Dragon and Phoenix

Ok. Not sure what some people are complaining about. I've skimmed the reviews and seen "too long" "not as good as the first", etc, etc, etc. Listen people, this is a sequel, say it with me, SEQUEL. They never make the same impact as the first book, they are the bridge from teh first to the third. I mean c'mon people, this book was AMAZING if you look ahead. Joanne Bertin is a goddess of the text, she is my idol and i can only dream of being as good as she is one day. Her characters come alive to you, become like people you know. The worlds she creates are more vast and full of so much!! If there was ever a series to read, it is Joanne Bertin's "The Last Dragonlord" and "Dragon and Pheonix". I can't wait for "bard's Oath" and have no doubt it will bring about more than even the most hardcore fantasy fan couldever imagine.

This book is the second book about the immortal were-dragons, the dragonlords. These dragons are born into a human body with both a human and dragon soul. In this particular story, Linden and Maurynna travel across their world to help free a dragon, whom they believe is a dragonlord gone insane. However, freeing the dragon means the freedom of the phoenix and the fate of an entire race of people. This book was one of the most enjoyable I have ever read. There are very few books that I get so engrossed in that I can't put down at night. Joanne Bertin's writing style brings the reader into the story. I felt like I was riding alongside Linden and Maurynna as they went on their adventure. I have read many different dragon books, but I have never found one that I love so much that I could read over and over again.I can't wait for her to write her next book!

I'm not a teenager, in fact, I'm a grandmother, so saying that this book is too juvenile for anyone not a teen is a bit arrogant. I read many books, but for pure escapism, I really enjoy a good 'fantasy' novel! Some of those 'critically acclaimed' books for the 'discriminating reader' are just plain boring, although not all are. Personally, I like reading about dragons. I think that Anne McCaffrey is my favorite author, but this give the same feelings: good vs bad, light vs darkness. The good guys win in the end by acting with honor. There should be more books like this that show our kids how to act with honor and respect to others. I truly enjoyed this book, so much in fact, that I stayed up all night until 4 am reading, until I just could not stay awake anymore. I just didn't want to put the book down. I finished it the next morning, after a good nap! This was absolutely great! I hope that there is a retro book, detailing Lindens past as well. Perhaps even one that details the shaman's war that created the DragonLords.I started out with this second one in the series, and once it was finished, (I stayed up all night to read that one too!) I had to go find the 1st one to read. When are there going to be more? I can hardly wait.Keep up the good work, Joanne Bertin!

Joanne Bertin wrote "The Last Dragonlord," which is my favorite book, I literally could not put it down! I was beyond belief happy to find out she was writing a sequel. "Dragon and Phoenix" is the best sequel novel I have ever read, it maintained the characters you loved from the first novel and made them even more intriging and captivating to read about. The descripitions of the characters and places are some of the best I've read. The plot was completely unexpected and other-worldly great. Joanne Bertin has a mystifing talent that I do not believe she has fully tapped into yet... but hopefully she has may more novels to surprise and captivate us with. Joanne Bertin is one of the best writers out there and is quickly becoming my favortie author.

Other reviews go into the plot, so I won't. Many 2nd novels in a trilogy are dull, hard to get through, and unappealing. Not so this one. Ms. Bertin adds interesting cultures, characters, and climates to what was already rich in The Last Dragonlord. Bad guys are bad but still have good characteristics; good guys still have flaws. She makes people and animals real. Now I have new favorite characters and I can't wait for Bard's Oath!