This is a really fun conclusion to the series. I enjoyed getting to see more mythical creatures, as well as one last trip through Great-Grandfather Dragonbreath's magical portal (which is inside his fridge). The humor in this one was stellar; there were so many quotes I wanted to make note of! ( )

Now Danny hits something with serious consequences - his fire, never very reliable, has gone out entirely. This adventure is all about saving his life, literally. It's also a great adventure, of course. Exploring the Furthest North looking for phoenix eggshell...and finding rather more than they (Danny, Wendell, and Christiana - the usual set) bargained for. Between the Worms and the baby phoenix - and several more serious threats to life...it gets very complicated. But of course things end well - and Danny now has a solid grasp of his fire (though I suspect he's going to need some practice keeping from using it!). I don't know if this is the end of the series - I hope not, I'd like to see some more. But the premise of a young dragon without the ability to breathe fire...is kinda gone, after this book. ( )

It's the last Dragonbreath. Sniff. Wiping away a tear...

Danny wakes up one morning feeling cold. Not just normal cold, but weird cold. Unfortunately, his mom is out of town and his dad isn't so good on the "diagnosing weird cold feelings" front. Fortunately, his friends Wendell and Christiana suggest calling his great-grandfather who lives in mythical Japan. One bus ride later, Danny finds out that his fire has gone out! The only way to relight it is to eat a phoenix shell (but not the baby phoenix of course, because that would be Not Cool) and the only way to find one of those is to go on a quest to the Farthest North.

Ursula Vernon's trademark humor shines through in this last adventure. There's a deeply satisfying ending, which is not in the least saccharine or didactic but leaves the reader with the feeling that her characters will live on, even if we no longer hear about their adventures. Danny's enthusiasm is undimmed, even when he's feeling the worst. Wendell continues to overcome his cynicism and anxiety to come through for his friends, old and new. Christiana has abandoned none of her scientific curiosity and devotion to logic, but she's learned to roll with Danny's weird world and just examine the science behind it later.

Verdict: It's been a long, funny, and thoroughly enjoyable journey. Buy an extra copy of the first Dragonbreath book to celebrate and don't forget to continue to promote the series even though it's over and Vernon is moving on to another exciting and unique offering!

ISBN: 9780803739864; Published 2016 by Dial; Purchased for the library

Always entertaining--this one involves a baby phoenix, giant iceworms, and the Frozen North.