Book Review: First Flight

My rating: 5 wild stars on the back of a dragon!


I felt the tingle in my bones of a tale to be told. I shivered slightly, curled my feet up under me and read on.
Yep! this is exactly how I felt while reading this little novella. Now sign me up please! I want to join Dragon School!!

Dragon School is a series of novellas that was recommended to me in IFA Facebook Group on my rec request post for Broken Hero books. And I believe I have found another favourite.


Sixteen-year-old Amel arrived at Dragon School just like everyone else – with a dream to ride dragons and join the Dominion Dragon Riders.

But Amel has a crippled leg and Dragon School training is grueling. And to make things worse, she even has to content with the disdain and resent of her peers. Because a cripple like her has no place among the dragon riders.

And yet, Amel holds her head high and is determined not to be any less than someone with two working legs. Because by being a part of the Dragon School, she not only eases the burden of her poor family so that they don't need to care for a cripple, but may just fulfil an unbelievable dream! To fly free!

Hurdles await everywhere on her path. From being left the last to choose a dragon, to having to manage climbing up and down cliffs for her daily chores and much more. And despite all hindrances, scorn and even doubt, Amel keeps persevering.
'There was no way I could make it. There was no way I could let myself give up.'

A ruined leg shouldn't be a reason to destroy an existence. And Amel is determined to prove it.
'If they thought I wasn't worthy then I would just have to show them all that they were wrong about me.'
'No one wants a cripple like me to do anything except stay out of the way but I'm going to show them that I stand just as much chance as everyone else.'

After all, she wants to join a Dominion Colour and gain a purpose in life. And is determined to feel grateful even if she gets a 'surly swamp-colored dragon covered in warts with breath as bad as garbage heap', as long as that dragon will be hers and she'll be able to ride it.
If she really gets one just like this, you're going to have to read this to find out. But I guarantee you will love the journey!


Despite being such a short read, this little novella tugged on all my heartstrings! Because of the wondrous connection between Amal and her dragon, because of their feelings and shared gentleness, and because of all that injustice towards them both.

In a flawless narration that's a pleasure to read, Sarah K.L. Wilson gives us here a fast paced tale full of feeling. Daring, brave and endearing, this is one tale I simply couldn't set down.

'Dragon Riders sure were strange people. They were as wild and predatory as the creatures they rode.' And how I wish I could be one of them right now!!

If you love dragons and dragonhearted girls who, despite being broken, bravely defy odds with a bravery and kindheartedness to have you cheering in their corner from the very first paragraph, YOU HAVE GOT TO READ THIS BOOK!

It is F-A-B-U-L-O-U-S!!

And now I'm off to read the sequel because I want more!

Check out this book and more of Sarah K.L. Wilson over at sarahklwilson.com