From Publishers Weekly
Just as Lanen Kaelar and her husband settle into newly wedded happiness, home from their fiery adventures of vanquishing demons, their nemesis, archmage Berys, manages to complete the rites needed to become master of all demons and ruler of the land of the Gedri. This sequel to Kerner's Song in the Silence starts slowly and with too much emphasis on wedded bliss, but picks up considerable steam as the story plays out. Lanen's beloved, Varian, is a dragon who has been changed into a Gedri (human form) for some purpose yet unknown. Lanen herself becomes changed into something not quite Gedri during the course of the book. At the same time, the KantriAthe true dragonsAare forced to flee their homeland in exile and return to the home they left on Kolmar 5,000 years ago. In their quest to understand what is happening to them, Lanen and Varian happen upon the Lesser Kindred, dragons who lost their souls five centuries ago when the true dragons were cast out of Kolmar. The cliffhanger ending of the book reveals that there will be at least one more volume in the series. Once past the first several chapters, which are mostly a rehash of Song in the Silence, the narrative moves briskly and enjoyably. Kerner's prose is easy on the ear and the exploits of the dragons are new and fresh. Though there are a few spots where the plot becomes truly predictable, this is a charming book that can be read in one sitting. (Dec.) Copyright 2000 Reed Business Information, Inc.


Review
"Elizabeth Kerner has a strong new voice that has the cadences and resonance of an old and wise bard."--Jane Yolen

"A complex and gratifying tale of loyalty and perseverance."--Library Journal

"A good book is a real find but a good sequel to good book is n extra treat. I've red The Lesser Kindred and now I want to find out what happens next! the story is not over. I want more!"--Anne McCaffrey



Review
"Elizabeth Kerner has a strong new voice that has the cadences and resonance of an old and wise bard."--Jane Yolen

"A complex and gratifying tale of loyalty and perseverance."--Library Journal

"A good book is a real find but a good sequel to good book is n extra treat. I've red The Lesser Kindred and now I want to find out what happens next! the story is not over. I want more!"--Anne McCaffrey



Review
"Elizabeth Kerner has a strong new voice that has the cadences and resonance of an old and wise bard."--Jane Yolen

"A complex and gratifying tale of loyalty and perseverance."--Library Journal

"A good book is a real find but a good sequel to good book is n extra treat. I've red The Lesser Kindred and now I want to find out what happens next! the story is not over. I want more!"--Anne McCaffrey



Book Description
The stunning sequel to Elizabeth Kerner's Song in the Silence, The Lesser Kindred continues the story of Lanen Kaelar, a young woman who embarked on a search for the great dragons of legend and discovered not only the reality of the myth but her own true love. The course of happiness is not an easy one, however, and Lanen must make some hard choices. Her decisions could spell the salvation of an entire race--but at the cost of all she holds dear.



About the Author
Elizabeth Kerner, as the daughter of a Navy doctor, has always found the simple question 'where are you from?' one of the most difficult. Born in Florida in 1958, she spent much of her early life being moved around the Northeast and the South of the US, including a brief but glorious sojurn in Kodiak, Alaska in 1969. She started writing while in high school in New Orleans and no-one has managed to stop her since. She received her MA in English Language (Philology) from St. Andrews University in Scotland in 1981, being one of the first Americans to complete a full degree course at that institution, and promptly joined the unemployment line. She spent a number of years as a non-fiction editor of medical and scientific books and journals, but when she moved to Hawaii in 1988 a whole series of new possibilities arose and she was variously employed as a grunt in the woodworking industry, an office manager for the Big Island AIDS Project, a trainee in furniture restoration and an apprentice goldsmith. By this time, however, her writing was starting to go somewhere, and her first novel, Song in the Silence, was published in 1997 by Tor.

She now lives with her best-beloved husband Steven in a small town just outside of Edinburgh Scotland, and from her upstairs window can just see, if she leans out, the looming towers of the nearby power station. If anyone would care to dynamite several inconvenient homes that are in the way, she would have a sea view. Any reasonable offers considered.

FROM THE PUBLISHER

The stunning sequel to Elizabeth Kerner's Song in the Silence, The Lesser Kindred continues the story of Lanen Kaelar, a young woman who embarked on a search for the great dragons of legend and discovered not only the reality of the myth but her own true love. The course of happiness is not an easy one, however, and Lanen must make some hard choices. Her decisions could spell the salvation of an entire race—but at the cost of all she holds dear.

Author Biography: Elizabeth Kerner lives in Scotland. The Lesser Kindred is her second novel.

FROM THE CRITICS

Publishers Weekly

Just as Lanen Kaelar and her husband settle into newly wedded happiness, home from their fiery adventures of vanquishing demons, their nemesis, archmage Berys, manages to complete the rites needed to become master of all demons and ruler of the land of the Gedri. This sequel to Kerner's Song in the Silence starts slowly and with too much emphasis on wedded bliss, but picks up considerable steam as the story plays out. Lanen's beloved, Varian, is a dragon who has been changed into a Gedri (human form) for some purpose yet unknown. Lanen herself becomes changed into something not quite Gedri during the course of the book. At the same time, the Kantri--the true dragons--are forced to flee their homeland in exile and return to the home they left on Kolmar 5,000 years ago. In their quest to understand what is happening to them, Lanen and Varian happen upon the Lesser Kindred, dragons who lost their souls five centuries ago when the true dragons were cast out of Kolmar. The cliffhanger ending of the book reveals that there will be at least one more volume in the series. Once past the first several chapters, which are mostly a rehash of Song in the Silence, the narrative moves briskly and enjoyably. Kerner's prose is easy on the ear and the exploits of the dragons are new and fresh. Though there are a few spots where the plot becomes truly predictable, this is a charming book that can be read in one sitting. (Dec.) Copyright 2000 Cahners Business Information.

Library Journal

Now that she has discovered the existence of the true dragons and fallen in love with their king, Lanen Kaelar sets out on a journey with her dragon-lover to find some hope for the legendary creatures. Pursued by the minions of an evil sorcerer, Lanen and Varien find their love tested even as they near the end of their perilous quest. Kerner's sequel to Song in Silence (LJ 2/15/97) relies on multiple viewpoints to tell a complex and gratifying tale of loyalty and perseverance. A good choice for most fantasy collections, particularly where there exists a demand for more tales about dragons. Copyright 2000 Cahners Business Information.

Kirkus Reviews

Sequel to Song in the Silence (1997), Scotland-resident Kerner's fantasy about a clash between wise old dragons and evil sorcerers allied with demons. Heroine Lanen Kaeler marries her beloved, Varien, a dragon in human form (fortunately, he retains his dragon strength). Evil has not been vanquished, however: the sorcerer Berys, now Archmage at Verfaren, rejuvenates himself with the magical lansip plant, and controls hordes of lesser demons. He plans to compel the most powerful of demons and summon up the original, ancient Demonlord, whose still-living heart lies hidden. In a not-unconnected matter, dragonkind has been forced to leave its island home because of terrible earthquakes and eruptions. Lanen is the key to Berys's plans: he promised her to the demons in payment for their help, and in fulfillment of the usual obscure prophecy. Berys, then, sends kidnappers for Lanen, but, thanks to Varien, ex-assassin Jamie, Silent Service agent Rella, and young healers Vilken and Aral, she evades capture. The episode ends on a cliffhanger involving most of what plot there is. Once again, the multiple first-person narrators annoy and distract. For the rest, a so-so installment at best, and you'll have to wait for volume three—at least—to discover how it all comes out.