Alex Neptune, Dragon Thief: Book 1

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David has created a wonderfully pacy adventure full of imagination and jeopardy. Its eco themes will resonate with readers and his glittering star the water dragon will be taken firmly to their hearts.” - Jasbinder Bilan, author of Asha & The Spirit Bird He achieved 1st class honours in BA Creative Writing and MA Writing for Children at The University of Winchester, where he went on to teach on the BA Creative Writing course for three years. He hopes that one day all of his students will surpass his own achievements. David resents the fact that he was not raised by wolves and was therefore robbed of a good story to tell at parties. He turned to fiction to compensate for his unremarkable existence. 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.

Alex Neptune, Pirate Hunter by David Owen | Waterstones Alex Neptune, Pirate Hunter by David Owen | Waterstones

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 Armistice Day: A Collection of Remembrance - Spark Interest and Educate Children about Historical Moments Honestly, I wasn't entirely sure what to expect going into this! Adorable, mischievous animals and a very (possibly overly) strong “save the ocean” message was what greeted me, and what a fun, chill read it was! Author Luke Palmer introduces his new book, Play (Firefly Press) about four boys growing up together, the challenges, the friendships, and what hap... Author Guy Bass introduces SCRAP, about one robot who tried to protect the humans on his planet against an army of robots. Now the humans need his...

There are some versions of books targeting younger audiences that appeal to people of all ages. This is one of them. 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.” 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.

Text copyright ©David Owen, 2022. Cover and inside

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 trilogyBuy from our bookstore and 25% of the cover price will be given to a school of your choice to buy more books. *15% of eBooks. Home > LoveReading4Kids exists because books change lives, and buying books through LoveReading4Kids means you get to change the lives of future generations, with 25% of the cover price donated to schools in need. Join our community to get personalised book suggestions, extracts straight to your inbox, 10% off RRPs, and to change children’s lives. I liked how the burgeoning friendship developed with new boy Anil and the dynamic between him and Alex’s best friend Zoey. She definitely gave me Demelza vibes (or Data in Goonies) and it was interesting to see the art vs technology disagreement with her father. Alex’s big sister Bridget was giving Luisa from Encanto vibes and I think might have been my fave character - super determined.

Alex Neptune, Dragon Thief by David Owen | Goodreads

Following the success of the first book, Alex Neptune, Dragon Thief, which was selected as a Waterstones Children’s Book of the Month when it published in August 2022 in the UK, two further titles are scheduled to publish in 2023: Alex Neptune, Pirate Hunter, publishing on 2nd March, and Alex Neptune, Monster Avenger, out on 6th July. In book one Alex had to combat his fear and now in book two he needs to work on his self confidence - Alex experiences a serious and nearly debilitating case of imposter syndrome. But the cast of characters from book one including his best friends Zoey and Anil, sister Bridget and Grandpa are all here to support him in his endeavours. 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 Another fantastic installment in the Alex Neptune series! I loved seeing the return of all the characters from the first book, and the addition of some great new characters who we'll hopefully see more of in the future books. The number of animal companions also grew and they're all so cute. It was great to see the friendships grow, as well as Alex's powers and him learning how to use them and his full potential. I think the important messages about the environment and doing what's right within such a fun story is excellent for Children's books. I can't wait to read the next one! Alex and Zoey have been testing the water of Haven, trying to prove that it's being polluted by a new building on the seafront. Called The Station, no-one knows what goes on in there. What they are sure of, is that their vain, greedy Mayor has something to do with it.I loved the way this book combined both magic and technology, to create something really interesting and unique. 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? 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. About This Edition ISBN: 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? 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. David has taken the myths of dragons and given them a new spin. This is a fantastic adventure story, and I loved that Alex was able to see different skills in his friends and bring them together to form an effective team. Kids are going to really enjoy this story - and there's more to come!