Dragon Rebels by Nazam Anhar

Lore of Fire Book 2. Amazon Digital Service, 2015.
(Age: 10-14+) Highly recommended. Dragon Rebels by Nazam Anhar continues the story of the boy Baran, from book 1 Dragon Hunter.
Baran was chosen by Hajur, a Dragon Warrior, to learn the ways of the dragon hunters after dragons viciously attacked his village in the first book.
Another villager, a girl named Tyan, had shadowed and then joined the pair to try to also become the first female dragon slayer in revenge for the death of her family.
Dragon Warriors must honour the call for help by answering the signal of the red smoke. This signal leads the trio to the city of Samara, where dragons have attacked and the outlying villagers have moved into the crowded city walls.
After meeting the king, it becomes evident the call for assistance had been answered earlier by a rogue group who kill dragons for payment. They have a dubious collection of members including several unsuccessful Dragon Warriors. Hajur is ineffective in recommending that the King and his councilors use only true Dragon Warriors so both groups have to work together.
The honourable Hajur is pitted against both the dragons and the rogue group and there is constant conflict and danger throughout the dragon battles but it is after the combat that the situation becomes even more dangerous.
The values, integrity and reputation of the Dragon Warriors and their principled behaviour are constantly clashing with the self-interest and baseness of the scoundrel dragon slayers.
Personally, Baran continues to struggle with the idea of becoming a Dragon Warrior and with his growing attraction to the young, valiant princess Alima.
This is an action book and the dragons never disappoint as a cold, deadly and persistent enemy. As stated in my review of book one, this story will appeal to fantasy readers especially dragon devotees.
10 to 14 + year olds will enjoy reading this novel themselves or listening to the story read aloud. I highly recommend this sequel, Dragon Rebels and book 1, Dragon Hunters and I hope there are more to come.
Jane Moore