Gork, the Teenage Dragon: A novel

Have you ever wished you could be a dragon? Well, don’t. It’s harder than you might think.

Just ask Gork. He’s a teenage dragon with a big heart and a tendency to faint when things get tough. Unfortunately, things are about to get tough. Because it’s EggHarvest, and if a female dragon doesn’t accept his crown, his future is over. Factor in his mad scientist uncle, Dr. Terrible, a robot best friend obsessed with death, his crush on the headmaster’s gorgeous daughter, and the many dangers around the WarWings Academy, and Gork is in serious trouble.

A one-day story that still manages to serve as both a coming-of-age tale and a ridiculous romp through your worst high school memories, Gork, The Teenage Dragon hits a lot of emotional soft spots for readers: growing up, puberty, dating, stressing about the future.

The story is enjoyable enough, milking Gork’s dweeby status for all its worth, but in trying to throw so many obstacles his way, near the end the twisty threats become a little tedious, especially since the ending is telegraphed pretty early on.

That being said, it’s ambitious and weird and fun, managing to put a new spin on the tired high school prom trope.