Luciana’s Finest Hour is a whimsical and heartwarming tale set in the medieval land of Knowhere, where a clever young girl named Luciana teams up with her sneezy pet dragon, Diego, to rescue her wrongly imprisoned father. The story blends fantasy, humor, and an empowering message about courage and resilience. As Luciana enters a dragon derby disguised as a boy, she defies expectations, faces down bullies, and ultimately wins the race and her father’s freedom, proving that true grit isn’t bound by age or gender.

What immediately stood out to me was the book’s tone; it maintains a sense of playfulness without veering into excessive silliness, which is a difficult balance to achieve in children’s literature. I found myself chuckling when Bottlemy, Luciana’s dad, starts belching uncontrollably every time he tries to blow glass due to Balthazar’s ridiculous cabbage spell. That kind of humor is silly, yes, but it’s also smart. Kids will laugh, and adults will appreciate how it ties directly into the plot’s larger theme of time gone haywire. The imagery is fun and vivid. I could practically hear the burps and see the bulging, broken hourglasses falling apart.

Luciana herself is a wonderfully drawn character; she is determined, brave, and real. I loved that she wasn’t perfect. When Luciana crashes into the snow following yet another underhanded tactic by Conrad and his companions, she momentarily loses hope and says, “I give up.” The moment resonated deeply because it captures a universal feeling of defeat that many readers, regardless of age, can relate to. But then Diego nudges her, and she finds her resolve again. That moment felt honest and powerful without being heavy-handed. I was cheering when Diego finally sneezed fire and melted the snow blockade. It was an epic moment that gave me goosebumps.

The final act was genuinely touching. When Luciana wins the race and her father is freed, it’s a payoff that feels earned. Even Balthazar’s apology and the king’s choice to make both him and Bottlemy “co-timekeepers” wrapped things up in a way that emphasized forgiveness and working together. I liked that it didn’t make the villain cartoonishly evil. He made a mistake, admitted it, and got a second chance. That’s a great lesson for kids (and adults, too). And Luciana’s line at the end, “Papa, it’s our time,” was the perfect close.

This book would be a hit for kids around 7 to 11, especially girls who love dragons, clever inventions, or stories with heart and humor. It’s also a great read-aloud choice for parents who want something that’s fun but not fluff. There’s action, a strong female lead, and a healthy dose of quirky charm. Luciana’s Finest Hour definitely lives up to its name. I had a blast reading it, and I think a lot of other readers will too.

Pages: 38 | ASIN : B0F1GZNS29