From Publishers Weekly
Communing with dragons has a price in the second book of Stackpole's Tolkienesque epic trilogy (The Dark Glory War), and no one knows it more than the band of unlikely warriors determined to find the fragments (Truestones) of the DragonCrown. The Truestones would give the Vorquelf Empress Chytrine the potential power to crush the Southlands and eventual dominion over the world. Among those pledged to defeat Chytrine are Princess Alexia (Alyx) and her "husband" Crow (Tarrant Hawkins), whose gentle love story provides a nice subplot alongside the prerequisite battle scenes and magick lessons; Resolute, the loyal exiled Vorquelf; ex-teen thief Will Norrington, whose heroic efforts have been foretold in a prophecy to be the ultimate key to Chytrine's destruction; and young Kerrigan Reese, a shy adept still learning how to harness his own talents. Especially intriguing are the dragons, dracomorphs, wizards and other odd creatures (including the Azure Spider from the last book), whose exploits, along with Will's heroic development, enliven the somewhat sedate pacing of this complex saga. Also of note are the scenery chewing antics of Chytrine's devoted servant sullanciri, as well as the more elegant musings of Princess Isaura, the conflicted daughter of the Aurolani Empress. It takes a while for the masks to come off in this installment and the dragons to fly, but once they do, the ride is worth the wait. Star Wars X-Wing series.Copyright 2002 Reed Business Information, Inc.
From Booklist
Chytrine, who will stop at nothing to become empress of the world, is on the move again. Her minions, living and dead, sweep down from the north, destroying everything in their path as they search for pieces of the DragonCrown, which will enable Chytrine to fulfill her evil desires. Opposing her is an intriguing company of friends: Will, the Norrington prophesied to save the world; fearless Princess Alexia; Crow, a warrior accused of treason; Kerrigan, a young and inexperienced sorcerer whose powers seem to know no limits; and Resolute, a Vorquelf with a powerful thirst for revenge. Dragons are also present throughout, but the true nature of their involvement is revealed, along with other surprises, only when the end is at hand. Kerrigan, innocent and a magical genius, is an especially fascinating character who facilitates a wonderful exploration of the nature of magic. There is plenty of terrific dragonlore, too, not to mention enough sex, love, bloody battles, and high adventure to keep reading lamps lit well into the wee hours. Paula Luedtke
Copyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved
When Dragons Rage: Book 2 of the DragonCrown War Cycle FROM THE PUBLISHER
Michael A. Stackpole--New York Times bestselling author and master of epic fantasy--continues his unforgettable chronicle of a world divided by war, betrayal, desire, and two rival magicks...When Dragons Rage.
As her merciless armies sweep from the north, the tyrant Chytrine pursues her quest to become empress of the world in a brutal campaign of unspeakable bloodshed and unholy sorcery. While cities and kingdoms topple, her agents, both living and dead, search for fragments of the shattered DragonCrown--which, when reassembled, will make her unstoppable.
Opposing Chytrine is the beautiful and determined Alexia, Princess of Okrannel. As she struggles to save the life of Kedyn's Crow, a mysterious human warrior accused of treachery, she gathers around her an alliance of unlikely heroes, including Resolute, an exiled Vorquelf out for vengeance; Kerrigan Reese, a mage with uncertain potential; and last but not least, young Will, an orphan thief from the slums of Yslin, who may be the fulfillment of an ancient prophecy--or its innocent victim. Alexia and her friends will need all their courage and magick, their only advantage the secret possession of a vital fragment of the DragonCrown. But when Chytrine's terrifying horde of cruel warriors, voracious minions, and remorseless undead slaves join the battle against them, even courage and magick may not be enough to stem the tide of ultimate darkness.
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