Magic comes to Dragon School. Can it be trusted? With First Flight behind her, sixteen-year-old Amel believes she can finally settle into her studies and learn to be a Dragon Rider.But when a friend is brutally injured, another has a dark secret, and Amel is entrusted with a vital message, she must question where her loyalties lie. Worse, Magikas have arrived at Dragon School and they bring both … and they bring both change and new prejudice against Amel.
With the home Amel found at Dragon School quickly disappearing, will she know who to trust or will her new friendships disappear as quickly as her safety?
Fans of Anne McCaffrey’s Dragon Rider’s of Pern, Christopher Paolini’s Eragon and Rachel E. Carter’s First Year will love Dragon School.
Initiate is episode two of Dragon School – expect a new episode every eighteen days!
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Fantastic series, with strong characters. Perfect for adults and kids alike. A perfect first series for tweens!
This “episode” was rather short for me. I was expecting a bit more excitement since the kids become initiates by surviving their first flight. It doesn’t even really highlight the ones who failed either. Or put any stress on who was first rider and if they failed or succeeded. It was really slow for me until the final few chapters where it all of a sudden hits turbo. Amel is a little too honorable for her own good, but I think shes in for a rude awakening on humanity’s true colors soon. Politics is starting to come into play, and I wish Wilson had taken the time to set up the surrounding world by now so that bits and pieces would start falling into place sooner, but it’s still interesting and captivating enough to keep going with the story.
It’s been a week since Amel and her peers have taken their first flight (their first major test), and all of the ones who made it are now considered initiates. Ever since that mysterious letter came from the capital of the Dominion, all Dragon School students of every level have been relentlessly studying to pass their next tests. What would normally take them months to learn and test for, they all have to do in a week. Most of Dragon School will be splitting up for an outside misson, unknown to anyone who isn’t a full Dragon Rider, and they are waiting for further instructions to come with the arrival of the Majika’s.
When the Majika’s come with a Dominion Envoy (messenger -like the purple dragons) to deliver yet another cryptic message, all the upper level students and full riders go into a panic. Meanwhile, one of Amel’s friends shows up badly injured, and because of that she has become entrusted with a secret message only an envoy or full purple rider can open. Another friend of hers is hiding something big and seems to think that message might pertain to her. One of her peers, who has always seemed to have something against Amel, has been getting suspiciously close with one of the Majika appreciates, who also seems to have something against her. To top it all off, Amel will now have to bring her best friend back into the unknown with out the promise of a return.
Will Amel’s injured friend be able to survive his wounds on their journey? Can she hurt her other friend by not revealing the contents of the message she was given, or will she ruin her honor by breaking the Dominion law? Can she and her best friend do what their first real mission requires and return to school alive and well? Perhaps more importantly, the Majika’s are up to something, but can Amel figure out what it is and stop them before all is lost?
Initiate by Sarah K.L. Wilson is the second novella in her Dragon School serial. This is a fast paced, YA fantasy story.
I really enjoyed this sequel; it picks up a week later but the transition is smoothe. There are a lot of new characters and elements introduced in this novella and while a few of my questions from book one were answered, many more have popped up, haha. The world building is better in this part – in fact the world has expanded due to their mission. Some of the characters have more depth (like Leng), but I still wish I could have a better understanding of Amel’s (and Roalcan’s) life before dragon school. She mentions her parents briefly in a passing thought, but it didn’t get deeper than that.
My questions about the magic in part one were sort of answered by the Majika’s coming to the school. Majika’s are kind of like witches or sorcerers? However, a full (red) dragon rider performed magic at one point (and one of the Grandis’ did the bonding in book one) and I really wished it was explained how that was possible. There wasn’t really any more information on the rules of magic, who can weild it and how much/ what kind, etc. So I still feel a bit lost on that aspect.
Roalcan and Amel have gotten much closer – I really love their friendship. I enjoy reading all their sweet moments, sarcastic and witty remarks and I love his nickname for her, too. Amel has also befriended Leng (a fellow purple) and has a strange sort of friendship with Savette (a high Castelan and red). I’m interested to see what else the Majika’s might bring to this story line. Unfortunately we lost some characters in this installment (like we did in the first), and I’m interested to see what that means for our survivors.
Speaking of losing characters, one of the things I love most about Sarah K.L. Wilson’s writing style is that she isn’t afraid to injure or kill off her characters. Not that I want to see them suffer, but they’re working with dragons and going on dangerous missions, so it makes sense that not all of her characters would survive or be left with out a scratch. Even our MC still suffers from an injury she received when she was just an infant. As upsetting as it may be, I’m glad for it because it makes the story more realistic.
This was an awesome follow up to First Flight, with just as much suspense as the first book! I’m excited to see what happens next. Sarah K.L. Wilson’s Dragon School series is on KU – so read the for free if you can!
Fast paced and exhilarating. The plot thickens and the world expands. I feel like this series of books does not really finish a full story arc within each book so far, as if the last book was really part one of this arc and this is part two, completing the arc and setting up for the sequel. Aside from that complaint, I am eager to read the next book.
This is the second book in the Dragon School series and picks up right where the first book ends. Amel has already passed the first test and is now an initiate and things happen to where they now have to fast track all the training due to something that has happened. Without giving any spoilers this is a must read!
This book was provided to me free of charge. I am voluntarily reviewing it.
Dragon School: Initiate is a quick and easy read. The author is creative with interesting characters. Being a Dragon Rider sounds real exciting. I really enjoy these characters and can’t wait to read more about them.
Good story. I wish it were longer instead of broken into small pieces.
Say what now?! Between Sarah K. L. Wilson and Jennifer L. Armentrout, I just can’t… I don’t know what to do with myself. Okay, so Amel passes her first flight with Raolcan; which is great. She saves the life of Savette, another initiate, who was also quite possibly the nicest trainee to Amel, in the process of passing her first flight. However, things are progressing faster than the school wanted and was prepared for. While Amel and other initiates aren’t full Dragon Riders, there’s an “all hands on deck” feel going around the school. Can Amel figure out what’s going on in time to stop it? What are the repercussions of interfering? Can she afford not to interfere? So. Many. Questions!
This was fast-paced and very entertaining! I read this in one sitting; I could not put this down! The writing as great and the story-telling was awesome. Every moment Amel spent with Raolcan showed a true partnership, respect, and loyalty. My only complaint… this story wasn’t long enough! I want… no… I need more! I have to know what happens next!
Wow what a book. This one was chalk full of secrets suspense and intrigue. Will Amel be able to save everyone from the Magikas And what they have planned and will Leng get better soon we will have to wait on book 3
A defying read!
Magic comes to Dragon School…
Can it be trusted?
Everything is happening so fast that I can’t keep up (but that is good!). Whoa… was it a good, short and quick read that keeps you on your toes. Love reading the character’s adventures and navigation of this whole new world.
I enjoyed returning to Dragon School and reading from the MC’s perspective. A pleasing, stunning and awesome read! Do not miss this series!
Full of dragons, dragon riders, magic, secrecy, conspiracies, loyalty, honour and bravery.
Perfect for readers of fantasy reads.
Audiobook
Good narration.
It is a lot of fun to continue to read about Amel and Raolcan. I almost always laugh when Raolcan. I really like that the Dragons have a very intellectual way about them. Some bad stuff happens in this books. Amel is strong though all of it. I look forward to reading more about Amel and Raolcan.
Once again, Amel and Raolcan make a wonderful team.
I was provided this book as an ARC by the author; however, the review is my honest opinion
This book was provided to me at no charge. I am voluntarily reviewing it.
Dragon School: Initiate is even shorter than the first book in the series, coming in at under 100 pages. Again, it’s an excellent story with well-written characters. Though I’m sticking with my 5-star rating, if the remaining books in this series continue to be this short, I feel readers will rebel against paying full book prices.