Dating and dragons by Kristy Boyce

This book is about a new girl named Quinn who arrives in a new town and attends a new high school with her brother, so that her family can care for their grandmother. She quickly finds friends at school and even meets a cute, nice guy named Logan. Her friend, Kashvi, invites her to watch a new D&D game to see if she would like to join the next campaign, but suddenly, Logan acts cold and unwelcoming. Quinn wonders if he is like that because of one of the rules: no dating group members.  But Logan keeps on dropping hints, and Quinn knows she has to stay away, but it gets tough when her grandma thinks they are destined to be together. And it seems like one of the players, Sloane, might know something!

This book was so captivating and interesting that it was hard to put down. I had no idea what Dungeons and Dragons was, but after reading this book, it makes a bit more sense to me, and it might be worth giving the game a try. Highly recommended for girls aged 12-15. The themes of friendship and relationships are very good, and I loved the love story between Quinn and Logan, along with the forbidden romance. My favourite character was Kashvi because she seems like the ideal best friend anyone could want, and she is genuinely kind. The author was inclusive of transgender characters, particularly Sloane. It’s wonderful to see authors embracing inclusivity. Overall, I was incredibly impressed with the writing style, character depth, and engaging plot. Reading this book was such a great experience, and I’m thrilled that I had the chance to discover it. If you’re in the mood for a story that combines elements of magic and heartfelt connections, you won’t want to miss Dating and Dragons.

Themes: Friendships, Relationships, Family, Romance

Ella-Rose D. (Student)