Where the Dragon Waits

Whilst out sailing, Ed and his dad are involved in a crash. When he comes to, Ed finds himself on a strange beach. There is no sign of his dad, but he meets Steff, who is also stranded with no idea where she is. Driven away from the beach by strange butterflies, they find themselves on an extraordinary quest to find the dragon who lives at the top of a rocky spire- and who is their only hope for finding their way home.

I love Tom Moorhouse’s ‘The River Singers’ so I was really excited to discover ‘Where the Dragon Waits’. Although a very different style of book, it was just as well written and enjoyable!

Compelling from the very first page, ‘Where the Dragon Waits’ mingles fantasy with reality. After the accident, Ed finds himself trapped in a strange reality, struggling to make sense of the world around him. As he and his new companion, Steff, search for answers, they are drawn more deeply into a wonderfully imagined world, full of strange creatures and perilous situations. At the same time, the reader realises that Ed’s parents are anxiously waiting by his hospital bed as he lies in a critical condition after the boat crash.

A very relatable character, it is easy to empathise with Ed. Whereas Steff is impetuous and a little over-bearing, he shows himself to be thoughtful and kind-hearted, facing tough choices with courage and determination. As the plot builds to its very satisfying conclusion, readers will find themselves cheering him on every step of the way.

This wonderfully original and absorbing story would make an excellent class story, offering plenty for a class to enjoy, sure to provoke plenty of discussion and debate as well as inspiring them to create descriptive and imaginative tales of their own. An excellent read!

Where the Dragon Waits

Tom Moorhouse

David Fickling ISBN: 978-1788453837

Publishing January 2026