dragons – Page 2 – BookBunnies

Caramel reviews Winter Turning (Book Seven of Wings of Fire) by Tui Sutherland and Mike Holmes

After reviewing Wings of Fire: A Guide to the Dragon World by Tui T. Sutherland last week, Caramel realized that he had not yet reviewed the graphic novel version of Winter Turning, the seventh book in Tui T. Sutherland’s Wings of Fire series even though he had read it right when it was published in January 2024. So to make up for this forgetfulness, today he is talking to Sprinkles about this book: Winter Turning: The Graphic Novel, written by Tui Sutherland, adapted by Barry Deutsch and Rachel Swirsky, with art work by Mike Holmes, and color by Maarta Laiho.

Caramel reviews Winter Turning: The Graphic Novel, by Tui Sutherland and Mike Holmes. — Caramel reviews *Winter Turning: The Graphic Novel,* by Tui Sutherland and Mike Holmes.

Sprinkles: So Caramel, I know you read this book all the way back in January; did you reread it before this review?

Caramel: Yes. In fact I am still rereading it.

S: I see. So you explained the plot of the book in quite some detail when you were reviewing the original.

C: Yep. And so maybe I do not have to go over it again.

S: Sure, our readers can go and check out that review, but let us try to make this one a bit self-contained. so why don’t you tell us just a little bit about the book? you do not have to go into too much detail. For that our readers can check out your review of the original book.

C: Well, this is about an IceWing named Winter, who is one of the students in Jade Academy. The dragonets from Jade Academy end up finding Queen Scarlet. They were searching for Hailstorm who is Winter’s brother, and they thought Hailstorm was taken by Scarlet. But it is not that simple. Hailstorm is under the influence of some magic which makes him almost worship Scarlet, so he is kind of staying willingly.

S: I see. Maybe this is a good recap that can get folks started with the book.

Caramel is reading Winter Turning: The Graphic Novel, by Tui Sutherland and Mike Holmes. — Caramel is reading *Winter Turning: The Graphic Novel,* by Tui Sutherland and Mike Holmes.

S: So tell me about the drawings. This is after all a graphic novel version of a full novel.

C: One word: amazing. I mean it is just the same crew who did the previous graphic novels, and so the drawings are familiar and they just work.

S: And I know you have read this book so much that it is already kind of worn out.

C: Kind of. But yes, I have read it a lot. And maybe we will eventually get the graphic novel versions of the eighth book, and then the ninth, and then the tenth, and I will get to read all of them!

S: Only if you promise you will review them too.

C: Of course.

S: Okay, so before we wrap up this review, can you describe this book in three to five words?

C: Sure. Colorful, hilarious, and adventurous.

S: Hilarious because your favorite character Qilbli is there?

C: Yes, I love how funny he is! But we have to wait all the way until book ten to have a whole book in his perspective.

S: That is alright though. I seem to recall it was worth the wait.

C: True, that book was awesome too, but also I don’t like waiting.

S: I know. Anyways, let us not make our readers wait further (did you see what I did there?) So what do you want to tell our readers?

C: Stay tuned for more book bunny reviews!

Caramel loved reading and rereading Winter Turning: The Graphic Novel, by Tui Sutherland and Mike Holmes, and encourages all fans of Wings of Fire to check it out. — Caramel loved reading and rereading *Winter Turning: The Graphic Novel,* by Tui Sutherland and Mike Holmes, and encourages all fans of Wings of Fire to check it out.

Caramel reviews Wings of Fire: A Guide to the Dragon World by Tui T. Sutherland

After over a year, Caramel finally got his paws on a new-for-him Wings of Fire book. So today he is talking about Wings of Fire: A Guide to the Dragon World, written by Tui T. Sutherland, illustrated by Joy Ang, with additional art from Mike Schley and Maarta Laiho, and published first in 2023. As usual, Sprinkles is taking notes and asking questions.

Caramel reviews Wings of Fire: A Guide to the Dragon World, written by Tui T. Sutherland and illustrated by Joy Ang, with additional art from Mike Schley and Maarta Laiho. — Caramel reviews *Wings of Fire: A Guide to the Dragon World*, written by Tui T. Sutherland and illustrated by Joy Ang, with additional art from Mike Schley and Maarta Laiho.

Sprinkles: So Caramel, this book just arrived today, and you just had to read it, right?

Caramel: Yup. Just had to.

S: I know how you still keep reading and rereading all of your Wings of Fire books. So I knew you would enjoy this book too. Please tell our readers about the book. Is this the sixteenth book you were waiting for?

C: Not quite, but it is definitely enough to satisfy my hunger for new Wings of Fire stories.

S: So this is a collection of new stories then, right?

C: Yes, but it is actually even more than that.

S: What do you mean?

C: There are ten main chapters, one for each dragon tribe: MudWings, SeaWings, RainWings, NightWings, SandWings, IceWings, SkyWings, SilkWings, HiveWings, and LeafWings. And in each chapter, there are some documents and short historical bits and always a short story about or a letter from a dragon from that tribe that we have met before. So for example, in the chapter on RainWings, they have a datasheet, a map of where they live, they have a letter from StarFlight, a letter from Glory, a story about a sloth made up by Kinkajou, a bit about the dangers of the RainForest, an explanation of how the challenges to the RainWing throne work, a guide to how RainWings change colors depending on their feelings by Jambu, and so on.

Caramel is reading Wings of Fire: A Guide to the Dragon World, written by Tui T. Sutherland and illustrated by Joy Ang, with additional art from Mike Schley and Maarta Laiho. — Caramel is reading *Wings of Fire: A Guide to the Dragon World*, written by Tui T. Sutherland and illustrated by Joy Ang, with additional art from Mike Schley and Maarta Laiho.

S: All that sounds fascinating, Caramel. I bet you really enjoyed the book.

C: Yes, and I am still enjoying it, and I think I will keep enjoying it forever! Or at least, for a very long time.

S: I can see that. I think it is a beautiful book.

C: Yes! The pictures are amazing! They have pictures of the dragons, and the things they are talking about. Like in the story about the sloth, there is a picture of a sloth. They have maps, too.

S: Yes, and this is all on really nice paper and in full color, so all in all, it makes for a really pretty book to behold.

C: Totally what I was going to say.

S: I know, right? Okay, so would you recommend this book to other bunnies who liked the Wings of Fire books?

C: Yes!

S: So do you think someone has to read all fifteen books before this one?

C: Yes, because so many characters from all the books keep showing up.

S: But looking over it, I thought that the book could also be a nice way to introduce a bunny to this world.

C: Maybe. They would not know who is telling the stories or their backstory, but they would learn a lot about the world the dragons are living in and a lot about each of the tribes. That could be fun too; you are right. Of course I will never know what it would be like to read this book first.

S: True, but I have a feeling it was a good experience, finally reading a new Wings of Fire book, after all these years.

C: Yes! But I would still like a sixteenth book. A real book that maybe starts a fourth story arc.

S: That could be wonderful, I know. But for now, this is what we have. And it is rather wonderful, isn’t it?

C: Yes!

S: So maybe we should wrap this up so you can continue to cherish your new book.

C: I agree!

S: What would you like to tell our readers in closing?

C: Stay tuned for more book bunny reviews!

Caramel loved reading Wings of Fire: A Guide to the Dragon World, written by Tui T. Sutherland and illustrated by Joy Ang, with additional art from Mike Schley and Maarta Laiho, and recommends it to all bunnies who love all things dragon. — Caramel loved reading *Wings of Fire: A Guide to the Dragon World*, written by Tui T. Sutherland and illustrated by Joy Ang, with additional art from Mike Schley and Maarta Laiho, and recommends it to all bunnies who love all things dragon.

Caramel reviews The Great Texas Dragon Race by Kacy Ritter

Caramel loves dragons and has read and reviewed several books about them for the book bunnies blog through the years. Today he talks to Sprinkles about a new book about dragons: The Great Texas Dragon Race by Kacy Ritter, published in 2023. As usual Sprinkles is taking notes and asking questions.

The book bunnies received this book as a review copy.

Caramel reviews The Great Texas Dragon Race by Kacy Ritter. — Caramel reviews *The Great Texas Dragon Race* by Kacy Ritter.

Sprinkles: Can you start by telling us a bit about the book?

Caramel: This is a fiction book about a thirteen-year-old dragon rider named Cassidy Drake and her dragon Ranga.

S: I can see it is fiction! So this is a girl who is riding a dragon, and from the title, I am guessing that there is a race involved.

C: Yes. She wants to participate in the Great Texas Dragon Race and then she tries to win it.

S: I see. So the story is actually taking place in this continent, and there is still a place named Texas. But I don’t think there are dragons in our Texas.

C: No. I said it was fiction!

S: I see. Okay, I’ll be quiet. Go on.

C: So Cassidy’s family owns a dragon ranch, and Ranga is one of their dragons. It is like an animal shelter, except for dragons.

S: Kind of reminds me of The Menagerie.

C: Yeah, except that everyone knows about dragons in this book. In The Menagerie, the magical creatures were kind of a secret to most people.

S: Okay. So are the dragons magical here too?

C: Yes. They can breathe fire and they can fly. Of course. But they don’t talk. They are like giant dogs, like big friendly pets. Well, not all of them are friendly. But Ranga is.

S: I see. So tell me a bit more about the race. Is it common for young people like Cassidy to race in it?

C: No. I think she is the youngest. But she really wants to do it because her family needs the prize money. It is a lot of money.

S: I see. So does Cassidy face some obstacles trying to get into the race and then while in the race?

C: Yes, exactly.

Caramel is reading The Great Texas Dragon Race by Kacy Ritter. — Caramel is reading *The Great Texas Dragon Race* by Kacy Ritter.

S: So tell me a bit more about the book. Who is narrating the story?

C: Cassidy herself is narrating. So it is all in first person. And it is all in present tense.

S: Oh, that probably makes things sound more urgent and exciting, right?

C: Yes it is very exciting.

S: So would “exciting” be one of your words to describe the book?

C: Yes. So I’d describe it as “an exciting adventure with dragons”.

S: It sounds like this was just the right fit for you!

C: Yup. I wish the author would write more about Cassidy and Ranga.

S: I am sure you would read that book too.

C: Yup.

S: I think you really enjoyed this book. You grabbed it from my paws as soon as it arrived and then you did not put it down until you finished. So did you like Cassidy? Did you like Ranga? Would you have liked to fly with them?

C: I liked them, but I am not sure I’d fly with them. It can be dangerous for a little bunny. They also don’t seem to be the safest flyers in the world. But they are the fastest!

S: Hmm, are you telling me that they win the race?

C: No. I am not spoiling anything. Don’t push me!

S: Okay, I won’t. So maybe we should wrap things up. What would you like to tell our readers?

C: Stay tuned for more book bunny reviews!

Caramel loved reading The Great Texas Dragon Race by Kacy Ritter and hopes that there will be more books about these characters. — Caramel loved reading *The Great Texas Dragon Race* by Kacy Ritter and hopes that there will be more books about these characters.

Caramel reviews The Winglets Quartet: The First Four Stories by Tui T. Sutherland

Caramel has gone through almost all the books written by Tui T. Sutherland, including all fifteen books of her Wings of Fire series. Today he is talking about The Winglets Quartet: The First Four Stories (2020). As usual, Sprinkles is taking notes and asking questions.

Sprinkles: So Caramel, you managed to find yet another Wings of Fire book to review.

Caramel: Yup! Heh heh heh!

S: So this looks like a collection of four stories. Right?

C: Yes. There is one about a NightWing named Fierceteeth (“Prisoners”), another about the NightWing assassin named Deathbringer (“Assassin”), another about a SandWing named Six-Claws (“Deserter”) and another about an IceWing named Arctic (“Runaway”).

S: I remember Deathbringer! We met him in the third book, The Hidden Kingdom, right?

C: Yep. But in the story about him, we learn more about Deathbringer’s life, how he became an assassin and so on. It is called “Assassin” after all.

S: I see. So are all four stories about characters that show up somewhere in the fifteen main books of the series then?

C: Yep. Fierceteeth shows up in the fourth book already. That is The Dark Secret. Six-Claws shows up in the fifth book, The Brightest Night. And we first hear about Arctic in the sixth book, Moon Rising. Though Arctic’s story is more like the story of Darkstalker, because he lived many many years ago. In fact he is Darkstalker’s father. But Moonwatcher starts to learn about Arctic from Darkstalker when he communicates with her through her mind. So that happens in the sixth book.

S: So let me get this straight. Three of the main characters of these stories are contemporary characters that we meet in the main series, but we learn a lot more about their backstories. And the fourth, Arctic, is a significant character mentioned in the books, but one who lived many many years before the events of those books took place. Right?

C: Yup, I think you got it.

Caramel is reading The Winglets Quartet: The First Four Stories by Tui T. Sutherland. — Caramel is reading *The Winglets Quartet: The First Four Stories* by Tui T. Sutherland.

S: So tell me more. I do not remember you reading too many short stories. How did it feel to read these ones?

C: They are fun! I loved to learn more about these characters and their stories. And you know, anything more Tui T. Sutherland can tell me about the world of these dragons, I’m eager to read.

S: I know. So since we are listening to The Hidden Kingdom at the moment, and we have met Deathbringer already, I am curious about that story myself. Would you say that reading that story (“Assassin”) would help me understand The Hidden Kingdom better? Or maybe at least understand Deathbringer’s motivations?

C: Yes I guess. But the stories are just fun no matter what.

S: From what I can gather looking at the dates when these stories were written, or at least published, the author seems to have already gotten all of the first arc done and was more or less in the middle of the second arc. So it is kind of neat to think about how she was knitting this world up all together, but along the way, she went back and told us a nit more about some of the incidental characters, and made the world a lot richer.

C: Yes. I guess. So for example you can understand Deathbringer’s psyche much better after reading “Assassin”.

S: Wow, Caramel, psyche is a big word!

C: But it is the right word here. So you understand him a lot better because you learn that his mom died when he was very young and that is one of the reasons why he does not like Blister —

S: Wait, don’t give away too much! I think I want to read that story myself!

C: You should. I think it might be one of my favorites among the four. Then again they are all pretty awesome!

S: So are they as funny and violent as the main books?

C: They are funny but maybe not as violent. They are a little less bloody.

S: Okay, I think I might borrow the book for a bit then.

C: Sure. But we should probably wrap up this review before then.

S: I agree. So describe the book to me in three words then.

C: Descriptive, funny, and biographical. Because the stories are kind of like little biographies of the four dragons.

S: Makes sense to me. So what would you like to tell our readers next?

C: Stay tuned for more book bunny reviews!

Caramel enjoyed reading The Winglets Quartet: The First Four Stories by Tui T. Sutherland, and hopes that there will eventually be more stories about this world. — Caramel enjoyed reading *The Winglets Quartet: The First Four Stories* by Tui T. Sutherland, and hopes that there will eventually be more stories about this world.