Dragons of the Valley by Donita Paul

Yippy!

I simply never get enough of reading books by Donita Paul!
Today's review is Dragons of the Valley, is the next book after The Vanishing Sculptor which is also called known as Dragons Of Chiril. Here is the book cover, which has a great look if you ask me!

Here we are again at last, with Princess Tipper. Finding themselves under a big attack from the north, Tipper and her artist friend, Bealomondore, and Wizard Fenworth  find themselves front and center in protecting the three statues. The Trio of Elements are the statues that pretty much hold the whole world together. Princess Tippers's Father created these statues and they are pretty important, so she must escape and keep one of them safe. Ah, so much for the not-so-peaceful life of a Princess! The other statues are to be relocated by two other main characters because they have to be kept together or really horrible things will occur. 


Bealomondore would far prefer to stay behind his artists brush and paint, but with such a great war looming and upon them, he is called upon to learn to fight. Now he must balance within himself the laying aside of his art and brushes and the burnishing the weapons of war, to find that he can be both artist and warrior as well. 


And who are they gearing up to fight the most? Grawl. Grawl the mixed breed assassin who is about to be up against Wizard Fenworth. (I know less about this character because I am a bit behind in buying some of Donita's other books, but I love that mice and lizards tend to "shed" from his clothing when it is shaken! That is just fun!)
Grawl would be most happy to rid the world of Wizard Fenworth, and the dragons who oppose him, and why not bring about massive distraction in the process? This is, after all, what those under the influence of evil do.


While Tipper has to decide if she is going to grow up in her faith in Wulder (God) and follow his direction to help her keep the statues safe form harm, Bealomondore has given his life to Wulder and now his true metal will be tested. 


Lady Peg is delightful as always. A wonderful character! I find her easy to understand, even if she is supposedly scattered I always feel she is much more together than she lets on. I would be amiss if I didn't mention that she brings a good deal of humor, and sometimes underlying messages. 


The little light creatures, the kimen, I hope they are in the next book too. I know they might not have been meant to be, but they rather reminded me of guardian angels. Each of the main characters had a kimen to help them in the mission they were called to. I thought that was pretty neat. I also kind of find the three statues reminding me of the Trinity, but again perhaps that is just how I think. 


The appendix is a really big help in this book! A big thank you to Donita Paul for including it! I don't know if my mind was just "dusty" this time or if I got lost a bit there. LOL! I over came it rather quickly, and throughly enjoyed the book! 


Carol 

Publisher's Description

War threatens the peaceful land of Chiril… 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? 

Author Bio

Donita K. Paul is a retired teacher and author of numerous novellas, short stories, and nine novels, including the best-selling DragonKeeper Chronicles. The winner of multiple awards, she lives in Colorado Springs, Colorado, where she spends time mentoring and encouraging writers.

In conjunction with the CSFF Blog Tour, I received a free copy of this book from the publisher. :) 


Book link - http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/1400073405
Author’s web site - http://www.donitakpaul.com/
Author’s blog - http://dragonbloggin.blogspot.com/

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