Skybowl

I loved this book a lot and reread the ending several times per year, just because of the spectacular way in which it was written. I have to agree with some of the other reviewers in that the two previous books were not as well written, especially after having enjoyed the first series so much. But this book was definitely worth plowing through the other two and it made the ending all the more poignant and dramatic. Just those last couple of chapters would have gotten six stars from me!

The 3 books each in the Dragon Prince and Dragon Star series are some of the best written, most vididly imagined and deeply reflective of human nature that I have ever encountered by fiction authors. Melanie Rawn is a master at interweaving stories, personalities and elicting emotional responses from the reader. The saga begins with Rohan and Sioned, his Sunrunner Princess, as they face overcoming an evil High Prince Roelstra and his nest of scheming daughters plotting to capture the world with the aid of an enemy, the Merida, a group of assassins with the prize of the desert promised them for their help. They are assisted by various corrupt petty princes whose goals are increasing their wealth and holdings. Rohan, the brilliant intellectual prince of the desert is hereditary protector of the dragons who live there and return their love and interest. Rohan is beneficiary to the secret, unlimited wealth of dragon gold which is unknown to, but coveted by, the other petty princes. Rohan succeeds in overcoming Roelstra's evil rule, establishes fair trade and writes the law codes for the land when he becomes High Prince, and peace ensues for years. Throughout the stories the author uses delicious humor and repartee between principles in a most engaging way. The Dragon Star series continues the saga with Rohan and Sioned now in the background and the focus is upon their son Pol's ascendancy toward his eventual position as High Prince. Pol faces many inner conflicts as he struggles to become a prince like his father, and a husband to a fragile, helpless, cowardly and weak wife. He has married Meiglan, instead of Sionell, his soulmate and childhood friend whom he later realizes was the woman best suited to him. On top of his personal wars he is thrust into a world war by invading barbarians who are both superstitious, and religiously fanatical. The Vellant'im sole purpose is to destroy all inhabitants, especially the High Prince and the Sunrunners to pay back evil done to them by an unknown group of evil sorcerers hundreds of years in the past. The struggle for survival is bittersweet and poignant. The sub theme of religious beliefs vs sorcery and magic, and the conflict between Pol and his cousin Andry, the Lord of Goddess Keep whose goal is to dictate beliefs and what constitutes sin and to set himself up as judge and jury keep emotions high. Andry's parents, brother and kin and Andry's own children must chose between him or Pol while trying to work together to save themselves from facing annhilation by the enemy. The many subplots of individuals forced to face their own personal and power struggles while facing the Vellant'im is fascinating and makes these stories rich and textured. The dragons aiding humans in peril present a compelling picture of those special protective, loving bonds between man and animal. The author has captured the indomitable spirit of mankind and their non human friends in

Rawn has created an entire world of people, politics, innovative magic and the amazing plotline that transcends generations of characters and effortlessly draws the reader into it. Somehow, you feel as old as Chay and Sioned by the end of the last book, yet you somehow can't believe it's all over. I have read many books where the characters had no life, no reality to them but these do...they have flaws as well as virtue...there is no "perfect" character in these books and that's one of the things I like most about it....even though it's fantasy the characters are as real as any I've ever read.

I loved this series so much! It is one of the best written series I have ever read. It just makes you want to keep reading it and never put it down!

This is a very accomplished plot by an excellent author. Melanie Rawn provides and excellent, deft touch to an interesting desert land, with characters that have real emotions, goals, and desires. The sad, bittersweet ending, with a sense of renewal, loss, and joy as a new generation begins their path to adulthood is deftly done. I couldn't put the book down.