The following version of the book was used to create this study guide: Sutherland, Tui, Wings of Fire Book 8; Escaping Peril. Scholastic Press, New York, NY, 2016. Kindle AZW file.

This novel is set in the imaginary land of Pyrrhia, a continent shaped like a dragon and inhabited by dragons. There are seven major tribes – SandWings, SkyWings, MudWings, SeaWings, RainWings, IceWings, and NightWings. Each tribe has specific abilities and attributes. The dragons are in a time of peace after decades of war that left many dragons dead and some displaced or wounded.

The Sky Kingdom was ruled by an evil queen named Scarlet who was especially cruel to Peril, a young SkyWing born with an overabundance of heat known as firescales. Peril is so hot that she kills any living thing she touches. Scarlet taught Peril to kill for entertainment, and Peril is hated and feared because of her firescales and because of all the dragons she has killed. Peril is now trying to live a better life. A MudWing named Clay has become her moral compass. Peril tends to consider Clay's view when faced with a difficult situation and she is struggling to fit in, find friends, and learn to make decisions for herself. When Scarlet kills a MudWing and throws the dragon's head at Clay and his friends, Peril realizes the only way to make sure Clay is safe is to kill Scarlet. She is surprised when a SeaWing dragonet named Turtle decides to accompany her on this journey.

Peril and Turtle travel first to Possibility, a town inhabited by dragons of all tribes, where they meet up with several of Turtle's friends. The group includes a NightWing named Moon who can read minds and tell the future, a spunky SandWing named Qibli, and an IceWing named Winter. Peril soon causes an accident, then accidentally injures Winter. She decides to separate from the group but is terribly hurt when Turtle does not come with her. Peril encounters a SkyWing who identifies himself as Soar and announces he is Peril's father. He takes her to Scarlet and reveals that he has magic power through the use of an ancient scroll. Scarlet reveals that Soar is really a disgraced RainWing named Chameleon who is nothing more than a fortunate conman. When Chameleon pledges he can calm Peril's scales so that she is no longer a danger, she accepts his magic talisman and is thrilled that she can touch flowers and other dragons. She agrees to help Scarlet reclaim her throne and the set out for the Sky Kingdom where Scarlet immediately takes her grandson, Cliff, hostage.

Scarlet has been absent from her kingdom for a while. Her daughter, Ruby, has taken the throne. Scarlet knows Ruby will do anything to protect her son. Every dragon knows about Peril's firescales and, unaware of the enchantment, Ruby agrees to give up her throne for fear that Peril will kill Cliff. Peril discovers that her memories are somewhat foggy and she seems to be missing pieces of information, such as why she feels it is wrong to kill other dragons. When she realizes she has been enchanted, she removes the talisman Chameleon created. Ruby decides she has to fight for her throne and she asks Peril to protect Cliff. Peril soon discovers that Chameleon has also enchanted Ruby, though Ruby's role as a mother and leader make her fight this enchantment. In the end, Ruby kills Scarlet and secures the throne just as Turtle arrives with plans to save Peril.

Chameleon manages to escape with the magic scroll. Peril, Turtle, Moon, Winter, and Qibli set out to capture him and recover the scroll. They are then faced with the question of who is honorable enough to use it wisely. They dissolve into arguments, partly because of their loyalty to their tribes and their own agendas. They agree to pick up the discussion the next morning, but they wake to discover Moon is gone.

Moon has issued a prophecy that includes vague warnings about destruction and mayhem, and her friends have discussed it at length. Some believe Peril and Darkstalker are involved, and it seems they need to find the lost kingdom of the NightWings in order to stop the prophecy. Moon, a mind reader, has been communicating with an ancient NightWing named Darkstalker, who is trapped inside a mountain. Darkstalker created the magic scroll and he wants Moon to use it to free him from the mountain. Moon, however, has taken time to begin reading the scroll and realizes that Darkstalker cannot be trusted with this power. The others catch up and they resume their arguments over what to do with the scroll. After deciding what is right in this situation, Peril takes the scroll. It immediately burns up. The ground begins to shake, and Darkstalker rises out of the mountain.