Official Synopsis:
One Dragon Egg Holds the Key to the Future.
When Kale, a slave girl, finds a dragon egg, she is given the unexpected opportunity to become a servant to Paladin. But on her way to The Hall, where she was to be trained, Kale runs into danger. Rescued by a small band of Paladin’s servants, Kale is turned from her destination.
Feeling afraid and unprepared, Kale embarks on a perilous quest to find the meech dragon egg stolen by the foul Wizard Risto. But their journey is threatened when a key member of the party is captured, leaving the remaining companions to find the Wizard Fenworth, attempt an impossible rescue, and recover the egg–whose true value they have not begun to suspect.
Weaving together memorable characters, daring adventure, and a core of eternal truth, Dragonspell–the first book in the Dragon Keepers Chronicles–is a finely crafted and welcome addition to the corpus of fantasy fiction.
Book details:
Author: Paul, Donita K.
Date Published: June 22, 2004
Publisher: WaterBrook Press
~~~~~~~
“This quest you go on is nothing you would have chosen of your own free will.”
“Dangerous?“
“And then some.”
“Why me?“
“Because you’ve been given a gift, and those that get a gift must use it.”
“Must?“
“Must!”
~~~~~~~
Review:
Life is not going as fourteen-year-old Kale thought it was supposed to. From surprising meetings with people like she’s only heard stories of, to becoming companions with them, Kale realizes that she knows very little of the world…and understands even less. But reassurance follows sobering realization—as long as she keeps striving to know and follow Paladin (Jesus), and Wulder (God) and His ways, she’ll be alright.
I originally discovered this book and series as a teenager in high school, and after reading it again around a decade later, I wasn’t disappointed! DragonSpell lays the foundation for the DragonKeeper Chronicles, and is the first book written in the land of Amara. The series holds very closely to Christian values; something that can be hard to find in this age range. Donita K. Paul has managed to incorporate the importance to an individual’s belief and relationship with God, and Jesus, in a completely different and fantastical world. There are Biblical and Christian values that are scattered throughout the story, spread as wisdom to the still learning Kale.
Donita did a nice job spreading out much of the information of the world so the readers aren’t overwhelmed early on. Although some characters and relationships fall a bit flat, and could have been more fleshed out, this isn’t a big issue. Kale struggles with the idea that other people would care for her “without reason”, and so isn’t the type to actively seek out friendships with relative strangers. Therefore, these “flat” and undeveloped relationships are understandable. We do, however, see Kale’s appreciation and care grow for some more than others. Donita’s apparent focus is on Kale, her adventure and personal growth, and her developing relationships with a few key individuals, Wulder and Paladin included, and that focus is well kept.
Although I originally discovered this series in high school, it would be a great pick up for upper elementary and up to read on their own.
Places to purchase:
WaterBrook & Multnomah (publisher) – paperback and eBook
Thriftbooks.com – Distributor for private sellers
Amazon.com – New, used, Kindle, & audiobook
Barnes&Noble – New: Paperback, eBook, Audiobook, MP3 & CD
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