Unlegendary Dragon by R. L. Ullman is a children’s/young adult fantasy based on the legends of Merlin, King Arthur, and Excalibur. The first book in ‘The Magical Kids Of Lore’ series starts when 12-year-old Connor Penridge moves to a mysterious island called Lore. His mom has found a better job and hopefully this time they can settle down. Connor doesn’t hold out much hope for a better life until strange things start to happen. First, he sees a creature that shouldn’t exist next to the car, then he sees a little fairy in class and discovers that his friends can turn into mythical monsters. Things in Lore are not quite what they seem and everything is centered on the popular Renaissance Faire.

Percy Jackson finally has some serious competition in Unlegendary Dragon’s Connor Penridge. This is set to become another well-loved book series. I enjoyed this book and the irreverent take of the cynical main character. Connor is at that age when he’s seen a bit of life and feels that he’s seen it all. That doesn’t stop him from acting like a kid though, especially when he gets into situations he’s unable to handle. He’s a realistic tween. R. L. Ullman also has a cast of characters that are very well written and make the story more engaging. People who have read or watched Camelot-themed shows will recognize many characters including the evil Morgan le Fay. Children and adults will enjoy this story as it brings out the inner kid and a thirst for adventure. I’m sure this story won’t disappoint as the series continues and Connor keeps learning the way of the knight and unravels the secrets of his inner dragon.

Unlegendary Dragon: The Magical Kids of Lore by R.L. Ullman is a magnificent, magical, and irresistible mixture of action and adventure. Twelve-year-old Connor Pendridge is moving to the island town of Lore, but he is feigning his excitement in the same way when they moved to Lubbock, Detroit, and Poughkeepsie. His mom knows that moving is never easy for him. But now that his mom has her nursing degree, she promises that things will be stable from now on. And stable indeed, as Connor discovers that Lore is anything but boring. He starts seeing things that are beyond crazy, and a wizard that he meets at a local Renaissance Faire reveals to him that their arrival in Lore was a planned event and that the wizard is responsible for setting it in motion. As it turns out, Connor is the last child of King Arthur’s bloodline, and he bears the task of stopping an evil sorceress from conquering the world!

Unlegendary Dragon may have that whimsical feel, but it is a serious work, delightful, and engaging overall. R.L. Ullman uses the versatile power of prose to bring his characters to life and put them into a fantasy plotline that is appealing to both young and old. He not only entertains readers but also makes good use of the classics and fuses them into a contemporary tale, bringing unity to the past and present that sustains the tradition of chivalry in fantasy fiction. As such, the central themes of Unlegendary Dragon are friendship, responsibility, family, and keeping the peace. Reading this first book makes me feel both old and young, and this is a great thing. For me, it’s an indication that Ullman has given so much thought to writing this story. This is a great work that readers of all ages are going to appreciate.

In Unlegendary Dragon: The Magical Kids of Lore (Book One of the Unlegendary Dragon series) by R. L. Ullman, Connor Pendridge has just moved to the island of Lore with his mother. When he visits the local Renaissance Faire, he realizes magical beings lurk there, blended in with the Faire performers. It seems Avalon was a real place and Excalibur, the legendary sword, has a complicated history. The sword has been broken into three essences controlled by three amulets. One of them belongs to Connor, but he can’t get the hang of how to use it. When Connor’s mother is kidnapped by a sinister sorceress, Connor and his friends Gabby and Wade have to use their powers as a team and figure out how to defeat their enemy.

Unlegendary Dragon: The Magical Kids of Lore has a great sense of fun as well as some inspirational moments. R. L. Ullman has a really clever style of writing that spins familiar fantasy concepts such as Arthurian mythology and the reluctant hero archetype into a fresh and sparkling enjoyment that leaves you with the profound feeling you’ve never known any characters as cool as these. Banter between Connor and his friends, expertly woven recurring jokes, and lots of physical humor create scenes that are intricate and often flat-out funny. Connor is a strong hero with a well-depicted individuality to him. Being inside the mind of a boy who is learning to turn into a dragon is the ideal reading experience if you want a fun adventure that lets your imagination soar.

Unlegendary Dragon: The Magical Kids of Lore is the first novel in the Unlegendary Dragon series penned by R.L. Ullman. A 12-year-old half-fairy, Connor Pendridge, was tired of moving from place to place and starting again, but he had no choice other than to go with his career-orientated mum to Lore — an island off the coast of New England. He considered it to be the dullest place on earth. On arrival, he started seeing strange creatures, which were invisible to other people. However, he became interested in Lore when a mysterious woman revealed his true destiny and gave him a dragon amulet containing the magic of Excalibur, the legendary sword of King Arthur. Connor, on realizing he’s destined to save the world from the siege of an evil sorceress, must use the amulet to transform into a mighty dragon to help his cause. But he doesn’t even know the first thing about being a dragon. He must master his amazing powers before it’s too late or watch the world he ought to protect crumble before his eyes.

R.L. Ullman has a way of capturing readers’ hearts and keeping them glued to their seats in his writing, and this is no exception. Unlegendary Dragon is a power-packed novel filled with adventure, suspense, and magic that captured my attention and had me panting for more. Ullman wrote this book for young adults because it encourages them to face their fears and conquer their challenges, like Connor Pendridge. I particularly admired Connor’s display of courage and bravery when he faced Morgan le Fay, the evil sorceress, to save his mum and his friends. Ullman gave an excellent display of his writing prowess in this book with his realistic portrayal of the scenes and characters, which kept me captivated. I recommend this book to young adults who are lovers of adventure and magic. It will surely keep you engrossed.