Customer Reviews

DragonFire (Dragon Keepers Chronicles, Book 4)

5 star:		(26)
4 star:		(5)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Bardon and Kale are back, and they are on a mission to find Regidor and save Gilda, but actually their task goes far beyond that. The Pretender is stirring up trouble and the people of Amara have chosen to remain uninvolved, a decision that never works. All it takes for evil to grow is for good people to look the other way. Now, in spite of their desire for neutrality, evil has come to Amara. Paladin is dying and Wulder needs loyal warriors. But who can be trusted? Crim Cropper and Burner Stax are determined to destroy the new world, and trouble is closing in on all sides. Although Bardon and Kale are skilled in the art of warfare, only Wulder can help them now.
Donita K. Paul has delivered another fascinating trip to a magical world of dragons, and mystical adventure. She never disapoints. Dragonfire is a winner.

DragonFire is a fast-paced fantasy filled with mythical creatures, mind-speaking dragons, knights, wizards and a myriad of other delightful characters that you'll feel as if you know personally before you reach the end of the story.

DragonFire is the fourth book in Donita K. Paul's dragon series, and though it is a stand-alone and can be enjoyed for its own unique adventure story, I highly recommend you start with the first book, DragonSpell to better acquaint yourselves with the many characters and become acclimated to their fascinating kingdom.

Donita K. Paul weaves vivid scenic imagery with colorful characters to allow the reader to experience the intense adventure as the characters are forced to wage war against the evil trying to consume their land. The hero and dragon-riding knight, Sir Bardon and his bride, dragon keeper and good wizard, Kale Allerion, must fight poisonous octopus-like quiss, huge Creemoor spiders, three-hundred-pound, seven-foot-tall, bisonbeck warriors, venomous five-headed snakes and other mutants created by evil wizards. The couple and their friends must overcome seemingly impossible situations in their quest to bring freedom to their oppressed country.

Fortunately the author includes a cast of characters, a map of the kingdom and a glossary for easy reference. The book covers of each of the dragon books are bright and eye catching, which makes them easy to find in the book store or your bookcase.

The vivid descriptions of the monsters, intensity of the action and complexity of learning all of the unusual inhabitants of this world, are the only reasons I would hesitate to recommend this book for younger children. But to anyone else who enjoys a good, yet non-offensive fantasy filled with spiritual truths and page-turning action, I give it 5 stars.

Armchair Interviews says: Highly recommended.

In Donita K. Paul's DragonFire, Kale Allerion and her husband, Sir Bardon, live in the Bogs, trying to clean out the mordakleeps and other unwelcome creatures. But, when they happen upon a cure for their meech dragon friend, Gilda, they start out on what they believe to be a short quest.

Once their outside the Bogs, they realize Amara has changed - and not for the better. The countryside is being assaulted by feuding wizards. Innocent Amareans are suffering in the wake of the devastation caused by the fighting.

Kale and Bardon know they must join the fight and rouse their countrymen to fight back against the evil forces. However, they discover that their leader, Paladin, is sick and unable to lead the armies of Amara. Can Amara be saved or will Pretender finally defeat the weakened Paladin?

Readers of all ages will enjoy this fourth book in the fantasy series, The DragonKeeper Chronicles. DragonFire picks up three years after the last story in the series, but the characters are still familiar and are once again drawn together in a time of need.
Readers will find themselves drawn into the story from the first chapter and the twists and turns along the way keep readers interested.

I loved this fourth book as much, if not more, than the others in the series. Paul is a talented writer who keeps her writing clean, yet she doesn't avoid battles and conflicts that make the story suspenseful.

Review by:
Jill Hart, CWAHM.com

Donita K. Paul has done it again with the new Dragonfire book. The fourth book in the series, this is a fun filled, action packed story filled with some new characters and wonderful plot development. Readers of all ages will love it and it makes a great summer read.

Married couple Kale Allerion and Sir Bardon resides in the Bogs where they know first hand how difficult it is to keep cretins out. However, they are euphoric because they think they have found a cure for their meech dragon friend, Gilda. Both assume a short jaunt is all it will take on their part although that means going outside the Bogs into the Amara countryside.

When they do they find the easy trek to be a nightmare. In Amara, wizards are at war with one another with the greater Amaran populace being collateral damage. Kale and Bardon try to rouse the people and hatch dragons for a counter attack, but the will to fight back is lacking especially with their leader Paladin ailing and incapable of leading the armies. Worse the pair realizes that the evil Pretender probably realizes the time for a coup is now.

Fans of Donita K. Paul's DragonKeeper series (see DRAGONSPELL, DRAGONQUEST, and DRAGONKNIGHT) will enjoy the latest entry as old friends return during a crisis that threatens their world. The story line is action-packed, but refreshingly different as perspectives rotate between the lead now married couple; thus differing capers occur or at times when Kale and Bardon are together the same event surfaces but seems somewhat dissimilar. Kale especially grows in this tale as she plays a predominant role. Complex with many supporting characters enhancing the plot, Ms. Paul's audience will appreciate her latest tale in what is proving to be one of the better enduring sagas.

Harriet Klausner

What do you and your son do while awaiting the fourth installment in Donita K. Paul's "Dragon" series? You read those other dragon tales--you know, the New York Times bestsellers-turned-movies. Something to tide you over. They don't. So you grab the chance to be one of the few who receive an advanced reading copy of "DragonFire". And earn points with your son. In a word, "DragonFire" is "predictable"--in the very best sense of the word! Breakneck pacing. Plot twists aplenty. Spiritual truths that inspire. And a powerful ending that--here we go again--leaves you wanting more.

At this point in the series, I was through with libraries. Donita K. Paul had my interest firmly in her grasp, so I rushed out and bought this one the day after it was released.

And it was worth it! Deeper than the others, more great story line, and deep characters. There's a difference here from the first three. There are fewer characters, which means more time to work on their development.

Unlike the other three, I almost cried at the end of this one. It was that good. And there's one more after it!

What I most appreciate about this latest edition are the `principles of Wulder' scattered throughout--principles that are really Proverbs. What a great way to impart Biblical truths without having to sit through a dry sermon.

I also loved the fact that Kale and Bardon are now married, though through most of the story they are separated. I'm hoping that in the next book they will be on a quest together. They are a dynamic duo, and it'd be interesting indeed to read about them working together as husband and wife.

As readers have come to expect, there are lots and lots of dragons. Without giving away too much information, there are a few heartrending scenes that are unexpected.
Kale's depth of character is expanded in this tale. Readers will relate to her yielding to temptation, and the resultant sorrow and repentance that follows.

This is a great read for adults and young adults who enjoy fantasy--fantasy without dark, oppressive undertones. It's a modern day parable that grabs the attention of the reader and won't let up until the last page.

Review by Michelle Griep

As both an author and reader of fiction, I was impressed with Dragonfire. I just found out that it was book 4 of a series and I am going to read all of them now. Maybe it is because I have always enjoyed a book that could hold my attention and make me think at the same time. In a nutshell, the characters are believable and yet a little out of the ordinary and the story line interesting. Give this book a try.
Tommy Taylor
Author - The Second Virgin Birth

DragonFire is the fourth book in the DragonKeeper series, and I think it might be my favorite. I stayed up until midnight to finish reading it, because I just couldn't stand the suspense. I kept telling myself, "Just one more chapter."

I wasn't all that surprised to find that Kale and Bardon are now married. In their first book together, I figured they would either end up related (like Luke Skywalker and Princess Leia) or married. The country of Amara is struggling, wandering from their faith in Wulder and Paladin. To save their country, Bardon and Kale need to go on separate quests. Kale develops a relationship with her DragonKeeper father, as they work together to save Amara by raising up an army of dragons to fight in the battle against evil wizards and Pretender.

Both Kale and Bardon move from one adventure to another, meeting with challenges and danger, and learning to trust in Wulder's love, guidance and protection.

While this book isn't as light-hearted as some of the other DragonKeeper books, it was an enjoyable read, with good truths woven throughout the story. I would recommend this book, and the whole DragonKeeper series, for readers of all ages. They are also an excellent series to read out loud to children.