By Tom Moorhouse (author)
"A haunting, memorable and unusual quest adventure."
Paperback In Stock £7.99 £7.19
View All Editions (1)
January 2026 Book of the Month
After a terrible crash at sea in his father’s yacht, Ed wakes up on a beach in a strange place. There’s a girl called Steff, who seems to know a bit more than him, for example, that they need to run from the crowds of white butterflies that appear to be chasing the children, because they bring oblivion with them.
As the two flee the beach they meet a talking pangolin who, though threatening at first, becomes an ally, telling them what they need to do if they want to escape this strange place. Astolpho, the pangolin, can’t entirely protect them from the pack of wolves also out to get them, however.
Meanwhile, somewhere else altogether, Ed’s parents are desperately hoping he’ll return to them. All sorts of stories are woven together in this quest adventure with a difference, with friends and foes encountered, challenges met and a final riddle to solve.
We’re never sure if Ed and Steff will make it to the end, and there’s a real sense of tension throughout. They make superb central characters, bickering and losing their temper with each other but still spurring the other on, gradually becoming as close as friends can be. It concludes with a terrific surprise twist but it’s the sense of urgency and feeling of other-worldliness that will remain with readers long after they’ve finished the book.
After his dad's boat crashes, Ed finds himself on a strange beach. He meets a girl - headstrong Steff - who doesn't know where they are, either.
Read the full description
As Ed and Steff explore, they discover the deep lore of this new realm. They meet a pack of wolves with a secret and an armoured pangolin called Astolpho, who reveals the only way home involves a dragon who lives at the top of an impossibly tall, rocky spire . . .
Traditional fantasy elements are mixed deliciously with Tom's unique humour and originality, in this breathtaking, heartfelt, utterly immersive story.
Praise for The Rising:
'A beautiful uplifting story full of excitement, lyricism and peril... an exceptional series from an exceptional author' - Pam Norfolk, The Lancashire Post
'This is a perfect book to read together; the characters are charming and the book is well illustrated' - Children's Bookseller Choice
Tom Moorhouse is an ecologist and award-winning author. He writes children's fiction, and adult non-fiction and science communication. Between books he works as a freelance conservation scientist (he was formerly Senior Researcher at Oxford University's Zoology Department, where he worked for 20 years). He currently lives in Oxford, where he enjoys the refreshing and perpetual rain. Over the years he has met quite a lot of wildlife. Most of it tried to bite him. He loves hiking up mountains, walking through woods, climbing on rocks and generally being weather-beaten outdoors.
Tom talks in greater detail about his book The River Singers (this is an extended version of the video on the book page.)
Tom Moorhouse on his haunting quest adventure, Where the Dragon Waits
Tom Moorhouse from Ecology to Fantasy
the best books for 9-12 year olds · the best books for teenagers
Royal Institute of Magic: The High Council
Royal Institute of Magic: The Last Guardian
World of Skandar: The First Unicorn Rider
Ella Jones Vs the Sun Stealer
After his dad's boat crashes, Ed finds himself on a strange beach. He meets a girl - headstrong Steff - who doesn't know where they are, either.As Ed and Steff explore, they discover the deep lore of this new realm.
The LoveReading4Kids Editorial Team have read and reviewed Where the Dragon Waits and determined it is suitable for children aged 9-12 years old
Where the Dragon Waits features in the following genres: Featured Books for 9+ readers, Featured Books for 11+ readers, Books of the Month, Recommendations, Star Books, Fantasy / Magical, Animal Stories, Children's and Young Adult Fiction, Children’s / Teenage fiction: General, modern and contemporary fiction, Children’s, Teenage and Educational
Paperback. £7.19, down from the £7.99 cover price. In Stock.
Where the Dragon Waits was written by Tom Moorhouse and published by David Fickling Books
Where the Dragon Waits has 226 pages
£7.19, reduced from £7.99. In Stock.
©PTC International Ltd T/A LoveReading is registered in England. Company number: 10193437. VAT number: 270 4538 09. Registered address: 157 Shooters Hill, London, SE18 3HP. Terms & Conditions | Privacy Policy | Disclaimer
The National Year of Reading starts here. Join thousands of families and schools supporting reading for pleasure across the UK.