First published in 1999, the Queen of one of the Dragonlords' subject realms has suspiciously drowned and two regents vie for control of the vacant throne. At the same time, a secret society led by a sinister image has dark plans of its own. Linden realises that the deadly magic that holds him may make him the last dragonlord...ever.
Amazon.com Review
Linden Rathan is the last of a race of weredragons--magical, nearly immortal half-humans who can transform themselves into mighty dragons. Linden is one of three dragonlord judges who will determine the next ruler of a true human kingdom. Political and sorcerous machinations and ancient hatred threaten the dragonlords' decision, and Linden must sort out the good from the evil, all the while fighting loneliness and despair. When he meets a beautiful young sea captain, Linden thinks he might have a chance at love after all. This is Joanne Bertin's first novel, and sometimes her storytelling ambitions make for a bit of confusion when new characters, history, and plot devices are introduced all at once. The Last Dragonlord is an excellent fantasy, nonetheless, with interesting, sympathetic characters and an intriguing setup. Fans of Anne McCaffrey's Pern series and other high fantasy sagas will find themselves caught up in a wonderful, romantic world.
From Publishers Weekly
Action brews constantly at several interstices within the web of characters in this honest and engaging first novel by Bertin. Linden Rathan, youngest of the Dragonlords?humans born with souls that are half human and half dragon?is lonely. Since the time he was born, six centuries ago, the True Dragons have not sensed the birth of a fledgling Dragonlord. It is feared that Linden's soul-twin?the Dragonlord with the other halves of his two souls?will never be born. Linden and the soultwins Kief and Tarlna are sent to Casna to settle a simple dispute over a king's regency?but the plot that unfolds there is far from simple. A group called the Fraternity of Blood seeks to destroy the Dragonlords using magic the likes of which has been seen only once, many centuries before. The brewing conflict between good and evil becomes more complex with the entrance of Otter, bard and longtime friend of Linden, and of Maurynna, one of the youngest and spunkiest ship captains anyone has seen, along with a host of characters from the court. Bertin's writing is only serviceable, but the flow of action and many layers of intrigue will float readers toward her novel's hard-fought conclusion. Copyright 1998 Reed Business Information, Inc.
Description:
First published in 1999, the Queen of one of the Dragonlords' subject realms has suspiciously drowned and two regents vie for control of the vacant throne. At the same time, a secret society led by a sinister image has dark plans of its own. Linden realises that the deadly magic that holds him may make him the last dragonlord...ever.
Amazon.com Review
Linden Rathan is the last of a race of weredragons--magical, nearly immortal half-humans who can transform themselves into mighty dragons. Linden is one of three dragonlord judges who will determine the next ruler of a true human kingdom. Political and sorcerous machinations and ancient hatred threaten the dragonlords' decision, and Linden must sort out the good from the evil, all the while fighting loneliness and despair. When he meets a beautiful young sea captain, Linden thinks he might have a chance at love after all. This is Joanne Bertin's first novel, and sometimes her storytelling ambitions make for a bit of confusion when new characters, history, and plot devices are introduced all at once. The Last Dragonlord is an excellent fantasy, nonetheless, with interesting, sympathetic characters and an intriguing setup. Fans of Anne McCaffrey's Pern series and other high fantasy sagas will find themselves caught up in a wonderful, romantic world.
From Publishers Weekly
Action brews constantly at several interstices within the web of characters in this honest and engaging first novel by Bertin. Linden Rathan, youngest of the Dragonlords?humans born with souls that are half human and half dragon?is lonely. Since the time he was born, six centuries ago, the True Dragons have not sensed the birth of a fledgling Dragonlord. It is feared that Linden's soul-twin?the Dragonlord with the other halves of his two souls?will never be born. Linden and the soultwins Kief and Tarlna are sent to Casna to settle a simple dispute over a king's regency?but the plot that unfolds there is far from simple. A group called the Fraternity of Blood seeks to destroy the Dragonlords using magic the likes of which has been seen only once, many centuries before. The brewing conflict between good and evil becomes more complex with the entrance of Otter, bard and longtime friend of Linden, and of Maurynna, one of the youngest and spunkiest ship captains anyone has seen, along with a host of characters from the court. Bertin's writing is only serviceable, but the flow of action and many layers of intrigue will float readers toward her novel's hard-fought conclusion.
Copyright 1998 Reed Business Information, Inc.