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HarperCollins · MMXXVI
The Lost Dragon of Roar
Jenny McLachlan
Illustrated · ages 8–12

The Lost Dragon of Roar

Written by Jenny McLachlan · Illustrated by Ben Mantle

Book 5 of 5 in The Land of RoarView the full series

Now official dragon riders, Rose, Arthur and Win return to Dragon Rider Academy for their first mission, a journey to the Deeps and the cursed island of Scaravay, where a ghostly mystery, a clan of witches and the most fearsome dragon in all of Roar await.

  • Best for8–12
  • FormatIllustrated

The vibe

What it’s like.

Style

  • Conversational
  • Comedic

Tone

  • Exciting
  • Adventurous
  • Warm
  • Funny
  • Whimsical
  • Suspenseful

Themes

On the pageimaginary world, dragons, twins, magic school, sea voyage, witches

Experience meters

Energy4/ 5
Humour3/ 5
Scariness3/ 5
Peril3/ 5
Wonder4/ 5
Cosiness2/ 5
Emotional intensity3/ 5
Conceptual intensity2/ 5

What’s it about?

The story.

Rose, Arthur and their ninja wizard friend Win are officially dragon riders now, and it is time for their first real mission. Entering Roar through the old folding camp bed in Grandad's attic, they report back to the Dragon Rider Academy, where the head, Miss Bonaventure, sends them to the Deeps to deliver a letter to Captain Gorme, who commands the ship Seathistle as it sails the waters around the island of Scaravay. When things go wrong at sea, the three children make their way to the island, hoping the hidden Lost City will keep them safe, but Roar's most powerful dragon is said to dwell within its walls, a cursed island of witches lies in wait, a ghostly mystery is stirring, and their old nemesis is in hot pursuit. Jenny McLachlan's fifth Roar adventure continues the dragon-school arc begun in Dragon Riders of Roar, with interior illustrations by Alla Khatkevich and cover art by Ben Mantle. Epic, funny and fast-moving, it is ideal for readers aged 8 to 12 who love magical dragon-school adventures in the vein of Skandar and How to Train Your Dragon.

Fit check

Right for your child?

Where it lands by age

Aimed at 8-12s reading independently, with illustration support throughout and good read-aloud appeal from about 8. As a direct continuation of Dragon Riders of Roar it is best read after that book rather than as a standalone entry point.

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  • 5
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  • 13
  • Best fit · 8–12
  • Read aloud · 8–11
  • Independent · 8–12

Prose load

Moderate

Visual support

Moderate

Reluctant-reader friendly

Very

Read-aloud quality

Strong

Works well for

  • Reading aloud
  • Reading together
  • Reluctant readers
Low sensitivityNo content warnings

Nothing in the book is likely to concern most parents. Safe to recommend without preview.

Bedtime suitability

3 / 5 · Workable

Sensitive-child

3 / 5 · Mostly fine

Graphic intensity

2 / 5 · Mild

Best for

  • Dragon stories
  • Magic school
  • Imaginative adventure
  • Reluctant readers

Avoid if

  • Wants realistic fiction

Why it lands

Why they love it.

Why kids love it

Now proper dragon riders, Rose, Arthur and Win take on their first mission: a stormy voyage to the Deeps, a ghostly cursed island of witches, and the hunt for Roar's most fearsome dragon, all with their old enemy chasing after them.

  • Secret world
  • Going on a quest
  • Magic powers
  • Adventure and freedom
  • Surviving danger

Why parents love it

The dragon-rider arc rolls on with a ghostly island mystery, plenty of humour and pacey action. Well illustrated and welcoming for confident younger readers, it keeps the imaginative warmth that has made the Roar books such reliable read-aloud favourites.

  • Nostalgia
  • Conversation starter

In the series

The Land of Roar.

5 books · open the series →

About the creators

About the creators.

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Three ways out of this book.

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Last reviewed · July 2026Suggest a correctionHow we recommend

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