Polly Ho-Yen is an author whom you can trust to write stories you are going to want to read. They have such heart and always leave me thinking. ‘The Last Dragon’ is no exception.

“Yara has only glimpsed the last dragon on Earth twice. She’s got other things to worry about: her sister is in hospital, her parents are panicking, and her new teacher has labelled her a troublemaker and wants her out. But one evening, in the glow of the lights of the shopping centre in Milton Keynes, Yara finds herself being watched by the last dragon and, before it departs, it leaves her a gift: its only egg. Entrusted with the care of the last dragon egg, Yara discovers it is more powerful than she could ever have imagined. But there are others who want it and they’ll stop at nothing to steal it for themselves… A moving story about bravery, self-belief and our responsibility to protect the natural world.”

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I loved how the story combined the setting of modern day Milton Keynes with a magical sighting of the very last dragon on Earth. The thought of people straining to catch a glimpse out of their living room windows or gazing up above the shopping centre really tickled me.

There are lots of themes in this story which I am sure readers will relate to: moving schools, having an overwhelming sense of anger, wanting to cure an unwell sibling. We watch Yara as she struggles to manage the feelings which are constantly bubbling under the surface.

Readers may also draw parallels with Yara’s role as guardian of the last ever dragon egg, and to our roles as protectors of our planet. The egg’s fragile beauty and strength mirrors that of Earth.

‘The Last Dragon’ will leave readers with plenty to think about and with a sense of hope about our future.

Jo.

*Many thanks to Knights Of for inviting me to be a part of this blog tour*