WHEN DRAGONS RAGE

From prolific fantasist and Star Wars writer Stackpole, the second installment (Fortress Draconis, 2001) of the struggle pitting the megalomaniac tyrant Chytrine against good-hat Princess Alexia of Okrannel and her allies. Though Chytrine has destroyed Fortress Draconis, and her assault continues, the allies have denied her one piece of the broken DragonCrown. Now, Alexia (occasionally, and annoyingly, also referred to as “Alyx”) lies in a magical trance while she visits the cavern of the Great Communion of Dragons, a top-secret society to which Alexia was recently admitted; here she will meet the Black Dragon for a frank exchange of news and views. A Norrington, the Dragon reminds Alexia, is the key to a prophecy that will destroy Chytrine; but is goodhearted thief Will Norrington the Norrington? Crow, presently a captive, isn't the traitor that Alexia (and everybody else) assumed, but a brave and faithful ally; she and Will, having penetrated the mystery of Crow's identity, will scheme to rescue him. And flabby young Kerrigan Reese, a powerful but immature and unpredictable mage, holds another piece of the broken DragonCrown: this ruby-jeweled object contains a tremendous presence, presumably a dragon, that warns Kerrigan that his strength flows from his friends.

Stock fantasy, which young addicts will devour swiftly and demand more; they'll get it.