The Dragon's Curse

December 1, 2017
Picking up shortly after The Dragon's Prince (2017) concluded, slightly improved more of the same.White Sorrowlynn, magically beautiful and brilliant, has found a home with her darker-skinned betrothed's family of "barbarian horse lords," even if Golmarr's hatred (magically conveyed via a dragon he killed) means they can't be together. After six months' training so that her body can keep up with her combat knowledge, Sorrowlynn finds she's been married (by proxy) to the crown prince of warmongering Trevon. Fortunately, after an uncomfortable few days Treyose delivers her to Golmarr, who still hates her--but also still loves her. Sorrowlynn, friend Enzio, and Golmarr research a cure for his hatred, aided by Sorrowlynn's ability to read scrolls in languages no one else knows, before fighting another dragon, putting Treyose in power, and setting off for a mysterious island where answers await. Fraught gazes at tempting lips and passionate kisses (which rapidly overwhelm the hate) provide most of the tension, although the dragon mythology (they are transformed humans) provides some interest. Additional royalty--white, warmongering, but actually noble Trevon and darker, turbaned, sneaky, and murderous Princess Yassin--join the supporting cast; while it seems the author is aiming for a diverse, inclusive world, the stereotypical tropes read instead as the legacy of ingrained racism.Strictly for fans. (cast of characters, glossary not seen) (Fantasy. 12-16)

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November 15, 2017
Grades 8-10 The Transference trilogy continues with this second adventure of the miserably named Princess Sorrowlynn. Though she succeeded in defeating the fire dragon Zhun, her companion and betrothed Prince Golmarr now possesses a supernatural hatred for her and must lock himself away to prevent further disaster. Determined to free Golmarr of the dragon's malicious curse, Sorrow means to learn to become a fierce warrior. Already armed with fire magic and centuries' worth of knowledge gleaned from the evil dragon, she's quite a bit ahead of most of the other students at the training citadel. Trouble comes calling when her father, Lord Damar, comes to Anthar to inform her she's been marriedwithout her knowledgeto an evil prince who wants her only for her magic, and her studies and attempts to save Golmarr are stymied. Twisting and a bit muddled, this sequel complements the first volume, though it feels less exciting. Buy it to continue the series.(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2017, American Library Association.)