Book Review: The Dragons of Chiril

By Donita K. Paul
(Previously released as The Vanishing Sculptor)

To begin with, I’m not sure why the publisher changed the book’s title from the original, The Vanishing Sculptor. Personally I think the original title was a better fit with the story, but I have been unable to dig up any information on the reason behind the change, so I’ll refrain from passing judgment. I’m sure there’s a perfectly legitimate reason.

As for the book itself, let me just say that Donita K. Paul has once again created an exciting adventure that children and adults alike can appreciate and enjoy.

Her character development is astounding. The characters, real-to-life with faults and flaws, are nonetheless delightful, entertaining, and you find yourself loving them anyway, faults included. And as always, her story cast comprises a wide array of different races and… well, I suppose the term is ‘species’. Jayrus, a dragon-riding and somewhat aloof emerlindian; Rowser and Piefer, the bumbling joint-owners of a medicinal bug shop; disgruntled tumanhofer artist Bealomondore; the dignified and socially graceful Grand Parrot Beccaroon; and the ever-popular Wizard Fenworth; along with a host of other characters, together embark on an adventure to rescue a spontaneously disappearing sculptor and prevent the world disintegrating.

To do so they must locate and retrieve a set of three interlocking statues. The trouble is, the statues have been separated and dispersed to very distant locations, and time is running out.

The adventure and drama of the story are exciting and intense, but with well-timed comic relief throughout (with Wizard Fenworth around, you can’t avoid a little comic relief now and then). On the whole, another great read from Donita K. Paul. I can’t wait to get my hands on the sequel, and I recommend this one to anyone who has read and loved the Dragonkeeper Chronicles, or just to anyone who appreciates a fun fantasy adventure.

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I received this book free of charge from Waterbrook Multnomah in exchange for my review. A favorable review is not required; Waterbrook is committed to gathering honest opinions about the books they publish.