THE COMING OF DRAGONS

A disguised young prince and a mariner’s daughter survive shipwreck, relentless pursuit, a power-hungry sorcerer and dragon attacks in this well-knit series opener. Sole survivors of a mysterious, fire-laced tempest, Edmund and Elspeth are cast ashore together. When Elspeth numbly opens an old trunk that washes up too, she finds herself unwillingly bonded to an invisible gauntlet that flares into sight at need, wielding a bright sword. Suddenly, armored minions of Orgrim, a powerful “repente” able at will to see through the eyes of others, are harrying her and Edmund, himself dismayed to discover that he has strange magical powers, across the countryside. The two fugitives make a good team; Edmund shuttles between arrogance and scared innocence, but shows a good heart and deep reserves of courage, while Elspeth, more mature despite being about the same age, brings a practical turn of mind to the mix, along with enough spirit to cope with loss and reversals. Lake gives her tale an early medieval setting, populates it with a supporting cast featuring both an enigmatic Harper and a huge dragon and closes with hints of a dangerous plot to free a long-fettered god. A promising set-up, conveyed with above average skill. (Fantasy. 11-13)