As a young man, Ian returned to the Realm to fight against the tyranny that has befallen his friends. But the Realm is a different place, the forest is dying, the Kaemperns have lost the shield that protected them from the dragon, and Ian has a hard time proving his allegiance when trouble follows him through the portal. His struggle to do right buries him in confusion, and he must fight his own will to prove his integrity.

Book 2 of the Ian’s Realm Saga series, fantasy for middle-grade readers and older.

The Dragon Shield is packed to the rafters with incident and peril. Ian’s resolve is tested like never before, the camaraderie of his supporters and their combined efforts will keep the reader engrossed. There is a constant battle being waged between hope and despair and you are never quite sure how things will develop. By the novels end I felt that things were only just beginning for Ian and I wanted more — a mark of Gardner’s skill as a storyteller. What can I say? This is an excellent follow-up as well as a bridge to the next installment.

— Daniel Cann, The Independent Review UK