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Talking to Dragons
by Patricia C. Wrede
The fate of the kingdom lies with a boy and his sword.
Sixteen years have passed since the previous story in the Enchanted Forest Chronicles, and the fate of the war between wizards and practically everyone else will be decided by the heir to the throne of the Enchanted Forest. Daystar is Cimorene and Mendanbar’s son, but he doesn’t know that he’s special. He has grown up in a small house outside the Enchanted Forest with just his mother for company.
A loophole regarding the “Sword of the Sleeping King” is that if someone is searching for it (say, a wizard), they can only find it if the bearer knows what it is. So, Cimorene hasn’t told Daystar about his father (the “sleeping king,” magically imprisoned in the castle), or about the war. One day she retrieves the sword from where she’d hidden it, then tells Daystar to go. He’s not to return until he can tell her why he had to leave.
Along the course of his journey, he meets a fire-witch named Shiara who has no control over her powers. They then, in turn, meet a young dragon who joins their quest. Morwen makes an appearance to point the band of travelers in the right direction, and Telemain later appears to provide shelter for a night. Daystar accidentally makes all the right decisions along the way, gradually learns that he is magical, then slowly learns how to control it. The wording Wrede chooses whenever Daystar uses his magic is awkward and forced. But, it gets better toward the end.
Daystar makes it to his meeting with King Kazul on the eve of the deciding battle. She reveals to him his heritage, purpose, and role in the battle. The dragons will take down their barrier around Enchanted Forest Castle (which kept the wizards out), then Daystar will breach the wizard’s barrier with the sword to free his father. He does so, effectively ending the 20 years war.
Unfortunately, Daystar’s point of view isn’t nearly as interesting as Cimorene, Mendanbar, and Morwen’s were in the first three novels. It is good to have everything finally resolved, but the book was disappointing when compared to the others.
Title: Talking to Dragons
Author: Patricia C. Wrede
Publisher: Magic Carpet Books
ISBN: 0152046917
Review written by: Tracy Elledge
Reviewer's Rating:7
Reader's Rating: 0
Reader's Votes: 0
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