In your classroom, the Wings of Fire series would be excellent choices for First Chapter Fridays, classroom read-alouds, or to use as models of descriptive writing or dialogue. Some of the side stories (like the Legends prequels and Winglets collections) are best when read after you’ve completed the first ten books in the series.
It’s worth noting that these books are meant to be read in order, so make sure to begin with book one: The Dragonet Prophecy. Plus, it’s as if the author really is a dragon the descriptions of the sensations they feel against their scales, or when they’re breathing frostbreath, or even just lying in the mud are so realistic you forget dragons don’t actually exist. Sprinkled throughout the book are amusing dragonish colloquialisms and slang that somehow seem completely normal (“on the other talon,” “three moons!,” and “not the sharpest claw on the dragon”). She does not rely on predictable plotlines – each story is equally satisfying and surprising. Sutherland balances the inner monologues of the characters with plenty of swift action and witty dialogue (lots of laugh-out-loud moments). Ultimately, this idea encompasses the themes of the entire Wings of Fire series: understanding, empathy, acceptance of those who are different than you, and challenging your own assumptions. Although they are from vastly different dragon tribes with unique special powers and abilities, each tribe’s culture and values mirror very familiar-feeling human cultural differences. Each character has a well-explored past that has shaped their personality. However, you find through each book’s alternating first person perspective that there is much more personality under the surface, and every character fights back against their stereotypical labels and works through their own biases of others. One more book is set to release this April and will complete this third prophecy’s storyline.Īt first introduction, most of the characters have stereotypical qualities: the always-hungry, somewhat brutish and not-so-bright Clay, the beautifully moody Glory, and later in the series we have the book-smart, glasses-wearing Cricket. The third arc, books 11-15 (The Lost Continent Prophecy), takes us to a completely new continent with new dragon tribes – and this is when all the previous storylines seamlessly collide. Books 6-10 (The Jade Mountain Prophecy) introduce us to a new set of characters. However, it is still rich enough for those accustomed to more robust fantasy literature. The character and world-building in this series is done at a suitable pace for younger readers (fourth grade and up) or anyone new to the fantasy genre. The reader gets a front-row seat to all the dragonets’ first experiences outside the cave, and this serves as our introduction to the land of Pyrrhia and what it’s like to be a dragon here, such as Clay’s first time spreading his wings to truly fly: But when they escape the cave to take on their destiny, they experience the world outside for the first time. These young dragons have been hidden away because they are part of a mysterious and cryptic prophecy to end a war. The first set of characters we meet in the initial five books - Clay, Starflight, Glory, Sunny, and Tsunami - have grown up isolated in a cave their entire childhood, becoming more like family than members of five different (extremely competitive) tribes. Sutherland so very gently builds the world these characters live in that it is never overwhelming. There’s a reason there are now 15 books, along with several novellas and prequels, a Netflix series on its way, and more graphic novel editions coming…simply put, this series is fantastically addicting and extremely well written. Be prepared for lots of humor, adventure, magic, hints of dystopia, action-packed scenes, and even a bit of very light, endearing romance from time to time. The series has been hailed across the internet as a solid mix of Harry Potter and The Hunger Games, and I have to agree.
It would also make an excellent addition to your classroom library collections for your fantasy-loving students. If you’re looking for your next middle-grade fantasy series to binge-read, look no further than Wings of Fire. Finally, I decided to put my trust in all those recommendations – and it’s a decision I don’t regret. Several times I considered starting it, but would put it back thinking it might be too childish (it is, after all, a series aimed at readers in grades 4-6). On a mission to find a fantasy book series to rival my love of Harry Potter, I received many recommendations for the Wings of Fire series by Tui T.
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