We chat with author James Riley about Destroyer of Magic, which is the third book in the hilarious Dragon’s Apprentice series and follows Scorch the dragon and his human apprentice Ciara who face the wrath of the Emperor, unravel new secrets, and save magic itself.
Hi, James! Can you tell our readers a bit about yourself?
Hello! I’m James Riley, the author of like … *counts quickly* 20 books and a graphic novel, including the Half Upon a Time, Story Thieves, and Revenge of Magic series for middle grade readers. I tend to love anything meta, puns, and having my characters embarrass themselves constantly. (They try their best. I wish they had a nicer author.)
When did you first discover your love for writing and stories?
I first discovered my love for stories when my mom let us stay up late if we were reading when I was like four, and never looked back. My love for writing, though? Uh … still looking. I do love having written. It’s kind of like going to the gym. You feel great after. But during, it can be painful, and if you don’t stretch, you might pull something.
Quick lightning round! Tell us:
- The first book you ever remember reading: That’d have to be a picture book, so maybe A Bargain for Francis or The Monster at the End of This Book?
- The one that made you want to become an author: The Phantom Tollbooth
- The one that you can’t stop thinking about: Taran Wanderer by Lloyd Alexander
Destroyer of Magic is the third installment in The Dragon’s Apprentice and it’s out now! If you could only describe it in five words, what would they be?
Uh oh, things get worse.
For those who haven’t picked up the series, what can they expect?
Dragons! They originally came to this world to teach us magic, but disappeared a thousand years ago, and now only the Emperor and his son are allowed to use magic. What happened? Where did the dragons go? And how did a 12 year old girl named Ciara accidentally summon one?! That doesn’t seem fair. Where’s MY dragon?!?!
And for readers who have, what’s to come in Destroyer of Magic?
A new villain…maybe? A new ally … kinda? An evil emperor with all the magic –– and dragons –– under his control. Some new boy out to destroy all magic. And a girl who has to make the most important choice of her life. Seems stressful!
Were there any moments or characters you really enjoyed writing or exploring further?
Anything with the baby dragons. Wait, that’s a spoiler. Um, anything with the baby dragons.
Did you face any challenges whilst writing? How did you overcome them?
The biggest challenge is always telling the best story I can, and I overcome that in typical ways, like feeling anxious constantly, staying awake at night from worry, that sort of thing.
What’s next for you?
The Dragon’s Apprentice Book 4 will be out next year, and a graphic novel and a new middle grade series will follow after that, both in 2028, with more to come!
Lastly, what books are you looking forward to picking up soon? Any you’ve got your eye on that are releasing in 2027?
I don’t have any for middle grade readers as of yet, but personally in 2027, I can’t wait for the next Wayward Children book by Seanan McGuire. Oh, and I’m holding out hope that we might see the last book in the Locked Tomb series; I can only read the first three so many times.
