Dragon Slayers is an earnest attempt to capture Christian theology and history as a battle between dragons and dragon slayers.
Dragon Slayers: The Essential Training Guide for Young Dragon Fighters by Joyce Denham and illustrated by Kristina Kister. Paraclete Press, 2025. 176 pages.
Reading Level: Middle Grades, ages 10-12
Recommended For: ages 10-12
Young and old fairytale enthusiasts might perk up at the premise of Handbook of Dragon Slayers. Church history, allegory, dragons? Yes please. The book’s fictional narrator, Sir Wyvern Pugilist, has plenty to share. For a reader flipping through and sampling different sections, certain pages and panels are sure to delight. (A dragon named Braggen who tempts you to believe “you truly are the greatest” is amusing, and illustrations bolster the idea.)
However, despite its targeted middle grades audience, the book suffers from lengthy narration that diminishes the charm of the premise. Bold orange quotes for emphasis pepper the book and can be visually distracting. The last part of the book, featuring “Dragon Slayers” (who, due to the publisher, are primarily Catholic saints), unfortunately abandons much of the colorful stylized artwork for real world photographs or paintings while continuing to use the dragon slayer tone.
As noted above, since Paraclete Press is a Benedictine imprint, many of the “dragon slayers” featured in the book are Catholic saints, though they are not referred to as such. This provides a fascinating introduction for young readers who want to know more about men and women in church history.
Note: I received a copy of this book in exchange for a fair review from Paraclete Press. I have not read every sentence but flipped through the book studying it till I was confident I could write a review for our readers.
Bottom Line: A charming conceit, but too unwieldy to be read cover, to cover; best explored in small pieces by young dragon enthusiasts who are inclined toward philosophy and theology.
Related Reading From Redeemed Reader
(All feature dragons and spiritual overtones for this same age group!)
- A Review: The Dragon and the Stone (Dreamkeeper Saga #1) by Kathryn Butler; fantasy.
- A Review: Dragons and Dragonslayers by Tim Chester; traditional literature, from a Christian publisher.
- A Review: Dragonseed by Marty Machowsky; a “teaching story” about spiritual warfare.
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