Just So Stories

Riveted Press

Distributed by Simon & Schuster

September 2025

ISBN13: 9781764007122

RRP: AU$ 17.99 / NZ$ 19.99

I loved Rachel’s first two Solve it Your Way titles and, of course, have also enjoyed my Q&A and meeting her on my visit to Canberra a few months ago. She is both personable and engaging, aside from her considerable talent in both the writing and illustrating of this series. Not to mention the intricacies of plotting out 38 possible scenarios!

I was particularly looking forward to this one though because, as all my friends and family are aware, I’m a Dragons girl through and through, not only for my team but for my alma mater. If there’s a dragon anywhere in a book or film, I’m there – and we’ll just pause for a moment now to reflect on the Mighty Red V’s sad finish to the 2025 season (we’ll do betterer next year!).

When Grand Master Dawlish commands you, his lowly apprentice, to steal the fabled Firestone from the neighbouring kingdom (even though he doesn’t even know what it looks like or where exactly to find it!), you may feel tremendously ill-equipped for the mission. Maybe you are, maybe you’re not.

Personally, I didn’t fare too well. After my several attempts, I ended up trapped for life with no chance of escape – bummer!

To satisfy any draconologist or just plain lover of dragons, this is a scaly shiny scorching horde (and maybe hoard) of the legendary beasts. You have the possibility to connect personally with dragons like Ricochet or Leafwing, you also have the possibility of much nastier things, but all in all it’s great fun, whether it’s interpreting the prophecies, or casting spells, solving riddles or using your own intuition and good nature to befriend those who need it.

If you haven’t already snapped it up, it’s a must-have for your collection because as we know, these adventures are always a hot item. And with Xmas approaching faster than a speeding dragon, it would also make an excellent stocking stuffer for a young apprentice in your circle.

Without a moment’s hesitation on which option to choose it’s a 5 🐉🐉🐉🐉🐉 rating for young wizard apprentices from around 8 years upwards.