Scan barcode
mrssoule's review
3.0
I think if I'd read this when I was 13 or 14, I would be giving it at least 4 stars. The world is creative & original, but there were too many distinct types of creatures for me to keep track. I did discover a glossary in the back after I'd finished the book, but it was only so helpful. I would have appreciated a page of example sketches of the different races. If my son suddenly starts showing an interest in fiction, I'd be completely fine with him reading this book.
starsenshib's review
5.0
Re-reading a classic that is near and dear to my heart. It didn't grip me body and soul the way it did when I was 12, but it was more enjoyable to revisit than I thought. Coming back with a new perspective was fascinating - Kale, a character who I related to at 12 now becomes someone I see as an allegory for a new christian - confused and struggling but always pointed toward the light. Leetu, someone who frustrated me because I found her 'bossy' now seems like a long-suffering, not as mature as she thinks mentor who doesn't always get it right, but learns along the way.
Dar, as always, is perfect.
Dar, as always, is perfect.
kezziahheather's review
2.0
The book was fairly well-written, in a sense, but honestly not gripping enough. The book didn't hold my attention very well, and it wasn't a book I 'couldn't put down'. Unless someone buys the second book for me, I won't be purchasing any more in the series.
toni99's review
adventurous
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
sassmistress's review against another edition
adventurous
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
3.75
Points for Christian fantasy, as that's hard to come by. Compared to other fantasy, though, it's more reflective and less exciting than I usually prefer. I would have liked to see deeper characters (they seemed one-dimensional), more realistic dialogue (the main character is too overt and the side characters are too "perfect"), and more suspense. It's very light, feels low stakes despite the action, and while not a page-turner for me, I appreciated the creative set of races that wasn't full of the classic fantasy tropes. There were a few surprises and climax moments that could have been built up more, but overall an interesting idea.
So far, I'll keep it on the shelf but not buy any more unless the kids love it more than I did.
So far, I'll keep it on the shelf but not buy any more unless the kids love it more than I did.
Content Warnings
Minor: Slavery, Blood, Death, Grief, and Injury/Injury detail
isxelle's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
i did not like this book. i just didn't. there is not a single thing i liked in this book. from the characters, the writing, and literally just the layout of the physical book i held, there was nothing about this book i liked. oh ya the names were pretty bad too. this poor dragon was named after a facility. gymn??? sorry what?
it is one thing to dislike the protagonist. i can get through a book with a protagonist i don't particulary like, but when there is not a single person i like in a book? it is torture. hence why it took me 3 weeks to read this book. i wanted to dnf it so badly. and if goodreads had that goddamn feature i would have.
kale was a horrible person to read about. she just seemed rude and, as leetu bends agrees with me, immature. from pages 90-100 she was so rude to Dar and for what?? like what was the reason girl? he was being so nice to her and she was just being an absolute ass. like why you about to throw hands at this man over a caterpillar being taken off your clothes????? she's not particularly smart, not just in this scene but others as well.
the way this book just progresses at the speed of a snail is agonizing and it isn't assisted by how long the lines of text are in this physical book. they extend to the edges of the page more so than other books i have read. the formatting was not it. As for the writing, i have a peeve about it. i hate when writers describe people as their traits. donita was here calling people by their races. "the o'rant girl" "the emerlindian" "the doneel" please stop. like why. i HATE it. this is more a personal annoyance than anything.
the actual story ain't even a story. I am not even sure what i was really reading about. it feels like they were just running around in circles the whole time. like leetu bends really got captured twice in the book lmao. and the time in between her capture was mostly spent conked out from the first one.
my favourite part was the end. that sounds like a joke but really. the end was actually the only part i was interested in. it set the next book up for a more fun story about Kale getting her life back and going to school. too bad im probably not going to read it. it was a struggle enough getting through this dung heap. kind of sucks because i have the entire rest of this series haha
anyway if it wasn't clear, i do not recommend this book :)
celisse. she killed all these ppl and immediately was like im sorry i regret it. bro. ain’t no way it was that fast. her anger was festering in that barn and you’re telling me that as soon as she killed them and was reprimanded for it, she was like yup never should have killed them, i am so regretful. bullshit.
it is one thing to dislike the protagonist. i can get through a book with a protagonist i don't particulary like, but when there is not a single person i like in a book? it is torture. hence why it took me 3 weeks to read this book. i wanted to dnf it so badly. and if goodreads had that goddamn feature i would have.
kale was a horrible person to read about. she just seemed rude and, as leetu bends agrees with me, immature. from pages 90-100 she was so rude to Dar and for what?? like what was the reason girl? he was being so nice to her and she was just being an absolute ass. like why you about to throw hands at this man over a caterpillar being taken off your clothes????? she's not particularly smart, not just in this scene but others as well.
the way this book just progresses at the speed of a snail is agonizing and it isn't assisted by how long the lines of text are in this physical book. they extend to the edges of the page more so than other books i have read. the formatting was not it. As for the writing, i have a peeve about it. i hate when writers describe people as their traits. donita was here calling people by their races. "the o'rant girl" "the emerlindian" "the doneel" please stop. like why. i HATE it. this is more a personal annoyance than anything.
the actual story ain't even a story. I am not even sure what i was really reading about. it feels like they were just running around in circles the whole time. like leetu bends really got captured twice in the book lmao. and the time in between her capture was mostly spent conked out from the first one.
my favourite part was the end. that sounds like a joke but really. the end was actually the only part i was interested in. it set the next book up for a more fun story about Kale getting her life back and going to school. too bad im probably not going to read it. it was a struggle enough getting through this dung heap. kind of sucks because i have the entire rest of this series haha
anyway if it wasn't clear, i do not recommend this book :)
celisse. she killed all these ppl and immediately was like im sorry i regret it. bro. ain’t no way it was that fast. her anger was festering in that barn and you’re telling me that as soon as she killed them and was reprimanded for it, she was like yup never should have killed them, i am so regretful. bullshit.
crystaldragonst's review
adventurous
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
dreamerfreak's review
5.0
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 and teens), don't let that stop you. Anyone who enjoys fantasy and fun will like this book, and later books in the series take place when Kale is well-grown. [a:Donita K. Paul|100752|Donita K. Paul|http://photo.goodreads.com/authors/1219455323p2/100752.jpg]'s world of Amara is fascinating and rich with new creatures and places to explore.
Though this book is aimed at younger readers (tweens and teens), don't let that stop you. Anyone who enjoys fantasy and fun will like this book, and later books in the series take place when Kale is well-grown. [a:Donita K. Paul|100752|Donita K. Paul|http://photo.goodreads.com/authors/1219455323p2/100752.jpg]'s world of Amara is fascinating and rich with new creatures and places to explore.
cinnamonghostie's review
I've literally tried to get through this book over five times and have failed at each attempt. I last picked it up in the fifth grade but dropped it within the first few chapters due to how boring it was. Now that I'm in high school, I decided to try again. I thought that I would be able to finish it as I actually like reading now, unlike back then. So I tried and... I think I understand what fifth grade me was thinking.
This book is so uneventful. I literally haven't even finished it - I'm barely halfway through. I'm about to redo what I did all those years ago and stop. This may seem a little harsh since I haven't exactly given this book a chance. But the thing is, I can't. I can't get through this book because I get a freaking headache every time I think about it; It's that bad.
So far, I've gotten nothing from the storyline. I mean... I know there's this girl named Kale who was a slave girl. But then she finds a dragon egg. Then she learns that she can sense dragon eggs and has the opportunity to become a servant to a Paladin. On paper, this actually seems like a very interesting premise. But it's the snail-speed pacing and crappy writing that makes it bad.
I'm not sure... maybe if I keep reading I'll end up liking this book. Loving it, even. But I'm not sure if I have the endurance and motivation to do that.
This book is so uneventful. I literally haven't even finished it - I'm barely halfway through. I'm about to redo what I did all those years ago and stop. This may seem a little harsh since I haven't exactly given this book a chance. But the thing is, I can't. I can't get through this book because I get a freaking headache every time I think about it; It's that bad.
So far, I've gotten nothing from the storyline. I mean... I know there's this girl named Kale who was a slave girl. But then she finds a dragon egg. Then she learns that she can sense dragon eggs and has the opportunity to become a servant to a Paladin. On paper, this actually seems like a very interesting premise. But it's the snail-speed pacing and crappy writing that makes it bad.
I'm not sure... maybe if I keep reading I'll end up liking this book. Loving it, even. But I'm not sure if I have the endurance and motivation to do that.