"Charming high fantasy"
The island country of Arcania is at war with Maleen, a
kingdom that is rapidly absorbing every country it fights
into its empire. One of their greatest weapons is the
shapechanging monsters that can turn into any human form
it wishes. The Arcanian navy is blocking the Maleen ships
from entering their waters. Both sides harness sea dragons
making the vessels stronger, faster, and more durable. Midshipwizard Halcyon Blithe, who came into his magical
powers at the age of sixteen unlike his relatives who
developed at the age of twelve, is assigned to the
dragonship the Sanguine where he learns battle strategy on
both the mundane and magical levels. Because he is the
seventh son of a seventh son his powers over air and earth
are strong and he thinks he will one day be leading his
own battle ship that is if he survives a court martial, a
curse and an unknown enemy's desire to kill him; of course
there is also the Maleen. The dragon that is part of the Sanguine is able to
communicate with the hero one of the few humans he can
talk to and he comes to care for him and helps him when
possible. Magic is an everyday occurrence for the
Arcanians and they use it in battle just as they would as
artillery or a missile. This is a charming high fantasy
book that will engage the Harry Potter crowd and those
readers who like military fantasy. Reviewed by Harriet Klausner
Posted September 3, 2005
Reviewed by PNR Group Member
Posted January 19, 2007
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