADHD and nonbinary/queer characters - my teen especially enjoyed being able to relate to the characters, and I always LOVE when books make my children feel SEEN. We were totally sold on the DRAGONS, and I was a huge fan of London's writing style in this book, really looking forward to continuing on with the series! I loved the world building and setup for the series we got in this one, full of fast-paced action and a great story!
January 20, 2022
Abel lives in a city that's founded upon domesticated dragons and ruled by urban gangs called kins. Schools include lessons in dragon care, and every child is tested at an early age to see if they have potential as a future dragon rider, who serve as the city's bus and taxi drivers & garbage incinerators. But the kins have a more exciting use for dragons. They battle with them in illegal games that are part race, part heist, and part duel.
Fascinating world-building with a cyber punk flare. Abel's family is caught between local law enforcement and rival gangs, and the stakes just keep going up. A real page-turner! For those who are looking for such things, Abel's best friend Roa is non-binary. And Abel's a comic book geek, who takes inspiration from his favorite series. WW3D!
Wings wide, friends! Wings wide.
Fascinating world-building with a cyber punk flare. Abel's family is caught between local law enforcement and rival gangs, and the stakes just keep going up. A real page-turner! For those who are looking for such things, Abel's best friend Roa is non-binary. And Abel's a comic book geek, who takes inspiration from his favorite series. WW3D!
Wings wide, friends! Wings wide.
November 21, 2021
The characters are always what entice me into an imaginary world. Abel is a quirky, 13 year old seventh grader who wants desperately to bond with a dragon. He gets his wish when he meets Karak while he is dangling from a catwalk in an abandoned factory. There are a lot of twists and turns in this first installment of a middle grade series. I will definitely continue reading since I want to see if good-byes are forever.
February 18, 2022
In a modern mega-city built around dragons, one boy gets caught up in the world of underground dragon battles and a high-stakes gang war that could tear his family apart. Yes, it is just as awesome as it sounds.
September 9, 2021
All I wanna do is dragon battle now! Full review will be up soon!
December 8, 2021
That was so much fun
August 27, 2022
I really enjoyed this book and look forward to reading more in this series. I can envision a number of sequences in this book that would be great quests in a D&D game. A faced-paced, fun to read book that I found hard to set down.
Read
February 8, 2023sooo cool
September 28, 2023
3.5 I was honestly kind of dreading reading this MCBA nominee, but it surprised me! A pretty solidly built world for for so much action and a main character I liked.
May 28, 2024
Cool dragons, good family stuff, approachable friendship stuff.
January 11, 2024
So good!!!! The writing and story was amazing and I’m so glad my friend had me read it. Not to mention, Karak’s AWESOME. I love dragons
December 29, 2022
4.5 rounded up to 5
September 29, 2021
I am so excited for this new series! City of Thieves will be a great bridge for those kids who finished Wings of Fire but who are still daunted by Eragon. It’s super funny and sharp, set in a creative world I can’t wait to explore more. Additionally, I loved how immersive dragons were in every aspect of Drakopolis, from citizens’ day-to-day activities to aspects of their language. But along with the fun there are more serious themes of justice and equity, and through harrowing dragon battles and terrible encrypted homework assignments Abel learns more about his world (and his siblings!) that he ever imagined existed.
November 18, 2024
Unfortunately we had to stop reading this book a few chapters in when it became clear it had a gay agenda. Not suitable for children at all.
March 23, 2024
I don’t want to give it one star bc i looked in the reviews and it’s a bunch of ppl are whining about Roa’s they/them pronouns and I didn’t want to be associated with that but I wouldn’t even give it a star. The main character had horrible morals and really thought he was doing something. He released the damn dragons thinking they’ll roam free and they don’t like being cooped up. Sure they might not want to be cooped up but Karak WANTED to stay with Abel. Lina was so unsatisfying for a character by giving off the whole “for the greater good” vibe when she was really just being a selfish idiot who justifies her actions with her kin’s morals. What she does doesn’t ever get justified. Silas is a self-centered ass. His role ruined the whole ending. If he didn’t exist the book just might’ve ended better. Topher, Roa, and Fitz were the only good characters. All others were tainted. Overall horrible ending and morals for most characters.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
May 30, 2024
This was so cute!! I can’t believe I got this for free at a book festival!
This had such strong Percy Jackson energy but with DWAGONZ 🤪
what a good primer for my fourth wing read coming up 😂
This had such strong Percy Jackson energy but with DWAGONZ 🤪
what a good primer for my fourth wing read coming up 😂
November 24, 2023
I waited for a couple months for this to come in on my Libby app. The set up and storyline was good but not even a quarter of the way through, we learn Abel’s best friend is non binary and use “they” pronouns.
May 27, 2024
when Abel gets his illegal dragon and turns into a thunder wing he soon changes his kin from thunder wing to wind breakers and wins battles also half illegal a very,very exciting story!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
September 23, 2021
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Battle Dragons City of thieves is an exciting middle-grade novel with action and adventure, and I enjoyed reading it.
Firstly, I loved the magical world the author created. As soon as I started reading the story, I got transported into the world of dragons and wyverns. I loved the concept of Sky Knights, Red Talons, NERDS, and Thunder Wings. The author also tells the tell excitedly where something thrilling happens almost in every chapter. From the kinners searching for Lina to when they meet the Sunrise Reaper at the warehouse, there is never a dull moment in the tale. I particularly loved the scenes with the Widowmaker and the dragons. On a side note, I also loved the concept of OODA and decided to implement the saying in my daily life. The author also inserts complex words for younger readers to learn throughout the story, like pheromones and nonplussed, and executes it creatively.
Secondly, I liked the way the author portrayed Abel. You see Abel grow as a confident character as the story progresses. I enjoyed his interactions with his siblings Lina and Silas and the complex relationship they shared. Abel also shares a beautiful friendship with ROA, and I loved their scenes together. Let’s not forget the incredible moments he has had with Karak.
I also found Instructor Ally to be hilarious. What’s nice is how the characters also grow, and I liked how Ally’s relationship with Abel changed over the training. Even other casts like Topher, Shivonne, and Olus and were memorable. Similarly, even Fitz and Sax added well and spiced up the tale.
Overall, I enjoyed reading “City of Thieves” and thought it was an exciting start to the series.
September 16, 2021
Middle grade readers will absolutely devour this new fantasy from Alex London! I was blown away by the world that is imagined and so effortlessly conveyed to the reader -- even though the book is relatively short, you feel instantly like you are in Drakopolis right along with Abel and the rest of the characters. I actually was only about 10 or 15 pages in when the thought popped into my head that this will almost certainly be adapted into a movie someday!
At first, Drakopolis seems like such a cool place to live, full of neat technology and, of course, dragons! But soon we see that it is more of a dystopia -- or perhaps even a reflection of our own world. There is a secret police that we soon find out are absolutely ruthless and will punish you - even if you’re a teen! - just for liking online content they find objectionable. The dragons who have been domesticated seem content, until you look closer and really see how they’re being used. The origin story of the city seems virtuous and just, until Abel starts examining it with a more critical eye. And, of course, there are the vicious street gangs that rule the different neighborhoods, as well as the clear demarcations between classes that create those neighborhoods.
Abel has to find his courage as well as his sense of morality when he discovers his sister is actually a dragon thief and his brother works for the secret police. And when one of his sister’s stolen dragons bonds to him, well, all bets are off! Soon he finds himself at the infamous dragon battles, peering into what really goes on in his city, to the corruption at the core.
Young readers will gobble up this urban fantasy, with its sense of danger, adventure, and self-discovery. I love that sibling relationships, family, and friendship are ultimately at the heart of the story -- all while we get treated to some incredibly cool dragons, dragon riding, and fight scenes along the way! I think a reluctant reader would be the *perfect* audience for this book, but I can’t imagine many kids who wouldn’t enjoy this fast-paced fantasy. And now here I am, a grown adult, eagerly awaiting the next in the series!
Rating: 5 stars!
**Disclosure: I received a copy of this book from the publisher for purposes of this blog tour. This review is voluntary on my part and reflects my honest rating and review of the book.
At first, Drakopolis seems like such a cool place to live, full of neat technology and, of course, dragons! But soon we see that it is more of a dystopia -- or perhaps even a reflection of our own world. There is a secret police that we soon find out are absolutely ruthless and will punish you - even if you’re a teen! - just for liking online content they find objectionable. The dragons who have been domesticated seem content, until you look closer and really see how they’re being used. The origin story of the city seems virtuous and just, until Abel starts examining it with a more critical eye. And, of course, there are the vicious street gangs that rule the different neighborhoods, as well as the clear demarcations between classes that create those neighborhoods.
Abel has to find his courage as well as his sense of morality when he discovers his sister is actually a dragon thief and his brother works for the secret police. And when one of his sister’s stolen dragons bonds to him, well, all bets are off! Soon he finds himself at the infamous dragon battles, peering into what really goes on in his city, to the corruption at the core.
Young readers will gobble up this urban fantasy, with its sense of danger, adventure, and self-discovery. I love that sibling relationships, family, and friendship are ultimately at the heart of the story -- all while we get treated to some incredibly cool dragons, dragon riding, and fight scenes along the way! I think a reluctant reader would be the *perfect* audience for this book, but I can’t imagine many kids who wouldn’t enjoy this fast-paced fantasy. And now here I am, a grown adult, eagerly awaiting the next in the series!
Rating: 5 stars!
**Disclosure: I received a copy of this book from the publisher for purposes of this blog tour. This review is voluntary on my part and reflects my honest rating and review of the book.
October 10, 2023
Battle dragons, tome 1 : La cité des voleurs
Bienvenue à Drakopolis !
Dans cette cité pleine de surprises, il fait bon de regarder à droite, à gauche mais surtout EN HAUT avant de traverser une rue.
En effet, cette ville mystérieuse, contrôlée en grande partie par des gangs, est parcourue à grands coups d'ailes par des dizaines d'espèces de dragons différentes, "domestiquées" par l'homme, toutes plus impressionnantes les unes que les autres.
Rejoignez Abel, notre héros, dans cette aventure incroyable à dos de dragons, en compagnie de son meilleur ami et petit génie Roa, car même le coeur le plus courageux a besoin d'un ami pour avancer !
Remplie de secrets aussi effrayants qu'intriguants, Drakopolis nous ouvre les portes d'un univers où les créatures fantastiques qui peuplent les comics préférés de ces chers élèves et leurs cartes à collectionner volent véritablement dans le ciel tandis que les fleurs poussent toujours sur la terre.
Dans ce premier tome de Battle Dragons, l'auteur nous embarque dans une ville fascinante où les néons éclairent les écailles de ces compagnons de ville et d'aventure. Au côté de notre héros, nous voici plongé(e)s dans les recoins les plus sombres de cette cité des voleurs tiraillée entre des bandes rivales, mais aussi dans ses recoins où baignent encore un doux parfum d'espoir et de changement, où l'entraide, la famille et la liberté sont maîtres mots. Une liberté qui n'est pas donnée par les puissants mais prise par les êtres libres.
Cette histoire nous emmène sous les gratte-ciels de cette ville draconique puis tout en haut dans les airs, défiant les lois de la gravité à dos de dragon dans des courses et des combats dantesques où les éléments se répondent et se déchaînent devant nos yeux de lectrices/lecteurs ébahis.
Dragons que nous allons apprendre à connaître et à apprivoiser au fur et à mesure du récit, créatures nobles qui forcent le respect et qui, sans leurs griffes, n'ont que faire de leurs ailes...
Une excellente lecture et une nouvelle série qui commence de la plus belle des manières chez Auzou !
Bienvenue à Drakopolis !
Dans cette cité pleine de surprises, il fait bon de regarder à droite, à gauche mais surtout EN HAUT avant de traverser une rue.
En effet, cette ville mystérieuse, contrôlée en grande partie par des gangs, est parcourue à grands coups d'ailes par des dizaines d'espèces de dragons différentes, "domestiquées" par l'homme, toutes plus impressionnantes les unes que les autres.
Rejoignez Abel, notre héros, dans cette aventure incroyable à dos de dragons, en compagnie de son meilleur ami et petit génie Roa, car même le coeur le plus courageux a besoin d'un ami pour avancer !
Remplie de secrets aussi effrayants qu'intriguants, Drakopolis nous ouvre les portes d'un univers où les créatures fantastiques qui peuplent les comics préférés de ces chers élèves et leurs cartes à collectionner volent véritablement dans le ciel tandis que les fleurs poussent toujours sur la terre.
Dans ce premier tome de Battle Dragons, l'auteur nous embarque dans une ville fascinante où les néons éclairent les écailles de ces compagnons de ville et d'aventure. Au côté de notre héros, nous voici plongé(e)s dans les recoins les plus sombres de cette cité des voleurs tiraillée entre des bandes rivales, mais aussi dans ses recoins où baignent encore un doux parfum d'espoir et de changement, où l'entraide, la famille et la liberté sont maîtres mots. Une liberté qui n'est pas donnée par les puissants mais prise par les êtres libres.
Cette histoire nous emmène sous les gratte-ciels de cette ville draconique puis tout en haut dans les airs, défiant les lois de la gravité à dos de dragon dans des courses et des combats dantesques où les éléments se répondent et se déchaînent devant nos yeux de lectrices/lecteurs ébahis.
Dragons que nous allons apprendre à connaître et à apprivoiser au fur et à mesure du récit, créatures nobles qui forcent le respect et qui, sans leurs griffes, n'ont que faire de leurs ailes...
Une excellente lecture et une nouvelle série qui commence de la plus belle des manières chez Auzou !
November 25, 2021
🐉💜🌑🖤CITY OF THIEVES🐉💜🌑🖤
City of Thieves is about a boy name Abel who gets caught up in the gang wars between the Thunder wings, Wind breakers, Sky Knights, and Red Talons. Abel doesn't know how to untangle himself from the tricky situation-and come out alive, with his family life and safety on the line.
City of Thieves first and foremost has a beautiful cover, and the plot was very unique. Sadly City of Thieves didn't click or leave as much as a impact as I wanted it to-and I don't know if I am interested enough to pick up book 2 when it comes out. City Of Thieves starts off with Abel and his friend Roa. It was very progressive and I though it was great of the author to put in Roa who is nonbinary. Roa and Abel's relationship felt stilted to me for some reason? There friendship was great, but I didn't get love their friendship. This was innovative, The world building was really unique and detailed so it is a lot to wrap your head around. Abel, our protagonist reminds me a lot of Percy, from the Percy Jackson series. Abel is a book nerd, witty, nervous, but kind, his brother Silas is a part of the government. And when he finds out Lina his sister is a dragon thief and has a criminal record. When the Red talons threaten to hurt his family, because of Lina's crimes, Abel must find a way-all he has of Lina is a address and he must dare to go there and fix everything. Abel and his relationship with Karak his dragon was sweet. I overall enjoyed reading this and read it quickly.
✅✅✅🆗
✅PLOT
✅WORLD BUILDING
🆗CHARACTERS
🐉💜🌑🖤CHARACTERS🐉💜🌑🖤
✅ABEL
🆗ROA
🆗SILAS
🆗LINA
🆗KARAK
🐉💜🌑🖤CONCLUSION🐉💜🌑🖤
A great read for dragon lovers.
City of Thieves is about a boy name Abel who gets caught up in the gang wars between the Thunder wings, Wind breakers, Sky Knights, and Red Talons. Abel doesn't know how to untangle himself from the tricky situation-and come out alive, with his family life and safety on the line.
City of Thieves first and foremost has a beautiful cover, and the plot was very unique. Sadly City of Thieves didn't click or leave as much as a impact as I wanted it to-and I don't know if I am interested enough to pick up book 2 when it comes out. City Of Thieves starts off with Abel and his friend Roa. It was very progressive and I though it was great of the author to put in Roa who is nonbinary. Roa and Abel's relationship felt stilted to me for some reason? There friendship was great, but I didn't get love their friendship. This was innovative, The world building was really unique and detailed so it is a lot to wrap your head around. Abel, our protagonist reminds me a lot of Percy, from the Percy Jackson series. Abel is a book nerd, witty, nervous, but kind, his brother Silas is a part of the government. And when he finds out Lina his sister is a dragon thief and has a criminal record. When the Red talons threaten to hurt his family, because of Lina's crimes, Abel must find a way-all he has of Lina is a address and he must dare to go there and fix everything. Abel and his relationship with Karak his dragon was sweet. I overall enjoyed reading this and read it quickly.
✅✅✅🆗
✅PLOT
✅WORLD BUILDING
🆗CHARACTERS
🐉💜🌑🖤CHARACTERS🐉💜🌑🖤
✅ABEL
🆗ROA
🆗SILAS
🆗LINA
🆗KARAK
🐉💜🌑🖤CONCLUSION🐉💜🌑🖤
A great read for dragon lovers.
September 14, 2021
(I received this book free in exchange for my honest review)
This book was a super fun read. The had a nice steady pace, the plot points stayed consistence, and the action was well crafted an entertaining. I was engrossed in this book and at times forgot I was reading, as the vivid images and detail had me enclosed in this world.
I liked the mix of mythology and the modern-ish dystopian type of writing. It brought a uniqueness it and it added something just right to a genre that's been overdone. I like the MC's and the way the book opened. It set the stage and pulled you in. Nothing like a cryptic message from your sister and finding a rear dragon to kick off a wonderful adventure, that could get you killed.
I will say that the way non-binary was written and described didn't sit well with me. It's more complex, and having it as gender non-binary, was odd. I get that the author was trying to explain that identity to children, but I believe more research should have been done. As being non-binary is different for all those that identify as such. I'm all for getting information there, but we need to take care in how those that do not identify, or are not in that flied of experiences, deliver that information.
Overall this is a wonderful action adventure book for all ages. It's has a little bit of everything and it brings new elements to the table that will keep engaged and reading. So please take my high recommendation and stamp of approval that you will get lost in this unique world of dragons.
Happy Reading
-E.A. Walsh
This book was a super fun read. The had a nice steady pace, the plot points stayed consistence, and the action was well crafted an entertaining. I was engrossed in this book and at times forgot I was reading, as the vivid images and detail had me enclosed in this world.
I liked the mix of mythology and the modern-ish dystopian type of writing. It brought a uniqueness it and it added something just right to a genre that's been overdone. I like the MC's and the way the book opened. It set the stage and pulled you in. Nothing like a cryptic message from your sister and finding a rear dragon to kick off a wonderful adventure, that could get you killed.
I will say that the way non-binary was written and described didn't sit well with me. It's more complex, and having it as gender non-binary, was odd. I get that the author was trying to explain that identity to children, but I believe more research should have been done. As being non-binary is different for all those that identify as such. I'm all for getting information there, but we need to take care in how those that do not identify, or are not in that flied of experiences, deliver that information.
Overall this is a wonderful action adventure book for all ages. It's has a little bit of everything and it brings new elements to the table that will keep engaged and reading. So please take my high recommendation and stamp of approval that you will get lost in this unique world of dragons.
Happy Reading
-E.A. Walsh
January 14, 2022
The city of Drakopolis is hardly the safest or more secure place to grow up or to dream of a bright future. It's hard to tell which group of kins--criminal gangs--to trust or rely on for security. Even those in power seem untrustworthy. In this first book in a planned series, Abel, the protagonist, loves dragons, but his future seems dismal after he performed poorly on his dragon rider's exam. Still, he and others like him attend school to learn more about dragons. Against all expectations and likelihood, Abel's fortunes change when he bonds with Karak, a Sunrise Reaper dragon. Abel learns to ride Karak and finds himself in the middle of a fierce conflict between different factions and between his sister Lina and his brother Silas. But which one is right? And which one can he trust? Abel gains confidence as the story unfolds, but he remains just as confused about loyalty and honor at the end of the story as he was at the start. For readers in search of high-paced action, battle scenes with mighty dragons, and an unlikely hero, this book offers a good reading experience. It will be interesting to see what happens next since Abel has become increasingly uncomfortable with how those dragons owned by the kins and others are treated and longs to set them all free. The plot is predictable, but that didn't stop me from enjoying the book. As a tactile person, I loved having the endpapers designed to feel like dragon skin might feel.
December 23, 2021
This book, and I'm assuming the series overall has some solid ideas. The world that London builds is intriguing to say the least and I am a fan of the ease with which he includes representation.
However, the book is hindered by what seems like a lack of content and a rush to get through it all.
SPOILERS AHEAD:
When our main character Abel finds a stolen dragon, you expect there to be some sort of conflict. It's expressed that he's suddenly having to lie to his parents and sneak around to parts of the city he's never been to before, but it's all just a bit too easy. There's no real development, we're just THERE. Some new problem arises: boom, solution.
It'd be a lot more fun if we got a chance to explore these issues with our characters and learn a bit more about how they think and interact.
This pretty much spreads over the rest of the plot as well. Twists happen, but we're so quickly onto the next one that there's no time to consider the ramifications or see how it even impacts the characters.
There's a lot of complex ideas in the relationships of the characters and the idea of empathy plays heavily in the book, but with the speed we rush past them, they might as well not even be there at all.
A fun read with interesting ideas but a bit too rushed to explore its own ideas and moralities.
However, the book is hindered by what seems like a lack of content and a rush to get through it all.
SPOILERS AHEAD:
When our main character Abel finds a stolen dragon, you expect there to be some sort of conflict. It's expressed that he's suddenly having to lie to his parents and sneak around to parts of the city he's never been to before, but it's all just a bit too easy. There's no real development, we're just THERE. Some new problem arises: boom, solution.
It'd be a lot more fun if we got a chance to explore these issues with our characters and learn a bit more about how they think and interact.
This pretty much spreads over the rest of the plot as well. Twists happen, but we're so quickly onto the next one that there's no time to consider the ramifications or see how it even impacts the characters.
There's a lot of complex ideas in the relationships of the characters and the idea of empathy plays heavily in the book, but with the speed we rush past them, they might as well not even be there at all.
A fun read with interesting ideas but a bit too rushed to explore its own ideas and moralities.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 107 reviews