War threatens the peaceful land of Chiril…
can one painter-turned-reluctant-swordsman really help?
can one painter-turned-reluctant-swordsman really help?
With an invasion of her country imminent, Tipper Schope is drawn into a mission to keep three important statues from falling into the enemy’s clutches. Her friend, the artist Bealomondore, helps her execute the plan, and along the way he learns to brandish a sword rather than a paintbrush.
As odd disappearances and a rash of volatile behavior sweep Chiril, no one is safe. A terrible danger has made his vicious presence known: The Grawl, a hunter unlike any creature encountered before.
To restore their country, Tipper, Bealomondore, and their party must hide the statues in the Valley of the Dragons and find a way to defeat the invading army. When it falls to the artistic Bealomondore to wield his sword as powerfully and naturally as a paintbrush, will he answer Wulder’s call for a champion?
Romance:
Violence:
Fear/Horror:
Overall Opinion:
KATY'S REVIEW:
While this book was a nice read – perfect for just about any member of the family – I wasn’t too crazy about it. I am not that big into fantasy books, so that might have been half my problem when diving into this book. But on the upscale, I enjoyed my adventure into this fantasy land. Tipper was a fun character that I instantly attached myself to – both for her quick wit and loyal courage. The cautious and sensible Beolomondore was also fun to get to know as he discovered new strengths in becoming a swordsman who could help save the land of Chiril.
The land of Chiril seemed like a neat place willed with interesting beings. Donita certainly put on her creativity hat when writing this series! I don’t think there was one normal living thing in this land. One piece of advice I would give, though – read this series in order. I entered this book completely confused as to who was who and what was what! I had no idea what kinds of being ‘tumanhofer’, ‘kimen’, or ‘emerlindians’ were. I felt extremely lost as I was reading about all these creatures and trying to understand who they were. It wasn’t until I was nearly finished with the book that I discovered an appendix in the back that explained what all the beings were and who was what! :-) So, I think it’s best to read this series in order. Or, if you can’t, to know that there is a helpful guide on the land of Chiril in the back of the book. I know I wished I had found it sooner!
While, as I have stated, this is a very family-friendly read (nothing wrong that stood out to me as something a 10 year old could not read – besides maybe some violence during the war) and I had a rather interesting adventure in the land of Chiril, it didn’t grab my attention and pull me into the story. Thus the 3 stars. The beginning was pretty slow and I had to force myself to read it for the first hundred pages or so. I suppose it just wasn’t my type of book. But maybe other readers will enjoy a fun adventure story that builds slowly upon itself. If you are a fantasy reader and like a good story plot, then I’d say Dragons of the Valley
is right up your alley! (Hey! That rhymed!)I received this free book in return for an honest review from Waterbrook Multnomah Publishing Group. All thoughts and opinions expressed in this review are my own.
~ Katy
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