The Dragon Heir by Cinda Williams Chima (The Heir Chronicles, #3)

"Because I know what it's like to want to prove yourself so badly it destroys everything else that matters," Hastings replied, gazing into the fire. "Sometimes it's just an excuse to avoid dealing with your own demons."

[Click here to see my review of book 1: The Warrior Heir and book 2: The Wizard Heir]

After reading the first two books out of order, I was definitely excited when I got to The Dragon Heir. Now that I had the full backstory, I could proceed to read the third book, which was originally intended to be the final in a trilogy that has now expanded into a full-blown series. I knew that after the way the first two books blew me out of the water, the third would have to at least be up to par with its predecessors. I hoped it would be even better.

As the Roses and White Roses gather their forces after the uprising at the Seven Sisters, the Weir all over the world are becoming uneasy. Nowhere is it more obvious than in Trinity, the safe haven for all AnaWizard Weir.

Seph McCauley maintains the boundary around the town as only a wizard with his strength and ability can. Jack and Ellen work together to train their ghost warriors, preparing for the attack that they know is bound to come at any moment.

Meanwhile, Jason and Madison are each having their own personal crises. Jason, who has never been a particularly skilled wizard, feels useless and wants to prove himself to the Weir. He has been working with Leander Hastings, but chafes under his leadership. His drive to prove himself and set right the wrongs that have befallen himself and the people he cares about may be rooted in good intentions, but his headstrong nature is more than likely to get him in deeper water than he can get himself out of.

Madison, on the other hand, has learned that she is an elicitor, but isn't entirely sure what that means for her. While her gift managed to save Seph at the Seven Sisters, it seems that the dark magic she absorbed has begun to start leaking out. When she gets a call from her mother claiming that the state will take away Madison's younger siblings if she doesn't come back and help care for them, Madison jumps at the chance to leave Trinity and put as much distance between herself and Seph, whom the dark magic is deeply affecting. But outside the sanctuary, her friends can't protect her. Even though she's not Weir, she has become a part of the war that sits on the horizon and danger follows close behind her.

Once again, Cinda Williams Chima has produced a book filled with stunning characters and magic that is fully original, both exceedingly believable. In this book, we get to see a little more from the perspective of Madison and Jason, which I really enjoyed. Madison easily became a favorite when she was introduced in the second book and I really loved getting to see her character develop throughout the story. It's fantastic to see a character with such an interesting gift and learn what drives her and motivates her; what she would die to protect and who she would sacrifice everything to keep safe.

I could go on about each of the characters in similar fashion, but I'll try to keep this post short. The point is that the book is filled with strong bonds of friendship and sacrifice. The magic is thrilling and interesting throughout, but it's really the humanity of each of our teenage protagonists that drives the story and keeps the reader hooked from the start.

The third in the series, The Dragon Heir would have been a wonderful end to the trilogy, but it would have left the reader aching for more. Because of this, I am thrilled to learn that there will be a fourth and fifth book in the series. In fact, The Enchanter Heir was just released a few months ago. As you can imagine, I'm dying to get my hands on it.

Rating: ★★★★★

It's a peculiarity of man- this lining up and marching toward death. The only other creatures who don't flee a killing field are the scavengers who come after the fact.

GNW: The Last Dragon by Jane Yolen & Rebecca Guay

When Tansy finds dragon's bane while searching for herbs with her father, the town healer, she doesn't think much of it. She finds it's strange properties- how it burns the skin on contact and doesn't need much prodding to burst into flames- intriguing, but little more.

However, when her father goes missing and, only a few days later, her sister's suitor runs into town, claiming he has seen a dragon, the town turns to Tansy to tell them what they must do. She calls for a hero.

Lancot, a "hero" from across the sea returns with the boys who were sent out to find them, and Tansy immediately recognizes that the man is no hero. He's muscular and pretty, yes, but he knows nothing of danger, nor does he have the drive to protect Tansy's people.

However, they must keep up appearances and as Tansy does her best to nudge him in the right direction, she begins making plans of her own to save her people. There's something about her and her determination that draws Lancot to her. Maybe all he needed was someone to protect, after all.

The Last Dragon is a beautifully crafted tale of a man and woman who work together to defeat a foe that is larger than life, though both are scared and neither are particularly qualified. This was a beautiful graphic novel.

The story by Jane Yolen was wonderful and really wrapped the audience up in the story, but it was Rebecca Guay's artistry that really captivates the reader. The artwork is breath-taking. It varies from panel to panel, one being so life-like that it looks almost like a portrait, while others were more stylistically cartoonish. I could look at the color work and the attention to detail for days and still find new things I hadn't properly admired before.

Rating: ★★★★☆