Rumblestar is an adventure-filled fantasy that features a timid, unlikely hero and a feisty, disagreeable girl and her tiny, totally adorable dragon. Casper is unwillingly transported from hisweather-challenged world, where he has been mercilessly bullied, into a magical but troubled world that is in the grip of an evil being. Meeting Utterly and her dragon, Arlo, catapults Casper into a fearsome race against the destruction of both of their worlds.

Along the way, they are confronted by many and varied extraordinary people and creatures, and are faced with dangers that test their courage and loyalty. Watching Casper grow from a lonely, scared outsider who leads a very structured life into someone who is tested at every turn is heartening, and his rocky relationship with Utterly is thoughtfully explored.

Once Rumblestar has you in its grip the ride is thrillingly action-packed and unputdownable; you are in the hands of a masterful storyteller. And when you are finished you will wish you had a cute little dragon and you will definitely want a hot air balloon like Zip. Exciting reading for ages 9–12.

Alexa Dretzke is the assistant manager and children’s book buyer at Readings Hawthorn.