Published By: Usborne
Pages: 288
Released On: 08/05/2026
Reading Age: 8-11
You are invited to compete in the Wingrider Trials on Dragonflare Island!
Do you have what it takes to become a dragon rider, solve the puzzles and find the treasure? Flynn definitely doesn’t. So, when a dragon kidnaps him to be her partner in the trials, things get complicated.
Now they’re stuck in a labyrinth full of hungry monsters, impossible obstacle courses, and backstabbing competitors. To win, they’ll need brains, bravery and – worst of all – teamwork.
But the trials are hiding a deadly secret, and if Flynn and his dragon don’t win, the whole island could be doomed…
*****
Thanks to NetGalley and Usborne for the advanced copy of this title in return for an honest review.
I loved Jamie’s previous book Grumpfort, and I’ve been looking forward to what comes next, even if I am 3x the recommended reading age.
There’s a map! We love a map.
It did had illustrations but the formatting on my e-arc wasn’t perfect so I can’t confidently comment on them, but what I could see were lovely and will really help add depth to the story.
I love books with dragons, but the dragon generally is the side character. Whereas for me, in this story, the dragons felt equally the star, and sometimes the human characters were just here for the ride. So that was a nice angle.
This had me hooked instantly, and I couldn’t put it down. It’s not a very long book, and it’s very easy and quick to read. It’s so much fun and I recommend it not just for children, but for adults who want a bit of escapism.
It’s a fun, fantasy, adventure kids story yes. But it’s also about teamwork, friendship, community, trust, opportunities, respect, and what you’d do for the ones you love.
I read this in one afternoon, it was just so much fun. And considering all the action occurs in just one setting with a small cast of characters, it never feels slow or boring, and manages to keep the pacing, the tempo, and the excitement.
This may only be Jamie’s second book, and I know I’m much older than the target reading age, but I think he’s got such a witty, funny, grand way of writing that just makes his books a joy to read and I’d have loved them as a kid.
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