Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #140253 in Books
• Published on: 2007-04
• Original language: English
• Number of items: 1
• Binding: Paperback
• 368 pages

Customer Reviews

An original and touching dragon story
This is the story of Ping, a young Chinese girl who has no parents and so is brought up helping the Imperial Dragonkeeper; a cruel man who treats Ping terribly, allowing her to do his work as he is too lazy to bother. Although Ping is aware of his cruelty, it is not until one of the last 2 dragons in the Empire die, that his full vulgarity becomes clear. Feeling that the dragon's death is down to her neglect, Ping decides to take great care for the last remaining dragon, Long Danzi. Yet one day, she overhears the Emperor saying that Danzi should be killed, as dragon's body parts can fetch high prices for those attempting magic. Ping makes a rash decision and along with Danzi, they both escape. With only each other for company, they become fugitives on their quest for Ocean, a place Danzi has said will help to heal him.

That is a very basic plot. What I like about this series is that it has turned many cliches around. Danzi, the dragon is not your usual dragon. He is wise, ancient and perhaps a little bit proud. Unlike other children's books featuring dragons, he seems more fragile; it takes a lot for him to fly, and so on their journey they often have to walk. He also has the ability to shape-shift.
I think the most original part of this story, however, is the way Wilkinson has been able to get a flavour for early Chinese thought and life. Ping truly goes on her own journey thoughout this book. She truly discovers who she is and what she has to offer the world. Through Danzi's philosophical thoughts, she also learns something about spirituality and what is to be a human in the world.
The only reason I have given Dragon Keeper 4 stars is that it does take a while to get going. This is one children's book you certainly have to persevere with. But, I can assure you, by the time you are half way through, you will care what happens. Read this installment for what it is - the first in a series, and so it is the book to introduce characters and ideas. I certainly look forward to reading the sequel.

dragon keeper_an excellent book
Although dragon keeper is the first book I have read from Carole Wilkinson, she is now one of my favorite authors. She has brilliantly captured my imagination of ancient China. By reading this jewel of a novel I was immersed in the beautiful descriptions of the colours, texture and smells of the context. I was captured and utterly intriged by the adventures of a young yet brave chinese girl and her new and unorthodox dragon friend. This book is for anyone who craves adventure in a book that richly describes an unknown part of our world.

Excellent and Outstounding
This book is one of my favourite books ever! I Love this book because of the excellent way it is written and how the tension and supense keeps you reading on and on. I would recomend this book to anyone.
The story is about a girl called ping who is sold into slavery at a very young age by her parents. Ping is the dragon keepers maid and lives in poverty and lonlieness. Her master is too lazy to look after the imperial dragons and so makes ping take care of them. When one of the dragons dies one day, the dragon keeper Schops the dragon up and sells it. The emperour comes to visit the dragons and the emporour sells the remaing dragon to a dragon hunter. Ping and the dragon (Long Danzi) then fly off in search off the sea. On the way they find them selves in all sorts of trouble and adventure. I absoloutely adore this book. I just hope the next one comes out soon.