The 5-volume Dream Keeper series comes to a rousing finish with The Last Keeper.
The Last Keeper (Dream Keeper Saga, book 5) by Kathryn Butler. Crossway, 2025, 416 pages
Reading Level: Middle Grades, ages 10-12
Recommended for: ages 8-14
Arch-enemy Magnus has awakened in the cave where he was imprisoned in book 4. An even grimmer fate awaits, however: Eymah the dragon has plans for him in Eymah’s never-ending quest to destroy the Realm. Meanwhile, Lilly McKinley and her friends Kiesha and Adam (along with her otherworldly friends Cedric, Rigel, and Flint) are groping their way out of the same cave, hoping for refuge among their allies in the Realm. But after finding their way to the surface, a grim sight awaits them: As far as they can see, the landscape is covered with ice. Magnus and his hoards of nightmarish shrouds have already begun their work of destroying every square inch of Prince Pax’s territory.
A desperate race ensues, as Lily and her friends enlist every loyal creature and legendary hero, as well as flying galleons with their crews and the noble sorcerer Merlin, in the fight to save the Realm from total destruction. Victory is by no means assured, especially when every village and stronghold they reach is swiftly overtaken by both fire and ice. Trusting Pax with the final victory is a struggle, especially when he hasn’t promised that Lily herself will triumph. But he has promised that the final victory will be his. Lily’s calling, as both dream keeper and guardian, is to point others to him, not take full responsibility on herself.
Almost all the characters readers have met in previous volumes will reappear in the finale. So while it’s not absolutely necessary to have read Dream Keeper 1-4 to follow the story, it will certainly help to keep track of the large cast. Readers who expect high stakes and big battles will not be disappointed, though especially sensitive ones may rather read something else. Those who persevere to the end will enjoy the plot twists and a conclusion they might not have expected. Fans of the series will devour this final installment.
Bottom Line: An action-packed fantasy series with unmistakable Christan underpinnings.
Also at Redeemed Reader:
- Review: See our review of the first novel in the series, The Dragon and the Stone.
- Reviews: Dream Keeper fans will love the Wingfeather series, concluding with The Warden and the Wolf King (all starred reviews).
- Reflection: “Just War” is a big theme in Christian fantasy novels such as Wingfeather, Lord of the Rings, and The Last Battle (Narnia #7). But What Is War Good For?
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