Review by Booklist Review
In this strong follow-up to The Dragon of Trelian (2009), princess-heir Meg and apprentice wizard Calen again attempt to divert mage Sen Eva's plot to bring war to Trelian, this time to kingdom Lourin, which has been plagued by what look like dragon attacks. Meg is sure her dragon, Jakl, is not responsible, but the uncontrollable blind rages they both suffer suggest otherwise. Meanwhile, Calen is at the center of a looming war between mages. Sen Eva's plot proves to be plenty devious, and a tense cliffhanger ending sets a dark tone for the next book. This series is a familiar yet engaging take on traditional fantasy.--Hutley, Krista Copyright 2010 Booklist
From Booklist, Copyright (c) American Library Association. Used with permission.
Review by Horn Book Review
In this sequel to The Dragon of Trelian (rev. 5/09), Princess Meg is now heir to the throne, but her subjects are uneasy about her relationship with her dragon, and it only becomes worse when a neighboring king accuses the dragon of ravaging the countryside, burning fields and killing people. Meanwhile, Megs best friend Calen has earned his mages mark, but a mysterious, magical attack occurs during the presentation ceremony, and when his special abilities come to light it brings a cloud of suspicion upon him. Needless to say, the deposed villain from the previous book is behind all the mischief. Sen Eva is once again trying to open a portal for a powerful evil mage to return from exile, but this time she succeeds. As Meg and her allies prepare for war against the forces of Mage Krelig, he seems to have won the impetuous Calen over to his side, either by persuasion or coercion. The book ends unresolved, with a cliffhanger ending. The wonderful characters and the fluid writing compensate for the somewhat languid pacing and the lack of thematic depth. Fans will eagerly await the climactic confrontation between forces in the next book of what appears to be a trilogy. jonathan hunt (c) Copyright 2012. The Horn Book, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
(c) Copyright The Horn Book, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
Review by Kirkus Book Review
An engaging fantasy sequel marred by middle-book syndrome. Princess Meglynne is already being groomed for the throne of Trelian, despite her youth, impetuous behavior and increasingly volatile temper. Of greater concern is her magical bond with Jakl, since the dragon arouses fear among her people, and ultimatums from rival kingdoms. Meanwhile, Meg's best friend Calen is also taking on adult responsibilities among the council of his fellow mages. But when their stronghold comes under attack, the Magistratum ruptures into bitter divisions over ominous prophecies that seem to point directly at Calen. Chapters alternating between Meg and Calen's viewpoints add depth and breadth to a generic fantasy world, as the two young people attempt to navigate conflicts with those they looked to for protection and support. It is a pleasure to revisit two such appealing protagonists; unfortunately, much of the plot rehashes the first novel, without allowing either character change or growth. Once again, Meg chafes at her royal restrictions, and her impulsive choices lead to disastrous consequences. Calen's excessive caution and frustration at his mentor's cryptic methods again inspire him to prove himself, with fateful results. The stakes may be raised, but the terms, the villains and even the romantic triangle are all the same. An abrupt magical "fix" and an out-of-character plot twist may solve the characters' immediate challenges, but they also set up a maddening cliffhanger. Nonetheless, the likable characters and brisk narrative will undoubtedly lure readers into eagerly anticipating future installments. Next time, though--more Jakl, please! (Fantasy. 11-16)]] Copyright Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.
Copyright (c) Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.
