Alliana Girl of Dragons by Julie Abe Release: August 2nd, 2022Format: EbookPublisher:  Little, Brown Books Source: TBR and Beyond ToursFind it at: Goodreads | Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Book Depository | Indigo | IndieBound __ __ Once upon a time, Alliana believed in dreams and fairy tales as sweet as spun-sugar clouds. Alliana wished on shooting stars, sure that someday she and her grandmother would be able to travel to the capital city to see the queen. Then her grandmother passed away—and those dreams disappeared in a disenchanted puff. Now Alliana’s forced to attend to the whims of her wicked stepmother—with long days of cleaning her stepfamily’s inn as her skin burns raw or staying up until the crack of dawn to embroider her stepsister’s ball gowns. Until she meets two beings who change her life forever—the first is a young nightdragon who Alliana discovers she can magically talk to. And the second is Nela, a young witch. Nela needs Alliana’s help navigating the mysterious abyss, filled with dangerous beasts, a place Alliana knows by heart. Alliana sees Nela’s request as a chance to break free of her stepmother’s shadow and to seize a chance at a life she’s barely dared to hope for—but there’s a risk. If caught, Alliana will be stuck working for her stepmother for the rest of her life. Can Alliana truly make wisps of dreams into her own, better-than-a-fairy-tale happily ever after? Inspired by the Japanese Cinderella story and set in the same world as the Eva Evergreen series, this story can be read as a standalone. About the Author: Julie Abe is the author of the EVA EVERGREEN, SEMI-MAGICAL WITCH middle grade fantasy series; the middle grade fantasy ALLIANA, GIRL OF DRAGONS; and the young adult novel THE CHARMED LIST. She has lived in Silicon Valley, spent many humid summers in Japan, and currently basks in the sunshine of Southern California with never enough books or tea. Keep up with Julie’s latest books and adventures at instagram.com/julieabebooks or sign up for her newsletter at julieabebooks.com/newsletter. Website | Twitter | Instagram | Goodreads | Facebook Alliana Girl of Dragons Review: It's always fun to read a Cinderella retelling, and "Alliana, Girl of Dragons" did not disappoint with its fantasy twist of dragons and witches! I have not read any of the "Eva Evergreen" books, but I had no trouble reading this as a standalone. Let's face it, almost all of us have read or know the story of Cinderella, so you would know what to expect more or less in the plot. However, the book's highlight is how the author wrote the characters. I was rooting for Alliana throughout the story and wanted her to be free from her evil Stepmother. Alliana is lovely in the lead, and I adored her protective bond with Kebo and her friendship with Nela. Moreover, the author does a fantastic job of writing everyone's emotions. You can see the love that Alliana has for her dad and Grandmother Mari. Similarly, you instantly dislike the Stepmother and Reizo for how harshly they treat Alliana. Likewise, Nela and Isao are adorable and make the story exciting with their presence. Perhaps the only criticism I have of the story is how we didn't get more details of the world and some other characters. For instance, I wish I knew more about Hayato and Taichi (and maybe I didn't quite get the connection for not reading the Eva Evergreen Series). Similarly, I wished Kebo was more prominent as we hardly see him much. Apart from that, "Alliana, Girl of Dragons" is a cute middle-grade book emphasizing how to stand up for yourself, not be afraid to do the right thing, and not let others intimidate you. I want to pick up the Eva Evergreen series and see how this story connects to the universe. Book Tour Schedule I am thrilled to be hosting a spot on the Alliana Girl of Dragons by Julie Abe Blog Tour hosted by TBR and Beyond Tours August 1st morningstarlitpages-Review following.fantasies-Journal Spread read.cells-Top 5 Reasons to Read Allianathereadersgamebrooke-Review thecaffinatedrareder-Blogger’s Choicebooknotes_athina-Blogger’s Choicebooksandpops4000-Blogger’s Choice August 2nd tbrandbeyond-Promotional Posttinybooknest-Favorite Quoteswhisperingprose-Reviewfeliciareads11-Blogger’s Choicezanjabeel_z-Blogger’s Choicepluvioreads-Blogger’s Choice August 3rd jacleomik33-Reviewmellasmusings-Review quirkylitlover-Review ninebookishlives-Blogger’s Choicepages_and_procrastination-Blogger’s Choicepopthebutterfly-Blogger’s Choice August 4th luna_reads_-Journal Spreadpcreads-Review & Favorite Quotesbetter_than_therapy_books-Reviewforeverinastory-Blogger’s Choicepeireads-Blogger’s Choice August 5th dhirviepages-Review, get.outside.and.read-Top 5 Reasons to Read Alliana,kathreadsya-Revieweyerollingdemigod-Blogger’s Choicebalancing_books_and_beauties-Blogger’s Choicerajivsreviews-Blogger’s Choice August 6th writingrosereads-Promotional Postatrailofpages-Reviewwild.legends-Review & Playlistbookdragonstbr-Blogger’s Choicequilltreefox-Blogger’s Choicelittlecornerreads-Blogger’s Choice August 7th mulberryreads-Reviewtheenchantedshelf-Reviewbrittmariereadshere-Reviewanovelkingdom-Promotional Postsheafandink-Blogger’s Choicestudioad_anjali-Blogger’s Choicemetaphorsandmisc-Blogger’s Choice