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crafty_bookworm99's review
emotional
hopeful
mysterious
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.25
koebatja's review against another edition
dark
emotional
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
4.5
kalliste's review
3.0
The themes in this book made me wonder who the audience was. The characters are 8- 10, but it seems more fitting for someone at least in their early teens, and in parts felt like it was written for adults.
I found it very slow. I couldn't believe I was more than halfway through the book and wondering what, if anything, was going to happen.
I finished it quickly just to see how it would all end. I felt there could be more to the story.
I found it very slow. I couldn't believe I was more than halfway through the book and wondering what, if anything, was going to happen.
I finished it quickly just to see how it would all end. I felt there could be more to the story.
emjg's review
emotional
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
nina_reads_books's review
5.0
Take a look at the beautiful hard cover on the latest book by @karenfoxleeauthor! Her last book Lenny’s Book of Everything was one of my favourite books of 2019 so I was very excited to see Dragon Skin had been released.
Blending fantasy and real life, Dragon Skin is an allegorical tale of sadness and friendship but ultimately courage. Ten year old Pip is grieving the death of her best friend Mika. She is also living with her mother and her mother’s boyfriend who treats them both badly. She spends her time hanging out by the waterhole and it is there one evening she finds a baby dragon and resolves to save him.
Karen Foxlee writes from the POV of a young child so well. The way childhood and friendship was written was poignant and authentic. Pip and Mika had the most innocent and sweet relationship. The writing is also very visually descriptive. The waterhole and the cave that are Pip's refuges are described so beautifully. The storyline of the baby dragon and Pip’s efforts to feed it and protect it with the help of some friends was fantastical and I loved that the saving of the dragon allowed Pip to dig deep and rescue herself.
Dragon Skin is an absolutely stunning book to hold. The hard cover and beautifully illustrated cover design are incredible. While it didn't have quite the same impact on me as Lenny's Book of Everything (oh the waterworks I had reading that!) it was still an absolutely engaging, sad and wondrous example of middle grade fiction. Highly recommend for the kids in your lives or for those of us who still love to immerse ourselves in stories that remind us of our childhood!
Huge thanks to the kind people @allenandunwin for my #gifted copy. This was such a highly anticipated read for me!
Blending fantasy and real life, Dragon Skin is an allegorical tale of sadness and friendship but ultimately courage. Ten year old Pip is grieving the death of her best friend Mika. She is also living with her mother and her mother’s boyfriend who treats them both badly. She spends her time hanging out by the waterhole and it is there one evening she finds a baby dragon and resolves to save him.
Karen Foxlee writes from the POV of a young child so well. The way childhood and friendship was written was poignant and authentic. Pip and Mika had the most innocent and sweet relationship. The writing is also very visually descriptive. The waterhole and the cave that are Pip's refuges are described so beautifully. The storyline of the baby dragon and Pip’s efforts to feed it and protect it with the help of some friends was fantastical and I loved that the saving of the dragon allowed Pip to dig deep and rescue herself.
Dragon Skin is an absolutely stunning book to hold. The hard cover and beautifully illustrated cover design are incredible. While it didn't have quite the same impact on me as Lenny's Book of Everything (oh the waterworks I had reading that!) it was still an absolutely engaging, sad and wondrous example of middle grade fiction. Highly recommend for the kids in your lives or for those of us who still love to immerse ourselves in stories that remind us of our childhood!
Huge thanks to the kind people @allenandunwin for my #gifted copy. This was such a highly anticipated read for me!
cec_loves_to_read_books's review
5.0
Don’t you love it when your expectations of a book are not only met but exceeded (by a long way)?
Dragon Skin by Karen Foxlee is probably not worthy of one of my dodgy mini-reviews but here goes…
This novel is most definitely a book to read and read again and that’s coming from a reader who is pretty much a one time only gal.
It’s being sold as middle grade fiction but just like Lenny’s Book of Everything this book is for everyone.
Do not be fooled by the title and sweet cover into thinking this is a charming fairytale - this book is incredibly complex and layered but yes it is heartbreaking and beautiful in a truly allegorical way.
If you know a child who needs to read a story of courage and friendship and sacrifice and sadness and hope buy them this book and make sure you read it too.
Dragon Skin by Karen Foxlee is probably not worthy of one of my dodgy mini-reviews but here goes…
This novel is most definitely a book to read and read again and that’s coming from a reader who is pretty much a one time only gal.
It’s being sold as middle grade fiction but just like Lenny’s Book of Everything this book is for everyone.
Do not be fooled by the title and sweet cover into thinking this is a charming fairytale - this book is incredibly complex and layered but yes it is heartbreaking and beautiful in a truly allegorical way.
If you know a child who needs to read a story of courage and friendship and sacrifice and sadness and hope buy them this book and make sure you read it too.
edtebay196's review
emotional
reflective
sad
medium-paced
3.0
I bought the book because the cover and title were alluring, though the story itself didn't reach quite magnificent heights. The dragon hiding plot hits all the tropes of the genre, and reminded me of a book called Sabine I read in Year 5, and also the first Harry Potter book. The interpersonal drama felt 8terative of the tragic junior reader, too, like Terrabithia
wofmad's review
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A
4.25
So sweet. If you love this, I recommend the book Lightning Chase Me Home. I have the same review for both books.
jennifla's review
adventurous
dark
hopeful
reflective
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0