Book Review of Lionborn and the Secret of Dark Rider
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The Children’s Book Review
Lionborn and the Secret of Dark Rider
Written by Sharique Zea
Illustrated by Manuel Šumberac
Ages: 10+ | Pages: 238
Publisher: Silverhush Press (2026) | ISBN13: 978-1-0669013-5-7
What to Expect: Magic, family secrets, belonging, adventure, problem solving.
Sequel to the compelling middle-grade fantasy Lionborn, this novel deepens the mystery about Fionn’s family and their ties to Arborea while taking readers on another rollercoaster ride through a world rife with magical power, enchanted creatures, and frightening enemies.
Despite Fionn’s defeat of Abigor, danger is brewing in Arborea once again—as Fionn discovers when his bonded shadow-beast, Uks, teleports him to a village under attack by a new villain—one who rides a wolf, hurls flames from his fingers, and may be connected to Abigor. Fionn and his friends are ready to investigate, but these days it seems Arborea is offering more questions than answers. For example, where is Ella’s mother? Who is Fionn’s father, and why has he sent Fionn a baby dragon? And most importantly—what new secrets about Fionn’s family and past is Arborea hiding?
This story sees the friendship between Fionn, Ella, and Tiny strengthen and deepen as the friends work together to support each other through new challenges, even as their own ideas about identity and belonging become more complicated. For readers who loved the enchanted forests, animate furniture, and spirit beasts of the first book, the addition of Magnus the baby dragon will be a welcome delight, introducing Fionn to the challenges of parenthood even as he grapples with his feelings about his birth parents. Above all, however, readers will love seeing the trio of friends solve problems and gather information to save Arborea from danger yet again.
Exciting, thought-provoking, and immersive, Lionborn and the Secret of Dark Rider is a strong sequel that fans are sure to enjoy.
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About the Author
Sharique Zea was born in Ranchi, Eastern India, and grew up in a home where books were part of everyday life. With a headmaster for a father and a college professor for a mother, he spent countless hours in his local library, where his imagination took root in tales of magic, courage, and faraway worlds.
He holds a Bachelor of Commerce from St. Xavier’s College and an Executive MBA from XLRI Jamshedpur, one of India’s leading management institutions. Now based in London, Sharique works as a Chartered Accountant, balancing financials by day and building fantasy worlds by night. When he is not writing, he’s reading, collecting story ideas, or chasing that same sense of wonder that first drew him into fiction.
For more information, visit www.shariquezea.com.
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