DragonFire (DragonKeeper Chronicles #4)

by Donita K. Paul

Warning: If you haven't read the first three books in this series, this post (including the description from the back cover) contains spoilers.

from the back cover
Three years of strife have passed since Kale and Bardon freed Paladin's knights. Now, fiery dragons scorch their beautiful countryside as an evil husband-and-wife wizard duo fight for supremacy. The people of Amara just want to be left alone, hoping the conflict will disappear. But Paladin is dying, and Bardon and Kale--now married--must accept fateful, separate assignments if their land is to survive. Can their efforts turn the tide against their adversaries?

Kale's responsibility is to find, hatch, and train an army of dragons by working side-by-side with the dragon keeper father she has never known. As the Amaran countrymen seek escape, she must gain a greater understanding of her gifts to overcome her doubts.

my rating

my review
This one just didn't do it for me. The cover art isn't the greatest (which is highly uncharacteristic), and I didn't enjoy the story nearly as much as her other novels.

We started off on the wrong foot when, on the first page, I discover that Bardon and Kale are married. THERE COULD HAVE BEEN AN ENTIRE BOOK BETWEEN THREE AND FOUR. Gosh, sorry, I don't usually use my caps lock key. But I was quite angry. And then she rubs it in my face by using the words "wife" and "husband" about fifty times in the first chapter alone.

Since Bardon and Kale receive separate assignments, the chapters alternate between them, which is a style that, while necessary, drives me nuts. (side note: I like commas)

Beyond that, I don't even remember already what all bothered me. It's just that awkward, terrible but necessary in-between book that most series have. Oh, the villains. The villains were so very cheesy and melodramatic. Lightning shooting from fingertips just for show? The sky darkening as she comes into view? Thinking out loud to his captive? The other books have a bit of this too, but this time there were three villains, and it was just too much.

Conclusion: Read the book, because it is good (but not great) and necessary for understanding the final book in the series, which you do want to read. It has its moments, I promise!

The Moosewood Cookbook: 40th Anniversary Edition

by Mollie Katzen

from Goodreads
In 1974, Mollie Katzen hand-wrote, illustrated, and locally published a spiral-bound notebook of recipes for vegetarian dishes inspired by those she and fellow cooks served at their small restaurant co-op in Ithaca, NY. Several iterations and millions of copies later, the Moosewood Cookbook has become one of the most influential and beloved cookbooks of all time... Mollie’s Moosewood Cookbook has inspired generations to fall in love with plant-based home cooking, and, on the fortieth anniversary of that initial booklet, continues to be a seminal, timely, and wholly personal work. With a new introduction by Mollie, this commemorative edition will be a cornerstone for any cookbook collection that long-time fans and those just discovering Moosewood will treasure.

my rating

my review
Now that I have tried a half-dozen of the recipes in this book, I feel that I can review it fairly (and yes, for those of you doing the math, there was quite a bit of cooking going on this weekend).

Before you balk at the word "vegetarian"--this book does not contain recipe after recipe of weird dishes containing obscure ingredients like tempeh or bean sprouts. The foods are familiar, like corn bread and baked beans, though if you want to go the salad route, there are plenty of those, too. And many of the recipes could easily be adapted to include meat. Chicken could be added to the Spinach-Rice Casserole, or pork to the Tart and Tangy Baked Beans.

Five out of the six recipes I made were absolutely delicious, and the sixth (Warm Salad) I can't really complain about because I may have made a few too many substitutions, and the leftovers were very tasty cooked up in an omelet. I haven't quite made it to the back section yet due to copious amounts of Christmas goodies still sitting in my kitchen, but there's a brownie recipe in here that looks very promising.

Here are the dishes I have made so far:
Warm Salad
Lentil Soup
Focaccia
Spinach-Rice Casserole
Tart and Tangy Baked Beans
Basic Corn Bread

*I received a free copy of this book from Blogging for Books in exchange for an honest review.

book haul!

I'm finally getting around to sharing with you the books I got for Christmas... a month after the fact. Ah, well, this way you can already start reading the reviews!

Two Tickets to the Christmas Ball
by Donita K. Paul

This is the only Donita K. Paul fantasy book I had not read (aside from the one that just came out), so naturally, I was really excited to get my hands on it. And I only just realized that I never wrote a review. Huh. It was a 3/5--a bit heavy on the cheesy romance for my taste, with just enough fantasy sprinkled in to keep it intriguing.

The Silver Hand and The Endless Knot

by Stephen R. Lawhead
My theory on these is that my husband bought them for me so that he could read them... We both read book one in the Song of Albion trilogy not too long ago, and couldn't end there! I actually reviewed book two--click on the title to read it.

A Novel Journal

The lines in this brilliant little journal are actually the text of Jane Eyre. Honestly, not my favorite book, but the journal is pretty and I love the quote on the cover. And, well, it's just a really cool idea.

My Family: My special memories of our family

My mom bought this book for us to start a family history of sorts--starting with great grandparents, I think, and down through our children (who are a very distant thought at this point...). Unlike the above image, my copy is, or looks, leather.

The Moosewood Cookbook: 40th Anniversary Edition
by Mollie Katzen
Okay, this was more like a free present to myself, since I ordered it off of Blogging for Books in exchange for a review. I've only tried three recipes so far, so I haven't written anything about it yet. I'm thinking 5/5, though!

wordless wednesday

happy appreciate a dragon day!

Have you hugged a dragon today? Er, well, at least compliment one with a long stream of impressive flattery (Bilbo is quite proficient in this area, if you need some ideas). And remember, always act with great caution and respect, "for you are crunchy and good with ketchup." Or so I hear.

In honor of this all-important holiday, here are my top five favorite dragon-themed books/series (in no particular order):

1. DragonKeeper Chronicles by Donita K. Paul (series)

2. Eragon by Christopher Paolini (series)

3. The Dragon and the Scholar by H.L. Burke (series)

4. Jane and the Dragon by Martin Baynton
(yes, a picture book)

5. The Dragons of Chiril by Donita K. Paul (series)

Who is your favorite literary dragon?