DRAGON GAMES

This sequel to Happenstance Found (2009) takes Hap (in the company of his manic-depressive patron, Lord Umber) all over the map of fantasyland. Umber is careless of the safety of his companions, most notably Hap and Oates, the loyal but angry companion who is cursed to tell the truth. With so cavalier a leader, it’s no surprise Hap ends up in constant danger: threatened by sleeping sea-giants, nearly burned to death in the lava-spewing inferno, almost eaten by ghost-ridden crabs and vicious, gnome-like bidmis, chased by megalomaniac princes and constantly endangered by political intrigue. Hap doesn’t have much initiative, mostly following Umber’s direction as they careen around the world. The adventure feels more like Umber’s than like Hap’s, at any rate. Despite the overshadowing of the protagonist, the fast-paced and high-energy action of this video-game–like quest will please fantasy adventure fans. (Fantasy. 10-12)