I just finished reading "Dragonspell". Even before I really started the book it hit me so hard that this sounded exactly like something written by the people here on HW. It had everything you've talked about, Cobha, strange names for God, thinly veiled allegories, talking dragons, the whole works. If you haven't read it, you should. You'll know exactly what I'm talking about. Seven different races, expertly detailed. A slave girl goes a-questing with an eccentric old wizard and learns about God(Wulder) and Christ(Paladin) who she had assumed all her life to be just fairy tales for children. They've got dragons of all shapes and sizes. Healing dragons, singing dragons, fire dragons, you ride dragons, you carry dragon eggs around in your pocket, it reminds me of the character introduction thread there are so many dragons!! It was a really good book, and it reads like this forum in a plot format. It was funny how it struck me that way.

Woah, woah, woah, hold on a minute.

On the Dragonspell forums, Mrs. Paul has clearly stated, several times, that Paladin is not Christ, nor any member of the Trinity. She refuses to say who he is, but says that he represents a slightly more abstract and less personal concept, and is therefore more difficult to grasp.

If you get to the last book, you'll see Paladin's not-Christ-ness very clearly, as he makes mistakes, is limited to guessing about the future, and generally demonstrates that he is definitely not All-Knowing or All-Powerful.

I have a suspicion that he represents the Authority of the Church, but I don't know what Mrs. Paul's theological beliefs are, so I don't now.

And yeah, there are tons of dragons. And there are more and more every book. It's absurd.

Woah, woah, woah yourself. I've never been on the dragonspell forums or heard any of the author's outside explanations. I read the book. And that is how the book reads. How was I supposed to know it's supposed to be an allegory that's not an allegory? Paladin looks like Christ to me. He says something along the lines of being one with Wulder so even if he's not "Jesus Christ" he's something along the lines of Wulder's son, and I'm sure I'm not the only one to perceive him that way.

Play nice children.

I've read the books too. I'm part way through Dragonfire and still need to read Dragonlight, but I did read it how Janin of Yen did. I assumed Paladin to be a Christ-like figure. ^^;;

There are some things I'm bothered by in the the series, but overall its alright. The characters are fun and likable, the fantasy creatures are very interesting and well thought out, and it deals with common issues for example: learning to deal with people you don't get along with. The writing seems more aimed at a younger age group, which doesn't bother me, but I found that Kale annoyed me until the third book when she finally matures. It is interesting to see her growth throughout the story though.

One of the things that bugged me was there's a lot of time skipping and narrating of what happened in the years previously not mentioned. I guess that's more a personal preference. *shrug*

I read them when I was 10-12 years old, so I can't remember everything about them... They were entertaining, and I really liked them, I still do today. When I read the first couple books in the series, I too thought that Paladin was Jesus Christ, but after reading about him in the last few books, I was not so sure it was Him, so I went to her website. But I do know that I liked the books so much, I got Mrs. Paul to sign a poster from the series, and she gave me bookmarks and signed stickers to put in the front of all the books.

That's really cool Lady Terra!

I know, right! She signs everything "Blessing, Donita K. Paul" in a really cool script!

Anyway, Like I was saying... They are good books (personally I like them better than her newest series, 'The Vanishing Sculptor') I would suggest them to people. And I like dragons, and Donita portrays very cute ones... but that may be just my opinion.

That is how the books read. For the first three books, at least. In the last two, some significant doubt is shed on that point.

I do remember somebody other than Paladin mentioning that Paladin and Wulder think so much alike that Paladin practically is Wulder, but Paladin himself doesn't affirm or deny that statement. I don't recall anyone claiming that Paladin was the actual son of Wulder, beyond some references to every being created by Wulder and being His children.

On the forum, someone was discussing the idea that if Wulder is a type of God, and Paladin is a type of Christ, who was the type of the Holy Spirit? Mrs. Paul said that while Wulder is God, but Paladin isn't Christ or a representation of Christ or any other part of the Trinity.

Besides, while he never sins, in the last book he is asked several questions to which he replies that he doesn't know the answer, and that only Wulder knows. (Canceling out any ideas about being all-knowing and distinguishing himself from Wulder.)

I would advise anyone who isn't finished to get all the way through the series and read the final book. It was really amazing, and it answers lots of questions. Plus, it has a huge, un-cute dragon.

I finished the first book feeling somewhat unimpressed and decided that the rest of the series was probably not worth my money. I might have to look into reading the others somewhere down the road. Though in a few weeks most of my reading will be textbooks .

You bought the book? I cheat and use the library, despite being against the public ownership of books.

Don't spend your money on them. They aren't that good. But if you're getting them free, they're worth some time.

My mom bought them for me for a few dollars each at a second hand store.

Ha, I'm reading from the library too. It's got to be something super, super special for me to want to own a copy. Like LotR or Lucky Starr or something. They're not that good. I forgot to get my mom some books on the bookmobile the other day and returned the other Ellery Queen book I had and she wanted something to read so I gave her that. She was incredulous, but she read it, and this evening she was asking me about the rest of the series. I guess she liked it. And that's something, because my mom doesn't really read fantasy, except to check up on my reading material sometimes. So, one of these days when I get bak to the library I'll see how much more of the series there is. How many books are there, anyway?

There is Dragonspell, Dragonquest, Dragonknight, Dragonfire and Dragonlight.

There's clearly a Dragon thing going on.

I take it that you don't like little, cute dragons?

It's been a while since I read them, but I remember liking them. The characters were my favorite part, especially Bardon and Wizard Fenworth. Kale annoyed me at first too, but she matures a lot throughout the series.
I thought Donita K. Paul had some original ideas too, especially with her races, and her wizards.

All that said, I probably wouldn't spend my money on them. The books aren't that good. (I agree with Janin of Yen... it has to be really good for me to buy it!) But if you could find them at the library, they are worth reading!

My mom bought them for me, so I didn't have to worry about that. But, now I have an Amazon Kindle, so I always buy the books (I basically read out my library, so I got the kindle for the online-library ). I think, for the stuff I got out of the books, I would have bought them. They series does not seem as good now, but back then it really got me interested in creating worlds and characters *sigh*

I love the Dragon Keeper Chronicles! I like books with dragons, but I was not really into Eragon. I liked these books a whole lot more. The second and last ones are my favorites out of the series, I think.

She has a new series starting called The Chiril Chronicles. The first one is The Vanishing Sculptor, and the second book in September. It is called Dragons of the Valley. The Vanishing Sculptor was pretty good. For me, it seemed really slow at first, but it got much more exciting in the end.

Any other opinions?

I've seen her books but never really known if they were worth the time. What is the quality of writing in them like?

I thought the quality in the Dragon Keeper Chronicles was pretty good, not as good as some, but good in general I'm not a big fan of the Chiril Chronicles though...

She writes pretty well. With the Dragon Keeper Chronicles, I thought that each book got better. I didn't care for the Vanishing Sculpture, though.

I thought her portrayal of the wizards was really cool! I mean, who wouldn't think a light wizard with bolts of lightning ornamenting her dress was cool? Plus Fen is totally laughable with lizards and rats coming out from every dark corner of his clothing. And I love when Fen's cousin comes on the scene and leaves puddles of water all over the place.

I really really like these books! I mean the author is a Christian, the books are suspenseful and lively and have some good Christian morals! And the characters are for the most part well drawn out and the dragons are so cute!
I'd say the books are worth your money.

I never finished the first novel because her storyline and setting felt so unnatural and distant. And then her writing bored me.

I have a character named Kale in my book. Only... it's a boy! It sounds really weird to have a girl named Kale

I hear Kale and think the vegetable...

*giggles *

I like these books, though the Chiril books didn't draw me in as much. . . .It may be because I'm getting older, I'm not really sure.

I enjoyed the uniqueness of the dragons, and all the different races. My favorite, besides the dragons, were the Doneels. (I simply loved Toopka.)

I read them when I was either 13 or 14, and the light-hearted, non-witchcraft magic, made me a #1 fan for quite some time. Then I got older and wanted a story with more stakes in it. Still, I recomend them as good books to share with kids who like the wonder of dragons, but don't enjoy the witchcraft/just-pure-strangeness, in many dragon books.

~ZA

The Chiril books are probably not as good (Though I've read all of her books, including her christmas novella, but not including her kid's book) as the Dragon Keeper, but I enjoy them. I love Paul's style and her characters. Especially Fen and Libretowit (sp?) which is half the reason I liked the Chiril books, because they were in it. And, for those who've not read the Dragon Keeper books all the way through, I will not say why that thrilled me so dearly, but those who've read them can guess, I'm sure.

First, I just want to say a big "Thank You" to Donita K. Paul, for the first books that I ever read. (Aside from the Bible...so, let's go with all other non-fiction and all fiction, period. )

Oh, I didn't say it. Okay: THANK YOU!!!!

Okay, I'm done.

The Dragon Keeper Chronicles (May be referred to as DKC from this point on) really got my attention. I enjoyed it all, though my enthusiasm took a small dip with the introduction of mean Bardon, but by the third book, I was fine.

DragonLight was a satisfying confusion.

Ah, I despised Bardon when he first came up. Gah. But, well, yes...it is a vast understatement to say he improved. (Ahem, I've gotten into the habit of saying 'Pardon Bardon' instead of the normal 'pardon' for some reason I cannot name.)

First books you read?! what had you been doing all that time?