Dragonkeeper

Throughout the novel, Ping’s friendships and bonds explore the idea that loyalty is a difficult ideal to achieve. She also learns that showing loyalty to one bond may result in the betrayal of a different one, and she must ultimately accept that some friendships must be relinquished if she is to remain true to her own principles. Having been deprived of companionship throughout her childhood, Ping holds a deep desire to build true friendships, and this complex theme spans the entire book as her desire to be loved causes her to act in ways that complicate all of her relationships. Through her almost filial friendship with Danzi and her complicated bond with Liu Che, Ping learns that the meaning of friendship and the demands of loyalty to her vocation and her country will require difficult sacrifices if she is to truly grow to become the person she is meant to be.

Ping is a deeply responsible person who overcomes her own maltreatment at Lan’s hands and learns to adequately care for the dragons despite her early mistakes. Notably, her guilt over Lu Yu’s death—even though it is not her fault—motivates her to care more thoroughly for Danzi, and this dynamic helps to establish their friendship.