Dragons of Candlewood - Ellen Newton Driscoll - Christian Based Children's Book

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The Haunting of Candlewood
By Bob Davis
San Antonio Express News

Ellen Newton Driscoll and Wordwright.biz, Inc. have done it again. They've given us another wonderful book filled with magic, mystery and adventure. Initially I assumed Driscoll had written "The Haunting of Candlewood" as a sequel to her wonderful young people's adventure "The Dragons of Candlewood." But as I read I found myself fervently hoping this new book is just the next in a series of adventures for young Prince Kevin and his wondrous dragon, Fire. As before Driscoll draws us into an amazing world of castles, royalty, battles, and, most importantly, dragons extraordinaire.

"The Haunting of Candlewood" reintroduces us to a fantastic cast of characters. Of course, there's Prince Kevin, now at that awkward age of 16 where he's no longer a child, but still not quite full grown to manhood. And who could forget Fire, his faithful dragon, now full grown and the fastest dragon in the Candlewood herd. There's King Terrance, Kevin's father, and Alamando, the King's best friend and Candlewood's dragon master. Younger brothers Alexander and Samuel along with sisters Lacey and Anna Grace have also grown and despite all the teasing they remain a close and loving family. And rounding out the heroes and heroines comes the beautiful red-haired Princess Leannda, who, at almost 16, remains positive that she is destined to become her best friend Kevin's queen.

But something is amiss at Candlewood. King Terrance's wife and the children's mother, dead several years, seems to be trying to warn the family of danger. King Terrance, still deeply in love with Elena, is so concerned he's willing to seek help from Alamando's sorceress sister, Latinia. Without giving too much of the story away, it seems the evil Stephen, defeated in the first book, has found a way of returning, if not physically then at least in spirit. And he remains committed to taking the throne of Candlewood for himself. It will ultimately be up to Kevin and Fire to stop him.

Like its predecessor, "The Haunting of Candlewood" is an ideal book for young adults and those young at heart. With all the facets of a great fairy tale, minus the fairies which Samuel insists really exist, Driscoll's newest work retains the excitement, action, adventure, and conflict of the magical world of Candlewood without resorting to needless violence and harshness. She maintains the action of battle interwoven with a little magic, a little mystery and a little romance. Her characters seem so realistic young folks will be able to place themselves in Candlewood while adults will find themselves nodding in agreement that that is exactly how teens and pre-teens actually behave.

"The Haunting of Candlewood" continues Driscoll's effort to breathe life into this colorful, wondrous world that will enchant readers young and old for years to come. And while it's not necessary in order to enjoy "The Haunting of Candlewood," if you haven't read "The Dragons of Candlewood," do so. Like the adventures of Harry Potter, these continuing adventures in Candlewood are even better when you know the earlier story. I look forward to the further adventures of Kevin and Fire.

The Dragons of Candlewood
By Bob Davis
San Antonio Express News

Oh, to live in a world of dragons and magic! I can’t imagine many folks who haven’t, at some point in their lives, imagined themselves in a make-believe world with all sorts of wondrous creatures, castles, mysterious forests, and other miraculous places. But, unable to actually live in such a world, the next best thing is to read a fascinating book with all those things. That is exactly what you get when you read Ellen Newton Driscoll’s “The Dragons of Candlewood,” one of the newest offerings from WordWright.biz. Inc

An ideal book for young adults, and those of us still young at heart, “The Dragons of Candlewood” follow the adventures of young Prince Kevin and his wondrous dragon, Fire, so aptly named because of his beautiful, red and orange scales and his brilliant wings that carry the color of the sun. Together, they, along with a host of family and friends, fight against the evil dragon, Dark, and his nefarious master, Stephen. Dark, though the son of the King’s own dragon, Hilea, is unlike any other and soon escapes the care of Alamando, the King’s best friend and dragon master. Before long Dark teams up with the evil Stephen, the man who killed Kevin’s mother and despite being thought dead, now poses a threat to Kevin’s father, siblings and Candlewood itself. Kevin quickly moves from boyhood to manhood as he faces the challenge of evil in the form of Dark and Stephen.

“The Dragons of Candlewood” has all the elements of a great fairy story, except fairies. There are, of course, brave heroes in the form of Kevin and Fire. But there’s also Princess Leannda who lays claim to being Kevin’s best friend. On the one hand she’s a rebellious, talkative, pushy young girl, but on the other she’s a wise young lady who, with her friend’s best interest at heart, puts herself in danger. Naturally, it doesn’t hurt that Leannda also sees herself as Kevin’s future Queen, years in the future. A host of others round out the heroes list, both dragons and people, such as King Terrance and his dragon, Hilea, Alamando and his dragon, Max; Kevin’s uncles, William and Michael, and even Kevin’s little brother, Alexander.

Then, there are the villains, particularly the huge black dragon so aptly named Dark. And Stephen, the evil man who is found to be Dark’s master and creator. There’s even a surprise villain, but I don’t want to give the story away. Suffice to say, “The Dragons of Candlewood” has it all; action, adventure, magic and most importantly, dragons.

What makes it stand out as an excellent book for young adults is the fact Ellen Newton Driscoll wove this wonderful adventure without the harsh, needless violence found in so many books today. Oh, for sure, there are battles and great peril, and even death, but it’s presented without the gore and lack of concern for life that is so prevalent in many games and stories available to our youth.

“The Dragons of Candlewood” come alive in a colorful, wondrous world that is sure to enchant even the adult reader. It is a story of adventure, but also of love and trust among family and friends. And of the bond of a young boy and his dragon.

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