Rating: 
Summary: action packed, exciting fantasy
Review: After centuries of foreign tyranny, led by Josarin the Firebringer, the island people of Sileria have thrown out their alien masters the Valdani and gained freedom. To succeed at his endeavor, Josarian merged opposing groups into a force, but once victory was achieved, the band split into the bitter rivals they had been before the Firebringer united them. The termination of the confederation occurs when The Waterlord White Dragon of Kilorian kills Josarian. Civil war between the fire sorcerers and the Honored Society led by its notorious water wizards breaks out.Josarian trusted second in command Tansen is the last hope for freedom on the island. Mirabar had previously led her people in the revolt. She must decide whether to trust her natural enemy Tansen or ally herself with her side of the civil war. The problem she confronts is that this Tansen is in her visions and dreams seemingly as the anointed one the Gods said was coming to lead all people. The first tale in the "In Fire Forged" series is an action packed, exciting fantasy that provides a key message involving freedom in a land in which recent history is brutally tyrannical. The story line works because key players like Tansen and Mirabar seem real in a realm where Gods interfere in everyday life and magic works. Fans of powerful fantasy will want to read THE WHITE DRAGON: IN FIRE FORGED AS Laura Resnick proves she more than just the daughter of a renowned author, but instead Mike is the father of a renowned writer. Harriet Klausner
Rating:
Summary: action packed, exciting fantasy
Review: After centuries of foreign tyranny, led by Josarin the Firebringer, the island people of Sileria have thrown out their alien masters the Valdani and gained freedom. To succeed at his endeavor, Josarian merged opposing groups into a force, but once victory was achieved, the band split into the bitter rivals they had been before the Firebringer united them. The termination of the confederation occurs when The Waterlord White Dragon of Kilorian kills Josarian. Civil war between the fire sorcerers and the Honored Society led by its notorious water wizards breaks out. Josarian trusted second in command Tansen is the last hope for freedom on the island. Mirabar had previously led her people in the revolt. She must decide whether to trust her natural enemy Tansen or ally herself with her side of the civil war. The problem she confronts is that this Tansen is in her visions and dreams seemingly as the anointed one the Gods said was coming to lead all people. The first tale in the "In Fire Forged" series is an action packed, exciting fantasy that provides a key message involving freedom in a land in which recent history is brutally tyrannical. The story line works because key players like Tansen and Mirabar seem real in a realm where Gods interfere in everyday life and magic works. Fans of powerful fantasy will want to read THE WHITE DRAGON: IN FIRE FORGED AS Laura Resnick proves she more than just the daughter of a renowned author, but instead Mike is the father of a renowned writer. Harriet Klausner
Rating:
Summary: Great worldbuilding and well-rounded characters. Superior.
Review: After centuries of occupation, Sileria stands at the brink of liberation. Yet internal feuding among Sileria's population can destroy far more than her occupiers ever did. With the undisputed leader, Josarian, killed by treachery, his heirs must battle both the occupiers and the waterlords who, togther with their assassins, wish to create a new nation that only they control. But if the waterlords are successful, they will destroy the Guardians who worship and use fire, and their nation will be one of slaves and masters. Josarian's blood-brother, Tansen, is one key to the island's survival. Constantly accompanied by a sea-born youth, Tansen alone has the charisma and respect to unite the people of Sileria against the water wizards, encouraging them to rise up against their oppressors of a thousand years. Yet Tansen is sickened by the acts of his allies, tired of the treachery that is a constant in Sileria, and uncertain how to seek his fate. His young associate's constant prodding to go to the sea and become consort to the sea goddess is hardly a help. Nor are the enigmatic prophecies of Mirabar, the fire priestess obsessed with Josarian's death. Mirabar sees a new ruler--one who unites both water and fire. In a thousand years, Sileria has never known anything but war between followers of the two elements, but this is not the worst aspect of Mirabar's prophesy. Because she doesn't know who this future ruler is. The nation needs a ruler now, not in some distant future time. And the waterlords are moving swiftly to fill the gap. Author Laura Resnick creates a rich and complex world of magic and conflicted individuals. Tansen, and the waterlord Kiloran are especially interesting--with past dark betrayals driving them forward. But other characters too, especially Ronall--the half Sileria, half Valdani lord show intriguing development and potential. Resnick's strong writing propells the story forward and makes the reader care about the outcome.
Rating: 
Summary: Great read!
Review: From the previous book by Laura Resnick, titled "In Legend Born" we return to the land of Sileria. Josarian's second-in-command (and bloodbrother) is Tansen. He takes up where Josarian left off. Tansen must now lead the shallaheen and the Guardians against the waterlords. Zarien is fourteen and one of the sea-born. He is chosen by the sea goddess, Sharifar, to seek out her new consort who currently dwells on land. Zarien does not know the name of the consort. He is only told to seek him out and return with him to the sea. Mirabar "Sirana" is a prophetess. An Otherworldly demigod known only as "the Beckoner" informs her to be ready for a new Yahrdan. Her protector is an assassin named Najdan. The two will be major players in Tansen's plans. Kiloran is an old waterlord. It was Kiloran that summoned the White Dragon earlier. His plans are growing. **** Laura Resnick entices her fans anew with this novel. Even though this is "part one" it picks up where a previous book (In Legend Born) ends. The second part is due for release in December 2003. It will be titled "The Destroyer Goddess". Even if you did not read "In Legend Born" you will easily understand all that is happening. The beginning gives short and detailed information on all that previously occurred. However, if you have read the previous title, everything will feel more real to you. The story is filled with realistic characters. Each seem to have their own personality and culture. Yet the author succeeds in blending them all together for an incredible tale of war, magic, and betrayal! Recommended reading. ****
Rating: 
Summary: Good novel, but a bit too sluggish
Review: I have been telling people for years to read In Legend Born, a book I quite enjoyed. I had given up on any sequels so I was pleased when this book came out. The White Dragon is a good diversion and an interesting story but not among the best or very good fantasy literature out there. It does a good job introducing some new characters and telling us more about characters we met in the first novel but didn't get to know. There is one major new character, a boy that becomes central to Tansen's life and perhaps all of Sileria. We also get to know more about Elelar's husband. The problem the book runs into is just rehashing old stuff about the main characters Tansen and Mirabar. There is a tedious and entirely too long drawn out recounting of Tansen's decision to kill Armian. There are a few pages on this at the beginning of many chapters and it is a drain on the enjoyment of the book. Given how many years passed since In Legend Born, I was expecting a much cripser book. Resnick is a good writer and has created a very interesting world but she pulls back on exploring it and the people in it with the depth of a Hobb or even a Haydon. I would still recommend this book. It is a decent effort but not a page-turner like In Legend Born.
Rating:
Summary: Excellent
Review: The complex weaving of characters by Ms. Resnick is unforgettable. Read the first book or u WILL be at a loss. I could have done withou the greater detail into Tansen's past, felt like filler to me, but other than that excellent.
Rating:
Summary: Excellent
Review: The complex weaving of characters by Ms. Resnick is unforgettable. Read the first book or u WILL be at a loss. I could have done withou the greater detail into Tansen's past, felt like filler to me, but other than that excellent.
Rating:
Summary: great book
Review: This is a really nice book... it flows fluently and is was easy to under stand... yet it's very nice, detailed, and exilerating
Rating:
Summary: Enjoyable but Average
Review: WHY YOU SHOULD READ:
If you were one of those people who enjoyed In Legend Born and have been waiting to resolve the cliffhanger ending, then this is worth a read. Though be prepared to rehash a lot of old ground! Other than those individuals, we can't really recommend this book to anyone not already familiar with the story. It does not break new ground or provide any interesting concepts such to warrant an independent read of its own (in fact, it ends with yet another cliffhanger and the promise of yet another 500 page book). We suppose that those parties intensely interested in Hawaiian myth might be interested in the treatment of the goddess Dar. If you delight in seeing religion mixed with politics to the exclusion of other merits in a book then you might also be satisfied with the treatment of Tansen, Josarian, Zarien, and the dictates of their various deities.
wHY YOU SHOULD PASS:
Other writers have taken up these subjects and done them better. Certainly for the ultimate treatise on religion and politics you should take up Dune by Frank Herbert from which so much of this book is taken. Huge fans of Herbert should stay well away from this whole series lest cries of plagiarism arise and pollute the waters.
READ MORE AT INCHOATUS.COM
Rating: 
Summary: just opinions
Review: With all the great fantasy to read, how coul anyone give this book more than 3 stars. You can't relate to any characters in this tale. The story, even for fantasy, is silly, overdone, and plain boring. Resnick is quite a writer, she would do well if she could develop charachters and events as Hobb, Flewilling, J.V. Jones. Trying to sound like Martin(no one can touch him)and somewhat like Jordan, who has ruined his career with his eleven book fantasy that has no ending(read the first six, after that, he is an idiot). This series will do well, however, as most readers are less circumspect than me when it comes to good fantasy.
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