When my husband, Chad, and I were first dating, we discovered that one thing we had in common was a love for Anne McCaffrey’s Pern series — books about a strange land, interesting people, and most importantly: dragons. Neither one of us reads a ton of fantasy, but I suppose we both have a soft spot in our hearts for a good dragon book.
Recently, Chad’s enjoyed the DragonKeeper Chronicles by Donita K. Paul — engaging and humorous books (featuring dragons, of course) with a Christian worldview. When I was offered a copy of Paul’s newest book — The Vanishing Sculptor — Chad agreed to be my volunteer reader and reviewer. Though dragons don’t play a key role in this book, Chad still really enjoyed it and—
But wait, let’s do first things first.
The Vanishing Sculptor
by Donita K. Paul
From the publisher:
Return to the world of the dragon keepers, where the fate of three missing statues will determine the fate of the world. Tipper, a young emerlindian woman, has been responsible for the upkeep of her family’s estate since her sculptor father disappeared several years ago. To make ends meet, she’s been forced to sell off the artwork he left behind. When at last her father returns, accompanied by two strangers from a distant land, Tipper discovers that her actions have unbalanced the foundation of her world, as well as her father’s life, and she must act quickly to undo the threat. But how can she save her father and the world on her own? The task is too huge for one person, so she gathers the help of some unlikely companions—including her guardian, the giant parrot Beccaroon, the wizard Fenworth, and his librarian Librettowit—and sets out on a quest, eventually witnessing the loving care and miraculous resources of Wulder.
Join new characters and old friends on a journey into a fantasy that inhabits the same world as the DragonKeeper Chronicles, but in a different country and an earlier time, where the people know little of Wulder and nothing of Paladin.
Chad’s thoughts:
I enjoy Donita Paul’s style – her stories are fun, amusing in parts, but also reasonably exciting. They keep me turning pages, wondering how everything will work out. There’s a genuine story in every one and I think she writes decent characters — I’m always curious to see exactly how they will turn out.
The Vanishing Sculptor will be familiar to anyone who’s read the DragonKeeper Chronicles. It’s the same world, with the same types of people/beings. (And if you liked the bog wizard, Fenworth, and his trusty librarian, Librettowit, they’re back, which I was happy to see!) Just a different time and different country. But even if you haven’t read any of Paul’s other books, you’d be fine just starting with this one — it stands alone well.
As with the dragon books, The Vanishing Sculptor revolves around a quest the main characters must undertake.
I certainly enjoyed this book, as an adult, but I’d also recommend it for kids. It’s easily accessible for kids 12 and up, and also for younger kids who are good readers (personally, I think C. — who’s 10 — should give these books a try; he’d really enjoy them).
Basically, I recommend The Vanishing Sculptor (and the DragonKeeper Chronicles, too) to anyone who appreciates a good fantasy adventure where the good guys are genuinely good…and good triumphs in the end.
And, of course, if you don’t win, you can always pick up a copy at Amazon.com or directly from Random House. Oh, also — go ahead and click that Random House link to read an excerpt of The Vanishing Sculptor.
P.S. — Thanks, Chad, for sharing your impressions of The Vanishing Sculptor!
Thanks for the review, now I have something new to look forward to reading.
Sign me up. Sounds like fun.
Sounds great! Sign me up please!
Is this Chad’s first appearance on the blog? I think it might be. Woohoo!!
I remember wondering if the first series might be appropriate for kids. I had thought they might be based on something I read. Thanks for the heads-up.
So with that in mind, I think that Amanda (10) would probably like this fantasy book!
Jennifer, Snapshot´s last blog ..HAGS!
Okay, so I got totally distracted after reading the 1st book in the DragonQuest series. I need to catch up, but maybe this will inspire me. I’ll have to figure out which books are inbetween. I’ll have to ask. (I’m friends with Donita’s daughter – though I haven’t seen them in years…)
Comment!!
I love these types of books
The book sounds good. Please enter me. Thanks!
This sounds like my kind of read!
I’m in US so don’t sign me up for the giveaway {too bad
} but, I just wanted to say hi and your blog is adorable. I have read a few of your posts and I really enjoyed them!
I grew up reading McCaffery, but stopped reading fantasy for a long time. Recently tried some Christian fantasy and haven’t been disappointed. Would love to win Donita’s book. Please enter me.
Blessings,
Mimi
Thanks for the giveaway.
Sounds like a good book! Sign me up!
Please include me in your giveaway.
Thanks
Carlene
iluvreading(at)Verizon.net
Please enter my name in your drawing.
I also love the Anne McCaffrey PERN series. A friend gave me the Dragon Spell, and I quickly bought the rest of the series. I’m looking forward to reading The Vanishing Sculptor.
Thanks for the review Chad. I’d like to be included in the giveaway.
Hi, sounds like a good book. Please enter me!
Please enter me–thank you!
I am excited to start reading this book! I love Anne McCaffrey’s Pern also and have all her dragon books. I like that Donita has added the aspect of Wulder, God, and all the grace and love he provides to us if we would just take it:) Who won the drawing?
I am glad I found your blog.
I have read all of the first series and the Vanishing Sculptor and I love them!!! I got my whole family hooked on them!! My kids range from 11 to 14 and they all completely enjoy the books as much as I did. My husband even enjoyed them!! I love that they can read good Christian books and really enjoy them!!
I know I’m too late for the contest but I wanted to say thanks for reminding me that I wanted to read the Dragon Keepers series. I kept forgetting!
Thanks for reviewing the book, Chad. I love it when I hear whole families have taken to the books. I can just imagine the discussions over dinner about who did what in the books.