Battle Dragons: City of Thieves

Abel is a teenage dragon racer living in Sky Port City, where gangs control different territories and compete in dangerous aerial races. His family runs a food cart business and tries to stay neutral among the rival gangs, but Abel dreams of becoming a champion dragon racer. When Abel encounters a rare dragon, he gets pulled into the underground world of dragon racing and gang conflicts. He must navigate complex loyalties, face dangerous competitors, and protect his family while pursuing his racing ambitions. The story combines elements of urban fantasy and sports competition in a world where dragons are both transportation and status symbols. The unique setting features vertical neighborhoods built on massive towers, aerial highways, and a thriving underground economy. The novel explores themes of family obligation versus personal dreams, and questions what people will sacrifice for success in a society driven by power and control.

Readers describe this middle-grade novel as fast-paced and action-packed, with many comparing it to How to Train Your Dragon but with a cyberpunk setting. Readers appreciated: - The unique blend of dragons and technology - Strong world-building details about dragon racing - LGBT+ representation through casual inclusion - The sibling relationship dynamics - Clear, accessible writing style for the target age group Common criticisms: - Plot feels predictable for experienced readers - Some found the technology explanations confusing - Character development could be deeper - Several note it starts slowly before picking up pace Ratings: Goodreads: 4.0/5 (300+ ratings) Amazon: 4.6/5 (100+ ratings) Barnes & Noble: 4.7/5 (25+ ratings) "A fresh take on dragons that my students couldn't put down" - School librarian on Goodreads "The worldbuilding hits the sweet spot between detailed and overwhelming" - Parent reviewer on Amazon

How to Train Your Dragon by Cressida Cowell A young Viking bonds with a dragon while navigating clan politics and protecting his village from threats.

Dragon Rider by Cornelia Funke A silver dragon teams up with a human boy on a journey to find the last dragon sanctuary while escaping a monster.

Wings of Fire: The Dragonet Prophecy by Tui T. Sutherland Five young dragons from different tribes work to end a war while discovering secrets about their destinies.

The Last Dragon Chronicles: The Fire Within by Chris d'Lacey A college student discovers clay dragons come to life and becomes entangled in an ancient dragon mythology.

Dragon Slippers by Jessica Day George An orphan girl forms unexpected friendships with dragons while uncovering a plot against the kingdom's dragons.

🐲 Author Alex London began his career as a journalist and relief worker in Africa before becoming a children's book author 🐲 The book is set in a world where dragons are used as both transportation and weapons, similar to how we use cars and military vehicles today 🐲 The story draws inspiration from various real-world criminal organizations and gang cultures, adapting them into a fantasy setting 🐲 Dragons in this universe are not the traditional medieval European type, but come in various breeds with different capabilities, much like modern vehicle models 🐲 The main character, Abel, is dyslexic - a conscious choice by the author to represent neurodiversity in middle-grade fantasy literature