Eona

February 21, 2011
In this exciting if slightly overwrought sequel to Goodman's popular Eon, the author returns to the Empire of the Celestial Dragons to continue the story of Eona, the first master of the Mirror Dragon in centuries, who has been exposed as a girl. The new emperor, Kygo, has been deposed by his evil uncle, Lord Sethon, aided by the renegade Dragoneye Lord Ido, and all of the other Dragoneyes—except the novice Eona—have been murdered. Fearing Ido's power, Sethon has imprisoned him, and, ironically, Eona must rescue the traitor so that he can train her to defend Kygo. Distractingly, Eona loves the young emperor, but she also discovers that doing magic with Ido is sexually exciting: "I had to anchor myself long enough to pass the power. The straining muscles across his bare chest and shoulders held both menace and a sensuality that pulled me closer. I straddled his legs." Although this installment covers a lot of ground (perhaps too much), its flashy swordplay, spectacular magic, increasingly explicit sexuality, and elaborately constructed society should leave readers satisfied as Eona's adventures draw to a close. Ages 12–up.

March 15, 2011

It's always nice to see fantasylands outside the usual Western Europe–inspired model, and this dulogy's faux-China is no exception (despite the white girl on the U.S. edition's cover). Eona the Dragoneye must save the world by controlling her spirit dragon, resisting evil impulses and making sure she doesn't fall for the wrong guy. Eona, now openly living as a girl, has joined the rebellion to put the rightful emperor on the throne. In Eon (2008), ten of the twelve Dragoneyes were killed, leaving only Eon and evil Lord Ido controlling spirit dragons that protect the empire. Now Eona must learn to manage her own dragon, and she can't do it without help from power-mad Ido. Her friends are troubled, from warrior Ryko's fear that Eona can now control his mind to Lady Dela's anguish that the needs of the rebellion are forcing her to travel disguised as a man, growing a beard in her hated male body. Eona, meanwhile, is torn between lustful feelings for both the Emperor and Ido, between the desire for power and her loyalty to the empire. Not as richly flavored a world as Cindy Pon's Silver Phoenix (2009), but a steamy page turner nonetheless, tension slowly building from slow start to a climactic battle packed with large-scale combat, mystical battles and sexual tension. One of those rare and welcome fantasies that complicate black-and-white morality. (Fantasy. 12 & up)

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July 1, 2011

Gr 7 Up-Pulled from the obscurity of the salt mines and into the dangerous life of a Dragoneye, Eon became the first female to bond with one of the ancient dragons of the Empire of the Celestial Dragons in centuries. As the second book opens, she has cast off her male disguise and joined forces with the beleaguered young emperor and his army in an attempt to take back the throne from his corrupt uncle, Sethon. Unfortunately, this also means that Eona, as she is now called, must find a way to work with her former enemy, Lord Ido, the Rat Dragoneye. This book is every bit as dynamic and powerful as Eon (Viking, 2008). Goodman's world-building is at once mesmerizingly beautiful and viciously treacherous, and Eona must discover her true allies in order to save the kingdom and the dragons. Recommend this title to fans of Tamora Pierce and Naomi Novik.-Jane Henriksen Baird, Anchorage Public Library, AK

Copyright 2011 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

May 15, 2011
Grades 7-10 Readers have waited a Paolini-like length of time for the sequel to the smashing Eon (2008), and the faithful will not be disappointed. On the run after the first books climactic battle, Dragoneye Eona, Lady Dela, and the warrior Ryko head toward a collision course with the evil Sethon. And just as Eona begins falling for the young Pearl Emperor she begins to distrust himand her own powers and motives. The effort it takes to describe rather indescribable superpowers will make this challenging for newbies, but Goodman packs her climax with genuine shockers. This isnt a trilogy, so this is it, fans.(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2011, American Library Association.)