Apadora Rising follows Barrett, a young prince thrust into impossible battles and choices, wrestling with magic, loss, and the burden of leadership. Alongside a close-knit band of companions, he faces treachery, uncertain alliances, and forces greater than he can control. The book pulls readers through lands filled with dragons, sorcery, betrayal, and grief, all while exploring the cost of destiny and the question of what it means to be a leader.

This was an exhilarating coming-of-age fantasy novel. The pacing swung wildly from sharp, fast-moving battles to slow, emotional moments that lingered, and I found myself invested. The author’s style is bold and unafraid to lean into melodrama, though it matched the intensity of the world he built. I often admired the way he layered tension on top of grief, particularly in Barrett’s mourning of his father. Those passages hit hard. The banter often lightens the mood of this otherwise high-stakes adventure story.

I was surprised by how often I cared deeply for the characters. The fragile loyalty between friends, the burden Barrett shoulders, and the flickers of vulnerability woven into big, fiery scenes gave the story its heart. The dragons, too, were written with such presence that I caught myself smiling whenever they appeared.

Apadora Rising is a book best suited for middle-grade readers who crave high fantasy drenched in feeling, who don’t mind a bit of melodrama with their magic, and who want to lose themselves in a sprawling tale of loyalty, sorrow, and stubborn courage. Apadora Rising reminded me of Eragon by Christopher Paolini, with its mix of young heroes, dragons, and the weight of destiny pressing down on every choice. If you’re the kind of reader who wants dragons soaring, kingdoms falling, and friendships tested to the breaking point, this one’s worth your time.

Pages: 319 | ASIN : B0CDHHK6SR