The Best Reading Order for Dragon Masters
For young readers eager to dive into the magical world of Bracken, the best way to experience the series is in strict publication order. Unlike some fantasy series where chronological order differs from the release dates, Dragon Masters follows a direct, linear timeline. The overarching plot develops continuously from one book to the next, tracking the growth of the young heroes, the unlocking of their dragons' powers, and their ongoing battle against the dark wizard Maldred.
Reading the books out of order can lead to major spoilers. For example, character alliances shift, new Dragon Masters join the castle, and dragons evolve or reveal rare magic that changes the status quo of the kingdom. Starting with Book 1, Rise of the Earth Dragon, ensures that children can follow Drake's transition from an onion farmer to a heroic leader naturally, building reading confidence along the way.
The Complete Dragon Masters Book List in Order
Here is the chronological order of the Dragon Masters books by Tracey West, including the companion guides and upcoming releases:
- Rise of the Earth Dragon (2014) – Drake is taken to the castle to train Worm, a seemingly ordinary Earth Dragon.
- Saving the Sun Dragon (2014) – Drake and his friends must find a cure for Kepri, Ana's sick Sun Dragon.
- Secret of the Water Dragon (2015) – A stolen Dragon Stone puts Bo's dragon, Shu, in the spotlight.
- Power of the Fire Dragon (2015) – The Dragon Masters face a giant, four-headed fire-breathing dragon.
- Song of the Poison Dragon (2016) – Introduces Petra and her toxic Hydra dragon, Lalo.
- Flight of the Moon Dragon (2016) – Drake and his friends must rescue the dragons from a solar eclipse trap.
- Search for the Lightning Dragon (2017) – The group searches for Carlos and his wild Lightning Dragon.
- Roar of the Thunder Dragon (2017) – A mysterious dark wizard kidnaps Lalo the Poison Dragon.
- Chill of the Ice Dragon (2018) – The Dragon Masters seek the help of Mina and her Ice Dragon.
- Waking the Rainbow Dragon (2018) – Drake investigates a dragon that has been turned to stone.
- Shine of the Silver Dragon (2018) – The team fights to stop the evil wizard Maldred from waking a giant dragon.
- Treasure of the Gold Dragon (2018) – The battle against Maldred intensifies over the golden Dragon Stone.
- Eye of the Earthquake Dragon (2019) – The Dragon Masters attempt to stop a massive earthquake.
- Land of the Spring Dragon (2019) – Drake travels to a new land to save the magical Spring Dragon.
- Griffith's Guide for Dragon Masters (2019) – Companion Guide. A colorful handbook featuring details about the training, dragons, and characters.
- Future of the Time Dragon (2020) – Drake travels to the future to rescue a baby Time Dragon.
- Call of the Sound Dragon (2020) – Tessa, a blind Dragon Master, joins the team with her Sound Dragon, Sono.
- Fortress of the Stone Dragon (2020) – The search begins for the stone dragon's hidden fortress.
- Heat of the Lava Dragon (2021) – Drake and his friends confront a fiery lava dragon threat.
- Wave of the Sea Dragon (2021) – The team takes to the water to save a sea-dwelling dragon.
- Howl of the Wind Dragon (2021) – A sky-high adventure featuring the power of the wind.
- Bloom of the Flower Dragon (2022) – The Dragon Masters protect the magical blooming gardens.
- Guarding the Invisible Dragons (2022) – Drake goes on a quest to shield dragons that cannot be seen.
- Curse of the Shadow Dragon (2023) – The team must break a dark shadow curse.
- Dawn of the Light Dragon (2023) – A quest to bring back the brilliant Light Dragon.
- Legend of the Star Dragon (2023) – The Dragon Masters look to the night skies for help.
- Cave of the Crystal Dragon (2024) – A subterranean journey into a glittering cave.
- Haunting of the Ghost Dragon (2024) – Drake investigates spooky happenings and a spectral dragon.
- Night of the Dream Dragon (2025) – The Dragon Masters deal with magic that alters dreams.
- Vortex of the Chaos Dragon (2025) – The group travels to Goryeo to seek help from the unpredictable Chaos Dragon.
- Defending the Swamp Dragon (2026) – Drake and Obi travel to a mangrove swamp to rescue a captured Swamp Dragon.
- Heart of the Ruby Dragon (Scheduled: August 2026) – Drake and his companions search for a Ruby Dragon to rescue Bracken's royal family.
Understanding Companion Books and Special Editions
As the series has expanded, Scholastic has released special guidebooks designed to enrich the reading experience. These guides are not mandatory to follow the main story, but they are highly popular with young collectors who want to learn more about the lore.
- Griffith's Guide for Dragon Masters (2019): Published between books 14 and 16, this 144-page book serves as the primary field guide. It features profiles of the Dragon Masters and their dragons, details on their magical attributes, and training notes from King Roland's wizard, Griffith.
- The Epic Guide to Dragon Masters: A Branches Special Edition (2024): Released in August 2024, this is a much larger, 256-page full-color encyclopedia. It expands on the previous guide with detailed maps of the world, a comprehensive history of the Dragon Masters, wizard notes, and secret lore. It is best read after Book 27 (Cave of the Crystal Dragon) to avoid spoilers for the newer dragons.
What to Know Before You Start
Designed as part of Scholastic's popular Branches imprint, Dragon Masters is tailored specifically for children aged 6 to 8 who are transitioning from early readers to independent chapter books. Author Tracey West, who has written hundreds of media tie-in books including Pokémon and LEGO Ninjago, brings a similar fast-paced, high-stakes storytelling style to this original fantasy setting.
Key elements that make the series stand out include:
- High Visual Engagement: Every page features illustrations by Graham Howells, keeping young readers visually engaged and assisting with comprehension.
- Diverse Cast and Inclusivity: The series features Dragon Masters from many different cultures and backgrounds. For instance, Book 17 introduces Tessa, a blind Dragon Master who utilizes her heightened senses and a unique bond with her Sound Dragon to save the day.
- Manageable Reading Level: The vocabulary is accessible, chapters are brief, and the print is large, making it a staple in elementary school classrooms and libraries.