"A uniquely talented seafaring girl steps up to save those she loves.
Ottilie Jo Maul, better known as Otter, has grown up aboard her fathers’ ship, the HMS Tempest, the only boat licensed to seek out dragons. Otter uses her gift of telepathically sensing the presence of dragons to gather their shed skin for the queen and protect the secret of the dragons’ existence. Meanwhile, Sofia finds herself uniquely positioned to demand the queen halt the use of the “relocation ships” responsible for the losses of many parents and children. When the Tempest becomes dangerously damaged, London, a stowaway-turned-friend, tells Otter of a place called the Netherwhere, where they may find the help their sinking ship needs along with the answers to other mysteries. . . . an array of both common and more unusual fantastical creatures and a cheeky, lovable main character, supported by a close-knit family, will please readers." Kirkus Reviews
REVIEWS:
" Award-winning author Melissa Marr presents The Hidden Dragon, a captivating middle-grade fantasy novel set amid the high seas and magical lands. Young Otter is accustomed to life aboard her family's ship; then a homeless stowaway boy upends her usual daily routine, and the two of them must work together to face one devastating challenge after another - pirate attacks, a shipwreck, and adapting to the mysterious land where they've been marooned. The Hidden Dragon is a saga that emphasizes the all-important bonds between family and friends together, even amid the press of fantastic creatures and the threat of life-or-death crises. An emotionally engaging read, The Hidden Dragon is highly recommended for public and school library middle grade fantasy collections, and also makes an excellent gift for young fans of fantasy-adventure." Midwest Book Review
The Hidden Dragon
Penguin Children's Books (Nancy Paulsen Books)
February 14, 2023
ABOUT THE HIDDEN DRAGON
A sea-faring girl and her friends take on pirates and grown-ups, and bond with dragons, as they work to make the world a better place, in this spellbinding fantasy by New York Times bestselling author Melissa Marr.
Otter (short for Ottilie) is a girl who is most comfortable on her family’s ship, the Tempest, where she and her fathers collect the dragon hides that protect the queen’s guards. But all is not well in the kingdom, and it’s not clear if the queen is to blame. The streets are full of homeless kids, and now one of them, a street-smart boy called London, has stowed away on the Tempest. He befriends Otter, and soon they realize that the fate of the kingdom needs to be in the hands of the kids. For in every tight spot—during pirate attacks and navigating the magical land of the Netherwhere, where they get ship-wrecked—it is the quick-witted kids who save the day. As they work to fight injustice and protect the defenseless, they earn the respect of the realm’s most magical creatures—dragons and gargoyles—who all bond together as a force for good. Melissa Marr spins another fabulous fantasy, centered on family and friends, and introduces readers to the most splendid magical creatures.
"This exciting middle-grade fantasy set on the high seas follows Otter and her dads through their life on the Tempest as they collect dragon hides for the queen and her army. But despite the fantastic nature of the life aquatic, trouble arises in the kingdom, and Otter and her friends must see through the grownups' lies in order to save the day with their knowledge, courage, and kind hearts. Young readers will delight in the unexpected friendship between Otter and stowaway London, in watching the kids take a stand for what they believe in, and in plenty of thrilling moments as their adventures lead to encounters with dragons, gargoyles, and other creatures. This voice-y ride explores found family as well as finding your voice, and through shipwrecks and pirate battles, it’s easy to root for Otter, London, and their allies as they continually save the day and, hopefully, their home. For a generation that celebrates supporting one another and finds strength in speaking out against prejudice and wrong, this is the perfect fantasy escape." — Booklist
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"Twelve-year-old Ottilie “Otter” Jo Maul is most at home aboard her adoptive fathers’ ship, the HMS Tempest, which sails the Crimson Sea collecting shed dragon hides at the Glass Queen’s behest. When streetwise orphan London sneaks aboard the ship in search of a better life, he and Otter forge a bond that serves them well after a dragon-related mishap at sea leaves them shipwrecked in a magical realm, Netherwhere. There, Otter discovers hidden truths behind her adoption and her affinity for dragon-finding. Meanwhile, street thief Sofia infiltrates the Glass Queen’s court, hoping to shine a light on the plight of the empire’s children, many of whom are unhoused or have gone missing.
Marr gently works in themes of hope, compassion, and social responsibility, set against the backdrop of a fanciful, magic-filled world reminiscent of the Victorian era. Tidily resolved conflict gives way to an uplifting, character-focused tale about family and grand adventure." -- Publishers Weekly