Parker’s Pages: The Last Dragon Chronicles

The Evergreen Echo

Dear reader, if you would indulge me during this absolutely heinous Seattle winter (I’m looking at you, atmospheric river!) and let me introduce you to a beloved childhood gem of mine, I would be most grateful. While we are taking quite a big step away from the Puget Sound this month and going across the pond to England, I promise this little trip will be well worth it. If you need something warm and cozy to read like I do, read on. 

The Fire Within by Chris d’Lacey (paperback)

The Evergreen Echo

During a conversation with my writing buddies a few months ago, we started talking about books from our childhoods: Hunger Games, Captain Underpants, and Percy Jackson. As the conversation went on, I struggled to recall a series of books that I had read and loved in my childhood. I remembered dragons made of clay and a mischievous squirrel, but no one knew what I was talking about. If you were a big reader in your youth, you know the feeling—a sensation like trying to remember the name of an old friend. I remember bits and pieces of the narrative, but most of all, I remember how it made me feel. I was so excited to read those books, to know what happened to my favorite characters, and I remember them being an important escape for me. I could practically smell that fresh book smell just thinking about them.

After some internet searching, I finally found them: The Last Dragon Chronicles by Chris d’Lacey. This 7-book fantasy series follows a college student named David, who discovers that his new landlord creates and cares for clay dragons that come to life. Along with the landlord’s daughter, Lucy, they discover that the lives of their dragons are at risk and they work to save them and the whole world as they know it. While this series is designed for children, and at times a little silly, I promise that it is still a stellar read for an adult. And as someone who often needs a brain break from adult fiction and nonfiction, this is a fun and easy read to enjoy during these cold, dark months. 

The Last Dragon Chronicles started in 2001 with The Fire Within (still my favorite of the series), and ended in 2013 with the final installment, The Fire Ascending. The seven books are a wild ride, but still cozy and easy to consume. I was able to get through them all in just a couple of months, and I enjoyed them just as much this tpe you enjoy it too!ime as I did my first read, and was definitely able to pick up on more foreshadowing than I did as a grade-schooler. 

The Evergreen Echo

While The Last Dragon Chronicles is certainly not your typical high fantasy, even with dragons and magic, there is an emotional depth that I find very appealing in children’s stories. The situations may not be as high stakes or violent as something like Game of Thrones or Lord of the Rings, but Chris d’Lacey is able to draw out some real and intense emotions. As a child and now, I still felt nervous when the main characters were in peril and felt weepy when the dragons were hurt. D’Lacey also puts a lot of importance and attention on familial and friendly relationships and the power of love and kindness, lessons that still feel impactful no matter your age. And the nostalgia! I felt like I was back in school, tucked into a pillow fort and staying up late to finish my chapter book so I could put it into my reading log.

The love I have for this book and those like this is so strong; I really hope you enjoy it too!