Calling on Dragons
by Patricia C. Wrede
Once again, in this third book of the “Enchanted Forest Chronicles,” the saga switches to a new point of view: the young, rather
non-traditional, witch Morwen, who has nine cats (none of them black), and who can understand every word they say. The interplay among the
cats creates a steady pulse of wry humor throughout the book, but itÂ’s only incidental to what the story is actually about. It is, of
course, another adventure featuring former Princess, now Queen Cimorene of the Enchanted Forest.
Two things stand between the ethically- (and some would add, intellectually-) challenged wizards and total control of the magic that
sustains the Enchanted Forest. The first thing is King Mendanbar, who has a unique gift for pulling the magical strings that hold the forest
together. The second thing is a sword that has been in MendanbarÂ’s family for generations.
Well, now the wizards have stolen one of them—the sword—and poor Mendanbar can’t do a thing about it, because if he leaves the forest now,
it will be defenseless against the wizards and their power-sucking staves. Yet only a member of the royal family can retrieve the sword, and
that leaves only one person: the radiantly pregnant Queen Cimorene.
ItÂ’s a dangerous, risky mission for the mother of a future king or queen. But Cimorene does not have to do it alone. She will have help from
Morwen and her cats, of course. Then there is the magician Telemain, who takes a very scientific view of magic; the dragon king Kazul, who
is dying to have some wizards for dinner; an ill-tempered fire witch; and a rabbit named Killer, who (through a series of magical mishaps)
gradually transforms into a seven-foot-tall, bright blue, floating donkey with oversized wings.
If I tell you one more thing, it will be one too many. YouÂ’ll just have to read the rest for yourself. Do so, really. I think youÂ’ll like
it, if for no other reason than itÂ’s such a cool idea to have a gargoyle answering your magic mirror...
Robbie Fischer
USA
Recommended Age: 11+
10/16/2005
If you would like to contact Robbie, you may do so here.
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