Dragon Storm Tomas and Ironskin
Dragon Storm Cara and Silverthief`
Alastair Chisholm, illustrated by Eric Deschamps
Nosy Crow

As the son of a blacksmith it seems as though eleven year old Tomas is destined to follow in his father’s footsteps. Then strange things start happening. First he sees a dragon face in the flames of the fire and then after watching Tomas wield a sword, a man returns offering the lad an apprenticeship. With his parents in financial difficulty, it’s an offer not to be refused.

Off he goes to the city leaving his parents far behind and it’s not long before he learns a secret. Despite what he’s been led to believe, the dragons are anything but extinct, at least not in the land of Draconis, and Tomas’s apprenticeship is with the secret Dragonseer’s guild. There’s a lot to learn as Tomas and his fellow apprentices discover during their training with their dragons.

Soon a problem rears its head for Tomas: Ironskin, his dragon reminds him of home and he misses his parents. This gets in the way of him forming a true bond with her, meaning he has to leave. Then a fire breaks out endangering his parents’ lives … Seemingly real trust between boy and dragon is the only thing that can save them and get everyone out of a desperate situation.

Fast moving and full of excitement, this is ideal for newly independent readers, and Eric Deschamps black and white illustrations make the book even more appealing.

The second magical adventure in the series focuses on Cara and Silverthief, her dragon. Cara, whom we met in the first book, has spent her earlier life on the streets and consequently is unused to having friends (other than the voice in her head,) nor trusting others.

What is it that they’re not being told? What lies on the other side of the stone door not to be entered?
Trust is again key in this gripping tale of derring do; so too is friendship; but then really the two are interconnected; so will rule-breaking Cara become part of the Dragonseer family or will she return from whence she came? The choice is hers …

It’s really good to see a series that both boys and girls will enjoy.