Genre: young adult high fantasy (with a portal and some romance, so… I’m not actually sure which subgenre it belongs in! But it’s definitely young adult fantasy)

Overall rating: 4/5

Literary Value: 4.5/5 Dragon’s Blood isn’t a literary book by any means, but the writing style matches the story well, and was clear and fluid throughout.

Worldview: 4/5 Dragon’s Blood is the first book I’ve reviewed that’s not by a Christian author (Welker is Mormon), and so much of the theology of the fantasy world was, to say the least, questionable. (Aside from some mysterious Creators, the world is ruled by Trees, which seem to be goddesses that take the shape of trees but also appear as different women, and they might only be one Tree that just appears as different Trees (and also women). . . .)

But aside from the theology, the worldview was very refreshing. The author took a very Biblical view of romance and marriage, and I was delighted by the positive attitude towards large families. (The main character, raised on Earth, has seven siblings, and the fantasy world is struggling because infertility is lowering their population. So refreshing to have a world in which children are seen as a rare blessing!) There was also a beautiful father-son relationship (and healthy family relationships throughout). So, despite the questionable theology, the rest of the worldview was good enough to earn a 4/5.

Enjoyability: 5/5 I found the prologue a bit hard to get into (to be fair, I usually skip prologues anyway), but after that, I couldn’t put this book down (and I know that’s a cliché, but it’s very close to literally true in this case!). It was very refreshing to have a feminine (but still courageous and resilient) main character, and I loved the alternating affection and bickering between the friends of the male main character. The worldbuilding was extremely well done, and the author balanced action and interpersonal conflict beautifully.

Caveats: First off, this might just be me, but I’m always a little nervous picking up a book with the word “blood” in the title. So, just for the record, Dragon’s Blood isn’t gory at all. There are a few action scenes (including an early scene in which the main character is almost sacrificed by ogres), but nothing too violent (and certainly never gory).

As for other potential issues, there’s no language or sexual content. The two main characters are beginning to fall in love, but that’s just barely hinted at. There is a scene in which the main character is introduced to the showers/baths in the fantasy world, and is naked in front of another character (both female) who is helping her figure that out. But it was written very tastefully, and I had no problem with it—just something for more sensitive readers to be aware of.

My biggest concern would be the questionable theology, but anyone with a mature understanding of orthodox Christianity should be fine. I’d definitely recommend Dragon’s Blood to anyone 15+, but most younger teens and even tweens should enjoy it as well.

Other books by the author: Dragon’s Blood is the first in a six-book series. I haven’t read the others yet, but they are on my list!

Have you read Dragon’s Blood? Let me know in the comments below!