A Darkening of Dragons [Paperback]

Embark on an epic, dragon-filled adventure where music has the power of enchantment in Book One of the Songs of Magic trilogy.

Thirteen-year-old piper, Patch Brightwater, is a boy in disgrace. Thrown in jail for playing a forbidden spell, he is no one's idea of a hero. But then he discovers a deadly truth—the evil Piper responsible for the disappearance of human and dragon children is on the loose!

With the help of Wren, a girl cursed to live as a rat, and Barver, a fire-breathing dracogriff, Patch must stop the Piper of Hamelyn from plunging the human and dragon worlds into utter war and chaos.

S. A. Patrick's debut children's novel is a brilliant retelling of one of the darkest legends of all time, The Piper of Hamelyn. Combining folklore with the very best of modern storytelling, A Darkening of Dragons will delight young fans of fantasy who are hungry for sprawling perilous quests, friendships forged on the road, and inventive magic systems to thrill the imagination. Patch’s rich fantasy world is steeped in whimsy and magic. . . . the novel maintains a swift pace for its entirety, filled with surprises and the introduction of new people that pique continual interest. —Foreword Reviews


Patrick's clever, compelling story is set apart by the incredibly rich history and mythology of its world. It is by turns dark and funny, and the interspecies friendships ring warm and true. —Booklist

Filled with adventure, magic, and humor, this multilayered story makes for a rich read. The promise of a sequel will satisfy those who are left wanting more by the sudden ending. —Kirkus Reviews
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