Alex Neptune, Dragon Thief: Book 1

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It is a gripping, exciting story which ignites the imagination with sprinklings of humour added in. The underlying eco-friendly themes run throughout the story and make you think about the way in which the marine environment is ever-changing. The book would be perfect to explore themes such as marine life, plastic pollution, littering and caring for our marine life. Recruiting his tech-genius best friend Zoey, legend-lover Anil, a sharp-shooting octopus, four acrobatic otters and a thieving seagull, Alex plots a heist to break the dragon out. And suddenly discovers the power of the ocean at his fingertips… Alex Neptune lives in a seaside town with his friends Zoey and Anil. All of his life he has believed the ocean is dangerous and is out to kill him. However, he is soon made to overcome this fear when he is dragged to an abandoned aquarium by a sea creature to help a stranded water dragon. Can Alex and his friends save the water dragon? Could the long-told myth be true? And has Alex discovered the magic of the ocean? He will need all the help he can get as the plot twists and turns against evil. After reading the first Alex Neptune book, Dragon Thief, I couldn't wait to read the next in the series from David Owen and I was far from disappointed, definitely worth the wait!

Hilarious – full of humour, friendship, and mythical adventure.” Sarah Driver, author of The Huntress trilogy Featuring a faded seaside town teeming with legend and danger, Alex Neptune is fun and full of heart, perfect for readers who love mysteries and heists.' - Sarah Driver, author of The Huntress trilogy

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Alex Neptune, Pirate Hunter is the second book in the Alex Neptune series by David Owen. This is a pacey adventure with great characters, and a plot that will keep you guessing. There are also lots of laughs to be had through the story. I received a gifted advance reader copy of this book to read in exchange for an honest review as part of the book tour hosted by Kaleidoscopic book tours. I loved the way this book combined both magic and technology, to create something really interesting and unique.

We’re delighted to be growing an initial three-book series that started with Alex Neptune, Dragon Thief in 2022, into a five-book one so soon. David’s imaginative ideas for further adventures were irresistible.” Personality - Not enough dragon personality from this one I'm afraid. It was written as a wild animal that could understand animals and protect the ocean, yet it never acted like a proper dragon, and let mercy be its downfall. (2/10) For as long as Alex Neptune can remember, the ocean has been trying to kill him. So he’s not too happy when a bunch of sea creatures drag him to the abandoned aquarium on the hill, where an imprisoned water dragon needs his help. But how can he say no to a magical myth? I loved it! I thought it was a rich and exciting story, with a wonderfully creative and magical blend of folklore and relatable crises. And I badly want my own water-dragon.' - LD Lapinski, author of The Strangeworlds Travel Agency Dapo Adeola, Tracy Darnton, Joseph Coelho and Chitra Soundar are among the 19 authors and illustrators longlisted for the Inclusive Books for Child...There was also a serious message here, about what we're doing to our oceans, our responsibility to them and a scathing criticism of capitalist methods of fixing things for those prepared and able to pay. One day, Alex is given a small octopus, found in the tunnels along the cliffs. This is surprising as most sea creatures left or died in Haven's disgusting water. This octopus isn't like anything he's researched in all things oceanic. This octopus is super smart, and leads him to the local aquarium, closed down and empty. Wow! Well what can I say... a gripping read from start to finish! Alex Neptune - Dragon Thief showcases the ocean in all its glory. Alex Neptune has been scared of the ocean for as long as he could remember. So it's understandable that, when he is drawn to a fluorescent glow above an abandoned aquarium, he is full of fear. Once inside, it becomes apparent that an imprisoned, magical water dragon needs his help. Alex, his best friend Zoey, Anil and his new found ocean friends set about rescuing the water dragon and saving the ocean forever. Alex Neptune has grown up with stories of the Water Dragon which is credited with creating the strange shaped bay in his seaside hometown. He’s never believed them, and indeed, has always avoided the sea, convinced it wants him dead. But just as the waters of Haven Bay are most in need of help, choked with litter and polluted by chemicals from the town’s new industrial plant, Alex discovers that the Water Dragon is more than just a myth and that he has a special role to play in saving it, and thereby the oceans it protects. Alex and his friends must race against time to save the legendary Water Dragon and clean up the ocean in this fast-paced adventure.

Size - While the Water Dragon is in a diminished energy-saving-mode size that can fit easily inside an ice-cream van for most of the story, we'll be assessing its size based on the final form when it was returned to fuller (if not full) power. This means while it is possible the bay's shape was indeed like that because the Water Dragon took a bite out of it (leaving it with a 7 or potential 8), the climax size is roughly the size of the boat/ship of the villain. Which isn't huge in dragon numbers (5/10)I loved the subtle chosen one vibes and how Alex’s fear had kept him from realising his potential and how he takes steps to manage this, all whilst doing some very scary things like facing the villainous Raze Callis (excellent villain name btw). Intelligence - Enough to understand humans, control its powers and feel human emotions. Does not talk or to be cleverer than humans (5/10). Alex Neptune: Dragon Thief officially releases tomorrow and is Waterstones Children’s Book of the Month for August. Their exclusive edition has a wonderful greeny sprayed and stencilled edge with octopus arms on it (they aren’t tentacles - right David?). There’s also purple foiling on the cover of all editions 💜 and the both the internal illustrations and cover were by George Ermos - and I can’t believe I missed the map until I was looking for the illustrator name! There is fantasy and magic involved in the central plot, but a lot of the action involves people putting brain and brawn together to come up with a viable solution. I think the children who do read this will definitely find something to like, and adults who are used to indulging in this genre will also enjoy their time with it. Alex Neptune, Dragon Thief is a fun and exciting mystery with a fantastic cast of human and animal characters.