Dragon Trials, by Ava Richardson

When I first read Dragon Trials, I thought that it was average. It was good, but it wasn't great. The novel was interesting, but not enough so that it would catch my attention. I couldn't help but compare it to other books I'd read, and disliked that it lacked magic along with the dragons, as well as an awe-inspiring journey. So, I quickly finished it and started another book.

However, I soon found myself coming back to it. My eyes would skim over the pages, searching for something. Again and again, I'd look back at it and I'd think, "I know there's something with this book. But what is it? What makes me read it again?" I thought about it, and soon I realized something. In a way, it's about accepting yourself and others, and doing what you feel is right.

Dragon Trials has two main characters: A girl, Agathea Flamma, and a boy, Sebastian Smith.Thea is the daughter of a prominent family, many of whom are dragon riders. As a girl, she can only pray that she is chosen by a dragon, or her fate will be to marry into another noble family. However, she has faith in her lineage and skill, and she is chosen. Seb is the son of a drunk, and grew up with no love and much embarrassment. When he is chosen by the same dragon, he only thinks that it made a mistake. All the other cadets are from noble families, and have been training all their lives. The only thing he can do is try not to disappoint his partner, Thea.

Over the course of the book, they both realize that they, or, at least, Seb, was not wrongly chosen, and that they both have the skills that the other lacks. They learn to accept each other, and work together to fight the darkness that no one else knows is coming, even though the consequences for doing so are great.

-Firinne