New Dragon City

A unique and imaginative post-apocalyptic and dystopian story for middle-grade readers.

New Dragon City is one of the most unique and imaginative post-apocalyptic and dystopian stories I've read. While destruction by war, zombies, pestilence, and extreme climate change have all been done to death, an infestation of dragons feels like a fresh take on this theme.

I enjoyed immensely that the story is told from two points of view, that of the boy Noah and Asha, the young dragon. The parallels in their situations made the story much more interesting, entertaining, and emotion-filled. Both are still so young and are thrust into situations that would be tough on those older and more experienced. Noah is being tugged in different directions by show more his disagreeing parents. Asha, as the daughter of the dragon herd's queen, has restrictions on her actions and a heavy burden of responsibility for the herd. I liked that during their brief encounters with one another that they could eventually relax and relate and just be "kids."

The ruins of New York City are described in compelling detail, with familiar sights and locations sprinkled throughout. I had a clear picture of where everyone was and what it looked like. Unlike other books in this genre, I liked how organized these survivors had gotten and how well they seemed to get along and help each other. The survivors Noah meets away from the safety of the organized groups were scary and surprisingly creepy to me. I can't get that couple he encountered in the restaurant out of my mind.

Young readers will easily relate to the two very likable main characters. Their budding friendship and ability to get along despite the years of terror of the other's species will delight. They will soon be rooting for Noah and Asha to overcome their friends' and families' objections and anxieties.

I recommend NEW DRAGON CITY to middle-grade readers that enjoy novels with fantasy elements such as dragons and won't be disturbed by the post-apocalyptic setting, dragons hunting and trying to eat people, or people hunting and killing dragons.

I voluntarily reviewed this after receiving an Advanced Review Copy from the author or publisher through NetGalley and TBR and Beyond Book Tours. show less

Reading this book is eye-opening in terms of having two species looking at each other the same way, right down to similar prejudices and misconceptions. After Noah decides to stay back instead of going into the subway tunnels to avoid the dragons when they come out of hibernation early, he traps a young female dragon, but his feelings of guilt force him to free her. This is the beginning of a sea change between the species. Noah and Asha soon discover something she does when he's injured creates an ability to communicate telepathically. When several crises follow, their ability to communicate is at the core of saving both humans and dragons. This is a fast and extremely satisfying read.

* I gave this book for review*

I thought this was a fun middle grade read. I have really loved the previous books by this author. I also loved this book had so many elements that was pulled from the recent years even thought this book was middle grade fantsay it has elements that young kids could follow like a pandamic like event, fake news and immiagation elements. It was quick read. I just did not feel super conneccted to the characters and that was the only downside. I also really enjoyed the new york city setting and loved one of the POV was a dragon!! A very quick read!!

No one really expected a dragon apocalypse. Wars, famine, deadly diseases, and zombies have all been covered, but dragons aren't really considered. You'd be called mad.

So when fire-breathing dragons rise up out of nowhere, no one is prepared. Of course, people like Noah's dad, a survivalist (or doomsday prepper), have something prepared and help their families get by. When they come out of their bunker, they're able to team up with a larger group which makes things easier.

But what happens when some people think that they want to try and work with dragons? Is it a cult, or can something really come of this?

As Noah and his dad decide to not go down for the winter season, Noah finally meets a dragon who doesn't kill him on sight. Our story show more unfolds as they begin to become friends in a world that seems determined to prove that violence is the only answer.

Long story short, New Dragon City is perfect for readers obsessed with How to Train Your Dragon! It's a charming book, excellent for the middle-grade category, that introduces some complex topics. It will lead to interesting conversations between parents and their children.

I feel like New Dragon City is a modern-day version of How to Train Your Dragon. I don't want to say too much, because that would spoil everything, but really a modern version of it! However, Mari Mancusi keeps things going in a way where the book goes down really quickly (even though it is over 300 pages), so you don't stick around and dwell on those similarities. But these similarities, when you really think about them, make you feel like someone like this author, who has written over 30 books for children, could have come up with something that didn't parallel HTTYD so much. show less

New Dragon City by Mari Mancusi
Middle grade paranormal adventure. Post apocalyptic.
Noah, his friends and family live underground for part of every year when the dragons wake up and roam the skies. It’s a battle for survival of humans vs. dragons.
This year, the dragons woke a bit earlier than expected, and Noah ends up above ground rather than in the bunkers below. And he ends up befriending a young female dragon! Unheard of.
Noah‘s mother is part of a team that thinks dragons and humans can love together peacefully. His father disagrees and Noah must make a decision

An adventure of danger and an unlikely friendship. Noah must bridge the gap between beliefs.

* I gave this book for review*

I thought this was a fun middle grade read. I have really loved the previous books by this author. I also loved this book had so many elements that was pulled from the recent years even thought this book was middle grade fantsay it has elements that young kids could follow like a pandamic like event, fake news and immiagation elements. It was quick read. I just did not feel super conneccted to the characters and that was the only downside. I also really enjoyed the new york city setting and loved one of the POV was a dragon!! A very quick read!!