Thursday, May 17, 2012

Book Review: The Dragons of Chiril by Donita K. Paul

The Dragons of Chiril,
previously published as The Vanishing Sculptor.
by Donita K. Paul

Genre: Middle Grade / Christian Fantasy

Ages: Suitable for all ages.

I received a copy of this book from Waterbrook Multnomah Publishing Group as part of their Blogging for Books program in exchange for a fair and honest review.

Description:

Before DragonSpell, on a different continent and a different time, a young emerlindian’s desperate decision threatens to disrupt the foundation of the world.

Tipper has been caring for her family’s estate for years now, ever since her father disappeared, making a living by selling off his famous artwork. Then she learns that three statues she sold were carved from an ancient foundation stone, and the fabric of her reality is crumbling.

She must free her father and save the world. But she can’t do it alone.

Her ragtag band of adventurers includes Beccaroon, a giant parrot; Bealomondore, an aristocratic young artist; a handsome dragonkeeper prince; the Wizard Fenworth; and the tumanhofer librarian Librettowit. Together they travel through valleys and kingdoms and consort with purveyors of good and agents of evil to find and reunite the missing statues. Will they learn to rely on Wulder’s grace and guidance along the way?


My Thoughts:


I loved the DragonSpell series, so when I saw this one I just had to read it. It took me a little longer to get into then Ms. Paul's other novels, but not much. Before long I was adventuring right along with Tipper and her friends, laughing at their silliness and enjoying the fun.


It is difficult to find good Christian fantasy that doesn't either drive you crazy with preachiness or bore you with bland writing. You don't find either of these problems in this book. Ms. Paul's writing is intelligent and witty and she blends Christian values and allegory in with the story perfectly. Her characters are marvelously flawed and likable, even though most of them are not precisely human. It is so easy to praise their successes and cringe at mistakes you know you would probably make if you were in there place.


Full of humor and moments of peril, Tipper's is not a quest you want to miss. I recommend this book to children who want fun and parents who want quality. I also think this book would make an excellent read-aloud.



Rating System: Profanity, Sexuality and Violence
1 (mild) through 10 (extreme).


Profanity:
I rate it a 1.10 for a couple of harmless 'blast's.


Sexuality:
There was no sexuality in this book.


Violence:
I rate it a 3.10 for a couple of skirmishes and moments of peril.

                                         Lieder Madchen

1 comment:

  1. I have not read anything by this author- but her work sounds worth the read! Thanks for the introduction.
    ~Jess

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