Dragon and Phoenix (Hardcover)

For starters, I really didn't like the way Ms Bertin constantly tried to leave us in suspense at the end of every other character's segment. For example: "The blue eyes burned with rage and the whip came up to strike." *change characters*. Instead of building suspense and making me desperate to find out whether or not the whip would strike, I found it irritating and unsubtle. Especially since when we returned to those particular characters the negative consequence suggested never occured. (E.g. "The whip fell, but only to strike against Redhawk's boot.") Also, I like changes in character viewpoint and plot as much as the next person, but changing viewpoints (and continents) nine times in a single chapter does seem a bit excessive! (not to mention confusing)

I also thought the book was too long. Maurynna, Linden and the rest dont even reach Jehanglan until over half-way through the book! Instead we have irritating passages about Maurynna and Linden standing together brooding about the fact that she's going into danger without him. After about the third of those I wanted to yell "Yeah ok they're going to miss each other. I get it!" And sure we have all this interesting character and culture development when Maurynna returns to her family, but is it really relevant to the plot(s)?

Therefore although I enjoyed parts of this book, I found the negative aspects almost balanced out the positives. I dont think I'll be reading the next book in the series.

Bertin has created a word in which weredragons, otherwise known as Dragon Lords, dwell. Dragon Lords are humans with whom half a dragon's soul has bonded. The other half resides in the Dragon Lords soul twin. Together they are bonded into a lifelong pair. A very long life. Dragon Lords can live thousands of years.

In this tale Linden and Maurynna join a band of true humans and Dragon Lords in a fantastic journey across the world to the land of Jehanglan. Jehanglan is modeled after the far east, a closed society where violence is shunned as barbaric, yet the art of assassination thrives. A man presenting himself as an escaped slave brings word to Dragonkeep that a truedragon is being held hostage in Jehanglan. After a desparate and failed gambit by the truedragons, it is up to the Dragon Lords to uncover the truth in a harsh, deadly, beautiful country--one that hides a deadly secret.

Besides the familiar cast of characters from The Last Dragon Lord, an intriguing new character is introduced. Shei Luin is the emperor's concubine, and while her story is somewhat of a sideline, she is non-the-less a facinating character whom you will love, hate and admire.