Dragonborn, by Struan Murray, Dutton Books for Young Readers, Oct. 14, 2025, Hardcover, $19.99 (ages 8-12)
A girl discovers that not only are dragons real, but she is one, in Dragonborn, a middle-grade fantasy novel by Struan Murray.
There is a secret world of dragons that lurks at the edges of our own. But dragons also live among us. These Slumberers have been human for so long they have forgotten their true selves—until something awakens the dragon within.
Twelve-year-old Alex Evans is about to wake up.
Ever since her father’s death, Alex’s overprotective mother has smothered her with unbreakable rules and unspoken fears. Feeling trapped, Alex’s frustration has become too big to hide away. Burning inside, she erupts into a fierce, fiery roar.
A new school and a new life await Alex on the legendary island of Skralla, one of the last surviving dragon havens. There, she will train alongside other young dragons who are wild, untamed, and—unlike Alex—skilled at transforming and embracing their dragons within.
As dark factions begin to rise, Alex finds herself in a race to unlock her long-dormant power before Drak Midna, the greatest dragon of all, rises again to wage war against the human world. —Synopsis provided by Dutton Books for Young Readers
Dragonborn is a darker middle-grade fantasy that features familiar school and forces of evil tropes.
What sets Dragonborn apart is the fact that some humans are actually dragons. This idea is a little hard for the main character, Alex, to grasp, but when she does, amazing things happen. Alex is a strong, fully-realized main character that’s easy to connect with. And there are a good number of strong supporting characters that help make the story feel complete.
Author Struan Murray does a good job with world-building and introducing a magical system that feels both familiar and unique. Readers will especially be drawn to all the dragon elements, including hatchlings, different species and training.
Dragonborn moves at a quick pace, with a number of twists — some predictable and others nice surprises. And at just over 330 pages, it’s an accessible length for this type of fantasy novel.
Dragonborn is the first in a planned series, and I look forward to seeing where Murray takes readers next.
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