One Dragon Egg Holds the Key to the Future.
Once a slave, Kale is given the unexpected opportunity to become a servant to Paladin. Yet this ... read full description
Once a slave, Kale is given the unexpected opportunity to become a servant to Paladin. Yet this ... read full description
reviews
Sep 26, 2007
Tereasa
rated it: 
I would sort this book under Christian Fantasy. I have read 3 of the 4 books and each one gets better as you become more involved in the lives of the characters. I really like this book for middle school age children because it is so hard to find good wholesome books for this age anymore. My 12 years old son couldn't put these books down. Unlike Harry Potter (which I love), there is no swearing, and no terribly descriptive gore. I finished the book feeling really good about what I read.
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Jan 23, 2009
Blaine
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Donita Paul's "DragonSpell" captivated my attention with its action filled plot, inspiring main character, and detailed words.
To start, the plot was filled with action, but not very original. The entire book revolved around the main character and her journey to find the Meech dragon egg, and along the way trying to find herself and her place in the world. Don't get me wrong, I'm not saying that's a bad thing, but it's just getting old. What made me like Donita's book the most w More...
To start, the plot was filled with action, but not very original. The entire book revolved around the main character and her journey to find the Meech dragon egg, and along the way trying to find herself and her place in the world. Don't get me wrong, I'm not saying that's a bad thing, but it's just getting old. What made me like Donita's book the most w More...
May 24, 2008
Emilie
rated it: 
Dragonspell, the first in a 4 book series, is an easy, fun and exciting read. A delightful allegory of what it means to be a follower of God, well written as a story of challenge and conquest as a young girl, raised as a slave, learns to find her stength in her relationship with Paladin. She discovers her gift of finding dragon eggs and is drawn to find a large clutch, as well as using the talent to find the rare Meech Dragon egg, and rescue it from the evil Wizard who tries to obtain the powe
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Jul 15, 2010
Margaret
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This book kept me giggling and curious for more. With a full combination of Dumbledore and Gandolf, with Jesus and God the Father, as well as the Fellowship of the Ring, and flashes of the Shadow of Evil plot in mind... this book is a wonderful original that is reminiscent of many wonderful things that takes you to no place like you have ever been.
Kale is a simple o'rant girl who does not think too highly of herself. This is a story where Paladin comes to her in ways unimagined and More...
Kale is a simple o'rant girl who does not think too highly of herself. This is a story where Paladin comes to her in ways unimagined and More...
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Aug 22, 2011
Melissa
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I really really wanted to like this book. I am a huge fan of Harry Potter, The Chronicles of Narnia, The Hobbit and The Lord of the Rings Trilogy, and the Peter and the Starcatchers series. I do enjoy Young Adult/Children’s fiction occasionally. So when the opportunity arose to read Dragonspell and review this for Waterbrook Multnomah’s Blogging for Books program, I was really excited. Unfortunately, it was short lived. I just couldn’t get past the first three chapters. I really can’t put
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Aug 04, 2011
Jen
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I can remember one time when a book was so good that I read it twice in one sitting, front to back. That book was The Dragonbone Chair by Tad Williams and it spoke to me during a time in which I needed to hear it. My parents were fighting a lot and on the verge of divorce; it was 1996. Fifteen years have passed since I read that thick musty novel and when I glanced down at DragonSpell after finishing it, a novel by Donita K. Paul which was neither thick nor musty, I realized that I was tempted t
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Jul 20, 2011
Juliette
rated it:
This book was a great beginning to the DragonKeeper Chronicles, and it really introduces you to the world that Ms. Paul has created. Kale, who's about 14 years old, found a dragon egg in her village where she had been raised as a slave (but not the kind of slave you're probably thinking of). The book begins with her journey to Vendela in order to train in the Hall to serve Paladin, the leader of Amara, the country in which the series is based in. Unfortunately, she doesn't quite make it there be
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Jul 15, 2011
EmilytheDragon
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As opposed to most fantasy stories, this one is set in a realm filled with creatures not even remotely connected to our world. The creatures are from the author's imagination, not from old mythology. I commend this originality, however I know many people who have issues grasping fantasy worlds, especially ones filled with unfamiliar creatures. This starts off a bit slow, but I think the beginning helps the reader get acquainted with the fantasy world. I am easily emerged into the realms of s
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Mar 15, 2011
Micki
rated it:
Generally, I don't enjoy allegory, fantasy, or the young adult genre. This series made me a believer and reader of all three. Although set in a mythical country with dragons and other creatures - some sweet (baby dragons are darling) and many not-so-sweet, I found God, the Biblical wisdom, and hope woven all through the pages of this book. I fell in love with the female protagonist, a young slave girl named, Kale, and her coming-of-age story told in the five books that make up the series. Sh
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Nov 07, 2010
Ruth
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Kale is a young o'rant slave girl, used to taking orders and living a safe, predictable existence, until her world is rocked by the discovery of a unique talent. She possesses the rare and unique gift of discovering valuable dragon eggs. Sent to the city of Vendela to undertake training at The Hall so she can enter the service of Paladin, her carefully laid plans go awry when she's nearly kidnapped and then her rescuers inform her that she must go questing. Kale and her new comrades have been co
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Jun 27, 2010
Deborah
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A quest to rescue the Meech dragon egg from the evil Wizard Risto brings together each of the 7 major races of Amera. One of the party is a servant girl who after discovering another dragon egg is sent by her village to journey to the city of Vendela to seek instruction from the masters of those who follow Paladin. On Kale’s journey to Vendela she is captured by a camp of Grawligs (an ogre type race), by others of the quest and is told she has been chosen by Paladin himself to journey on this
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Feb 06, 2010
Bekkalee
rated it:
Dragonspell was an entertaining read. Paul spins a beautiful world of fantasy and allegory, both creating fresh ideas and renewing old ones. I enjoyed her characters, especially the eternally fashionable Dar the Doneel.
However, Paladin and Wulder were so precisely copied from Jesus and God that I almost rolled my eyes when they were introduced. I think allegories should be more removed, so that halfway through I think "OH! That was meant to be THIS!" and get the shivers while th More...
However, Paladin and Wulder were so precisely copied from Jesus and God that I almost rolled my eyes when they were introduced. I think allegories should be more removed, so that halfway through I think "OH! That was meant to be THIS!" and get the shivers while th More...
Jun 19, 2009
Sarah
rated it:
I really like this book. If you've ever looked at my shelves, you know that I am a huge fantasy geek. I found this book to be refreshing, clean, and enjoyable.
I found it refreshing because Ms. Paul doesn't try to copy Tolkien. A few of the character traits and themes were a bit unoriginal, but I didn't mind it. The characters are all unique in their own way.
I found it clean because there is not a single use of profanity anywhere. No innuendos, either. There is quite a bit of More...
I found it refreshing because Ms. Paul doesn't try to copy Tolkien. A few of the character traits and themes were a bit unoriginal, but I didn't mind it. The characters are all unique in their own way.
I found it clean because there is not a single use of profanity anywhere. No innuendos, either. There is quite a bit of More...
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Dec 30, 2010
Janet
rated it: 
p. 74 Unfortunately, I was born with the wander lust. If you have the spirit of adventure, it's painful to have to stay in one place.
p. 82
He knows our concern.
But what good does that do us?
Us? In your mind you've made us the center of what is happening. He is the center.
p. 127 You aren't her friend if you accept unacceptable behavior. Leave her in His capable hands. He cares more than you do.
p. 149 We have walked past the suffering without seeing.
p. 205 There' More...
p. 82
He knows our concern.
But what good does that do us?
Us? In your mind you've made us the center of what is happening. He is the center.
p. 127 You aren't her friend if you accept unacceptable behavior. Leave her in His capable hands. He cares more than you do.
p. 149 We have walked past the suffering without seeing.
p. 205 There' More...
Feb 07, 2011
Tamara
rated it:
Bought this one for my dragon crazy sixth grader, and was curious why he didn't ask for the sequel when he finished. After reading, I understand. It is an ok fantasy - imaginative settings, nicely drawn characters - but it spends so much time didactically 'teaching' principles that it is slow and sometimes I found it tiresome. I was intrigued by the fact that the author is a self-proclaimed values writer, especially when giving a book to my child, but this is actually theology in a sci-fi wra
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Jan 15, 2012
Scarletstories
rated it:
A fantastic, easy-to-follow read. I enjoyed the characters and the plot took several twists and turns I didn't see coming, which is a pleasant surprise for me.
I really loved the character of Kale. She wasn't one of those stereotypical, headstrong female characters who can do anything and doesn't need anyone's help. She was being shoved into a world she didn't understand. She needed help, and she wasn't against apologizing when she did something wrong.
Dar was possibly my More...
I really loved the character of Kale. She wasn't one of those stereotypical, headstrong female characters who can do anything and doesn't need anyone's help. She was being shoved into a world she didn't understand. She needed help, and she wasn't against apologizing when she did something wrong.
Dar was possibly my More...
Mar 12, 2011
Kristie
rated it:
I was kind of disappointed in this book. I thought it had a lot of promise, and the plot was actually really good. However, there were several things about this book that I didn't like. Firstly, the author tried really hard to create a unique world for this story, but I just thought it was a bit too confusing. She gave all the species of the characters strange names, and it took me awhile to figure out what type of creatures everyone was supposed to be. I suppose an o'rant is a human, emerlindia
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Oct 19, 2010
Molly
rated it:
Dragonspell by Donita K. Paul is the first book in the DragonKeeper Chronicles, a five book Christian fantasy series. Considering my love for the genre, I began the book anxious to see if I would be adding another series to the shelf of my slowly growing Christian fantasy collection. After finishing it, I have to give the book about 3 1/2 stars. It took me several days to finish, a sure sign that it didn't hold my interest like some books I devour in two or three days. Though full of action, it
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Aug 08, 2011
Mymcbooks
rated it:
This is a Christian fantasy and if you are a fantasy fan, Dragonspell is the book for you. Kale never thought she will one day embark on a perilous quest to find the meech dragon egg stolen by the foul Wizard Risto or the thought that she will find herself in the midst of danger and adventure. She learns to leave her past as a village slave behind her and accept the destiny. The thought scared her and pleased her too. Another character in the book is Paladin; he’s humble and portrays a Jesus-li
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Aug 07, 2011
Joel
rated it:
Donita K. Paul has created a rich world of fantasy. With the many races inhabiting Amara there is certainly a rich diversity of peoples. Ms. Paul's creativity is astounding. For the most part the story moves along at a pretty good pace, though there are times I felt the plot dragging a bit.
The plot itself is engaging and enriching. The idea behind the book is that a young girl, Kale, has gifts that enable her to discover the location of dragons' eggs. She must join a party of Paladin More...
The plot itself is engaging and enriching. The idea behind the book is that a young girl, Kale, has gifts that enable her to discover the location of dragons' eggs. She must join a party of Paladin More...
Jul 17, 2011
Terri
rated it:
Donita K. Paul's dragon books are some of my favorite Christian fantasy. They were also some of the first books I discovered once I learned that Christian fantasy could mean more than The Chronicles of Narnia.
Kale never expected to go from village slave to a girl on a quest, but that's exactly what happened when she found the dragon egg. The village council decides to send her to Vendela, the capitol city of Amara, to consult with the leaders at the Hall, where warriors are trained. More...
Kale never expected to go from village slave to a girl on a quest, but that's exactly what happened when she found the dragon egg. The village council decides to send her to Vendela, the capitol city of Amara, to consult with the leaders at the Hall, where warriors are trained. More...
Sep 25, 2010
Donna
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Kale is a lowly servant girl from River Away who has found a dragon egg. She is immediately sent to the City of Vendela to see the rulers there. Kale is excited to enter the city as she has never seen anything like this before, but during an attack is drawn into a cave and to more dragon eggs. She soon discovers that she is expected to go on a quest with Leetu and Dar to find a meech egg. She is the mighty "Dragon Keeper," although she doesn't believe it. Through their travels they mee
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Dec 05, 2008
Jill
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After a lifetime of slavery, fourteen-year-old Kale is set free. She travels to The Hall in Vendela where she will receive her training as a servant. Before she can reach her destination, ogres attack her. She escapes into a cave where she finds seven small dragon eggs. When she comes back outside, she is rescued by Paladin servants. They inform her that Paladin has given her a gift, the ability to find dragon eggs, and persuade her to leave her journey to The Hall for another quest: find a miss
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Dec 19, 2009
Matthew
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I bought this book in the Sci-Fi Fantasy section, I looked at the back and it sounded promising and it started off very well like any good fantasy novel. They started to add some religion to it, that is fine all great fantasy needs some kind of religion. At some point in the middle I realize they are putting the religion aspects on a little heavy, and later on it just got way too heavy in religion, I later found out it was christian fantasy, it did not say that anywhere on the book and it was in
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Jul 29, 2011
Jenn
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RECEIVED FROM: Blogging For Books For Review
***NOTE MY REVIEWS OFTEN CONTAIN SPOILERS***
When Kale, an o’rant slave discovers a dragon egg in the stream by her home she is sent to serve in Palladins hall and take the dragon egg to him. However on her way she is intercepted by Grawligs, ogre like creatures who take her captive, only to be rescued by some of Palladins soldiers and enlisted for a quest to save a dragon meech egg from Risto, an enemy of Wulder and Palladin. More...
***NOTE MY REVIEWS OFTEN CONTAIN SPOILERS***
When Kale, an o’rant slave discovers a dragon egg in the stream by her home she is sent to serve in Palladins hall and take the dragon egg to him. However on her way she is intercepted by Grawligs, ogre like creatures who take her captive, only to be rescued by some of Palladins soldiers and enlisted for a quest to save a dragon meech egg from Risto, an enemy of Wulder and Palladin. More...
Mar 14, 2011
Blabberwart
rated it:
Dragon Spell (and the other 4 books in the DragonKeeper Chronicles) is a nice, easy, fun read. This review is going to stand as my review for the series because each book is just as good as the one before and the other after.
Pros:
Great characters that you can really connect with and understand
Smooth, quick, and easy reading that is fun
Fun, action filled storyline that still explains the many fantastic names, words, etc.
Cons:
The enti More...
Pros:
Great characters that you can really connect with and understand
Smooth, quick, and easy reading that is fun
Fun, action filled storyline that still explains the many fantastic names, words, etc.
Cons:
The enti More...
Feb 12, 2010
I'm listening to this one on audiobook- I highly recommend it- and not just because my mom is the author! I really enjoy all the fantasy races and how they are each unique with different powers- most authors only tackle 2-3 and they are just rehashing of elves, dwarfs, orcs and what-not. But in this series each race is really new and interesting, so bravo! My only complaint is possibly the speed of action, in some places it is too fast (they were attacked, now walking, attacked, singing songs- a
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Oct 07, 2011
Angela
rated it:
I love dragon stories, so I was glad for the fact that the story included them. Not just one or two, but several, large and small. I enjoyed the relationship the main character, Kale, had with the small dragons and the relationships she built with the others on her adventure.
As an adult, much of the religious angle was apparent, but that's because I'm aware of it. But had I read this as a child, I probably would have noticed those leanings less because I rather enjoyed the innocence More...
As an adult, much of the religious angle was apparent, but that's because I'm aware of it. But had I read this as a child, I probably would have noticed those leanings less because I rather enjoyed the innocence More...
Feb 03, 2012
Ashley E
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This is one of my favorite series, if you can't tell by the amount of times I've read it. The story is about Kale, a former slave girl, who is sent questing after she discovers a dragon egg. Things just get more complicated from there on. Between crotchety, uncooperative wizards, evil monsters trying to destroy them, and Kale's own dislike of "adventuring", finding the missing meech egg is more difficult than she would like.
Though this book is aimed at younger readers (tweens More...
Though this book is aimed at younger readers (tweens More...
Nov 27, 2008
Elizabeth
rated it:
Once a slave, Kale is given the unexpected opportunity to become a servant to Paladin. Yet this young girl has much to learn about the difference between slavery and service.
A small band of Paladin's servants rescue Kale from danger but turn her from her destination: The Hall, where she was to be trained. Feeling afraid and unprepared, Kale embarks on a perilous quest to find the meech dragon egg stolen by the foul wizard Risto.
First, she and her comrades must find Wizar More...
A small band of Paladin's servants rescue Kale from danger but turn her from her destination: The Hall, where she was to be trained. Feeling afraid and unprepared, Kale embarks on a perilous quest to find the meech dragon egg stolen by the foul wizard Risto.
First, she and her comrades must find Wizar More...
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