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Dragon Slippers #3
Dragon Spear
For Creel, all is right with the world. The dragon king, Shardas, and his queen, Velika, have made a comfy home on the Far Isles, and humans and dragons seem to be at peace. It's the perfect time for Creel to plan her wedding to Prince Luka. Well, it was perfect -- until Velika gets kidnapped, and Creel and Luka set off to save her. And if their most dangerous adventure yet wasn't enough to throw off the wedding, a bridal-gown fiasco just might do the trick. Creel wouldn't trade her friendship with the dragons for the world, but doesn't every girl deserve her happily ever after?
248 pages, Hardcover
First published May 12, 2009
238 people are currently reading
5108 people want to read
About the author
Jessica Day George
26 books5,911 followersJessica Day George likes chocolate, knitting, books, travel, movies, dragons, horses, dogs, and her family. These are all things to keep in mind if you ever meet her. For instance, you could bring her chocolate to make the meeting go more smoothly. You could also talk about how adorable her children are, even if you have never seen them. You could discuss dog breeds (she had a Maltese named Pippin, and grew up with a poodle mix and a Brittany Spaniel. Right now she has a Coton de Tulear named Sunny). You could talk about Norway, and how it's the Greatest Place On Earth, and Germany, The Second Greatest Place On Earth. You could ask her about yarn, and indicate a willingness to learn to knit your own socks, if you can't already do so.
And, well, you could talk about books. Jessica's books, other people's books. It's really all about the books. To paraphrase Jerry Seinfeld: Friends, family, school, they were just obstacles in the way of getting more books.
She would like it if books came with chocolate to eat while reading them.
And, well, you could talk about books. Jessica's books, other people's books. It's really all about the books. To paraphrase Jerry Seinfeld: Friends, family, school, they were just obstacles in the way of getting more books.
She would like it if books came with chocolate to eat while reading them.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 822 reviews
June 26, 2017
This book is my least favourite in the series. It's enjoyable upto some extent. But still the first book, Dragon Slippers, is my favourite in the series.
OVERVIEW
Queen of Dragons, Velika Azure-Wing, has been kidnapped by a clan of dragons. They are in need of queen because their race is dying. They want the blessing of the Queen. And they also think that they deserve the Queen more. Creel has to forget his marriage with Prince Luka to help the King of Dragons, Shardas the Gold, to get back Velika.
RANDOM THOUGHTS
=> I loved all the dragons in this series. Shardas and Fineul are my favourite. Velika is also one of my favourites.
Shardas was very well written. I liked that whenever he talked to Creel his tone was friendly. And to others his tone was bossy.
=> This book is great in the matter of history of dragons. That's the very development in this series by this book.
=> Pretty good part of uneventfulness is the trait of this series. I couldn't stand some parts which were too dull in the series. But this book made little improvement. Very little. Not upto my satisfaction.
=> You know I used to appreciate first person POV in books. Very much. But since the day I read Eurona duology, I am feeling that I am losing my love for this. 3rd person POV was soo perfect (the only thing which was perfect in that duology) that I began to love it. And this book has made me to loathe 1st person POV. Because Creel's narration is boring to death. I didn't feel this aspect in the previous books of the series.
=> Dragon Slippers is the name of the series. Well, I think it doesn't suit the last two books of this trilogy. I know it's author's work, and I am no one to object it. But still it didn't make sense to me. Because slippers appeared only in the first book. Not in the entire series.(I didn't consider this point while rating)
=>This series little bit feels like Enchanted Forest Chronicles series. But The plot of this series is more mature.
Overall, it's a pretty good series. I would recommend it to dragon lovers.
⭐3.5 Stars⭐
June 26, 2017
OVERVIEW
Queen of Dragons, Velika Azure-Wing, has been kidnapped by a clan of dragons. They are in need of queen because their race is dying. They want the blessing of the Queen. And they also think that they deserve the Queen more. Creel has to forget his marriage with Prince Luka to help the King of Dragons, Shardas the Gold, to get back Velika.
RANDOM THOUGHTS
=> I loved all the dragons in this series. Shardas and Fineul are my favourite. Velika is also one of my favourites.
Shardas was very well written. I liked that whenever he talked to Creel his tone was friendly. And to others his tone was bossy.
=> This book is great in the matter of history of dragons. That's the very development in this series by this book.
=> Pretty good part of uneventfulness is the trait of this series. I couldn't stand some parts which were too dull in the series. But this book made little improvement. Very little. Not upto my satisfaction.
=> You know I used to appreciate first person POV in books. Very much. But since the day I read Eurona duology, I am feeling that I am losing my love for this. 3rd person POV was soo perfect (the only thing which was perfect in that duology) that I began to love it. And this book has made me to loathe 1st person POV. Because Creel's narration is boring to death. I didn't feel this aspect in the previous books of the series.
=> Dragon Slippers is the name of the series. Well, I think it doesn't suit the last two books of this trilogy. I know it's author's work, and I am no one to object it. But still it didn't make sense to me. Because slippers appeared only in the first book. Not in the entire series.(I didn't consider this point while rating)
=>This series little bit feels like Enchanted Forest Chronicles series. But The plot of this series is more mature.
Overall, it's a pretty good series. I would recommend it to dragon lovers.
⭐3.5 Stars⭐
June 26, 2017
July 12, 2011
Reading aloud to my son, June 2011.
This book, for the record, is rather pushing the top edge of what I would think of as middle grade. Just FYI: there is a wedding, several fights to the death, and a gooey dragon birth scene. Not sure how much my son really "got" of the ending. He's six, but he really wanted to know what my books were about.
This book, for the record, is rather pushing the top edge of what I would think of as middle grade. Just FYI: there is a wedding, several fights to the death, and a gooey dragon birth scene. Not sure how much my son really "got" of the ending. He's six, but he really wanted to know what my books were about.
March 9, 2011
Review
Dragon Spear is the exciting finale to the Dragon Slippers trilogy. Characters I have come to know are joined by a band of tiny rogue dragons on a mission. These mini dragons are stubborn, proud, and quirky – while the Feraval dragons collect luxuries, these new dragons collect PEOPLE. So weird!
Nothing is simple as Creel and Luka plan their wedding. Rather than dealing with some played-out-love –triangle, these two deal with dragons trapping them in a pit and a wedding dress that refuses to stay neat and clean. Jessica Day George works humor into this love story with great success!
I loved that the Feraval dragons were just as important as the humans in this series. In fact, at times they seemed to be even bigger to the story than Creel. Wouldn’t it be great to have a band of dragons as your body guards and friends?
For a dragon-inspired series, these books are surprisingly light-hearted. They are beautifully written and I am so glad I read them.
Rating
5 Loved
Cover Comments
This cover is way more colorful than the first two covers and it's cartoonish in a good way. I liked that we see Creel, one of her dragon friends, and the precious dragon eggs. Check out that big spear – you go Creel!
May 24, 2009
In the third installment of Jessica Day George’s dragon series, Creel and her prince charming, Luka, visit the dragons’ Far Island home just in time to witness the abduction of Queen Velika. They set off to help Shardas and a handful of dragons rescue the queen from a band of strange dragons with evil intentions. To make matters worse, when they find her, she is about to lay a clutch of eggs, and can’t be moved.
Dragon Spear is an exciting adventure with a plot that kept me guessing and delighted with every new development. I loved visiting the dragons’ new home along with Creel, and was so immersed in the story I could smell the smoke and feel the heat of Velika’s volcanic prison. A satisfying ending that brought tears to my eyes topped off a thoroughly delightful read. A must-read for fantasy adventure lovers of all ages!
Dragon Spear is an exciting adventure with a plot that kept me guessing and delighted with every new development. I loved visiting the dragons’ new home along with Creel, and was so immersed in the story I could smell the smoke and feel the heat of Velika’s volcanic prison. A satisfying ending that brought tears to my eyes topped off a thoroughly delightful read. A must-read for fantasy adventure lovers of all ages!
December 1, 2011
I am somewhat sad to be finished with this book, because it certainly was an excellent series. In terms of Luka and Creel, I am very glad that she did decide to make this final book because I did want to hear how all of that would work out, with Creel's crazy aunt and all. I am also so happy that Velika is with children in this volume, as I did so hope that there would be another heir to the dragon throne (which, it turns out, is the plot of this book). It doesn't take place in the same lands as the other books do, but instead our lovely main characters find themselves in a whole other world, which I think might be somewhere around Cuba, with a whole new set of dragons and a whole different type of hoard.
I would just like to say that I am fascinated with trying to figure out what every country in this book really is. For instance, there is a language in this book that refers to an animal called an "unayama," which I am sure is really "una llama" or "one llama" and therefore they are somewhere near Spain or Mexico. I'm sure that she's taken languages and customs from real places and I just want so desperately to figure out what places they are! I may have to reread it just for that.
I would just like to say that I am fascinated with trying to figure out what every country in this book really is. For instance, there is a language in this book that refers to an animal called an "unayama," which I am sure is really "una llama" or "one llama" and therefore they are somewhere near Spain or Mexico. I'm sure that she's taken languages and customs from real places and I just want so desperately to figure out what places they are! I may have to reread it just for that.
May 22, 2009
EEEEE!!!! I was so excited to get back into the adventure of Creel, Shardas, and Luka. And I wasn't disappointed. The first book is still my favorite, but I was amazed at how fun and different this adventure was from the previous ones. A very satisfying ending to a wonderful trilogy.
April 1, 2020
This was ... unfortunate! I read the third book, which I had never read before, and was disappointed to find it racist. Probably the author does not realize it is racist, but it definitely is. A tale of white saviorism, it is wild to me that the heroine, while saving the dragons, finds it important to make clear that the dragons have agency, personalities, and intelligence, but does not do so for people of color. And the part where she literally dyes her skin darker ... yikes. A disappointing end to the trilogy.
July 17, 2019
This is the final book in Jessica Day George's exciting, lighthearted "Dragon Slippers" trilogy. It has adventure, humor, romance, and, above all, dragons. All of my favorite dragons, plus many new ones, all with their own personalities and quirks, along with the dragons' human friends, Creel, Luka, and Hagen. As I expected, there's a happy ending for both dragons and humans. Readers who liked Patricia Wrede's "Enchanted Forest Chronicles" will enjoy this trilogy, which seems to be a crossover between middle grade and YA.
August 20, 2011
I flip flopped a lot on what to give this book a 3 or 4 since there are no half stars but I decided on 3 because I enjoyed the books leading up to it and I liked how Creel's story ended but I was disappointed about a few aspects.
This one didn't have as much embroidery or sewing going on like it did in the last two but it did present itself in Creel's wedding dress and of course to help save the day-more or less, not exactly.
It didn't feel as dire to me even though it probably could've. Sure things are pretty bad and I did want to know what happened but in a more curious way than I just have to know! I enjoyed reading it though and liked how all the characters played into the story.
Creel seems pretty much the same, spunky and caring. Luka is still quite a fine honest guy. We see a lot of dragons as well as different people (cultures). Dragons are showcased even more in this one I think. They are given more history as well as more dimensions like a sort of code of honor for them and even a different culture to the one presented in the prior two books.
In the end you could just leave it at the second book but I wouldn’t sway anyone from reading Dragon Spear.
This one didn't have as much embroidery or sewing going on like it did in the last two but it did present itself in Creel's wedding dress and of course to help save the day-more or less, not exactly.
It didn't feel as dire to me even though it probably could've. Sure things are pretty bad and I did want to know what happened but in a more curious way than I just have to know! I enjoyed reading it though and liked how all the characters played into the story.
Creel seems pretty much the same, spunky and caring. Luka is still quite a fine honest guy. We see a lot of dragons as well as different people (cultures). Dragons are showcased even more in this one I think. They are given more history as well as more dimensions like a sort of code of honor for them and even a different culture to the one presented in the prior two books.
In the end you could just leave it at the second book but I wouldn’t sway anyone from reading Dragon Spear.
July 19, 2016
Dragon Spear
Dragon Slipper's #3
By: Jessica Day George
5 stars
Reviewed by:Angels
Format:Kindle/Paperback/Hardcover
Published: Bloomsbury Publishing
Source: Purchased Copy Gene:Young Adult Fantasy
Book Blurb/Synopsis-
As far as Creel is concerned, all is finally right with the world. The dragon king, Shardas, and his queen, Velika, have made a home for themselves on the Far Islands, and for the first time in centuries it seems dragons and humans might be able to live together in peace. So what better time for Creel and Luka to plan their wedding. But then Velika gets kidnapped by a band of rogue dragons in need of their own queen. And Creel and Luka leap to aid Shardas and rescue her--only to discover that Luka's father has set his sights on taking back the Far Islands from the dragons. Torn between her love for Prince Luka and her friendship with Shardas and Velika, Creel must make the most difficult decision of her life if she stands any chance of getting to the church on time.
Our Review
Possible spoilers
Book three in Jessica's dragon series.
Creel is now growing a little board with home and is looking forward to a new adventure. After becoming engaged to Prince Luka , Creel and Luka and Creel's brother set out to see her Dragons friends new home. After the last war that was one the King banished all Dragons from his Kingdom. So Sharda's and his Queen Velika set out to combine the other Kingdoms to find a place for all his people in addition to the new acquired dragons who became un collared in the last war most of them being controlled since the day they were born.
They find a place on the Far Isle's to become the
new home of all the dragons. Sharda has promised Creel she can visit when things are settled for them and in the Spring returns for Creel and brings her for a visit. Her Dragon friends are there to meet her and her Prince to take them to their new home of her Dragon friends. Once they have arrived Creel is so overjoyed she is on cloud nine. Looking to her friends she has found that some of them have new mates and also new baby dragons and are happy with life.
She as brought some gifts for her friends as most of them hoard a collection of their own so she has brought a gift for them to bring smiles to their faces. She finally meets Shardas and Veika the Queen and King of Dragons and then learns that the Queen is carrying eggs and there will soon be a new queen in the making and is so overjoyed with this wonderful news. She has news of her own she is getting married and since her family is a family of dragons what a perfect place for her wedding.
Once settled in the King and Creel get down to business of catching up and is given a tour of the new Island of the Kings new home which turns out to be paradise after all. After an exciting day Velika and Creel decide to go to the Queens cave for a nice nap where Creel sits and chats with her Queen while sewing her new bridal dress and dozes off to. Once awakened she hears a noise someone is kidnapping herself and her Queen. They are taken to a remote part of the Island where they learn other dragons have been living and are slowly becoming extinct.
They learn they have kidnapped the Queen because she is needed for her eggs to begin a new and save their people. But ,Velika is going to give birth very soon so Creel needs to put a plan in action to save herself and her Queen.
Alas the adventure begins.
What a cute and heart felt story. This is the conclusion to the three book series. The characters are lovable and intriguing and you can't help but want to keep turning the pages to see what happens next.Creel starts to think that she might be cursed and if she will ever make in to the altar with all her mishaps along the away that keeps you laughing throughout the book bringing a smile to your face. I just love this authors series it was a lot of fun to read about.I am wishing there had been this series when I was growing up as I would have fell in love with this series and with it would have brought great enjoyment in reading as a girl. One series to be read over and over again.This ones a keeper.
March 26, 2023
July 2022 reread:
Not as thrilling as its predecessors, but still a great story about Creel's efforts to protect the dragons she loves. I like that the entire series is not "look how horrible humans are." Some of it is, but clearly many humans respect and try to protect the dragons, while evil or misguided dragons are just as threatening as humans.
I missed Marta in this one. She is only in the beginning and end. But all of the characters feel like real people, even though at times they are too perfect (Luka especially). George has the talent of making me feel like I am hanging out with dear friends and of infusing her stories with warmth and humor. I felt bad on this rereading, because this was one of those times when I am reading a book I really like but suddenly get a desperate urge to read another book, and no matter what I do I can't ignore this urge. So I was rushing a bit through this one feeling like I was cheating on it and not doing justice to George. While I feel guilty, I couldn't help it. That's how reading is--my present moods largely determine what I read and how much I enjoy it. If I read even a top favorite at the wrong time, I don't fully appreciate it.
***
2013
This installment in the Dragon Slippers series is more about negotiation and the difficulties with diplomacy than about adventure, though there are certainly some action scenes. I find this shift in main focus innovative--rather than having a ton of fighting and struggles, there is a lot of tension-laden dialogue. The three books in the series have a nice progression: the first introduces dragons, how they are mostly gentle and even friendly to humans when respected as intelligent, reasoning beings and not controlled; the second shows further how they can be manipulated to serve the purposes of humans or other dragons; and the third shows differing values among the dragon race, opposing views of how they should live and treat their rulers.
Creel, as before, inspires diligence, strength, and bravery in the face of troubles, with plenty of distinct personalities around her. Luka is really too gentle, adoring and thoughtful to be true! The efforts to portray him as such are a little overdone at times, but I can still believe in him.
Not as thrilling as its predecessors, but still a great story about Creel's efforts to protect the dragons she loves. I like that the entire series is not "look how horrible humans are." Some of it is, but clearly many humans respect and try to protect the dragons, while evil or misguided dragons are just as threatening as humans.
I missed Marta in this one. She is only in the beginning and end. But all of the characters feel like real people, even though at times they are too perfect (Luka especially). George has the talent of making me feel like I am hanging out with dear friends and of infusing her stories with warmth and humor. I felt bad on this rereading, because this was one of those times when I am reading a book I really like but suddenly get a desperate urge to read another book, and no matter what I do I can't ignore this urge. So I was rushing a bit through this one feeling like I was cheating on it and not doing justice to George. While I feel guilty, I couldn't help it. That's how reading is--my present moods largely determine what I read and how much I enjoy it. If I read even a top favorite at the wrong time, I don't fully appreciate it.
***
2013
This installment in the Dragon Slippers series is more about negotiation and the difficulties with diplomacy than about adventure, though there are certainly some action scenes. I find this shift in main focus innovative--rather than having a ton of fighting and struggles, there is a lot of tension-laden dialogue. The three books in the series have a nice progression: the first introduces dragons, how they are mostly gentle and even friendly to humans when respected as intelligent, reasoning beings and not controlled; the second shows further how they can be manipulated to serve the purposes of humans or other dragons; and the third shows differing values among the dragon race, opposing views of how they should live and treat their rulers.
Creel, as before, inspires diligence, strength, and bravery in the face of troubles, with plenty of distinct personalities around her. Luka is really too gentle, adoring and thoughtful to be true! The efforts to portray him as such are a little overdone at times, but I can still believe in him.
June 15, 2021
After an enjoyable first and second book, this final entry in the series features a blond, blue-eyed heroine in blackface, saving "primitive, enslaved natives" from a lost group of fundamentalist dragons. The optics are terrible, and it provides an unfortunate end to what started out as a promising and fun series. While the earlier books felt like a throwback to simpler middle-grade fantasy stories in a good way, this one feels like a throwback to the worst aspects of subliminally racist narrative that permeated a lot of children's literature in the 20th century. Made me want to smack my head against a wall. Would not read to or share with a child, unless I was teaching critical thinking/critical literacy to said child.
June 29, 2018
The third and final book in the Dragon series by Jessica Day George. Probably my least favorite of the series. Shardas and the other dragons go to live on their own islands and have to deal with the other crazy dragons that live on the surrounding islands that seem to think that they can just take Velika and her dragon hatchlings. Because of blood and birthrights, etc. Creel, Luka, and friends flew out with the dragons to spend some down time and hang out with their friends and, as per usual, get pulled into the fight. Still beautifully written, as all of her books. It's worth a read; just not as good as the first two.
September 24, 2024
this one was probably my least favorite of the series but it's still ❤❣💓💕💞💘💗😍😻🥰💝💜💛💖
i thought the middle was pretty repetitive. it was like 150+ pages of them being in a cave day after day and just talking to other dragons, without anything actually happening.
i loved the ending and the mini plot twist , it was really cute!
i thought the middle was pretty repetitive. it was like 150+ pages of them being in a cave day after day and just talking to other dragons, without anything actually happening.
i loved the ending and the mini plot twist , it was really cute!
December 2, 2019
"It's a bucket of sand," I said.
"Yes, yes, it is!" Luka was still grinning at me with delight. "Black sand. And we've got six bucketfuls!"
"How nice," I told him. I looked over at Tobin. "Did he hit his head while you were out exploring?"
It's strange to know that after all these years of never knowing how the story ended, I've reached the end.
Dragon Spear is by no means a perfect book or the most epic conclusion, but it is honestly very satisfying. After two books of mirrored plots, the third finally shakes up the formula with a new land under control of dragons exclusively. Though the theme of not controlling anyone, human or dragon, still exists in the background, the book focuses on beliefs and how they shape our actions.
The world-building is so much better than the last book! Our well-known dragons have begun to set up an island of their own, but the really interesting culture has to be the new dragons we meet. Though they mirror the same views of our dragons, these initial views are now convoluted.
The character interactions definitely improved from the last book! Though we didn't get much of Marta or Alle, we did get to spend some more time with Creel's brother, Hagen, who is such a sweet character. And naturally, if we get one part of her family, the rest is bound to arrive - yes, although we don't see a ton of her, Creel's crazy aunt (the aunt who gave her to the initial dragon) is back and just as crazy as ever, planning to marry her daughters off the royalty while living in the palace! And naturally, we see more of our dragon pals like Shardas, Velika, Amacarin, Niva and Fenuil (though the latter two aren't as involved at times, which disappointed me a bit).
Another plus is getting some more Luka and Creel interactions! This was a bit of a let down in the last book, but this book has some really sweet moments between the two - which is probably good considering they have a wedding coming up! Honestly, they are just adorable:
We both hugged and squeezed and swore never to be parted again (and in Luka's case, occasionally just swore).
Though not on the same tier as the first book (which is pretty hard to beat), Dragon Spear is a charming and well-deserved conclusion to the Dragon Slippers trilogy. A definite re-read for the future!
December 23, 2020
Not as good as the first two, but I really enjoyed it.
December 20, 2012
After the Second Dragon War, Creel’s world has changed dramatically. Shadras and the rest of the dragons have relocated to the Far Islands, and Creel and Luka have become engaged. Before they can get married, Creel is going to take one visit to the Far Islands to visit her dragon friends. She arrives to find that they've settled in paradise, but not all of the dragons have the same ideas about how things should be run. What will Creel and Shadras do when Velika, the queen of the dragons, is kidnapped?
Dragon Spear is the third and final book in the Dragon Slippers trilogy by Jessica Day George. To be honest, I liked the book but I didn’t find it to be nearly as satisfying as either the first two books. The book starts on a high and hilarious note, when Creel’s ridiculous aunt (the one who decided that the best way for Creel to find a husband was to have a rich lord’s son rescue her from a bloodthirsty dragon? Yep, that one) invades Creel’s new life in hope of finding rich husbands for her own daughters. I enjoyed the beginnings of Creel's adventures, and getting to explore the new territory of the Far Islands. Like it's predecessors Dragon Spear is a fun and fast paced book. It’s when you start to get into the books main conflict that it’s flaws begin to show.
I like the ideas behind Dragon Spear. This time around it’s not the dragons that are being controlled by humans, but the other way around, which is a nice twist. At the same time, I wasn't as fond as the primary villain, who seemed second rate after Shadras’s brother in Dragon Flight. I was also somewhat disappointed with the new characters. This includes Creel’s brother and the native people of the Far Isles, who all felt underdeveloped when compared to Creel and the dragon characters. Luka seemed underused as well, bumped down from leading armies in Dragon Flight to just being Creel's love interest in Dragon Spear.
Final Thoughts: Dragon Spear is ultimately a fun and fast read. I enjoyed having one more adventure with Creel, Shadras, and company and flew through the book pretty quickly. At the same time, this book isn't as strong as the first two. I felt that the villain was weak and wasn't overall impressed with the new cast of characters. I certainly worth finishing up the series, but don’t expect Dragon Spear to be as good as Dragon Slippers or Dragon Flight.
Dragon Spear is the third and final book in the Dragon Slippers trilogy by Jessica Day George. To be honest, I liked the book but I didn’t find it to be nearly as satisfying as either the first two books. The book starts on a high and hilarious note, when Creel’s ridiculous aunt (the one who decided that the best way for Creel to find a husband was to have a rich lord’s son rescue her from a bloodthirsty dragon? Yep, that one) invades Creel’s new life in hope of finding rich husbands for her own daughters. I enjoyed the beginnings of Creel's adventures, and getting to explore the new territory of the Far Islands. Like it's predecessors Dragon Spear is a fun and fast paced book. It’s when you start to get into the books main conflict that it’s flaws begin to show.
I like the ideas behind Dragon Spear. This time around it’s not the dragons that are being controlled by humans, but the other way around, which is a nice twist. At the same time, I wasn't as fond as the primary villain, who seemed second rate after Shadras’s brother in Dragon Flight. I was also somewhat disappointed with the new characters. This includes Creel’s brother and the native people of the Far Isles, who all felt underdeveloped when compared to Creel and the dragon characters. Luka seemed underused as well, bumped down from leading armies in Dragon Flight to just being Creel's love interest in Dragon Spear.
Final Thoughts: Dragon Spear is ultimately a fun and fast read. I enjoyed having one more adventure with Creel, Shadras, and company and flew through the book pretty quickly. At the same time, this book isn't as strong as the first two. I felt that the villain was weak and wasn't overall impressed with the new cast of characters. I certainly worth finishing up the series, but don’t expect Dragon Spear to be as good as Dragon Slippers or Dragon Flight.
September 16, 2021
1/5
It pains me to habe to write this review because the first two books were so solid, but this book really wasn't necessary, in a lot of ways.
Sure we still hadn't seen Luka and Creel get married, but apart from this (which could have easily been fixed with a quick epilogue) the only thing this third installation brings is world building for the sake of worldbuilding. There is no purpose to it other than providing an opportunity for Creel, who for some reason always tries to blend in, to majorly mess up. And she does. Big time.
There is a section where Creel encounters a new country of people who are coded as black. They are given a foreign, tribal feel. They have tattoos, piercings that make Feravalans cringe, and have never seen blue eyes before. While it's never explicitly stated that they are black, the fact that Creel can easily see their white tattoos implies as much. Then there is also a comment Creel makes when arguing that she should go first into a dark tunnel, as she's been "dyed dark" and enemies presumably will have a hard time seeing her.
She then makes it worse and worries that her complexion will remain dark even during her wedding and says she will look like a "burnt figure." I'm sorry but how did this pass the editor? Jessica Day George, you were doing so well, why did you have to make Creel do black face? This is so clearly and indisputably black face, I don't know how you missed it. If not black face, then brown face.
Because of these harmful elements that are not acknowledged in the book as being harmful, and are also included in a Middle Grade book, I can't really give this book any higher than a 1 star. If this had not been included, I'd probably just give it a 2 because, like I mentioned before, it just really didn't feel necessary. Why focus so hard on worldbuilding in the last book of a series? It makes no sense to me.
It pains me to habe to write this review because the first two books were so solid, but this book really wasn't necessary, in a lot of ways.
Sure we still hadn't seen Luka and Creel get married, but apart from this (which could have easily been fixed with a quick epilogue) the only thing this third installation brings is world building for the sake of worldbuilding. There is no purpose to it other than providing an opportunity for Creel, who for some reason always tries to blend in, to majorly mess up. And she does. Big time.
There is a section where Creel encounters a new country of people who are coded as black. They are given a foreign, tribal feel. They have tattoos, piercings that make Feravalans cringe, and have never seen blue eyes before. While it's never explicitly stated that they are black, the fact that Creel can easily see their white tattoos implies as much. Then there is also a comment Creel makes when arguing that she should go first into a dark tunnel, as she's been "dyed dark" and enemies presumably will have a hard time seeing her.
She then makes it worse and worries that her complexion will remain dark even during her wedding and says she will look like a "burnt figure." I'm sorry but how did this pass the editor? Jessica Day George, you were doing so well, why did you have to make Creel do black face? This is so clearly and indisputably black face, I don't know how you missed it. If not black face, then brown face.
Because of these harmful elements that are not acknowledged in the book as being harmful, and are also included in a Middle Grade book, I can't really give this book any higher than a 1 star. If this had not been included, I'd probably just give it a 2 because, like I mentioned before, it just really didn't feel necessary. Why focus so hard on worldbuilding in the last book of a series? It makes no sense to me.
June 26, 2012
Of all three books, Dragon Spear would have to be the one I disliked the most. Creel seemed to be wedding gown obsessed (which bored me to tears. I know the wedding gown was important to her, but not to the extent that Creel showed), and the actual plot was messy. You could see the author try to inject some complexities into the situation, but instead of being engaging and well written, it was rather clumsy and needed better execution overall.
It's not all bad. For the most part, if you liked the previous two books you'll probably be all right with this one. The summary for this book makes little sense "...only to discover that Luka’s father has set his sights on taking back the Far Islands from the dragons. Torn between her love for Prince Luka and her friendship with Shardas and Velika, Creel must make the most difficult decision of her life if she stands any chance of getting to the church on time."
There is very little of the king in this book. He doesn't even factor in the main plot in any way. And Luka never wavers in his determination to help Creel--there was never even any question from any of the characters that Creel was torn between her dragon friends and Luka. Basically the summary leads you into believing there's a storyline that doesn't actually exist.
The book could be trimmed in a good many parts. A lot of things could have been made tighter. The conflicts in the book don't feel like true conflicts, and they're rather one dimensional overall. It was rather disappointing. 2 stars.
It's not all bad. For the most part, if you liked the previous two books you'll probably be all right with this one. The summary for this book makes little sense "...only to discover that Luka’s father has set his sights on taking back the Far Islands from the dragons. Torn between her love for Prince Luka and her friendship with Shardas and Velika, Creel must make the most difficult decision of her life if she stands any chance of getting to the church on time."
There is very little of the king in this book. He doesn't even factor in the main plot in any way. And Luka never wavers in his determination to help Creel--there was never even any question from any of the characters that Creel was torn between her dragon friends and Luka. Basically the summary leads you into believing there's a storyline that doesn't actually exist.
The book could be trimmed in a good many parts. A lot of things could have been made tighter. The conflicts in the book don't feel like true conflicts, and they're rather one dimensional overall. It was rather disappointing. 2 stars.
August 3, 2009
This is the third book in the Dragon Trilogy, and probably my least favorite of the three. Don’t get me wrong, I actually enjoyed the story and thought it was a good book. It just didn’t capture me the way that Dragon Slippers did. It was a fun story, I loved being reunited with all my favorite characters again, and watch as they go through yet another unbeatable obstacle. I love Shardas and Velika, as well as many of the other dragons. George goes into a lot more detail about dragon history/culture that I thoroughly enjoyed. I am not usually a huge “dragon lover” but these books have converted me. I was glad to see Hagen (Creel’s brother) more in this book and think it would be awesome if George did a spin-off series with Hagen as our lead!
Cover Comments: I like the book covers, especially the dragons. However, they always make Creel out to be twelve, instead of 18+ that she actually is. I know this book is targeted to the juvenile audience, but I think all three can appeal to all age ranges and wish that they had depicted Creel a little older. Still cute covers though.
Cover Comments: I like the book covers, especially the dragons. However, they always make Creel out to be twelve, instead of 18+ that she actually is. I know this book is targeted to the juvenile audience, but I think all three can appeal to all age ranges and wish that they had depicted Creel a little older. Still cute covers though.
June 7, 2009
Dragon Spear by Jessica Day George
Bloomsbury, 2009
Reviewed by Heather Moore
Dragon Spear is a delightful third installment of the Dragon Slippers series. In book three, Creel and Luka go on a mission together to the new colony of dragons—the Far Isles. If you’ve read the other books in the series, you’ll know that Creel has a special relationship with the dragons. And although the creatures aren’t welcome everywhere and reasonably feared by most humans, Creel has managed to become their closest friend.
Yet, when the queen of the dragons is abducted by a warring dragon faction, Creel heads after them. In the wake of her adventures to free the queen dragon and her collection of newly hatched eggs, Creel must sacrifice something most precious and dear.
Young readers will find this series light-hearted and endearing, as well as older readers like me. Other books by Jessica Day George include: Sun and Moon, Ice and Snow, and Princess of the Midnight Ball.
Bloomsbury, 2009
Reviewed by Heather Moore
Dragon Spear is a delightful third installment of the Dragon Slippers series. In book three, Creel and Luka go on a mission together to the new colony of dragons—the Far Isles. If you’ve read the other books in the series, you’ll know that Creel has a special relationship with the dragons. And although the creatures aren’t welcome everywhere and reasonably feared by most humans, Creel has managed to become their closest friend.
Yet, when the queen of the dragons is abducted by a warring dragon faction, Creel heads after them. In the wake of her adventures to free the queen dragon and her collection of newly hatched eggs, Creel must sacrifice something most precious and dear.
Young readers will find this series light-hearted and endearing, as well as older readers like me. Other books by Jessica Day George include: Sun and Moon, Ice and Snow, and Princess of the Midnight Ball.
September 15, 2016
Though I still the first one was definitely more fleshed out, more 3-D, the second two have done credit to JDG and her characters. They're still funny, adventurous, and unique. The characters are well-rounded and not too complicated (like, the dragons are very typical, just with singular hoards). The world is very big, and JDG tells the reader all he/she needs to know about this vast place as the story unfolds.
In this one, Dragon Spear, I love Creel's dedication to her wonderful dress. Yet, since this is a fiction story, the reader can easily guess something will go wrong. And it does, but in ways the reader couldn't guess.
There were a few points I wished JDG would've expanded on, like the rescue missions and sneaking around. She skipped over a lot of that, telling instead of showing in real time. It made it less stressful, and less eventful, and faster, and less interesting for a few of those, even if nothing did happen.
In this one, Dragon Spear, I love Creel's dedication to her wonderful dress. Yet, since this is a fiction story, the reader can easily guess something will go wrong. And it does, but in ways the reader couldn't guess.
There were a few points I wished JDG would've expanded on, like the rescue missions and sneaking around. She skipped over a lot of that, telling instead of showing in real time. It made it less stressful, and less eventful, and faster, and less interesting for a few of those, even if nothing did happen.
June 20, 2009
3.5 Stars.
I am a big massive Jessica Day George fan, and while this book tied the series up in a few ways which I will not give away, I felt it lacked a certain spark and freshness that the first two had.
Some characters felt tacked on as there was little build for them in previous books. As predictable as it may have been, I admit I would have liked to see Alle find love with Creel's brother. Again, this may have been predictable, but that kind of feel good addition I could have lived well with.
There is nothing wrong with this book... I liked it and I enjoyed it. Shardas and Velika and the rest of the dragons were cool. Creel was awesome. There seemed to be a bit more talk than action here. I just didn't LOVE it the way I loved the other two in the series.
I am a big massive Jessica Day George fan, and while this book tied the series up in a few ways which I will not give away, I felt it lacked a certain spark and freshness that the first two had.
Some characters felt tacked on as there was little build for them in previous books. As predictable as it may have been, I admit I would have liked to see Alle find love with Creel's brother. Again, this may have been predictable, but that kind of feel good addition I could have lived well with.
There is nothing wrong with this book... I liked it and I enjoyed it. Shardas and Velika and the rest of the dragons were cool. Creel was awesome. There seemed to be a bit more talk than action here. I just didn't LOVE it the way I loved the other two in the series.
June 5, 2009
This is a fun conclusion (at least, the author claims that she's done with these characters) to a fun trilogy. We learn more about Creel's world, more about the dragons and their lore and history, and we finally get to see Creel's happy ending, in spite of annoying relatives, sacrificed clothing, and selfish, prideful dragons. We also get to see Velika show that she is truly queenly, and that made me want to stand up and cheer. What a great lady. Thanks, Jessica, for letting us watch Velika come into her own.
July 24, 2015
This is the 3rd and final installment of the Dragon Slippers series.
In this adventure, Creel visits her dragon friends in their new home on the Far Islands.
When pregnant Velika, Queen of the Dragons, gets kidnapped, Creel and her friends must try to rescue her from a lost tribe of dragons.
Personally, the first and second book resonated more with me than this one. There was certainly nothing bad about this one, but it just didn't hold my interest the way books 1 & 2 did. That said, overall it was a fun read and a satisfying closure to the trilogy.
In this adventure, Creel visits her dragon friends in their new home on the Far Islands.
When pregnant Velika, Queen of the Dragons, gets kidnapped, Creel and her friends must try to rescue her from a lost tribe of dragons.
Personally, the first and second book resonated more with me than this one. There was certainly nothing bad about this one, but it just didn't hold my interest the way books 1 & 2 did. That said, overall it was a fun read and a satisfying closure to the trilogy.
July 26, 2009
I've loved every book that I've ready by Jessica Day George and this was no exception. My husband says that secretly I'm a 12 year old nerdy girl because I read books about dragons, but I've loved this series! It's been very interesting, funny, and clever. I really like the main characters and liked this book.
dnf
January 12, 2025My 10 year old self: I only read part of this book, but I can still review it and say that I put it down because it was SO BORING! It was also very confuzzling. There were way to many characters. You may try this out if you really want to, but there are so many other good books that I have reviewed that are WAY BETTER. Try something else.
April 6, 2014
Good for a younger age than I. I'm pretty sure my 10-year-old sister would like it. I'm probably just overly critical for saying that everything always seems to turn out right and no one really grows.
January 3, 2014
Lost interest while reading. Had a really gross line about only marrying royalty in white from the skin out. Also couldn't take the whole dark skinned savage thing.
September 10, 2016
Wow. Creel, Marta, and Luka save the world!
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