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Gary J. Darby
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If a Dragon Cries (The Legend of Hooper's Dragons) Paperback – August 6, 2016

by Gary J Darby (Author)
4.6 4.6 out of 5 stars 295 ratings
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An evil faerie who wants to rule. A mystical golden dragon could be the key. One man must embrace his destiny to save the world…Hooper never really believed in himself. The one thing he did believe was that dragons should stay as far away from him as possible. But when a dying emerald dragon gives him a magical gem, Hooper’s life is changed forever…After discovering that he and his friends are the only ones who can keep an evil faerie from taking over the world, Hooper can’t help but be reluctant. After all, to save humanity he’ll need to protect Golden Wind, the most prized dragon of them all. As he fights his hatred of the creature, Hooper starts to question everything he’s ever learned…Will Hooper forge his own destiny or will he succumb to the power of the dark, murderous faerie?If a Dragon Cries is the first book in a fantasy coming of age series with dragons, swords, magic, and more. If you like insightful character journeys, Tolkienesque worlds, and majestic dragons, then you’ll love Gary Darby’s series starter.Take a Look Inside and then buy today!
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  1. Book 1 of 8
    The Legend of Hooper's Dragons
  2. Print length
    406 pages
  3. Language
    English
  4. Publication date
    August 6, 2016
  5. Dimensions
    6 x 1.02 x 9 inches
  6. ISBN-10
    1092513485
  7. ISBN-13
    978-1092513487
  8. See all details
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Editorial Reviews

Review

ReviewsIf you love dragons and heroes you will love this series. It makes you laugh, cry, get angry and afraid. It's one of the best series out there about dragons! - Amazon review The Legend of Hooper's Dragons book 7, Wings of Fire

I highly recommend this series to young and old alike. A story full of courageous, unlikely champions in the fight against evil. Ordinary people resisting the easy way out and battling for goodness in the world. Growing through sorrowful times but persevering for good. Full of action, caring and humor. -- Amazon review The Legend of Hooper's Dragons book 7 Wings of Fire

I love stories about dragons and this one is a gem -- Amazon reveiw The Legend of Hooper's Dragons book 1, If a Dragon Cries

I have read hundreds of Dragon fantasy type stories and this is in my opinion one of the bestest. -- Amazon review The Legend of Hooper's Dragons book 7 Wings of Fire

Very well written series, perfectly paced in an amazingly well-developed world with 3-dimensional characters and settings. By far one of the very best YA fantasy/dragon series I have read. -- Amazon review The Legend of Hooper's Dragons book 8, Sacrifice of the Heart

I have been reading science fiction for over 60 years. I have not been this excited about a series in a very long time. I look forward to continuing this series. Great story, wonderful characters, believable world, fantastic writing -- Amazon review The Legend of Hooper's Dragons book 1, If a Dragon Cries

I would recommend this series to just about anybody. Very well written with lots of action and lessons in human nature. How we live, love and hate. The beautiful creatures and their bonds with humans is something we could all aspire to -- Amazon review The Legends of Hooper's Dragons book 8, Sacrifice of the Heart




Nominated for an EFFy in the 2019 Epic Fantasy Fanatics Readers Choice Award

Product details

  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ Independently published (August 6, 2016)
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • Paperback ‏ : ‎ 406 pages
  • ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 1092513485
  • ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-1092513487
  • Item Weight ‏ : ‎ 1.32 pounds
  • Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 6 x 1.02 x 9 inches
  • Customer Reviews:
    4.6 4.6 out of 5 stars 295 ratings

About the author

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Gary J. Darby

Gary J. Darby

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Gary Darby grew up in San Antonio, Texas and started reading in the second grade when he discovered Robert Heinlein's Farmer In The Sky in the school library.

After that, it was on to the other Grand Masters of Science Fiction and Fantasy. A reader for all his life, he loves to find current authors who spin a great tale though he admits that every so often, he will treat himself to a good Andre Norton, or Asimov, or Heinlein novel.

In recent times, his love of reading turned to a love of writing and hopefully along the journey the crazy story ideas he has in his head will turn into enjoyable literary fiction for you to read.

For those that wondered about Gary's military experience after reading his military thriller, he joined the US Navy as a medic after high school. He ended his career as an officer in the US Army. He has a Master of Science of Strategic Intelligence from the National Intelligence University.

Customer reviews

4.6 out of 5 stars
4.6 out of 5
295 global ratings

Top reviews from the United States

Jan Niblock
5.0 out of 5 stars A quest to save the world
Reviewed in the United States on September 27, 2019
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This is a really well-done fantasy that follows a group of unlikely people and animals on a quest to save the world. Hooper, a boy who was physically hurt and lost his parents when dragons destroyed his home. He has been employed to work at a dragon farm where he cleans the pens. His only friend is an intelligent animal named Scamper. He finds himself on a quest after receiving the tear of a dragon. Included in the group is Cara, a girl he loves, but she is the daughter of the Baron and so far above his class. He is joined by Helmar, who is an apprentice to the Baron and a warrior. The town’s bookseller, Phigby, a man of mystery, becomes an important part of the group.

Their quest is to save the world from evil by not letting the golden dragon fall into the evil witch’s hands. Can they do it? With everyone against them, can they survive? The story reminded me of Tolkien’s world but not as a copy or in a bad way. It was just some elements which actually made me love the story more. This story can also be seen as a teaching story as each of the characters learn more about themselves and grow into fulfilling their destiny. Really loved this story and especially that it did not end in a cliffhanger but still leaves you wanting to know more.
2 people found this helpful
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Gleniecia Smith
4.0 out of 5 stars Great book
Reviewed in the United States on April 18, 2017
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I really enjoyed this book. Hooper and Scamper are my favorites. I hated how Hooper was treated in this book and I guess that if you are treated like less than dirt for your whole waking life, no matter what good you do, you will still believe that you are worthless.

I disliked some of the supporting characters because even though Hooper was right in front of them, they had no qualms about insulting and belittling him. I did not like that Hooper was enamored with Cara and I am hoping against hope that the author does no go the route of so many other books where the underdog gets the high and mighty girl because in my eyes, Cara is not worth his groverling, she was right there belittling him with no thought of how it made him feel.

Other than that I love the world building and character growth with Hooper.

Looking forward to book two.
2 people found this helpful
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Linda M.
5.0 out of 5 stars Great story
Reviewed in the United States on January 7, 2023
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Although I am not a fan of fantasy in general, the series about Hooper's Dragons is a ripping good yarn. Hooper is an unlikely hero, but he is constantly growing throughout this series as he and his friends face and overcome dangers from all sides. I am thoroughly enjoying reading them, and look for more from this talented author. I recommend his books to all my friends and family who are avid readers.
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Jenny K.
5.0 out of 5 stars A well-written fairy story.
Reviewed in the United States on April 12, 2019
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The story begins with Hooper fantasizing grand deeds and killing dragons; and then we realize that Hooper is the lowliest of the lowly in the story. He is the downtrodden dung remover and caretaker of a dragon "stable". No one cares about him, his welfare or needs. As the story goes on, he begins to realize that the world is bigger and more complex than he thought. He also has to face the fact that his ideas about dragons need to be revised. The only sunshine in his life is Scamper that helps him keep his balance and find some solace. When he receives the dragon tear, things change and he becomes part of a greater world scheme quite unwillingly.
The book reminds me a lot of Tolkien both in language and plot. I enjoyed reading it and I will definitely buy the rest of the series. There are some minor things that detract from the story-as some other reviewers have spotted- but, all in all, I give it a four point five star rating.
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V Shepard
5.0 out of 5 stars Intense adventure
Reviewed in the United States on May 28, 2019
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I loved the Hooper's Dragons series. The action is intense and continues to grow thought out the series. There is violence against trolls and other evil fantasy creatures. The nice hints of romance are kept clean, NO sexual encounters, no taking God's name in vain, both a big plus to my reading enjoyment.
In the first book of the "Hooper's Dragons" series the reader is introduced to a young abused servant boy who was charged with the welfare of pregnant dragons and their "sprogs" (baby dragons). He blamed dragons for the death of his family. He hated all dragons, but when the ranch is attacked by Crimson Wilder dragons, he is saved by someone very special. Thus the adventure begins. INTENSE, escalating action! These books will keep the reader riveted to the story. There is some violence, which is expected in war. Good clean reading adventure. I'd recommend these books for preteens and up.
4 people found this helpful
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Rahni
4.0 out of 5 stars Dragon Action
Reviewed in the United States on November 1, 2016
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"I start to reply but she shoves her muzzle so close that I’m staring up into her glistening nostrils. Please don’t sneeze, I think."

3.5 stars. Once Hooper emerges from his morose, self-absorbed earlier being, he's a good "everyman" and is, I'm sure, a welcome source of levity for his companions on their perilous journey. Or at least he should be, but they don't seem to appreciate his comments (life-and-death situations tend to damper one's sense of humor, I've found). Though I'm not the intended audience (prophecies make my eyes glaze over, even in Harry Potter, and I don't often stray towards quest books), I found the book full of gripping action in a world worth developing--good for young and old readers alike.
12 people found this helpful
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JoeB
5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent Dragon Story!
Reviewed in the United States on April 15, 2020
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There are dragons in Hooper's world, but he's not enamored of them. They burned him badly, leaving it painful and difficult for him to move and do everyday tasks, like bending or running. His burns also limit how he can rise in his society, as it frames how others view him. His characterization is complex -- while he works in the dragon stables, scooping dragon poop and taking care of the baby dragons, he hates them for what they did to him -- his burns, and killing his family, leaving him an orphan to scrounge a living as best he can. There's a light crush on Cara, but nothing inappropriate for middle grade readers. In general, Hooper's blind to how others begin to treat him as an equal and friend by the end of the story. It was a fun, quick read.
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Top reviews from other countries

Mara Nightingale
4.0 out of 5 stars Very good fantasy
Reviewed in Canada on December 13, 2018
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I really enjoyed reading about Hooper and the adventures he gets in to. I only gave the book 4 stars rather than 5 due to the amount of punctuation and grammar errors I continued to come across.
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Kindle Customer
4.0 out of 5 stars Captivating dragon fantasy that is a must...
Reviewed in Australia on April 20, 2017
Verified Purchase
An epic adventure with plenty of action, well played characters, intricate story and an intriguing world. This first person narrative saga leads us on a journey with Hooper, a downcast stable hand and his rather reluctant quest.

I loved the fact that the author didn't simply make the characters meld together, even at the end. It made it more realistic to life and to the setting of a world where status is still heavily adhered to. It gives the book a dynamic play between characters, which a lot of stories tend to lack.

The portrayal of the dragons, as well as Scamper (Hooper's furry, non-dragon, animal friend), is beautifully written and adds a lot of depth to the tale even when they are not the focus in a scene.

When it comes to the world and setting Darby offers you enough to entice without giving everything away. It leaves you wanting to read more about the history and current dynamics that these characters and creatures inhabit. He does very well at leading you along different layers as the description needs. Yet you get the sense that he has so much more to show as this series unfolds and will undoubtedly progress.

As someone who reads 2-3 books a week I have to admit this one had me guessing in nearly all regards. As soon as I thought I might have figured something out there would be a twist that I hadn't seen coming. It really kept me in the same step as the characters instead of me simply reading to get through to find I was right anyway.

The only real con I have with this book (and why it gets 4 stars instead of five) is the fact that the author tends to repeat things that were just said a few paragraphs earlier. It is rather aggravating at times. However, the overall writing, including characters, plot, and setting, is far more than enough to make me over look this one 'flaw'.

If you enjoy fantasies, dragons, convincing portrayals and engrossing story lines, then I highly recommend this book and will most certainly be looking into the rest of the series!
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Andrew R.
5.0 out of 5 stars A great read for any fantasy fan.
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on August 23, 2016
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A really great read, I can't wait for the second book.
The characters are all very engaging and the story moves along at just the right pace.
3 people found this helpful
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Mr T.Archer
5.0 out of 5 stars Outstanding brilliant
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on October 20, 2016
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Five stars brilliantly written really enjoyed every chapter I really enjoyed the story kept me enthralled page by page brilliant
3 people found this helpful
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