The Dragonets of Destiny have escaped from the evil Queen Scarlet and the SkyWings, but they need somewhere safe to hide until they can figure out how they're supposed to stop this dragon war. Being dragons of prophecy is good and all but Tsunami and her friends would like it a whole lot better if the prophecy would actually tell them how they're supposed to bring peace to the land. Tsunami knows that if she can find her lost family in the Bay of a Thousand Scales, they would protect her and her friends, but first she has to find them and even though she's a SeaWing, she's never even been in the ocean! But in this world, it's every dragon for herself and Tsunami will be forced to choose sides; her friends or the family she's always longed for.

THE LOST HEIR by Tui T. Sutherland is the second book in the Wings of Fire series. While all the dragonets of destiny are together in THE LOST HEIR, this is Tsunami's story. By focusing on one dragonet per book, Sutherland allows all the dragonets to shine in their moment. The very different personalities of the dragonets will allow the readers to bond with a character who must closely matches them. It also gives readers more insight into why people (or in this case, dragons) react in varied ways. It teaches empathy, compassion, and helps them see past their own needs to those of others.

Another aspect of this series I loved is the art work on the cover as well as on the inside. I'm a sucker for maps and the tiny details of the map just inside the cover really help orient readers to the story. I love how the island is shaped like a dragon and I spent quite a bit of time studying the map, looking for every possible clue. There is also a dragon guide at the beginning that differentiates the types of dragons, what skills they possess, who they're allied with, and their distinguishing features. These images help when picturing dragons performing the same actions as people (hugging, writing, reading). The details of being in a dragon's point of view is consistent and sharply drawn, allowing the reader to slip into fantastical creatures so that I could almost feel the wind and smell the sea as a dragon would.Filled with amazing action and strong imagery, the scenes jump off the pages and bring the conflict of the dragonets to life.

A great plot, beautiful imagery, and a sharply distinct cast of characters allow Wings of Fire: THE LOST HEIR by Tui T. Sutherland to shine and capture the imagination of its reader. Ages 8 and up will appreciate the heroic characters as they struggle to find their place in the world.

Book Summary

The WINGS OF FIRE saga continues with a thrilling underwater adventure -- and a mystery that will change everything!

The lost heir to the SeaWing throne is going home at last...

She can’t believe it’s finally happening. Tsunami and her fellow dragonets of destiny are journeying under the water to the great SeaWing Kingdom. Stolen as an egg from the royal hatchery, Tsunami is eager to meet her future subjects and reunite with her mother, Queen Coral.

But Tsunami’s triumphant return doesn’t go quite the way she’d imagined. Queen Coral welcomes her with open wings, but a mysterious assassin has been killing off the queen's heirs for years, and Tsunami may be the next target. The dragonets came to the SeaWings for protection, but this ocean hides secrets, betrayal—and perhaps even death.