The Hidden Peril of Wing of Fire – Wings of Fire Book 1 The Dragonet Prophecy |FF 16 – Fortress Fiction
What did you think of Wings of Fire Book 1 The Dragonet Prophecy by Tui T. Sutherland?
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The Hidden Peril of Wings of Fire – When Middle Grade Crosses YA Lines
By MJ Muñoz – Author, Artist, Analyzer – MJMunoz.com
Wings of Fire is a wildly popular middle grade fantasy series. But after listening to the first book, I have questions. Questions like, why are we talking about mating? Why are dragons flirting like teenagers, even though they’re only six or eight years old? And most of all, why is this being marketed to kids as young as eight?
Look, I enjoyed the story. I really did. But the farther I got into it, the more I found myself thinking: this is a great YA book disguised as a middle grade one, and that’s a problem.
What Works: Strong World-Building and Character Bonds
I’ll start with the positives, because there are many. Tui T. Sutherland is a competent writer who has created a fascinating dragon world with thoughtful details:
- Elemental Dragon Tribes: The different dragon races are elemental in nature, which is appealing to kids. MudWings thrive in mud which helps heal them, SeaWings can breathe underwater, and each tribe has specialized abilities and social structures.
- Strong Sibling Bonds: The five dragonets share deep connections despite their different backgrounds. Their tight-knit family dynamic creates compelling emotional stakes throughout the story.
- Unique Characters: Clay, our protagonist, is thoughtful and cooperative by nature, reflecting his MudWing heritage. Each dragon has a distinct personality that fits logically within their tribe’s characteristics.
- Complex Political World: The ongoing dragon war creates a backdrop for exploring themes of belonging, destiny, and chosen family versus biological family.
Where It Crosses the Line: Mature Themes in Children’s Packaging
Despite these strengths, several elements make me uncomfortable recommending this as a middle grade book:
1. Romantic/Sexual Elements
The book introduces romantic attraction between dragons who are described as quite young. Peril, a SkyWing dragon with deadly firescales, forms an immediate attraction to Clay. Her touch burns everything except him, creating obvious romantic tension. At least two other female dragons also show interest in Clay.
This romantic subplot feels unnecessary and inappropriate for the target age. The “special physical connection” between Clay and Peril could have been handled as friendship or mutual understanding without the romantic overtones.
2. Disturbing Violence
The arena fights under Queen Scarlet are shockingly brutal. Dragons snap each other’s necks, are tortured, and killed in graphic ways. One SeaWing is kept dehydrated to the point of insanity, with blood around his mouth from licking his lips raw for moisture.
While children’s literature can and should address serious themes, the level of violence here feels excessive for eight-to-twelve-year-olds.
3. Breeding/Reproduction Focus
The book contains peculiar discussions about dragon breeding programs, mating rotations, and parents who mate “perfunctorily” and then abandon or sell their eggs. The casual treatment of reproduction as a clinical, emotionless process gives the world a strange dystopian edge that feels misplaced in children’s literature.
A Missed Opportunity
What frustrates me is that these elements weren’t necessary for telling an exciting dragon adventure. The core story—dragonets raised in secret to fulfill a prophecy and end a devastating war—is compelling without the more mature content.
As Sutherland herself mentioned in the Audible bonus material, she initially created a matriarchal dragon society but worried about portraying too many female villains. This comment reveals something about her approach—a concern with surface-level representation that doesn’t fully address deeper worldbuilding implications.
Contrasting with The Chronicles of Prydain
For comparison, in Lloyd Alexander’s Chronicles of Prydain (which I’m covering chapter by chapter in other episodes), Taran and Eilonwy’s relationship evolves gradually across five books. Their connection remains platonic until they’re much older, with subtle hints rather than physical reactions or romantic scenes.
This approach respects the age of the readers while still allowing for character development and eventual romance when appropriate.
The Verdict: Not For Every Child
Wings of Fire does not earn a place of honor in the Fortress Fiction collection. While it has merits as a fantasy adventure, the romantic subtext, breeding discussions, and graphic violence make it more appropriate for older readers.
I cannot in good conscience recommend this series for eight-year-olds, despite its popularity. Parents should be aware that the content goes beyond typical middle grade boundaries and enters YA territory in several respects.
MJ Muñoz 