Customer Reviews

DragonSpell (Dragon Keepers Chronicles, Book 1)

5 star:		(89)
4 star:		(28)
3 star:		(11)
2 star:		(4)
1 star:		(13)

 

 

My daughters and I spent enjoyable evenings reading this fantasy novel throughout the summer. They loved Kale and her quest. We laughed at some of the characters' antics, wished for cute little dragons as pets, and raced through the confrontations with natural and unnatural foes.

The story starts with Kale as a young slave girl. Slowly she discovers she is more than a slave girl; she is a woman destined for great things. As she searches for the fabled meech egg, she accepts the role that is hers and she makes many new friends along the way. "Dragonspell" implies more contact with dragons, and indeed dragons are an important part of the background, as well as a driving factor in Kale's quest. But my daughters and I all hoped for a little more of the dragon scenes. We especially had a soft spot for Celisse. I'm sure dragons will be explored more in the sequel.

Paul's writing is full of imagery and world-building. The allegorical aspects are clear, but never heavyhanded. Christian themes ring true. Most of this fantasy land will seem somewhat familiar to avid readers, yet it still pulses with a life and imagination all its own. The names are fun and evocative. The characters are many, but memorable.

This is one family who will be waiting anxiously for the next in Donita Paul's series.

This books somehow achieves that elusive balance of light-hearted fantasy with a passionate message about the love of God in the midst of the hurts and confusions of life. A fun and entertaining read, the message is unobtrusive, but so integral to the story that you ache for a closer relationship with Palidan and his Father, Wulder.

It is a very rare talent to stimulate that hunger for a closer relationship with virtually no churchy language or theological jargon. It is rarer still to do so with simple language showing gripping and imaginative characters involved in a desperate battle - while keeping the tone upbeat and hopeful. The good dragons are a surprising and delightful twist against preconceived notions that all dragons must be evil.

Reminiscent of C.S. Lewis' Chronicles of Narnia in the imaginative creatures and characters, this has a tone and flavor all its own. Readers who loved the Chronicles will love this also. Yet they should come to it expecting something new and fresh. They won't be disappointed.

I am eagerly anticipating dipping into the sequel - savoring it - like a second helping of dessert that is just a bit too rich for one sitting.

Altogether a wonderful book

My son is big into dragons right now. He loves fantasy. How nice it was to find a book which not only indulged that but had a good message. My husband read this book to both of my boys as bedtime reading. They loved it. The message does not beat you over the head as some Christian fiction does, but is much more subtle at least for the kids. My 10 and almost 12 year olds were entrhalled and can't wait to read the sequel.

Welcome to the world of DragonSpell, where seven high races and seven low ones share the lovely kingdom of Amara, and the young village slave Kale is about to discover that adventure is not all it's cracked up to be. Her talent for finding dragon eggs and her eventual destiny as the Dragonkeeper catapult her into a quest for the egg of the fabled meech dragon, now held captive by the evil wizard Risto. Kale journeys through hope and doubt, joy and seeming failure, until she comes to recognize and accept that despite her humble beginnings and internal uncertainty, she can indeed share a part in greatness.

This book is billed for all ages, from 9 to 90, and certainly had enough sparkle to keep this cynical, weary reader engaged. I found it sweet, thought-provoking, and entertaining--in short, a very winsome read. The story and characters stayed with me long after I turned the last page. (Dar, in particular, is not to be missed!)

DragonSpell works nicely to help fill the need for wholesome fantasy by contemporary authors for teens and younger readers. My 12- and 14-year-old sons were riveted by the book, and its sequel, DragonQuest. As a homeschooling mother of eight, I had a few questions about the premise when I first picked it up, given the symbolism of dragons in Scripture, but I found this story to be a spiritually "clean" read and very uplifting.

This is a really good book, and quite accesible to all ages. Donita Paul did a great job of plot and character development without writing a tedious, monstrous book. It is hard to put down. The chraracters are so varied and interesting. The author has a great imagination and a talent for bringing it all to life trough her writing, while weaving in good lessons through the story. Well done!

Wow, I'll admit, I was a little wary when I picked up the book, but then I got into it, and wow, I was blown away! Kale, the DragonKeeper who didn't know she was the DragonKeeper before the book began, discovers she has a gift for keeping dragons. Well, everyone's said the plot, I'll just skip to saying what I actually thought of the book. =)

It was pretty much awesome. There was so much "little stuff" in the book that helped make me even more interested. Everything, from Kale seeing a painting that actually happened later on, was fascinating. I really related to Kale, her hesitations, mistakes, and general doubts and confusions about Palladin and Wulder being the same person; all of these things really made Kale real to me.

I really appreciated the alligorical (sp?) parts of the book, I thought it was cool that Donita didn't just do a Bible story (which I have no problem with) but she did a story that illustrated truths from the Bible. Way cool.

I would highly reccomend this to anyone and everyone!

I just finished reading Dragonspell aloud to my four children, ages 7 - 13. I don't know who loved it more, them or me! This wonderful adventure reminded me of the same sense of wonder and excitement I felt when I first read C.S. Lewis' Narnia. Imaginative and creative, Dragonspell captured my children's interest. The character development and inner journey of Kale, the heroine, won my heart. This is one of the best reading experiences I've ever had. Even my son, a sometimes reluctant listener, begged for just one more chapter.

Dragonspell is masterfully done and left my soul delightfully full.

This book was a surprise.

The bookstore I work at gave this to me to read and review and I was innitially skeptical... there have only been a handful of Christian authors to successfully pull off fantasy (Lewis, Tolkien, L'Engle) and I doubted if any new Christian fantasy would do anything other than try to Christianize Harry Potter (GP Taylor).

I turned out to be wrong (and went on to read "Raising Dragons" by Bryon Davis which is also quality)... and I'm glad I gave the book a chance.

Donita K. Paul doesn't try to force a story but let's the story weave it's self. She creates great characters who are believable. When the characters aren't perfect you understand because you have been in simular situations where misunderstandings happen.

Most encouraging was how the story could be read and enjoyed without feeling like the book was preaching at you. Paul uses some allegory, but it is subtle and tasteful... not quite as subtle as Tolkien (who hated allegory and just wrote stories...) but not as obvious as Lewis (who intentinally wrote allegorically). People who don't share the Christian faith should be able to read this story, like Lord of the Rings, without feeling like Paul is trying to trick them into any kind of religious belief.

Dragonspell by Donita K. Paul is a fantasy about Kale, a slave girl who finds a dragon's egg. The elders in her village free her from slavery since, after all, she now owns a dragon's egg, and send her far away to The Hall to learn.
Kale may indeed now have a dragon's egg, but other than that, she feels the same as always. She expects to be a servant in The Hall now, much like a slave, which is the only thing she knows, so that's okay. On her journey she finds seven more dragon eggs.
Every move she makes leads her away from her destination, despite her determination to get to The Hall. She is dragged along on a journey with a band, who keep telling her she's meant to use her special gifts.
Kale has no gifts except obeying. Her companions tell her she has the gift of finding dragon eggs.
The entire book is full of fun and adventure. Timid Kale turns into a plucky adventurer by necessity not choice. Despite her desire to obey her village elders and go to The Hall, she's having fun - fun interrupted by terror as the evil Wizard Rizzo tries to turn Kale to his side, so he can use her to find dragon eggs.
In fantasy writing the challenge is `world creating'. In the best tradition of Lord of the Rings, Donita K. Paul creates a world with creatures good and evil. She conjures plants and animals with her vivid words. Paul creates an adventure so fast paced and death defying that it doesn't matter what the world around Kale looks like, but you can still see it.
Dragonspell is for adults as well as children. It's funny and inspiring. The good guys are intrepid. Kale, the reluctant heroine, rises brilliantly to the challenge set before her. The evil Wizard meets his match with the all powerful Wulder and his fellow warrior Paladin.
Dragonspell was an uplifting change of pace for me. An interesting respite from the romance and danger of most novels I read.

Dragonspell is a delightful read for all ages. If you enjoy C.S. Lewis' 'Chronicles of Narnia' or John White's 'Archives of Anthropos', you will enjoy 'Dragonspell', as well. It follows young Kale Allerion and her companions on a quest, both corporeal and spiritual, to wrest a stolen dragon egg from the evil Wizard Risto, taking them through forest and marsh, under mountains, and even soaring through the air on a dragon's back, fighting bisonbecks and mordakleeps, while Kale struggles to understand the world around her. I highly recommend Kale's first adventure and look forward to her next. . . !