Too much for me...
Tipper is the daughter of a sculptor who disappeared some years ago. She has been left to deal with the estate of her family in his absence and has been forced to sell some of his works of art. but when her father returns she finds out that she's done something terrible and needs to undo it. She enlists the help of a few friends to go on a magical quest to undo what was done.
I could not get into the story at all. I feel like the reader was simply dropped into this fantasy world that Paul has created (in another series apparently). However being a stand-alone book this should have indeed stood alone and not been a continuation of the series proceeding it.
I also had a very big problem with the characters. Tipper is just about one of the most annoying characters I've ever read. She is consistently the victim although it does get better throughout the book. Not to mention the great wizard Fenworth who is a huge snob.
I usually can do a good fantasy but this one was just too deep in for me and like I said having been a stand-alone book this should have reeled me in a little bit better but it failed to do so.
Can't say I would really recommend this book. Perhaps I would recommend this as a part of the series but not standing alone. ( )

**Originally posted at www.bunnycates.com/reading **

My Thoughts:

This story, for me, was a little slow getting going. As an after thought, now, I think I am glad it was. I had never heard of this series or the author – so taking a little time to get the story rolling really allowed me to “discover” the world. If that makes sense? I hope so.

I really enjoyed the characters. I loved that Tipper was very independent and had a strong will. (You can see my goodreads reading updates HERE) At times I was confused on her age because she came across as a very strong headed teenager instead of a 22 year old. As the book progressed, we learn that she has lived a very sheltered life so it totally makes sense.

The world building that went on in this story was great. At times, I really felt like this was somewhere REAL. Even though there were talking parrots, and dragons, it still felt organic and real to me. Like somewhere at sometime, these people and this story – really happened. I love it when a story can whisk you away like that.

Plot was, like I said, the beginning was pretty slow. It took so long to get me “hooked” that I almost gave up. I was probably a good 250 pages before I got to the “HAD to finish” feeling. Once it did manage to hook me, though, I was all in! The last couple of chapters in particular were FANTASTIC! So much action and drama and “OMGOSH!”. LOL! I’d say the last 150-200 pages I was so sucked in that I just couldn’t put it down.

In Conclusion:
Great read for middle grade level and up. The main character Tipper is 22, so I don’t know if this falls into the YA genre or not. It reads quick and smooth, it FELT like a YA book. I really enjoyed it. Once the story picked up and “got going”, it was fantastic. I’d say it’s a fantasy adventure type book. Think Eragon, but with a less dragon insight and a girl not a boy. Since this was a prequel, I would love to pick up the rest of the series and see where it goes.

Mom Notes:
This is Christian Fiction so there are no language issues or sex to be worried about. There are a couple of “fight scenes” but nothing graphic.

This was a great little fantasy dragon story. It was a good listen for teens and young adults. ( )

The Dragons of Chiril is the first book in Donita's K. Paul's, Chiril Chronicles series. This book was previously released under the title, The Vanishing Sculptor. It is appropriate for readers of all ages and will be of particular interest to those interested in Christian Fantasy. Paul blends her fictional dragon world, with Christian idea's and concepts to create a far reaching adventure quest, that shows the love of Christ in a very non-evasive way.

Paul's ability to craft novels that express Christian principles without beating the reader over the head with them is exceptional. By using a fantasy model she takes the religious undertones and subtly introduces them to the reader minus the preachy attitude and overbearing manner of some Christian fiction writers. I have always enjoyed Paul's work for that very reason. Her fantasy quests are similar to other good Christian Fantasy tales including, The Chronicles of Narnia and The Lord of the Rings. She gets her message across very well, even without all the bells and whistles.



Tipper is an interesting character. She has had to take on a great deal of responsibility since her father's disappearance. She has been caring for her family with money she earns from selling her father's art work. When she figures out that she has sold some very important statues that could bring about the destruction of the world if they are not reunited, she could have faltered and blamed herself, but she stands strong and starts out on an epic quest to get the statues back. I liked the fact that Paul gives Tipper's character a sense of innocence, but I found myself thinking she was much younger than she actually was.

This is an adventure story that is appropriate for all ages, but there are some difficult names to read and pronounce. I think probably readers from the ages of 10 - 15 will probably get the most enjoyment out of the book, but there are also adults who love Christian fantasy that will really get into it as well. The supporting cast was my favorite part of the book. Tipper's companions ranged from a dragonkeeper prince to a giant parrot and even included a wizard. There is a little something for everyone here. I liked how Paul incorporated Christian principles through the character of Wulder, and her use of humor in the dialogue between the wizard and the librarian.



If you are into Christian fantasy this is really a great read. The dragons are exceptional characters and I will definitely be reading other books in this series. It's a bit different and that's a good thing. I liked Paul's other dragon books and this one is just as well written. ( )

A surprisingly good fantasy adventure. But it's somewhat hard to understand, partly because of the writing style and partly because Donita K. Paul seems to think it's unnecessary to explain the workings of her world. The reader just has to figure it out as he/she goes along, which isn't exactly pleasant.
The characters and plot are enjoyable however, making it a very fun quest. I'm not entirely sure I like the way Wulder/God is presented, but all in all it's a fantastic fantasy/adventure Christian novel. ( )