DragonSpell by Donita K. Paul

Dragonspell is the story of 14 year old Kale, a village slave girl with the remarkable gift of finding dragon eggs. This absolutely blows away the village council of River Away, so they direct Kale to the Hall where she will use her gift for Wulder. This blows Kale away. Leave River Away, the only place she’s ever known? She’s excited and nervous and bit stressed, but all that doesn’t really matter when she falls down a hill and is captured by a rowdy band of grawlings, who love to play catch. After enduring these disgusting creatures for a few hours and attempting a near failed escape, she’s rescued by a party of four warriors (not counting the dragons) of an assortment of sizes, and is turned her from her original orders. Two of her rescuers, a doneel named Dar and the young emerlindian Leetu Bends, take her along to the bogs in search of the reclusive Wizard Fenworth, whom they hope to enlist in their questing party. Their mission? Rescue a meech dragon egg from the wicked Wizard Risto before he uses the egg to make another low race, killing the dragon inside in the process. But when Leetu Bends is captured, Dar and Kale have to trust Wulder (God) to bring them through and save their friend and the dragon egg. Throughout this “uncomfortable” journey, Kale is transformed from a timid, self-deprecating girl, to a young lady who knows the love of a creator and good friends.
The characters where wonderful, some were humorous yet realistic. The setting and different races were fascinating. Some people found this over whelming, but really, if you get past that one sentence listing the seven races, learning the seven different races is a breeze. Ms. Paul introduces them at a nice speed so as not to make them confusing. She doesn’t throw them into the plot and leave it up to you to figure out what a tumanhofer or marione is. She describes the races so as to give one an idea of what they are like, but leaves room for the reader imagination as well. The plot and numerous adventures along the way will hold one’s attention, such as sword fights, fire dragons, several rescues, mind speaking, and earthquakes.
DragonSpell would make an excellent addition to an intermediate reader’s library.

The Lion Vrie by Christopher Hopper

If Rise of the Dibor was good, The Lion Vrie was awesome. Christopher Hopper certainly knows how to get the characters emotions across to the reader. Answering questions left by The White Lion Chronicles #1 (Rise of the Dibor), The Lion Vrie continues a few days after the ending of its prequel. The Dibor is scattered, injured, and wounded emotionally after the battle at Adriel. Luik is wounded but slowly recovering in the city of Mt. Dakka in Tontha, the homeland of Brax, Boran, and Benigan (three of his Dibor). Upon his recovery he knows that Morgui is still plotting the destruction of Dionia and it’s imperative that the city prepare for anything. Searching for Anorra, storing food, organizing and fortifying to the city take up most of Luik’s time, that is, until he called to Ot. Yes, the mysterious Ot. And so the quests begin. Read about Luik and his friends as they go through joy and pain, hope and despair, and experience weight of being leaders.

The Hobbit by J. R. R. Tolkein

The Hobbit was wonderful classic that I very much enjoyed. The story begins with Bilbo Baggins, a hobbit who likes things comfortable, as do all hobbits. Adventures are not comfortable. So when Gandalf the wizard, who is well know for his fireworks and adventures, appears at Bilbo's hobbit hole one morning, Bilbo is a bit worried, but tries to be polite. But things get uncomfortable when Gandalf asks Bilbo to come on an adventure. Bilbo attempts to politely send the wizard on his way, and pretty much does, unti the next day. Unfortunately (or possibly fortunately) for Bilbo, Gandalf sends 13 dwarves to find Bilbo and hire him to be their burglar for an expedition they are planning to claim a vast treasure that once belonged to their ancestors. Bilbo reluctantly agrees, in order to not seem pathetic and begins an adventure that is talked about by hobbits in the shire for many years to come. From golbins to trolls, hobbit-holes to Mirkwood, an adveture full of suspense, poems, and humor.

Curse of the Spider King by Wayne Thomas Batson and Christopher Hopper

Curse of the Spider King is a Christian Fantasy for tweens and full of captivating adventure. How would you react if your school teacher told that you where actually an elf lord from another world and gave you a book to prove it? Probably laugh at them. But what if things happened to you, like your "parents" tried killing you, you discovered you could read minds, or otherworldy creatures hunted you? These things and more happen to seven young teens. Shocking events begin appearing in these young peoples lives from discovering they have special gifts like walking on the wind or seeing the future, to battles with Drefids and Cragons. Convinced that there teachers aren't insane, they begin a search for last portals to the world they came from, Allyra. A world of elves, Gwars, and Warspiders. But the Spider King wants the seven young lords dead. Wanted them that way 800 years ago. If that confuses you, read the book. LOL. You won't regret it. A fasinating fantasy which I fully enjoyed.

Ps- If you would like to be able to read a good long excerpt, go to http://books.google.com/books?id=HElYZgz1dLsC&pg=PP1&dq=curse+of+the+spider+king#v=onepage&q=&f=false.

Isle of Swords by Wayne Thomas Batson

I picked this book up at a christian bookstore because it was %50 off and the back cover made it sound interesting, but I was blown away! This book excellent! The story is about a pirate named Declan Ross and his unique crew (a monk, a young man with no memories, his 16 year old daughter who he won't allow to become an offical crew member, and many other memorable characters.) Declan Ross never would have have become a pirate if it wasn't his only choice. Facing a choice between piracy and not providing for his family, he took to the seas. But then his wife died, and his daughter, Anne, joined him on the ship. And now, Ross realizes that all he wants is to get out and to live normal life. Anyway, after a run in with a monk promising wealth (enough to get him out of the sweet trade for good) he and the crew of the William Wallace embark on the adventure of a life time. Facing old enemies, strange creatures, and the British Navy lead up to a thrilling story that will have you on the edge of seat. Two tumbs up!

The Rise of the Dibor by Christopher Hopper

I finished reading this book last night, and what a ride! The beginning is a bit slow, but by middle of story, I was convinced that C. Hopper is a great author! But now, I'm left hanging! The ending leaves soooooo many questions! Good things that the story continues in the "White Lion Chronicles #2" "The Lion Vrie"...
Here's the story- Luik is a young teen living a wonderful life in a world untouched by death and disease, but not for long... Morgui is at work and soon trees begin to loose leaves, and some animals turn wild. People are even beginning to be "taken." So Luik and 17 other young princes from the land of Dionia are summoned to be trained and turned into warriors to rescue their homeland. Good book with lessons to be learned along the way.