Common Sense Media Review
By Andrea Beach
,
based on child development research. How do we rate?
Beautifully illustrated dragon fantasy is short but intense.
Parents Need to Know
Why Age 10+?
Any Positive Content?
Where to Read
What's the Story?
Adara's always been different from everyone else. She's more comfortable and happy during the cold of winter when most people want to huddle by the fire. When she befriends a rare ice dragon, she decides she wants to leave her home and go live with the ice dragon far away to the north. But war has come to her homeland, and when enemy dragon riders turn on the family farm, Adara has to decide between leaving to live out her dream or staying behind to defend her home.
Is It Any Good?
THE ICE DRAGON is an engaging, if brief, dragon fantasy. The gorgeous illustrations, along with every aspect of the book's design, including the beautiful illustrated type, are what make it a satisfying experience, given that the story itself is so short and ends rather abruptly.
Dragon lovers, especially elementary and middle schoolers, will be enchanted with Adara and her magnificent ice dragon. The heirloom-quality presentation ensures that it'll be a pleasure to revisit many times.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about why fantasy books, especially with dragons, are so popular. Why do we love to read them so much?
Did you like the illustrations? Did they help you picture the people and events of the story, or would you rather be able to use your imagination?
Why do you think Adara turned back for home when she was so close to realizing her dream of living with the ice dragon?
Book Details
- Author :
- Illustrator : Luis Royo
- Genre : Fantasy
- Topics : Family Stories ( Siblings ) , Fantasy ( Dragons , Magic )
- Book type : Fiction
- Publisher : Tor Teen
- Publication date : October 21, 2014
- Publisher's recommended age(s) : 12 - 17
- Number of pages : 128
- Available on : Nook, Audiobook (unabridged), Hardback, Apple Books, Kindle
- Last updated : March 6, 2026
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