The Dragon Charmer
Jan Siegel

Rating:
Next Novel: The Witch Queen
Publisher: Del Rey Fantasy
Publish Date: 2000

            This is one of the better fantasy books I have read in quite some time. I greatly enjoyed the predecessor, Prospero's Children, but found myself enjoying the second book in the series even more. Perhaps, it is because  Fern Capel, the central character, is a bit older in this book and seems a more worldly, if not not any wiser. This time, Fern's friend Gaynor is along for the ride, but can do little to help when Fern's spirit is stolen by the witch Morgus to languish with her beneath the mighty Tree of legend. This tree, as imagined by Siegel, taps into many legends with its branches supporting the heavens and its roots composing the ground. I found myself completely drawn into this alternate world where the heads of real people grown and ripen on the branches, only to become fodder for a terrifying hog. I even made a mental comparison to the great and torturous tree of Dan Simmons novel Hyperion.

            While Fernanda struggles to return her sprit to her sleeping body, her friends and family are forced to deal with the strange goings on in the real world. It seems the only one who might have an answer for them is an obscure scholar, and expert on dragon lore who lives nearby. Fern's bother Will and her best friend Gaynor confront Dr. Laye to save their friend. This strange doctor with his gray complexion has a history which inexorably ties him to dragonkind, but he is also hiding a secret that makes him even more dangerous than Will and Gaynor imagine. For the ultimate prize is dominion over the most powerful weapon the world has ever seen, a fully developed dragon.  However, the doctor and Fern's family are not the only interested parties, one of the most ancient and powerful sprits also makes a bid to control the dragon. If only Fern can return her sprit to her body, total disaster may be avoided.

            As in Prospero's Children, Siegel writes with a captivating and compelling style that is a joy to read. I was actually disappointed when I finished the book and am eagerly awaiting her next novel, The Witch Queen. Perhaps, what is even more impressive than Siegel's writing style is her ability to devise completely original and fascinating worlds for her reader's to discover. This book richly deserves four swords.

Reviewed by Chris Hart