Description: "A breathless . . . adventure pits a poor, fatherless girl against all sides in a battle for a dragon's heart and a city's freedom. . . .Meticulously imagined, Petra's city is built on ancient layers of cultures and traditions, with magic woven into its fabric. . . .[A]remarkable and distinctive offering for devoted fantasy fans." -- Kirkus Reviews "If you're ready to go take a walk on the wildside and meet creatures you haven't even imagined before, this is the book to take you there. You might want to read it during the day...Happy reading." -- Jo Ann Hakola, Independent Online Booksellers Association "Mocked at school and neglected at home, young Petra K finds sanctuary in the streets of Pava, where forbidden magic is still practiced, mechanized automatons hawk their wares, and miniature dragons run wild. . . . The blend of magic and machinery is eerily intriguing, much as in William Alexander's Goblin Secrets. Petra K is a stalwart but accessible heroine--her struggles with her friends and her mother give her immediate appeal while her transformation from schoolgirl to revolutionary is authentically bumpy, occurring in fits and starts as she is plagued by doubts and miscalculations. . . . [S]haring this as a classroom or family readaloud may . . . spur some thoughtful discussion about love, loss, and loyalty." --Bulletin of the Center for Children's Books

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