The following version of the book was used to create this study guide: Sutherland, Tui, Wings of Fire Book 6; Moon Rising. Scholastic Press, New York, NY, 2015. Kindle AZW file.

A NightWing dragon named Moonwatcher, known as Moon, is among the 35 dragonets who make up the first class of the Jade Mountain Academy. Moon is the first dragon in generations to be born under the moons of Pyrrhia instead of inside the cave of a volcanic island the NightWings called home. Moon's mother, Secretkeeper, hid her from the horrors of growing up on the island but revealed her to the tribe once they were forced to leave the island. Secretkeeper knows Moon's powers and has taught her to see them as a curse to be hidden at all costs. Moon does not want to be apart from her mother. She hates the chaos of thoughts from so many dragons inside the caves of Jade Mountain. Moon is assigned to the Jade Winglet with Qibli (SandWing), Kinkajou (RainWing), Turtle (SeaWing), Winter (IceWing), Umber (MudWing), and Carnelian (SkyWing). She is drawn to Kinkajou and Qibli because of their outgoing nature. Moon quickly discovers that all the other dragons share her worries about forming friendships and doing well at this school.

Moon soon discovers a new voice communicating directly with her. The voice is able to help her learn to control the chaos of voices. This voice belongs to Darkstalker, an ancient NightWing who was an animus and could read minds and tell the future. Darkstalker was enchanted by another dragon after his tribe decided he was too dangerous. He is now entombed in a small space and cannot free himself. He assures Moon what he did was not as terrible as history reports, and he begs for her help to free himself. Darkstalker says NightWings were fully aware of the correlation between an egg hatching in the moonlight and the powers that dragonet would have. He wonders why they began hatching their eggs under cover in caves, eliminating the powers from the tribe. Moon wonders if they felt the powers were simply too dangerous and chose to eliminate them.

At the academy, Moon struggles with visions. One becomes very clear, and she stops several dragons from entering a specific cave. Those inside are caught in an explosion, and Moon feels certain her newfound friends will abandon her as soon as they realize she has these powers. Turtle suggests she use her power to help figure out who caused the explosion, and Qibli joins forces to help her. Others quickly make it clear they will remain friends as well. Moon finds the dragonet responsible for the explosion who has been damaged by her time fighting in a recent war. She also discovers that Icicle, Winter's sister, has been working with an evil queen, Scarlet of the SkyWings. Scarlet has a vendetta against several dragons. Icicle is willing to assassinate those dragons. She hopes that Scarlet will release Icicle's brother. Winter refuses to help Icicle assassinate other dragons, even in the hope of rescuing his brother, and sets out to find another way. As the novel draws to a close, Moon and her friends pledge to help Winter rescue his brother, and Moon agrees to search for Darkstalker's talisman though she is not certain she will release him. Moon has a vision of the future which includes the collapse of Jade Mountain. Darkstalker assures her this is only one possible future and pledges to help her bring another future to pass, one filled with peace and happiness. Meanwhile, Scarlet discusses her plans with an unnamed dragon who has Darkstalker's talisman.