Melina Shield has married the Healed One of New Kelvin and is working on setting free an ancient dragon to consolidate her power. FireKeeper and Co must stop her. All the while, settlers are starting to move beyond the Iron Mountains, threatening the Royal Beasts. King Tedric proclaims them off limits, but it seems like war between humans and royal beasts is in the near future.

Lindskold uses the growth of humanity as a reason why humans are starting to push beyond the Iron Mountains, but with all the wars and the sub-standard standard of living among the majority of peoples, it doesn't really seem reasonable that there are that many people yet. ( )

Good entry in a fine series. Having safely made their way out of New Kelvin, the intrepid explorers return at the request of the King. Melina has resurfaced as the wife of the ruler of New Kelvin and is making mischief. Citrine travels with them as Doc and Grateful Peace work to help her heal. Melinda has poisoned the atmosphere in New Kelvin as she seeks to free a dragon so that she can rule with might and magic. Meanwhile, King Tedric shuts down the renewed settlement of Bardenville to preserve the wilds for the beasts. ( )

At this point, I am somewhat regretting having picked up free copies of the first five books in this series. Having done so, I feel compelled to read them all. Unfortunately, I am not any more enthused by this series than I was at the beginning, perhaps less so. For whatever reason, the characters and plots have never particularly interested in me.

My complaints here are similar to my complaints for the two previous books in the series. First of all, for an epic fantasy series, there is remarkably little action. Second of all, in addition to there being a dearth of action, romance lacks almost entirely as well. Without either of these, getting any real excitement going is tough. Not that there cannot be good books without these things, however, I do not think the writing and plotting are good enough to carry the reader without them in this case.

Speaking of romance, I am now three books into a six book series and there has been absolutely no romance, except for one mutual affection (upon which no action has been taken beyond talk), one unrequited crush, and some action for Melina, the bad guy. What the heck? This pretty much disproves one stereotype, the one that women are always more interested in romance than men. The Wheel of Time series has tons of romance in it, whereas, this one, penned by a woman, focuses instead on politics.

Two (maybe three, since, at that point, I might as well complete the series, books to go. I sure hope they get more interesting soon! ( )

A continuation of the previous story with more foes to vanquish. There are so many characters that I recommend taking notes about the characters' relationships to each other as you read.

Third in the series. I spent my entire Friday off finishing the last 500 pp. (of 730 total). Firekeeper and her wolf companion Blind Seer visit home, meeting the new pups and making enemies of the wolves that want to kill all Two-Legs. There is the story of how Citrine Shield, the child who had two fingers cut off by pirates, and sent to her mother, is still trying to get her mother to love her. There is the story of the trade delegation to New Kelvin, arranged because Melina Shield, exiled mother of Citrine, has become powerful in the New Kelvinese power structure. And through it all are fascinating, real seeming characters with their own motives. And a dragon at the end. ( )