The Awakening Storm (City of Dragons #1) by Jaimal Yogis, Vivian Truong
Published by Graphix on September 21, 2021
ISBN: 133866042X
Pages: 240
Genres: Fantasy
Format: Graphic Novel
Goodreads

This middle grade graphic novel is action-packed and filled with heart. The novel starts with an intense bullying scene and the loss of a dad, so these could be triggers to a reader, then fast-forwards three years. The protagonist, Grace, has now moved from the US to Hong Kong with her mother and stepfather, who works for a cutting-edge health research company (delightfully suspicious construct). Grace is newly enrolled in a private international school and meets a few kids, an interesting, motley crew consisting of a local Hong Kong native, an Aboriginal student, and an Indian student. When Grace is gifted an unusual egg during a field trip, and a small blue dragon hatches from that egg, the story takes off. Centered around Chinese mythology and dragon lore, and filled with villains who would do anything to steal the power of the secrets contained within a dragon, the book is a great start of what is sure to be further adventures. That Grace grapples with issues of friendship, self-acceptance, and family offers heart to the story. Readers will feel for her as she struggles to find peace with being part of two worlds, as she digs deep for the courage her father believed was in her, and as she watches a trusted adult make a dangerous choice. There is an intensity to the end of the book as adults brandish tranquilizer guns and a human man turns into a monstrous being. Give to fans of action graphic novels, Dungeons & Dragons, mythology, and dragons.

Age range: Grade 4 -7; ages 10-13

Reviewed by Jill O’Connor,  Merrill Memorial Library, Yarmouth