Talking to dragons

3.75 Not a bad fantasy picaresque for a younger audience and miles ahead of the preceding volume. However, it's doesn't quite reach the heights of Cimorene's first "solo" adventure and there's people marrying again - well it's a fairy tale setting, so I won't complain too much. Pity the series couldn't keep up the level of the second volume throughout, though.

I loved this series, and felt like this book, while it had some issues, was better than the previous one, which was (for me) the weakest of them.

I do think maybe Daystar was too rational and logical to be an actual teenage boy. I still liked him though, even if he felt a little wooden at times. The fire witch was the standout character, imo.

It's not my favorite of the Enchanted Forest Chronicles books, but it's still a great read. Daystar is a bit of a goof, though his lighthearted optimism can be endearing at times. My favorite character in the book has to be the fire-witch Shiara who is hot-tempered, yet very capable and intelligent. It's a great conclusion to the series that marries some familiar elements from the previous books with the fresh perspective of a new cast of characters.

Re-read favorite.

It continues to disappoint me, that Wrede is unable to return to the gender negotiation of the first book. Although a decent fantasy novel, the story and characters are a far cry from the unexpected subversion of the first book.