Chris d'Lacey

I have been seeing this book around for years. I love dragons, but only recently decided to FINALLY pick it up and read it. Even now, it was only after my mom and sister picked up a used copy of the second book and gave it to me. I read this one for my local library's summer reading program, as a way to start catching up to books I already own and have been meaning to read. I really believe that when you're meant to read a book or watch a movie, you will, and not a moment sooner than show more necessary. That proved true with this book.

I don't know what I was expecting, but it wasn't what I got. I was almost expecting an entire fantasy world, like the kind you get in a standard dragon book. I should know better by now. This book was a total surprise to me and I actually enjoyed it a whole lot. It was much more "domestic" than I thought it would be, centering around a mom, her daughter, and a college student who lives with them as their tenant, who all live in the real world we know. The dragons are clay. This I definitely wasn't expecting. I also didn't expect the college student to turn into a writer, or for the book to inspire me so much writing wise. I've been trying to do some more writing lately, but my last story was all show and no tell. I was just getting it down on paper to have it there...and it has absolutely little, to no, heart in it....yet. Reading this book made me rethink my writing process. It made me think harder about what I do as a writer and what I could do. It made me do a lot of reflection on myself, while telling a very entertaining and heartfelt story. I would definitely read this book again and it's one that I would love to own. I would even consider it a good lesson in story telling. I will probably revisit this story again and again and constantly keep it in mind when I am writing.

Now, if you'll excuse me, I have to go try and make myself a clay dragon...I think it's just the thing I need to have right now.

You can read more in depth book reviews on my blog: www.therealworldaccordingtosam.blogspot.com show less

This is the fourth book in David Rain's Dragon's series (or the last dragon chronicles). The story of the Pennykettles and their dragons continues as polar bears and people all begin to flock. This series was excellent at first, but it kind of took a nose-dive in the third book. (It seemed as if D’Lacey didn’t really have a good idea where he was going with the story.) However, this book picks the pace back up again. This is a young adult book (as opposed to the first two books, which show more were appropriate for children). The story is more spiritual/allegorical than it was in the previous books, as well. I will definitely try out the fifth book—I’m curious where D’Lacey is taking this story. show less

What is David? First he is human, then he is Fain, then he is a polar bear or is he a dragon? The author can't seem to make up his mind. However, this mystery creates a sense of suspense and makes you longing for more....if only just to have some answers.
As the saga of the Pennykettles and the assortment of Fain, sibyls, Ix, dragons, and now angels that are drawn to them continues, you feel like you are caught up in a plot where the author is still not sure what direction to take. Hopefully show more he has a plan and ultimate goal insight.
Despite the complex plot, this is a well-written book that can keep you enthralled and on the edge of your seat. show less

We read this for my Summer 2023 Fantasy Fans (elementary) book club. Friends, the Fantasy Fans and I did not like this book. The premise is great (college student moves in with eccentric woman and her very friendly daughter) but the execution leaves something to be desired, namely dragons.

Do you see the dragon's eye on the cover? You'd think there'd be a lot of dragons, right? No. This book is mostly about squirrels. Which is fine if you want to read a book about squirrels but we wanted to show more read a book about dragons. Miles read the second book and said there are waaaaaay more dragons in that one (and zero squirrels) but I'm sorry, I have lost all faith in books that say they're about dragons. We would not recommend this book to our friends. show less