Dragon Storm #2: Cara and Silverthief; Alastair Chisholm, illustrated by Eric Deschamps & Ben Mantle

Released simultaneously alongside Tomas and Ironskin, Cara and Silverthief is the second book in Alastair Chisholm’s magical fantasy series of dragons and dragonseers. We are first introduced to Cara in Dragon Storm #1, one of the children that Tomas meets at the Dragonseers Guild who has the special ability to conjure a dragon.

Orphan Cara has only ever known a life on the streets, relying on her wits and a guiding voice in her head to stay out of trouble. Rescued from a botched royal jewel heist by a stranger, she is amazed to learn that the voice in her head is actually a dragon, a dragon that she the power to conjure. A new life awaits at the Dragonseers Guild but Silverthief isn’t convinced. A dangerous secret is buried deep below the Guild and Cara and Silverthief need help. But who can they trust…

Fast moving and full of excitement, Cara and Silverthief is another brilliant entry in the Dragon Storm series. Underpinning this gripping, action-packed dragon-summoning adventure are the themes of family, friendship, trust and making decisions about the future. 

I really do love this series, I mean who wouldn’t want a best friend that is actually a dragon - awesome right. Featuring recurring characters from the first book, I thoroughly enjoyed discovering some hidden parts of the Dragonseers Guild as rule-breaking, risk-taking Cara uncovers buried secrets and possessed objects, and is involved in daring escapades and fiery battles.

Chisholm’s series is perfectly pitched for readers of seven plus who want a story about dragons but are not ready for the longer and more challenging books such as How to Train Your Dragon. All packed into one-hundred-and-fifty pages is a top quality, fiery story with short chapters, spaced out text and lots of illustrations. Any child who picks it up will be richly rewarded and left desperate for more. Hopefully the wait for the other titles in the series doesn’t ‘drag-on’…

Cara is a really interesting character, hardened by a life on the streets, looking out for only herself and with no one in her life to trust other than the voice in her head she has become very much independent and is wary and suspicious of everyone. The Guild may be welcoming and offer the friends and family that she has never had but breaking down the barriers she has built up will be difficult, especially when Silverthief has suspicions and is sure that life will be better with just the two of them together. And anyway, does Cara want a new life and does she need anyone else in it? Dragon and girl have done alright so far so why change.

Four more adventures with different dragonseers and their charges are in the offing and if the first two books are anything to go by then we are in for an absolute treat, expect a dash of magic, great characters, lots of dragons and heaps of daring adventures.

With huge thanks to Allen & Unwin and Nosy Crow for the copy I received in exchange for an honest review.

Recommended for 7+.