What do you think?
Rate this book
Dungeons and Dragons: Knights of the Silver Dragon #1
Secret of the Spiritkeeper
Moyra, Kellach, and Driskoll must outsmart zombies, goblins, and an owlbear to unlock the secret of the spiritkeeper to save Zendrick the wizard, who was put into a lifeless sleep.
192 pages, Paperback
First published June 1, 2004
2 people are currently reading
110 people want to read
About the author
Matt Forbeck
212 books315 followersI'm an award-winning, New York Times-bestselling author and game designer and happily married father of five, including a set of quadruplets. For more on my work, see Forbeck.com.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 17 of 17 reviews
February 3, 2012
I read this when I was a lot younger. I got so addicted to the series, I ended up asking for everything upto book 6 (from there it had stopped...maybe there was no 7 yet, but my brother said there was no more, it got discontinued, so I never followed up)
I don't think I can start reading this again... Looking back, it just isn't my type anymore, but as a children's fantasy, Knights Of The Silver Dragon definitely was the best.
In my story, I named my character Driscoll after Driskol here (though they're nothing alike, really!) HAha! But it just goes to show how much I loved this book.
I don't think I can start reading this again... Looking back, it just isn't my type anymore, but as a children's fantasy, Knights Of The Silver Dragon definitely was the best.
In my story, I named my character Driscoll after Driskol here (though they're nothing alike, really!) HAha! But it just goes to show how much I loved this book.
February 3, 2013
I read this when I was younger, and I even got some of my friends to like it, too. This and the Harry Potter series were the books that got me into reading, particularly fantasy novels since then. Heck, I think my first fanfiction was about this. I think I lost the whole set of books I had though or forgot to get them back from a friend who borrowed it, and up to this day, I still feel sad about losing it. I collect books, and this series was pretty much part of my childhood..
Also, I don't think any of the local bookstores still have them, and I still really want to find these books again. I never did finish these series and for years, I have wanted to find the installments after the last one I read and never managed to.. until years later, it never occurred to me that my taste has changed and I may no longer like it, so now, I'm actually no longer as interested in rereading it and following up in fear that I ruin the image I have of these stories in my head. To me, it was an amazing part of my childhood, but even then.. I still feel like finishing it. Maybe someday.
Also, I don't think any of the local bookstores still have them, and I still really want to find these books again. I never did finish these series and for years, I have wanted to find the installments after the last one I read and never managed to.. until years later, it never occurred to me that my taste has changed and I may no longer like it, so now, I'm actually no longer as interested in rereading it and following up in fear that I ruin the image I have of these stories in my head. To me, it was an amazing part of my childhood, but even then.. I still feel like finishing it. Maybe someday.
November 13, 2015
I have been looking forward to reading this book for a while. After all, it is the first Dungeons & Dragons book intended for Young Adults. Matt Forbeck does a great job of bringing this adventure to life. The story is quickly paced and the three main characters are highly likable.
Young readers will enjoy this adventure in the highly loved universe of Dungeons & Dragons. There are a few black and white full-page images in the story to help the reader imagine what is going on. I would have liked to have had a few more to enhance the story.
Overall, Secret of the Spiritkeeper is a great read for young readers who are looking for a real fantasy story. I look forward to reading the next book in the series, Riddle in Stone by Ree Soesbee.
I rated this book an 8 out of 10.
Young readers will enjoy this adventure in the highly loved universe of Dungeons & Dragons. There are a few black and white full-page images in the story to help the reader imagine what is going on. I would have liked to have had a few more to enhance the story.
Overall, Secret of the Spiritkeeper is a great read for young readers who are looking for a real fantasy story. I look forward to reading the next book in the series, Riddle in Stone by Ree Soesbee.
I rated this book an 8 out of 10.
August 20, 2013
I wasn't overly fond of this one because I never really cared for any of the characters; they seemed flat and their reactions never really rang true. The plot also seemed contrived and cliche: they get caught out at night, they get grounded, and they escape out the window while their father - no less than the captain of the night watch - paces around below unknowingly....really???
Anyway, there is much better written fantasy, but if your 4-5th grade kids are intrigued by the interesting concept (people's spirits exchanged by a magical sphere), fire away.
Anyway, there is much better written fantasy, but if your 4-5th grade kids are intrigued by the interesting concept (people's spirits exchanged by a magical sphere), fire away.
September 4, 2009
My 8 year-old son read this book and recommended it to me. I thought it was surprisingly good fantasy for a kids book. I would definitely not give it 4 stars as an adult book, but I was impressed with it for what it was. The pacing was great and the story sucked me right in. My main complaints were the unrealistic and cavalier attitudes towards violence and danger.
January 6, 2012
Man this is SO nostalgic for me! I remember my dad giving it to me years and years ago when I was around 10-11. I loved this series as a kid and read + have all of the books. I miss the series and fell like re-reading it some day. :)
April 4, 2022
Typical DND storyline.
It wasn’t a bad story, but it certainly wasn’t unique or original either. The novel uses common DND tropes such as wizards, lost items, goblins, dungeon diving, and owlbears. It might be a great introduction to DND story lines, but falls flat for fantasy readers.
There wasn’t any character depth either, in fact I never felt like I got to know the characters and we don’t see their personalities come out much either.
Another reader mentioned an issue with the pacing, and I think there is something to that. I had a very hard time getting into it. I think it’s because the story didn’t real pick up until half way through the book.
Since I discovered this is a series, I’m going to try the second one to see if it gets into the characters more, but if it’s more of the same then I’m probably going to give it up.
It wasn’t a bad story, but it certainly wasn’t unique or original either. The novel uses common DND tropes such as wizards, lost items, goblins, dungeon diving, and owlbears. It might be a great introduction to DND story lines, but falls flat for fantasy readers.
There wasn’t any character depth either, in fact I never felt like I got to know the characters and we don’t see their personalities come out much either.
Another reader mentioned an issue with the pacing, and I think there is something to that. I had a very hard time getting into it. I think it’s because the story didn’t real pick up until half way through the book.
Since I discovered this is a series, I’m going to try the second one to see if it gets into the characters more, but if it’s more of the same then I’m probably going to give it up.
September 13, 2018
How should I go about saying this.
I love this book...I love the whole series. I don't know why I love it so much. I just do.
Anyone looking for a good, easy and fun read (doesn't matter your age) I highly recommend this entire book series.
While some books are better than others you can still relate to the character while wishing you were on the same epic adventure with the. And in a way you are, each time you read a page.
I love this book...I love the whole series. I don't know why I love it so much. I just do.
Anyone looking for a good, easy and fun read (doesn't matter your age) I highly recommend this entire book series.
While some books are better than others you can still relate to the character while wishing you were on the same epic adventure with the. And in a way you are, each time you read a page.
August 31, 2024
The Knights of the Silver Dragon series have been the pinnacle of my love for fiction and writing. Sadly these books have been discontinued and copies are rare nowadays.
Matt Forbeck did a great job with the 1st book. He introduced them well along with the world-building. It wouldn't hook you in with the first few pages but would gradually leer you in with the plot.
It was a bit predictable now that I've read it as an adult but for my teenager self it was a one-sitting addictive read.
Matt Forbeck did a great job with the 1st book. He introduced them well along with the world-building. It wouldn't hook you in with the first few pages but would gradually leer you in with the plot.
It was a bit predictable now that I've read it as an adult but for my teenager self it was a one-sitting addictive read.
June 19, 2018
A fast-paced short story from the perspective of a young magic enthusiast. Kept me hooked.
June 19, 2021
I had read books 1 through (I think.) 7, when I was in the fifth, or so, grade. I enjoyed them. On this reread, I still got that same feeling.
The only difference is that with the books being set in a Dungeons and Dragons universe, when I was younger I had no idea what an Owl Bear looked like. Now that I've read other DnD player manuals, I knew what one looked like. So if anything it enhanced the experience, making it more enjoyable.
The only difference is that with the books being set in a Dungeons and Dragons universe, when I was younger I had no idea what an Owl Bear looked like. Now that I've read other DnD player manuals, I knew what one looked like. So if anything it enhanced the experience, making it more enjoyable.
April 21, 2014
Dungeons and Dragons is the legendary tabletop RPG which has entertained countless geeks across the generations and has inspired countless works of fantasy. Among them are hundreds of novels. One of them is the children’s series Knights of the Silver Dragon.
The Good:
While Bookworm is not familiar with Dungeons and Dragons, the appeal of it is very strong. This book contains many familiar fantasy elements and from what can be gathered from reading about, contains many classic characteristics from the tabletop game, a quest into the dungeon with a wizard and thief and a warrior, all the stuff fantasy lovers love!
The characters are memorable. They manage to have distinct personalities that are ripe for exploration in later volumes of the series.
While the character of the boy’s father, The Watch Captain is unlikable it is more on personal level as a literary character he does possess some depth as being the overworked father who lacks time to really raise his sons, with the passing of their mother.
The Flaws.
Unfortunately the book has a lot.
The fact remains, while this may entertain younger readers as per its intended audience, older readers such as Bookworm, may find it increasingly hard to swallow the fact that these prepubescent kinds are the big heroes. It is fine when you the reader are ten or twelve, but these kids going through mortal peril without any sort of guidance whatsoever is quite hard to believe. “Adults are useless” is a common trope but what is also common are children simply lacking the discipline and skill in order to pull off an epic quest.
Also due to the franchise’s age and popularity certain elements contained in the story may now appear to be cliché in fantasy literature. While reading it, many elements did not appear to be unique, knights, goblins, wizards. While those things can be cool, in this book they seemed like boring tropes, likely because they were done in familiar manner.
Also, the pacing seems off. Being a children’s book it is very short almost a novella. While novella’s can be just as good as novels, care needs to be taken so that the story doesn’t feel rushed and that happens in this book. A lot happens in a very short time and due to that it can get a little confusing. The characters are not given a lot of time to be fleshed out and you get the impression that all the events in this book takes in place in twenty minutes. This is a fantasy but the compressed timeline is pushing it.
Final Verdict:
For new readers as in younger readers, it’s pretty harmless and a good solid read. For seasoned fantasy readers, it is probably not the best introduction to the Dungeons and Dragon’s Library.
Three out of Five Stars.
For Reviews and More Visit jordan.danbrantley.com
The Good:
While Bookworm is not familiar with Dungeons and Dragons, the appeal of it is very strong. This book contains many familiar fantasy elements and from what can be gathered from reading about, contains many classic characteristics from the tabletop game, a quest into the dungeon with a wizard and thief and a warrior, all the stuff fantasy lovers love!
The characters are memorable. They manage to have distinct personalities that are ripe for exploration in later volumes of the series.
While the character of the boy’s father, The Watch Captain is unlikable it is more on personal level as a literary character he does possess some depth as being the overworked father who lacks time to really raise his sons, with the passing of their mother.
The Flaws.
Unfortunately the book has a lot.
The fact remains, while this may entertain younger readers as per its intended audience, older readers such as Bookworm, may find it increasingly hard to swallow the fact that these prepubescent kinds are the big heroes. It is fine when you the reader are ten or twelve, but these kids going through mortal peril without any sort of guidance whatsoever is quite hard to believe. “Adults are useless” is a common trope but what is also common are children simply lacking the discipline and skill in order to pull off an epic quest.
Also due to the franchise’s age and popularity certain elements contained in the story may now appear to be cliché in fantasy literature. While reading it, many elements did not appear to be unique, knights, goblins, wizards. While those things can be cool, in this book they seemed like boring tropes, likely because they were done in familiar manner.
Also, the pacing seems off. Being a children’s book it is very short almost a novella. While novella’s can be just as good as novels, care needs to be taken so that the story doesn’t feel rushed and that happens in this book. A lot happens in a very short time and due to that it can get a little confusing. The characters are not given a lot of time to be fleshed out and you get the impression that all the events in this book takes in place in twenty minutes. This is a fantasy but the compressed timeline is pushing it.
Final Verdict:
For new readers as in younger readers, it’s pretty harmless and a good solid read. For seasoned fantasy readers, it is probably not the best introduction to the Dungeons and Dragon’s Library.
Three out of Five Stars.
For Reviews and More Visit jordan.danbrantley.com
May 14, 2013
I might go 3.5 stars (and if I was 12 when I read this I might even go 4?) but that still does not remain an option.
I remember trying to get me kids to read this a couple of years ago, and when they thought it sounded dumb....I never picked it up myself. Well, I saw it on the wrong shelf at the library, and figured why not???
Anyway this a very enjoyable read, and a great introduction for young readers to both fantasy and the limitless realms of Dungeons and Dragons. Not to deep this provided a glimpse into a new world with 3 young main charcters, a thief whose dad is in jail, an apprentice mage. Anyway this adventure should be good for getting their feet wet into the world of D&D, without being to deep, complex or gory....but still retains intrest, action, adventure and excitement.
Wished this was out when I was a kid...If you like RA Salvatore, Margaret Weiss or tracy hickman, turn your kids onto this one.
I remember trying to get me kids to read this a couple of years ago, and when they thought it sounded dumb....I never picked it up myself. Well, I saw it on the wrong shelf at the library, and figured why not???
Anyway this a very enjoyable read, and a great introduction for young readers to both fantasy and the limitless realms of Dungeons and Dragons. Not to deep this provided a glimpse into a new world with 3 young main charcters, a thief whose dad is in jail, an apprentice mage. Anyway this adventure should be good for getting their feet wet into the world of D&D, without being to deep, complex or gory....but still retains intrest, action, adventure and excitement.
Wished this was out when I was a kid...If you like RA Salvatore, Margaret Weiss or tracy hickman, turn your kids onto this one.
kids-books-research
February 27, 20081st in series.
March 28, 2009
if your not into dragons and magic you probably wont like this book cuz it has a lot of that.
mostly for young teenagers.
mostly for young teenagers.
October 6, 2010
Cute book for YA, but a little too simple for me. Reads just like a D&D adventure module which is interesting, would be a fun campaign.
September 14, 2016
Re-read this book and I give it the same review I gave it back then. :)
Displaying 1 - 17 of 17 reviews