Leonard's debut explores an entirely familiar fantastical world with enthusiasm and energy. Trapped between the Mycenean Empire and the aggressively expansionist Sarians, Prince Corin's homeland of Caithen faces betrayal by the first and a brutal invasion by the second. Complicating an already dismal situation, Corin has been magically compelled by the dragons to rescue them from the Empire's sorcerous enslavement. Well-educated commoner Tam is not bound by magic but a wielder of it; the love that kindles between her and the prince bridges the vast social gulf between them. Torn by conflicting duties and opposed by vast armies, Tam and Corin struggle just to survive, and saving Caithen and freeing the dragons seem entirely impossible. The generic character names and clean prose may remind readers of other steadfast laborers in the epic fantasy field, and Leonard appears happy to embrace the conventionality of setting and plot. (Feb.) (c) Copyright PWxyz, LLC. All rights reserved.

Prince Corin is the heir to the throne of a small country caught between two great powers, but he has a destiny beyond mere politics. He has been chosen by the dragons to free them from their bondage to the Empire, and they have gifted him with some of their ability to move outside of time and space. But Corin needs allies to accomplish this quest. Help comes in the form of a court visitor, commoner Tam Warin, whose magical visions might hold the key to Corin's task. What neither expects is love, but their differing social standings is a problem despite their undeniable attraction and shared mission. VERDICT Although this debut is a slightly odd mix of the drawing room courtship of a historical romance and the rather generic landscapes of epic fantasy, the winning characters and the inclusion of dragons, which are always popular, make it work. Fantasy fans who enjoy books with a hefty dose of romance, such as Juliet Marillier's "Seven Waters" series, will want to give this one a try. (c) Copyright 2014. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.