Alex Neptune, Dragon Thief: Book 1

Product Information

David Owen is better known for his YA novels, which tend to have a scifi edge. This is a younger book with a fantasy theme, so I wasn't sure when I started reading it what it would be like. Following the success of the first book, Alex Neptune, Dragon Thief, which was selected as a Waterstones Children’s Book of the Month when it published in August 2022 in the UK, two further titles are scheduled to publish in 2023: Alex Neptune, Pirate Hunter, publishing on 2nd March, and Alex Neptune, Monster Avenger, out on 6th July.

Alex Neptune, Dragon Thief by David Owen | Waterstones

One day, Alex is given a small octopus, found in the tunnels along the cliffs. This is surprising as most sea creatures left or died in Haven's disgusting water. This octopus isn't like anything he's researched in all things oceanic. This octopus is super smart, and leads him to the local aquarium, closed down and empty. With as much mystery and intrigue as the ocean itself, readers will be swept away by this adventure.” - Clare Povey, author of The Unexpected Tale of Bastien Bonlivre Power - The power to control the oceans and all that is connected to it. Bummer that some toxins managed to defeat it and distance from the ocean weakens it. Can't even take on a boat. Pathetic (4l10).Now the tourists avoid it too. Haven's waters have become polluted and unswimable, making it tough for businesses to survive in Haven. Alex's family have an ice cream van that Alex often helps in, but it doesn't make a lot of money. Armistice Day: A Collection of Remembrance - Spark Interest and Educate Children about Historical Moments He achieved 1st class honours in BA Creative Writing and MA Writing for Children at The University of Winchester, where he went on to teach on the BA Creative Writing course for three years. He hopes that one day all of his students will surpass his own achievements. David has taken the myths of dragons and given them a new spin. This is a fantastic adventure story, and I loved that Alex was able to see different skills in his friends and bring them together to form an effective team. Kids are going to really enjoy this story - and there's more to come! Could not wait to read this as it is a excellent sequel in the Alex Neptune series. Alex Neptune and his friends most find the dragon's egg before a n...

Alex Neptune, Dragon Thief | David Owen | 9781474999236

I liked how the burgeoning friendship developed with new boy Anil and the dynamic between him and Alex’s best friend Zoey. She definitely gave me Demelza vibes (or Data in Goonies) and it was interesting to see the art vs technology disagreement with her father. David has created a wonderfully pacy adventure full of imagination and jeopardy. Its eco themes will resonate with readers and his glittering star the water dragon will be taken firmly to their hearts.' - Jasbinder Bilan, author of Asha & The Spirit Bird Another thing that did annoy me was that there is a certain festivity the townfolk have every year and it is central to the plot as well. The festivity itself isn't my issue, it's actually really nice world-building and immersive. The legend goes that Brineblood (a pirate) wanted to capture/kill the Water Dragon but in short fails and disappears. So, every year in August they build effigies of the pirate and models of the Water Dragon that culminate in latter reaching the safety of the water from the clutches of the pirate as they are burnt. Sounds pretty pro-Water Dragon, no? Apparently the author didn't think so, certainly not the characters, because at the end they come and defecate on this tradition by creating a 'new' tradition for the following month by saying they had been remembering a bad guy and that it should be the Water Dragon they need to be thankful for. I'M SORRY, WHAT?! Are you not the same character that has lived in this town the pass 11-12 years and should know this tradition inside out? Which part of the tradition is glorifying the pirate or demonising the dragon? Nowhere. This is a dangerous message to be portraying to children; instead of remembering the good and the bad, and having the mental capacity to differentiate and identify the two, let's just leave out the bad all together. NO. A town forgetting Brineblood would mean another character is more likely to turn out like him. It's like writing a story but then deciding not to include the villain, or writing about WW2 but leaving out Hitler entirely and just have the Allies bringing peace.And then we were spoilt with the animal characters - otters, octopus, seagulls and not forgetting the main attraction of the water dragon itself. Intelligence - Enough to understand humans, control its powers and feel human emotions. Does not talk or to be cleverer than humans (5/10). This book has all the elements to make the perfect MG adventure - it's funny, it's got strange and familiar creatures and a brilliant cast of characters.' - Maisie Chan, author of Danny Chung Does Not Do Maths Personality - Not enough dragon personality from this one I'm afraid. It was written as a wild animal that could understand animals and protect the ocean, yet it never acted like a proper dragon, and let mercy be its downfall. (2/10) Alex has always feared the sea, and he soon learns the reason why. It is all wrapped up in the history of the town and a mythical dragon. Tension builds as a rescue plan is put together and then launched. Things going wrong add to the a reader's excitement, all while an environmental string weaves through the story - The ocean environment has been spoiled for financial gain of a few.

Alex Neptune, Dragon Thief Author David Owen introduces Alex Neptune, Dragon Thief

The connection between Alex and the water dragon was precious and because we know there’s going to be a sequel I hope to see that develop and it would be awesome if they got a name. Featuring a faded seaside town teeming with legend and danger, Alex Neptune is fun and full of heart, perfect for readers who love mysteries and heists.” - Sarah Driver, author of The Huntress trilogy I loved the subtle chosen one vibes and how Alex’s fear had kept him from realising his potential and how he takes steps to manage this, all whilst doing some very scary things like facing the villainous Raze Callis (excellent villain name btw). Author Guy Bass introduces SCRAP, about one robot who tried to protect the humans on his planet against an army of robots. Now the humans need his... We’re delighted to be growing an initial three-book series that started with Alex Neptune, Dragon Thief in 2022, into a five-book one so soon. David’s imaginative ideas for further adventures were irresistible.”Obviously special mention has to be made of the animal characters. The otters were just adorable, the thieving seagull was very amusing, and Kraken the blue octopus was just wonderful! Alex and Zoey have been testing the water of Haven, trying to prove that it's being polluted by a new building on the seafront. Called The Station, no-one knows what goes on in there. What they are sure of, is that their vain, greedy Mayor has something to do with it. Featuring a faded seaside town teeming with legend and danger, Alex Neptune is fun and full of heart, perfect for readers who love mysteries and heists.' - Sarah Driver, author of The Huntress trilogy In book one Alex had to combat his fear and now in book two he needs to work on his self confidence - Alex experiences a serious and nearly debilitating case of imposter syndrome. But the cast of characters from book one including his best friends Zoey and Anil, sister Bridget and Grandpa are all here to support him in his endeavours.

Text copyright ©David Owen, 2022. Cover and inside

Alex Neptune follows a kid named Alex and his friends as they attempt to pull off a heist to save a magnificent, yet heavily weakened, mythical water dragon from the clutches of a vindictive poacher. However, with the ocean seemingly wanting to murder Alex with every chance it gets - literally! - things might be tougher to overcome than they seem. A tale of important heists planned by kids and the importance of protecting the ocean and the environment around you. Alex's best friend is Zoey, a keen inventor and budding engineer. Her father runs a scrap business, but yearns to be a full-time artist. His creations are made from the scrap he collects, and Zoey fears for his artist dreams. Alex’s big sister Bridget was giving Luisa from Encanto vibes and I think might have been my fave character - super determined. Night Mayor Franklefink has vanished from the Transylvanian Express - and it's up to you to solve the case! Part of the Solve Your Own Mystery seri... I received a gifted advance reader copy of this book to read in exchange for an honest review as part of the book tour hosted by Kaleidoscopic book tours.

The story itself was quite predictable and nothing really new happened that I haven't seen elsewhere. The villain and his motive are as generic as they come. The winners of The Farshore Reading for Pleasure Teacher Awards 2023, highlighting the work schools are doing to encourage a love of reading, have... It is a gripping, exciting story which ignites the imagination with sprinklings of humour added in. The underlying eco-friendly themes run throughout the story and make you think about the way in which the marine environment is ever-changing. The book would be perfect to explore themes such as marine life, plastic pollution, littering and caring for our marine life.