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elvenavari's review
3.0
This wasn't my favorite of the series. I'm still pouting over what happened to my favorite character in a previous book. But I did like the way the characters grew and how the book ended.
shoelessgirl's review
1.0
After promising myself I wouldn’t continue with this series, I did. I have regrets.
soulfulsin's review against another edition
1.0
Dreadful. It took over two hundred pages for a conflict to appear and once it had, it struck up out of nowhere. It had no connection to the previous books and made no sense. It was more like she tossed it in for the sake of a conflict, to render the fourth book significant when she could have ended it earlier. There was no build up for it and no hint of it in other books, either.
In addition, the introduction of Peri felt forced, especially since she had no character development. She appeared like the "perfect" match for Kiron, and then was flung out just as fast. The only traits I could tell for her was that she knew Kiron's mother and she spent her time as a serf. Other than that, she didn't appear to have any personality whatsoever.
While we're on the subject of tacked on characters, Letis was also contrived. Her only personality point, if it could be considered one, was to pester Peri and Kiron into marrying and moving back to the farm that might or might not be there. She could have been well developed. She could have even been medium developed. But, no, she was just a shrill, annoying voice that ultimately turned into "oh, fine, I'm leaving". C'mon, you can do better than that. We spend most of the three previous books wondering how Kiron's family is doing, if they're still alive, and then you disappoint us by a pathetic attempt at bringing her there for nothing.
A lot of the conflict between Kiron and Aket-ten also appeared out of nowhere and left me scrambling to figure out what was going on. She omitted things she should have included, could have worked to put the main plot in sooner and rid herself of at least a hundred and fifty useless pages. Had she built upon the main conflict and started it sooner, and found a way to hint at it in the earlier books, the book could have been far better. As it was, it seemed very rushed, forced, and I had to force myself through it just so I could say I'd finished the series. I had to know what happened to the characters, but by the time I got through the fourth book, I stopped caring.
This is not to say I dislike Mercedes Lackey. I love her. However, I wish in certain enterprises, she'd left the series on a high note rather than proceed to drag it through the mud. To anyone starting this series, leave off with Sanctuary and forget about this dreck. You'll be sorry you continued.
In addition, the introduction of Peri felt forced, especially since she had no character development. She appeared like the "perfect" match for Kiron, and then was flung out just as fast. The only traits I could tell for her was that she knew Kiron's mother and she spent her time as a serf. Other than that, she didn't appear to have any personality whatsoever.
While we're on the subject of tacked on characters, Letis was also contrived. Her only personality point, if it could be considered one, was to pester Peri and Kiron into marrying and moving back to the farm that might or might not be there. She could have been well developed. She could have even been medium developed. But, no, she was just a shrill, annoying voice that ultimately turned into "oh, fine, I'm leaving". C'mon, you can do better than that. We spend most of the three previous books wondering how Kiron's family is doing, if they're still alive, and then you disappoint us by a pathetic attempt at bringing her there for nothing.
A lot of the conflict between Kiron and Aket-ten also appeared out of nowhere and left me scrambling to figure out what was going on. She omitted things she should have included, could have worked to put the main plot in sooner and rid herself of at least a hundred and fifty useless pages. Had she built upon the main conflict and started it sooner, and found a way to hint at it in the earlier books, the book could have been far better. As it was, it seemed very rushed, forced, and I had to force myself through it just so I could say I'd finished the series. I had to know what happened to the characters, but by the time I got through the fourth book, I stopped caring.
This is not to say I dislike Mercedes Lackey. I love her. However, I wish in certain enterprises, she'd left the series on a high note rather than proceed to drag it through the mud. To anyone starting this series, leave off with Sanctuary and forget about this dreck. You'll be sorry you continued.
ryan_dm's review
2.0
I think the polite thing to say would be this series hasn't aged well, though I need some serious convincing that it was ever good. Generally poor and often repetitive writing with crappy yet seemingly acceptable gender politics. Were women ever mentioned without us being told how limited they are? I don't remember an instance.
Edit:
Oh shit! I thought this was at least 40 years older than it is. I didn't think someone who has Internet access and owns a refrigerator could seriously write this.
Edit:
Oh shit! I thought this was at least 40 years older than it is. I didn't think someone who has Internet access and owns a refrigerator could seriously write this.
vailynst's review
4.0
Notes:
I wish the fight part was set up better and described more. It was very interesting! I didn't care for the relationship conflicts as much because it was laid out and talked about too much in a manner that did not add to the plot.
I wish the fight part was set up better and described more. It was very interesting! I didn't care for the relationship conflicts as much because it was laid out and talked about too much in a manner that did not add to the plot.
meribiaa's review
2.0
To me, this book was like "Dragon Jousters: The Fanfiction". It just didn't live up to the other books in the series. I found it difficult to get through, and had to start it several times. That being said, there were points where I thought, "Yes, I know why I'm reading this, and why I love this author!"
katekat's review
3.0
I like the books Mercedes lackey writes, she is good at creating a believable world and people to populate it. This series starts off very strong though I do feel that it falls off a bit as it progresses. It is truly readable and enjoyable.
sonshinelibrarian's review
3.0
This did wrap up the series and I appreciated having the loose ends coming together for the most part. The final battle seemed superfluous and incredibly rushed, which is one of the things that dropped this from a 3 star to a 4 star for me. I also was very dissatisfied with the romantic resolution. I felt like Aket-ten didn't actually work out any of her issues. Kiron said he loved her and magically they were both just fine. There was a lot of resentment and anger built up between them in the early part of the book that didn't actually get resolved. I also didn't like the way that Peri was suddenly introduced for no apparent reason. Except to connect Kiron with his mother. Who was a shrew and just straight up annoying and absolutely and completely unnecessary to any part of the plot. I was hoping for more in the conclusion of a series which I have thoroughly enjoyed to this point.
julis's review against another edition
2.0
Aerie finishes off (to date) the dragon jousters series and…ouch. The first 3 are pretty solidly plotted, if uninspired–this one she wrapped up the political plot in the last book, but not the emotional one, and so it staggers on as she tries to find what to do without blatantly tapping on Pern. It’s a mess, basically. And what there is still isn’t inventive enough to hold me.
kaisermatthias's review
4.0
The series is a very fun romp, and offers a number of insights into just how much Lackey knows about raising animals without becoming dull. I was sad to see the story end, and wish there had been an ensing more in keeping with the slow revelation of story over the series instead of the relatively rushed conclusion that occurred.
Apart from a rushed ending this is among the more enjoyable short series I've read in some time. If you're looking to think differently about dragons, or just want to read about an alternate version of Ancient Egypt, the Jousters quartet is worth your time.
Apart from a rushed ending this is among the more enjoyable short series I've read in some time. If you're looking to think differently about dragons, or just want to read about an alternate version of Ancient Egypt, the Jousters quartet is worth your time.