The Lost Heir

December 1, 2012
The dragonets of prophecy, free of both the Talons of Peace and the evil SkyWing queen, travel to the SeaWings' palace, hoping to find a safe haven from their many enemies. Infighting over who should lead leaves Tsunami feeling isolated. She dreams of a glorious homecoming befitting the next heir to the SeaWing throne. However, while Coral, the SeaWing queen, is welcoming, danger lurks beneath the dark water. Unable to speak the local language and thrust into a world of diplomacy and honor, Tsunami soon finds that the life of royalty is just as stifling as the cave in which she was raised. Faced with a choice between aligning herself with the SeaWings or continuing toward her prophecied destiny, Tsunami must decide where her loyalties lie. Along with the high-stakes decisions, the dragonets also face familiar adolescent challenges, including first crushes, parental angst and insecurity. This second installment in the Wings of Fire series proves to be as fast-paced and layered as the first. It also proves to be as violent. Explicit battle scenes, graphic deaths and even the suggestion that one dragon should "feel free to kill [himself]" will limit the allure of this series for many. Entertaining, but rugged. (Adventure. 9-12)

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May 1, 2013

Gr 4-7-The dragonets set out to find the hidden underwater SeaWing kingdom and Queen Coral, Tsunami's mother, in this exciting sequel to The Dragonet Prophecy (Scholastic, 2012). When they arrive, Coral is thrilled to see the daughter who was stolen from her as an egg, but things don't go exactly as planned. Tsunami had always assumed she was the sole heir to the SeaWing throne, but a surprise younger sister leaves her confused about her future role, and Queen Coral's distrust of the other dragonets causes them to be imprisoned yet again. Having read the first book in the series will help youngsters understand the motivations behind the characters' choices, but isn't strictly necessary to enjoy the nonstop action. Tensions mount as someone continues to kill Coral's unhatched female dragonets, and Tsunami herself is attacked. The dragonets become more and more endearing as the series progresses, and the adults more sinister. Moments of danger and brutality are tempered with comic relief, making this a perfect adventure for young fantasy fans to sink their teeth into.-Mandy Laferriere, Fowler Middle School, Frisco, TX

Copyright 2013 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

July 1, 2013
Free from captivity and searching for safe haven, the dragonets travel to the SeaWings' palace. Not only are they confronted with more adversity, but they also have to deal with typical adolescent trials--growing up dragon isn't easy. Fast-paced, thrilling, and a bit violent, book two leaves enough intrigue for future volumes. A map and illustrated dragon guide are included.

(Copyright 2013 by The Horn Book, Incorporated, Boston. All rights reserved.)