DRAGONBORN: THE TWILIGHT CHILD, by Struan Murray, Dutton Books for Young Readers, Oct. 20, 2026, Hardcover, $19.99 (ages 8-12)
A girl who is actually a dragon in disguise sets out to save the world from demons in the sequel to Dragonborn, The Twilight Child, by Struan Murray.
Having discovered her true identity as dragon, Alex Evans must embark on a dangerous quest to stop Drak Midna and his war against humanity.
When tragedy strikes the island of Skralla, Alex and her friends journey north to the heart of Scotland, where dark plots are in motion, and humans and dragons fight side-by-side against a rising storm of ancient demons.
Sinister forces are growing stronger every day, and as friendships fall apart and enemies old and new strike from the shadows, Alex must master her own fearsome power, and unravel a mystery that might just be the key to victory: the legend of the Twilight Child. —Synopsis provided by Dutton Books for Young Readers
The Twilight Child is the second book in the Dragonborn series. a darker middle-grade series that features familiar school and forces of evil tropes. It’s a strong series that features excellent world-building and lots of adventure.
The books are best read in succession as the story picks right up where it left off, and it does take a minute to remember what happened leading up to The Twilight Child if it’s been a while since reading the first book.
That said, Struan Murray’s writing is confident. He captures attention from the first chapter. His characters, especially Alex, are ones that you want to root for — even the irritable Ferox, who continues to be thorn in Alex’s side. The story is compelling and there’s action laced throughout. Murray’s plot is complex, though some elements are predictable.
At just over 360 pages, The Twilight Child is a good length for middle-grade fantasy. The book moves quickly and holds interest from beginning to end. On a sidenote, the first edition copies are gorgeous — printed edges, full-color end papers and a gold-embossed case and full-color paper cover. It’s as cool on the outside as it is on the inside.
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