Kansas City was built on secrets—and one of them is waking up. When Conley’s family moves to a historic neighborhood in Kansas City, he’s hoping for a fresh start. New place. New friends. Maybe a little adventure. What he gets is an ancient house with scorch marks on the walls, a long memory… and a secret tied to the city’s dragonish past. Within days of moving in, Conley realizes the secret beneath his home isn’t just dangerous—it has a plan. At first, Conley thinks it’s just a mystery. Then ancient history begins to stir. With his kid brothers making everything more dangerous (and louder), Conley has never been very cautious—which has a long and unfortunate track record. And when the sky darkens overhead, Conley realizes the district isn’t just a name. It’s a legacy. The city remembers. The past isn’t finished. And something has been waiting. Kansas City was shaped by fire, scales, and bargains no one admits to making. Somehow, Conley’s family has landed at the center of it. Because some threats don’t prowl in the open. They smolder. They wait. And when one small mistake is made, they erupt. With danger closing in fast—and the Dragon District turning into a battleground—Conley must uncover the truth behind his home, his city, and the history everyone wanted to keep buried… before summer break goes up in flames. But surviving what’s coming means confronting something even harder than dragons. It means discovering the truth about his own heart. Dark Sky’s Ashes is a fast-paced middle grade fantasy action-adventure that balances danger, clever humor, and high-stakes mystery with emotional depth and resonance for readers ages 9–12 (confident readers up to 14). Book #3.5 in the award-winning Casey Grimes series, this standalone companion novel expands the world beyond Sylvan Woods—proving that not every threat begins at Trickery School… …and not every dragon sleeps forever. Perfect for fans of How to Train Your Dragon, Percy Jackson–style modern fantasy, and dragon-filled adventures packed with humor, danger, and high-stakes action. "Fast-moving and exuberant, packed with imagination. Sylvan Woods is a splendid conception." — Kirkus Reviews "A fun and imaginative Middle Grade fantasy which has at its heart the need to belong." — Good Night to Read "I never thought a book this good was real." — Young Reader "This is the first book I've read since 2005. I started it before giving it to my granddaughter—and it brought me back to reading." — Grandparent Reviewer