Dragon Night by Stephanie Campbell



Ever since he could remember, Ford was treated cruelly by his parents, Liddy and Wicker Forks. He cannot figure out why they hate him so much. It is only when he discovers that his father isn’t really Wicker Forks but instead is a mysterious, red-eyed stranger that he goes on a quest to find his true identity—and much, much more.

As he heads forward down the path of danger and illusion, he uncovers a world that he had never imagined, a world of dragons. Ford must decide who he is—a dragon or a boy—and whichever path he chooses will be his future for forever. After all, once you are a dragon, there is no going back


Ford is not one who fits in. The kids at school tease him for being different and some of them make jokes about his mother that he never understands. His parents treat him as a worker at the diner and not as a son. When he tries to ask them questions he gets punished, like put outside on a cold November night to sleep in the yard. He is expected to start work at 4am attend school and work again after. never getting to keep is tips. He is not allowed to call his parents "mom" or "dad" without danger of being punished or yelled at.
As he gets older he begins to notice changes in his appearance, his eyes showing flashes of red, his skin showing shimmery colors.
One day he decides that he needs answers and when approaching his mother, finally starts to get the answers he always knew she had. But after she still does not have all of the answers, he runs away to find them himself. He ends up in a whole new world of Dragons and their politics. He learns where he comes from and what he really is, in a land in which the Draconic's (half breeds) are ruled over by the Dragons (pure bloods).

The story focuses a lot on family. Finding a place where you belong and people/places you can connect to and can call home. It has a very sad mood to the majority of the story as Ford's never felt he had a place that he felt he belonged, even with his parents. His mother and father don't treat him as a son, just a worker, The kids at school tease him or ignore him altogether. When he finally meets the Draconic people, Jade really helps him to answer his questions and learn what he is and how he can belong. But yet again with the powerful Dragons making them work in mine's or dangerous situations in which they could die at any time, he feels that he must fight back, and stand up to those always putting them down.

It's a story of struggle and survival. One that any boy would enjoy and the more adventurism girls out there. You will find several twists in the story that will keep you turning pages to see what happens next and what is the next chapter of Ford's life.
There are a few fighting scenes, a lot of Jade and Ford training and learning how to be the hybrid's they are, and what it means in the society they live in. The end hits you with very unexpected results and anticipation that will keep your heart beating fast and unknowing what is going to happen next, or if this may be the end of Ford's story.

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Comments

  1. Great review. I'm really looking forward to reading Dragon Night.

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  2. Sounds like a great 'strength through adversity' story!

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  3. Anonymous12/06/2011

    Sharon, it really is that. I have a soft spot for kids trying to find a place in the world. Family should be the one place where they know they belong, but unfortunately it isn't always like that--and this story really explores that. Ford is one of my favorite literary characters--he's deep and angsty and melancholic, but he's got a lot of loyalty and strength to give to the right people.

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  4. You have completely piqued my interest in this book! It sounds like it has all the qualities of a great story - tremendous conflict, suspense, great characters, and an ending you are eager to discover. Congratulations to Kathy.

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  5. And congratulations to "Stephanie" too...

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