FINALIST, YOUTH LITERATURE CATEGORY, 2022 ECPA AWARDS

The Prince and the Blight: Book 2 of the Dream Keeper Saga (Purchase on Amazon)

It’s been a month since 12-year-old Lily McKinley was whisked away to the Somnium Realm to rescue her father, and although she’s overjoyed to have him home, she can’t leave the magical world behind. The glowing stone pendant that transported her is now bringing strange creatures to life against her will, with her paper-mache pterodactyl and even scrambled eggs suddenly moving about on their own. Lily tries to pretend that everything is normal, but when her friend Cedric the dragon appears to tell her that an illness has taken over the kingdom, troubling questions haunt her. Where is Prince Pax? If he can save the Somnium Realm like he did before, why won’t he stop the blight? Lily and her friends must return to Castle Iridyll to find out.

In this sequel to The Dragon and the Stone, Kathryn Butler takes middle-grade readers on an unforgettable adventure that mixes fantasy with biblical concepts. As young readers join Lily’s exciting quest, they’ll explore what it means to trust in God’s faithfulness, even when he feels distant.

• Ideal for Middle-Grade Readers and Families: Includes kids’ favorite fantasy and adventure elements with imaginative new characters and settings they’ll love
• Christian Themes: This exciting story invites readers into deep conversations about the gospel and theological issues including hope, evil, and salvation

“The stakes are high when Lily is called back to the realm of dreams, and her questions and fears will feel surprisingly true to life for young readers. Fortunately, so will the magic. A worthy companion to the first adventure!”
James D. Witmer, Managing Editor, StoryWarren.com; author, A Year in the Big Old Garden, Beside the Pond, and The Strange New Dog

“Though Lily returns to the Realm and finds it marred by darkness, her story is an adventure of the best and brightest kind. Beautiful, honest, redemptive, and true, this book is sure to win a spot in the hearts of those who love the Chronicles of Narnia and the Wingfeather Saga. I can’t wait to see where Kathryn Butler steers her series next!”
Théa Rosenburg, blogger, Little Book, Big Story

“My favorite thirty minutes of every day are the moments before bed when I gather with my sons to read great stories. Our hearts connect as our imaginations are unlocked by the characters and adventures described on each page. Kathryn Butler’s excellent book, The Prince and the Blight, is a book we will read together again and again. Riveting storytelling meets meaningful themes in this treasure. Make room on your bookshelf. Your family will love—and grow through—this fantastical series.”
Erin Davis, writer; Bible teacher; mom of four

“What an exciting continuation of the Dream Keeper Saga! The plot twists and layers of character development will keep your kids thinking and guessing. Like the first installment in this series, The Prince and the Blight carries on with engaging readers in creative imagination and spiritual depth.”
Gloria Furman, author, Alive in Him and Labor with Hope

“Lily and Cedric were too compelling for one story alone. And Pax! What a joy to have this second book and see them now face a threat so relevant in our times. Kathryn Butler wins our trust with her characters, engaging turns, and deeply Christian themes. I’m excited to add the Dream Keeper Saga to our family canon.”
David Mathis, Senior Teacher and Executive Editor, desiringGod.org; Pastor, Cities Church, Saint Paul, Minnesota; author, Habits of Grace