Appalled, Hap and Umber plot to recover the eggs, but soon find themselves caught up in a civil war. There they discover that an earlier acquaintance and self-styled rival of Umber’s has stolen some dragon eggs, and the magnificent dragonets he is hatching are being slaughtered in cruel gladiatorial entertainments. He and Hap, along with the incurably honest Oates and some new and/or unusual friends, are invited to the "Dragon Games" in Sarnica, a kingdom ruled by a corrupt king and his worse son. Also, the manic-depressive Lord Umber is in his manic phase, and when he receives a pair of mysterious messages, he and his company are quickly off on another wild adventure. There are three young princes in the kingdom, which is ruled by an aging and unwell monarch, and the rivalry takes a violent turn with the suspicious death of the oldest prince. Although young Happenstance, the boy with no memory and the amazing jewel-like eyes, has had enough adventures for a lifetime, and would love to settle into life in Kurahaven, all there is not well. This second volume in the Books of Umber series is a worthy successor to the first, and continues to develop a fascinating fantasy world.
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |