Rating: 
Summary: Popcorn fantasy romance
Review: I've seen romances within fantasy novels. This is one of the few examples I've seen of a story where the romance is more important than the fantasy.Dragon Prince concerns the coming-of-age of Prince Rohan and his efforts to keep the one-dimensionally evil High Prince Roelstra (and Roelstra's scheming, stifled daughters) from winning greater power. It's also about Rohan's trials and tribulations in getting together with the Sunrunner (read: mage) Sioned, since Rohan is busy trying to convince Roelstra's daughters that he's wooing *them.* The plot's okay, though Rawn's worldbuilding is questionable. You see "desert" words like "farad'him" and "azhrei" showing up randomly, and I seem to recall that in a later volume of this 6-book series (technically 2 trilogies), the continent's inhabitants are clueless as to siege weapons. I'm sorry, but you don't see the development of forts and castles without also having the development of siege machinery...the battering ram, at least, was known *very* early in the world's history. The cultures depicted are sketchy and stereotypical, and I felt I was getting a view of "the rich and famous." These people never seem to have economic problems (or if they do, they're easily solved). Feudalistic societies are generally built on the backs of laborers, common people--where *are* they in this world? The book's main problem is that a major premise, Rohan and Sioned's love for each other, is forced. Yes, I've seen "love at first sight" depicted in other stories. *Better* depicted. The mechanism Rawn uses is almost ludicrous, though if you can get past that first leap of faith, everything's fine. My advice: read this for popcorn; if you can keep all the minor characters straight, it's not a bad afternoon's entertainment. But if you don't like it, give the other books a pass. (When I hit the siege engine idiocy, I gave up on the series.)
Rating: 
Summary: Rebuttal of negative character descrpitions
Review: First-off, I have read these 2 series about 5 times (along with MANY other books, many of them re-reads as well, not all fantasy either), so I do know what I'm talking about when it comes to Melanie Rawn's books. In my opinion, this book/series not only rivals Tolkien's, it surpases it. To those that say that the characters are 1 dimensional thus having no "gray shading" to them...Rohan is by no means perfect (ie his "encounter" with Ianthe) and neither are any of the rest. Pandsala later proves she is neither purely evil nor is she good (her fallout with Rohan in the second series). To those that say that this book is juvenile, did you even read it? Half of the things in there could not even be understood by most under that age of 16. I read earlier that someone said something about the love story not being appropriate, and that the characters were over-developed. My personal opinion in this matter is that the book is not the typical fantasy book, it is a masterpiece by comparison. It actually has a plot. No other fantasy series I have ever read (with the possible exception of Orson Scott Card's Ender series or Terry Goodkind's Sword of Truth series) have been as captivating. These book with quite simply keep you up at night once you start reading them. Whenever I read them, I forget to watch the clock and end up staying up 'til 4 in the morning quite frequently because I'm so engrossed. For those of you who are considering reading some of Melanie Rawn's books, I say go for it, they are great. I personally think that the world could learn a lot about subtly if they read these books. I give them a high commendation!
Rating:
Summary: Love...Magic...Hate
Review: Dragon Prince was a book well worth the time it took to read. Rawn made the story beliveable yet un-beliveable at the same time. The sunrunners are very knew to me...which I love this Sunrunning is the coolest kind of magic. Rohan and Sioned are great strong people. Ithena makes my blood boil. It was hard to read the part when Pol was concived because much like my sister who read it before me i too fell in 'love' with Rohan. I was happy, yet sad when Pol was born. I have all ready read the star scroll which was a great book and now i am working the third book
Rating:
Summary: An incredible epic - Dynamic, powerful and dreamlike ¿
Review: I guess I should keep this short. I don't have time to write the in depth review the book deserves. From the first page I was captivated, entranced, enchanted. By the time I'd finished the first two chapters I'd gotten a good look at the main characters, their traits and quirks and individual personalities - and with every page I read, the people and their interactions grew more complex and interesting. The thing I loved best about this novel was the people - they were real. They lived and breathed and brought the story to life. The romance between Rohan and Sioned was both poignant and amusing in the beginning, but as the story went on it acquired depth, as they suffered and were made stronger by the pain, by staying together. The extensive cast of supporting characters was engaging and ominous by turns, and the narrative throughout most of the story flowed easily. But apart from all that, perhaps the most important thing about the novel is that the people changed. They were three-dimensional, alive - there are certain stretches of narrative where I still have to pause, because I'll realize that my breathing has stopped and I'm suffering with the characters in the book. The author takes you so deep into the characters' minds that you will live the story with them, feel their pain and burn with their passions - an incredible experience. When I finally reached the end, I found myself gripping the book, willing it to become just a litle longer ... Well, that was longer than I thought it would be. I encourage anyone who has any interest in people to read the book, because that was what it was about - people. Thanx for reading this, and enjoy the book!
Rating:
Summary: ORIGINAL, INSPIRING, MAGICAL GOOFY-GIGGLY FUN!
Review: This was the first book I ever read in the "fantasy" section. I think I owe a great debt to this author for lighting a fire under me. Helping me realize what I am missing by not entering "her" world---she made me want to READ READ READ again. I have read the whole series of six books and EVERY book written by Melanie Rawn. She is amazing. The two main characters Rohan and Sioned are the perfect instrument, ready to fine tune your imagination. I found myself wondering over and over again (while reading this book) "how does she come up with all these wonderful characters and plots?" I am a writer and I consider her an exceptional example of what a true gift writing can be. The only thing I can say negatively about this series of 6 books is that it is hard letting go of the characters who die. Hard because you know them SO WELL, because of Melanie's great sense of humor and wonderful writing style. I would recommend this book (and the series) to anyone who is looking for a WONDERFUL story. Sometimes you just need to close your eyes and open your mind into another world.
Rating:
Summary: The Best Book Ive EVER read
Review: .......... The best money I've ever spent! Her charcters we're EXECELLENT. They grew and changed with every event they lived through. There were no clear good characters or evil. Just People! The main character had a few evil mishaps he went through himslef. Ms. Rawn illustarted how the black and whites in life are all a made up. It;s a matter of perception. As I continued the series, it just got better. The use of magic in this book, while not original, (Hell any Wiccan can tell you that!, was better than most books because it had very clear cut stregnths and flaws which Ms. Rawn used to give her characters substance.(The genius even went so far as to create a genetic chart).
They can't all move mountains, or destroy dragons. But they have to use wit and intelligence to use what they have to suceed in there endavors. It's MUCH more realistic than uttering spells of a scroll. It's a thinking book. You have to wonder about the characters motivations. You have to guess the true outsome of every situation that befall ALL the characters, whether it be in the political or battle arena. You have to KNOW the characters, becasue they grow and change, just like real people do. The love at first sight part did bother me, until continued reading and witnessed the growth on of Rohen and Sioned's relationship.As you can see I have used the word growth alot in this review. If you want some quick entertainment, this is not the book. IT IS NOT A QUICK READ! If you want your thoughts provocked, this is it! I love Melanie Rawn, she is my new favorite author.
Rating:
Summary: Fantastic book (and series)
Review: I will admit that I first picked up Dragon Prince for its cover and its title. I had a hard time getting through the first 50 pages as new characters and new forms of "magic" were revealed that I never read similar types to before. However, after that point, I got so thoroughly hooked that I finished the book in about two days. I have read the entire series (both the Dragon Prince Trilogy and the Dragon Star Trilogy) several times. I am currently on another re-read. This first book is by far the most complete of the series, and I believe the best. It has a fascinating portrayal of a society like I had never read before. This series made Melanie Rawn one of my favorite authors. There are some frank depictions of sexuality, but hey, that's what makes the book fun.
Rating:
Summary: Political Fantasy
Review: This book does break away from the standard "adventure" fantasy novel that shows a character change while faced with a journey or difficult task. In this novel, no character struggles to their possition, for every pertinent individual has power at the beginning. From that point on, the book follows the political plotting of good versus evil. If you love the details of running a government and the nuances of delegating power, give it a try. I find it works really well to lull me off to sleep at night.
Rating:
Summary: Amazing piece of Literature!
Review: Dragon Prince is truely a work of art! Melanie Rawn has an amazing mind, I don't know how she does it! The minute you think that you know what will happen next....she proves you wrong! This book is so filled with emotions, every character is so well developed and so lovable. This book, this entire series, makes me laugh out loud, it makes me grin from ear to ear, it makes me gasp in fright, jump with shock, and cry like a little baby girl! I have never read book that can evoke such emotion in me. It is AMAZING that one person can touch so many!
Rating:
Summary: Pleasant Discovery
Review: This is a book that i had sitting on my shelf for years before i even bothered to read it. I don't know what i waited for!
Yes, it's a very long book, but it reads quickly. The characters are realistic: they think, they act in their own (or their family's) interest, they change sides/opinions, they sometimes use their emotions to make decisions for them...and so on. THe plot was engrossing enough, with enough aspects of the fantasy, action and romance genres mixed in to keep a reader's interest piqued.
Read this if you: like epic fantasy with multi-faceted characters, have an appreciation for creative concepts within books, have a lot of time to read (it's a long book, but good), have patience to figure out good vs. bad guys.
Don't read if you: Need fairly straightforward characters, get frustrated with too many characters appearing and disappearing, have difficultly with long books and meandering (though not boring) storylines.
Great example of what the fantasy genre CAN produce.
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