"exciting fantasy"

Queen Cassiopeia and her councilor magician Solan rule the kingdom of Acadia ignoring Princess Andromeda who unlike her beautiful and power happy mother is shy and innocent. She hopes for maternal approval when she proves the research she does in the library can help rule the country. Acadia's revenues come from taxes, trading and the income from shipwrecks. Andromeda shows there are more shipwrecks than ever before due to bad weather.

She reports her findings to her mom and Solan but they have a major crisis on their hands. A dragon has entered the kingdom doing much damage; only a female virgin can temporarily appease it. Andromeda is the next virgin to be sacrificed. A champion who gets past the magical guards placed around the country frees her; the princess forces George to take her with him as he hunts the dragon. When they meet with the dragon and his brother, they learn that the dragon is under a spell to act like a monster in Acadia. They plan, along with the princess, and her champion to go back to Acadia and root out the evil that is running the country.

Mercedes Lackey has written another exciting fantasy filled with action, humor, and intrigue with a protagonist who knows her mother dislikes her but refuses to let the lack of love turn her bitter. She is a strong woman who will put her country before herself even if it means that she is placing herself and her allies in danger. The two dragons are just two of the stars of the novel with their distinctive personalities and the way they get the princess and the champion to fall in love with them without even trying. This is a magical treat.

Harriet Klausner

Reviewed by Harriet Klausner
Posted March 12, 2006

Summary

Traditionally, marauding dragons are soothed only by a virgin sacrifice. So practical minded Princess Andromeda, with the encouragement of her mother's court, reluctantly volunteers to her duty, asking only for a sword to defend herself. Well, her offer is accepted, but the weapon isn't forthcoming, & so Andromeda faces the dragon alone. Until a Champion arrives to save her - sort of.