The Seventy-Ninth Prince

Rating:
Summary: Very highly recommended
Review: For readers who loved A WIZARD SCORNED, Patricia White's back with two wonderful new tales of magic and adventure in A MAGIC DWELLS. With her classic story telling grace, White rewards the fantasy fan with unsurpassed tales of depth and strength of characterization.

THE SEVENTY-NINTH PRINCE: The seventy-eight princes who've gone before Kendal failed miserably. Now Kendal has been crowned the seventy-ninth prince, and must find the River Monster's daughter before the grieving mother completely poisons the land with her unending tears. Only a year and a day was granted to find the missing girl, and now only days remain before it's too late, the goddess dies, and the kingdom with her. But Kendal has a powerful advantage, though he doesn't realize it. For his mother secured the companionship and loyality of Molly, a hedgewitch who will honor her word to preserve his life on the journey, or die trying.

THE DRAGON OF SUMMER: At the end of a long, hot, winding tunnel lies the fate of the Princess Royal of the Outer Isles. Betrayed by her brother's love of the game of chance, Tessa faces her death as a sacrifice to The Dragon of Summer with grace and strength, maintaining her dignity where the eighteen princesses sacrificed before her could not. Nevertheless, it will take more than strength of character to survive the dangers inflicted by magic. However, Tessa has a special gift, not of magic, but the ability to perceive it, and refuse it's call. And her fate, the fate of Dragon's gatekeeper, the eighteen princesses, and even the dragon itself depends on her gift.

Readers will find White's tales mesmerizing as she creates a world of fantasy where dragons rule and the wisest and most honorable dwell in sharp contrast to the vain and foolish. Indeed, White has the ability to create a masterful, though disliked character, with the same flair that she creates her remarkable heros. I took great pleasure in the follishness of the prince who was victim of his own weaknesses, even to the point of foolish blindness and childishness. White's voice reveals power and magic with a stately and magistic flair seldom matched, and must not be missed.

Rating:
Summary: One great audiobook!
Review: Listening to this fantasy audiobook made me young again--which isn't easy when the only way I'll see seventy again is looking back, a ways back. But there I was a kid, sitting there on the floor, my ear up against the old Zenith radio, listening to adventures, having the time of my life--all while I was driving up the Interstate, whizzing along with the traffic. It was an amazing feeling--one that left a warm glow long after the tape was done playing. I was still listening to the actors, going with Molly to save the idiot prince, the River Monster's Daughter, and the Kingdom of Dur. I fought wereweazels, ached for diresnakes, and just generally had myself a grand old time--and was never in a minute's danger from the wee beasties.

THE SEVENTY-NINTH PRINCE is great fun. I wanted to shake the stuffing out of the prince, give Molly a medal, and... Well, I guess I better leave some of the better parts for you to find yourselves. I understand Ms.White has written another of these dandy tales--I hope it comes out soon because I'm already in the need of another sip from the audiobook Fountain of Youth. My thanks to the actors, the sound effects folks, and the author--you have one very pleased customer.

The Fiction Works says there's another of these theatrical productions coming soon. It's called THE DRAGON OF SUMMER and Ms. White has already agreed to let me review it. END