The Dragon in Lyonesse

Jim Eckert, the Dragon Knight (who, like Nita and Kit in Diane Duane's Young Wizards series, seems to have developed into the major defender of his world against the powers of evil), here returns to the magically preserved realm-under-the-sea of Lyonesse, to which the Knights of the Round Table retreated following the Last Battle between Arthur and Modred. Jim and his friend Sir Brian Neville-Smythe passed through Lyonesse a year or so earlier on their search for Jim's infant ward (a story told in The Dragon & the Gnarly King), but this time they go in response to a request from the master bowman, Dafydd ap Hywel, who was with them at the Loathly Tower (see The Dragon and the George), and whose kinsman, the King of the Drowned Land, has felt "a presence...casting a growing shadow" toward his country from Lyonesse. The Dark Powers, which Jim, Brian, and Dafydd have so often fought before, are once again at work, apparently hoping to take over the Arthurian realm and use it as a staging area from which to launch attacks on the World Above. Naturally, Jim can't refuse a companion's request--not that he's inclined to when the Powers themselves send a finger of their darkness into his very castle. And Brian, who loves nothing better than a good knightly "bicker," is equally ready to take up sword and lance against their old foes. Reaching the Drowned Land, Dafydd is called away to the bedside of the dying King, and Jim and Brian must venture on accompanied only by Jim's household hobgoblin, an adventuresome and loyal little Natural who has shared several of their previous quests. They're soon joined by an old acquaintance, the Questing Beast, who proves to be "a friend indeed" throughout the experiences that follow, as they discover that the Powers have a local ally in Morgan le Fay--and may also be supported by her three sisters, the other Witch Queens of the Matter of Britain. Then they find out that Jim's old enemy, the Duke of Cumberland, has been imported from the World Above to lead the Dark Powers's invasion force--and Modred, though killed in the Last Battle, has been resurrected and is helping him. Arthur's knights, who've had no battle practice for a thousand years, are outnumbered and out-armed--but too proud to accept much of the help and advice offered them by their visitors. How Jim manages to turn the tide at almost the last moment--with unexpected help from one of Morgan's sisters--is the burden of the book. This is one of the best of the Dragon Knight series, with a steadily upward-ratcheting level of tension and suspense, plenty of new information about the Dark Powers and how (and why) they do what they do, and a background that shows clearly how Dickson must have immersed himself in the ethics and ideals of 14th-, and fourth-, Century England. The Questing Beast, generally known for convenience as "QB," is a delightful secondary character and worth the book all by himself. And while Jim's Master-in-Magick, the mage S.

Dickson has developed a series of books that allows the reader of today to say what if...? This unique viewpoint allows for the writer to put a 21st century spin on a classic fantasy novel. Characters are real in a fatastic world. This particular book puts Jim the Dragon Knight in the world of King Arthur. An enjoyable read.

This is a new adventure that differs greatly from the rest in the series. Even if you have disliked the rest of the series you will surely enjoy this one. The dragon knight returns to Lyonesse but has a completely different battle at hand. What makes this book so exciting is the involvement of the real knights of old like Pellinor, Galahad, and more. This excellent book involves Jim, Daffyd, Brian, and Hob of the main characters but even better is the involment from the Arthurian knights. The story goes that Jim has once again become involved in a battle with the dark powers. The difference is that the dark powers have also recruted some of those from the Arthurian legend. This book is sure to please any who has read this far into the series and even those who just want to read this single book. Dickson has written a standout book in his famous series and this is deffinatly it.

A lot of people seem to have some problem with this book, but frankly, I thought it was a change of pace. Jim is still utterly himself, but he's starting to get comfortable with who and what he is. He came in contact with the greatest knights of all time, and held his own by doing things on his own terms. What I'm looking forward to is how he handles the greatest challenge of all - fatherhood. I can't wait to see how Dickson has his dragon knight cope with being "Daddy" to his adopted mideveil son. I'm sure both author and character will rise to the occaision.

I mean, dont get me wrong, I liked the book but you eventually have to get tired of the same thing with the "dark powers" and Jim(main character) finding a way out of the situation, I just hope in the next book that something big will happen like new characters or old characters dieing, I hope Gordon R. Dickson sees this....