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Book Review

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Publisher's Note:

This timeless fantasy debut follows four unlikely heroes—a boy-turned-dragon, his reluctant dragon rider, a runaway witch, and a young soldier—bound by the Fates to save their world, and magic itself, from being destroyed. Blue, River, Wren, and Shenli grew up on different sides of a war they didn’t start. Their land has been torn apart over centuries of conflict, with humans taught to fear all things magical, dragons driven to near extinction, and magic under attack. But an ancient prophecy has put the four them on a collision course with destiny—and with each other—in a mission to heal the fractured realm once known as Haven. All of them must follow the threads of Fate, leaving behind the lives and homes they know to discover the truth about the seemingly endless war—and the truth about themselves. As the barriers between them begin to crumble, can they unravel the lies they’ve been taught to believe in order to restore the balance between humans, dragons, and magic before it’s too late?…

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Heroes of Havensong: Dragonboy

by Megan Reyes

Reviewer: Cindy M
Genre: Fantasy
Recommended Age: 9+

Overall Book Review:

Looking for your next great middle grade fantasy read? Look no further. While the elements may seem familiar–a group of diverse characters, magic, dragons–the author pulls them together in an unconventional way. First, the initial part of the book skips back and forth several years and among the different characters. This is a little tricky to follow, but does keep things interesting. Second, the characters do not come together quickly, but through a lot of difficulty.

Taking it a step beyond just action, the characters each have some conflicts they are working through and yet, this does not slow the narrative but enhances it and puts the characters in positions where difficult choices have to be made. But don’t fear–there is plenty of action.

This new middle grade fantasy is one that can unequivocally be recommended on every level and with the characters being in the twelve to thirteen age range, it will have appeal to readers from elementary to middle school. This is the first in a series and there is definitely many things to still resolve in this story.

Review of a Digital Advance Reading Copy provided by the Publisher

Content Analysis:

Profanity/Language: None

Violence/Gore: Report that an individual would be eaten by a dragon; report of death (cause not detailed); report of violent death of a parent (no details); brief memory/reference about how an injured horse had to be put down (no details); young character cuts finger on blade to draw blood as part of a ceremony; explosive devices used causing injury and property damage; creatures try to kill a young character resulting in life-threatening injury, brief; characters crash and are injured, mention of blood; report that creature burned a child; characters pursued by animals and receive life-threatening injury; characters are pursued; characters imprisoned; character has frightening dreams; magic used by an adult male to slap a girl across the face; character is severely injured by magic; extended battle with arrows, swords, magic, etc., minimal descriptions.

Sex/Nudity: Girl thinks a boy is nice-looking.

Mature Themes:

War, debt, death of a parent, imprisonment.

Alcohol/Drug Use:

Magical potions/elixirs.

Overall Book Rating
Profanity/Language
Rating:
0
10
Violence/Gore
Rating:
2
10
Sex/Nudity
Rating:
1
10

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About the Reviewer

Cindy M
An accountant and CPA by profession, I found myself a book reviewer for Squeaky Clean Reads by happenstance. When the opportunity came to transform that website into Compass Book Ratings, I was excited to seize it and meld my business background with my love of books. As the mother of three teenage sons, I have read a large number of children and young adult books and I believe that there is great value in a content review service. As much as we would love to read everything our children read, there just isn’t enough time. I also appreciate being able to select books for myself that are really worth my precious and limited reading time. I believe there is a book out there for everyone–they just have to find it!

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