The Dragon of Despair

Rating:
Summary: Still got it!
Review: Ok so I admit, the characters all seem the same, the story isn't getting anywhere...FAST, but I loved the first book, I fell in love with the characters, and regardless of how the story ends in each new book, I still love the characters. I am waiting for Derian to finally fall in love with Firekeeper but it looks like that might come still later. I loved this one as much as the first and I loved the second one also and am looking forward to the next part. To all those that had a problem with the story in the second and third obviously have no patience. A book is something to enjoy. Not something to finish in a hurry and be done with. If you speed through a book you might as well not read it. Their is more to Jane Lindskold's vision then some are aware of and if they show patience I'm sure they'll be rewarded.

Rating:
Summary: It drags a bit, but great story anyway!
Review: OK, it could have been paced faster; some times I just wanted to yell get on with it! Yet, in the end the suspense was good and the ending great; setting up for the next Firekeeper yarn. Will Elise marry Doc? What about the evil queen in the Isles? All sorts of stuff can happen. She had to leave some stuff for the next book.

Rating:
Summary: Returns and Confrontations
Review: The Dragon of Despair is the third novel in the Firekeeper series, following Wolf's Head, Wolf's Heart. In the previous volume, Firekeeper and her companions had traveled to New Kelvin to confiscate three magical artifacts taken there by Lady Melina Shield in collusion with agents of the Isles. At least one of the artifacts, a mirror, had exhibited powerful properties and King Tedric had no desire to allow Melina, or anyone else, to acquire such powers. The Hawk Haven party managed to steal the articles with the help of Grateful Peace, a high official in the New Kelvin government, and Firekeeper then carried the items to the Royal Beasts for proper disposition.

In this novel, Hawk Haven learns that Melina has married the Healed One, the hereditary Chief of State of the New Kelvin government. Nobody knows what her intentions are nor how much authority she has in New Kelvin. Even Grateful Peace, who is now living in exile within Hawk Haven, is uncertain about her position, especially since Melina has certain powers to influence the thoughts of others. Consulting his heirs and councilors, King Tedric decides to send a party to New Kelvin under the pretext of establishing trade relations, a party that will consist basically of the persons who gone on the previous mission to New Kelvin, including Firekeeper, Derin Carter, Elise Archer, Sir Jedred Norwood, Edlin Norwood, Wendee Jay, and Elise's maidservant Ninette. When Grateful Peace volunteers to accompany them, he is added to the party in the disguise of a local guide.

Melina's daughter Citrine has become very disturbed by events that occurred while she has held hostage the pirates and then subsequently abandoned by her mother. Moreover, attempts to break the possessive bond placed on Citrine by Melina have failed. Now the healers have suggested that Citrine's only hope of recovery is to confront her mother, so Citrine is added to the party in disguise as the guide's son.

During this time, another problem is found west of the mountains. A fairly large grouped of pioneers have established a new colony. They have settled on the same ground as Prince Barden's colony and have even named the budding town Bardenville. The Royal Beasts are not pleased and have requested King Tedric, through Firekeeper, to dismantle the town and remove the settlers.

This novel delves deeper into the people and politics of Hawk Haven and New Kelvin. It also explains more about the days when the fire plague killed so many magic users and the remaining colonists were abandoned by their mother countries. In particular, the author shows how many of the customs and governmental institutions in New Kelvin were shaped by the first Healed One, the only magic user to survive the plague, and his expectations that the homeland would soon re-establish control of the colony.

Highly recommended for Lindskold fans and anyone else who enjoys tales of exotic cultures and strange magics.

Rating:
Summary: Returns and Confrontations
Review: The Dragon of Despair is the third novel in the Firekeeper series, following Wolf's Head, Wolf's Heart. In the previous volume, Firekeeper and her companions had traveled to New Kelvin to confiscate three magical artifacts taken there by Lady Melina Shield in collusion with agents of the Isles. At least one of the artifacts, a mirror, had exhibited powerful properties and King Tedric had no desire to allow Melina, or anyone else, to acquire such powers. The Hawk Haven party managed to steal the articles with the help of Grateful Peace, a high official in the New Kelvin government, and Firekeeper then carried the items to the Royal Beasts for proper disposition.

In this novel, Hawk Haven learns that Melina has married the Healed One, the hereditary Chief of State of the New Kelvin government. Nobody knows what her intentions are nor how much authority she has in New Kelvin. Even Grateful Peace, who is now living in exile within Hawk Haven, is uncertain about her position, especially since Melina has certain powers to influence the thoughts of others. Consulting his heirs and councilors, King Tedric decides to send a party to New Kelvin under the pretext of establishing trade relations, a party that will consist basically of the persons who gone on the previous mission to New Kelvin, including Firekeeper, Derin Carter, Elise Archer, Sir Jedred Norwood, Edlin Norwood, Wendee Jay, and Elise's maidservant Ninette. When Grateful Peace volunteers to accompany them, he is added to the party in the disguise of a local guide.

Melina's daughter Citrine has become very disturbed by events that occurred while she has held hostage the pirates and then subsequently abandoned by her mother. Moreover, attempts to break the possessive bond placed on Citrine by Melina have failed. Now the healers have suggested that Citrine's only hope of recovery is to confront her mother, so Citrine is added to the party in disguise as the guide's son.

During this time, another problem is found west of the mountains. A fairly large grouped of pioneers have established a new colony. They have settled on the same ground as Prince Barden's colony and have even named the budding town Bardenville. The Royal Beasts are not pleased and have requested King Tedric, through Firekeeper, to dismantle the town and remove the settlers.

This novel delves deeper into the people and politics of Hawk Haven and New Kelvin. It also explains more about the days when the fire plague killed so many magic users and the remaining colonists were abandoned by their mother countries. In particular, the author shows how many of the customs and governmental institutions in New Kelvin were shaped by the first Healed One, the only magic user to survive the plague, and his expectations that the homeland would soon re-establish control of the colony.

Highly recommended for Lindskold fans and anyone else who enjoys tales of exotic cultures and strange magics.

Rating:
Summary: Another Great Adventure
Review: The wolf series gets better and better. This, the third in the series carrys Firekeeper and crew into new territory. Firekeeper grows with each book. Melinda, thank you, finally gets her comeupance. The combination of great characters, good writing and wonderfully structured world, with just enough magic is the kind of book that I've grown to expect from Lindskold. Her "Changer" series was great, but these first three in the "Firekeeper" books are harbingers of an exceptional series. I hope that she continues until I grow old!

Rating:
Summary: No Despair at all
Review: The wolf series gets better and better. This, the third in the series carrys Firekeeper and crew into new territory. Firekeeper grows with each book. Melinda, thank you, finally gets her comeupance. The combination of great characters, good writing and wonderfully structured world, with just enough magic is the kind of book that I've grown to expect from Lindskold. Her "Changer" series was great, but these first three in the "Firekeeper" books are harbingers of an exceptional series. I hope that she continues until I grow old!