Out of the Ashes #2: Lion by Jeff Stone

Dragon bone gives you strength.  The problem is that you keep needing more and more and like any drug it uses it up your body.  But it's impossible to stop taking it.  Ryan is trying and he's paying the price...

Random House Children's Books sent me a copy of this book for review (thank you).  It's been published and you can find it in your local bookstore.  You also might want to look for Phoenix, the first in the series.

These stories are centered on bike racing: mountain bike, road bike, any kind of bike will do.  They love to ride, they love to win, and they are good friends.  They also all know about Ryan's dragon bone addiction.  When Jake joins their group to go to a race, they decide to keep that secret from him until they know how much they can trust him.

Dragon bone comes from the Chinese and the people who are after Ryan resemble the Triads who fight for power like members of the Mafia do.  They're mean, determined and unpredictable.  Ryan and his group of friends aren't really predictable either, but they have their work set out for them in this book.

Ryan's uncle gets kidnapped, they're forced to ride for the wrong team to keep him safe, and they meet an ancient ancestor who believes she can save Ryan from the dragon's clutches with a potion.  The story is exciting, you learn about road racing, and I'm wondering where the author will go next.  

This is written for ages 9-12.  I found it a fun and exciting read, why not share it with your young one?

Happy reading.