School Library Journal Review
Gr 4-6-Cool, spooky music introduces this classic good-versus-evil battle that is replete with talking bats, oafish trolls, dragons, sweet young heroes, clueless royals, and a panoply of cantankerous villains. Most odious of all is "His Malignancy," a shapeless, frightening blob in the Jabba the Hut (Star Wars) mold, who lives to destroy the kingdom. Family names are important in this fantasy, and are clues to the characters. For example, Cankers are cruel as can be and Truehearts are loyal and brave. It's Gracie Gillypot's birthday, but when the Old Malignant One is awakened, the Five Kingdoms is threatened. Gracie must find the dragon's egg, left behind 80 years ago, to preserve the peace. Renee Rodman gives each character a distinctly different voice in Vivian French's tale (Candlewick, 2011). Filled with comic bits, this story can stand alone but would be better understood by those familiar with the previous three titles. An appealing addition to the pantheon of dragon tales.-Lonna Pierce, MacArthur Elementary School, Binghamton, NY (c) Copyright 2011. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
Booklist Review
As has always been the case with French's pleasingly diverting Five Kingdoms series, Trueheart Gracie Gillypot and her royal (and loyal) sidekick guy are aided (this time in a plot involving baby dragons) against the bad guys and gremlins by a family of talking bats. In this romping, fractured fairy tale, illustrations by Collins appear often enough to remiind readers of characters they might have forgotten. Those new to the series will want to start at the beginning, but they are lucky to have four great volumes awaiting them.--Goldsmith, Francisca Copyright 2010 Booklist
