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Chronicles of Sirkara #2
The White Dragon
By the author of In Legend Born
It is a time of vast changes in the island nation of Sileria. Oppressed for centuries by one conqueror after another, this land of fierce pride and ancient rivalries awaited the prophesied Firebringer, who would free them. Josarian, a mountain peasant, survived his leap into the volcano to become the Firebringer. He united the impoverished shallaheen, the magical fire-wielding Guardians, and the vastly powerful mages known as Waterlords in an unprecedented alliance that defeated the foreign Valdani who had ruled Sileria for too long. But now Josarian is dead, betrayed by the alliance and slain by the ice-dragon of Kiloran, the most powerful Waterlord in Sileria. Tansen, Josarian’s second-in-command, has taken up the banner of independence, and leads the shallaheen and the Guardians against the Waterlords so that Sileria can be free of a tyranny far worse than Valdani rule. As the volcano goddess Dar rumbles her displeasure in earthquakes and lava flows, the forces of fate, prophecy, and magic combine to create new heroes--from the desolate mountains, from the water-starved cities, from the sea, and even from beneath the earth. Ancient forces join with unlikely allies to fulfill the prophecies that inspire revolt and excite religious fervor. But in Sileria, betrayal has long been a way of life, and it wears many faces as the ambitions of the high and the low ensnare the fates of people across the land, wreaking havoc among the faithful.
With consummate narrative skill, Laura Resnick brings to life the excitement and adventure of this magical land in its epic struggle to find its true leaders, heal ancient wounds, and chart a path out of chaos to a new day of peace.
It is a time of vast changes in the island nation of Sileria. Oppressed for centuries by one conqueror after another, this land of fierce pride and ancient rivalries awaited the prophesied Firebringer, who would free them. Josarian, a mountain peasant, survived his leap into the volcano to become the Firebringer. He united the impoverished shallaheen, the magical fire-wielding Guardians, and the vastly powerful mages known as Waterlords in an unprecedented alliance that defeated the foreign Valdani who had ruled Sileria for too long. But now Josarian is dead, betrayed by the alliance and slain by the ice-dragon of Kiloran, the most powerful Waterlord in Sileria. Tansen, Josarian’s second-in-command, has taken up the banner of independence, and leads the shallaheen and the Guardians against the Waterlords so that Sileria can be free of a tyranny far worse than Valdani rule. As the volcano goddess Dar rumbles her displeasure in earthquakes and lava flows, the forces of fate, prophecy, and magic combine to create new heroes--from the desolate mountains, from the water-starved cities, from the sea, and even from beneath the earth. Ancient forces join with unlikely allies to fulfill the prophecies that inspire revolt and excite religious fervor. But in Sileria, betrayal has long been a way of life, and it wears many faces as the ambitions of the high and the low ensnare the fates of people across the land, wreaking havoc among the faithful.
With consummate narrative skill, Laura Resnick brings to life the excitement and adventure of this magical land in its epic struggle to find its true leaders, heal ancient wounds, and chart a path out of chaos to a new day of peace.
512 pages, Hardcover
First published December 1, 1998
23 people are currently reading
472 people want to read
About the author
Laura Resnick
109 books274 followersLaura Resnick is an award-winning science fiction and fantasy author, the daughter of prolific science fiction author Mike Resnick. She was the winner of the John W. Campbell Award for Best New Writer in Science Fiction for 1993. She also writes romance novels under the pseudonym Laura Leone
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Displaying 1 - 23 of 23 reviews
December 20, 2019
The first quarter of the book contained few new info and more a summary of facts from the first volume, which, if you read the series together, is kind of annoying, but I can see how it benefits readers with a long pause between books.
The story itself is interesting, but still it doesn't justify the length of the novel. Also, it tends to be a little too explanatory for my taste.
The story itself is interesting, but still it doesn't justify the length of the novel. Also, it tends to be a little too explanatory for my taste.
August 9, 2023
God I love this series!!
September 25, 2013
Though the series isn’t perfect, The Chronicles of Sirkara is an epic fantasy trilogy that has flown below way too many people’s radars. This is one of those true gems that is sure to please most readers. The world building is stunning, the relationships and culture are believable, the battles and hardships are intense and easy to get lost in. While there are some characterization and pacing issues, they don’t bog down the series. The Chronicles of Sirkara will suck you in, pull you under, and leave you gaping. Resnick shows her stunning ability to write incredible epic fantasy. This series will stick with you and make you beg for more.
Read my full review of this trilogy here:
http://www.bookwormblues.net/2013/01/...
Read my full review of this trilogy here:
http://www.bookwormblues.net/2013/01/...
February 10, 2011
Oh wow. what can i say? this book is amazing! i actually read this series out of order but still. even without the first book you can understand whats going on and love it! the characters are amazing and so are the plots. the twists n turns are great and i just absolutely could not put this down and i had to buy the next and first book the second i finished this one! i could not wait to read them, i was so impatient. hehe. bottom line- i would reccomend this book to anyone who likes fantasy fiction or wants just an amazing book to read!
December 22, 2008
One of my favorite series. Very solid work. Start with In Legend Born and get hooked.
November 7, 2017
It was good but a bit repetitive if you just finished the first book in the series. I think it was made so you didn't have to read the first book and could start with this one which added a lot of pages without too much plot development.
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January 6, 2021"we're going to have to take turns at being crazy. its too confusing when we're both doing it at once."
February 24, 2018
Looking forward to reading the next novel.
May 9, 2014
I keep waiting for the plot to start, the climax to begin...it never really did. New issues have risen along with the old and at the end, nothing was resolved.
Frankly, this could have been split into half and the next book could have been shoved in. The same issue with the last book- incessant droooning, some scene are dragging, and some characters whose POV's really I care nothing about. Like Ronall- if he doesn't have anything good or new to add the author should have cut him off instead of placing dozens of POV in the book and making it longer than necessary.
Still- I'm intrigued about Maribar and Tansen enough to continue it to the next book.
Frankly, this could have been split into half and the next book could have been shoved in. The same issue with the last book- incessant droooning, some scene are dragging, and some characters whose POV's really I care nothing about. Like Ronall- if he doesn't have anything good or new to add the author should have cut him off instead of placing dozens of POV in the book and making it longer than necessary.
Still- I'm intrigued about Maribar and Tansen enough to continue it to the next book.
February 24, 2013
My eldest sister refuses to read THE WHITE DRAGON because Laura Resnick killed off one of the principle characters at the end of the last book. Don't make her mistake. This series only deepens as it goes on.
In fact, come to think of it, I would very much like to read it again.
Pinky.
In fact, come to think of it, I would very much like to read it again.
Pinky.
June 1, 2014
Good sequel. Some characters develop while others feel stagnant.
October 17, 2019
A riveting follow-up to In Legend Born, but lacking the twists and action sequences of the first book. Also, because the book was too long it just kind of...ends. It picks up in a part two, but it ends at a really strange place to end. Strange in my opinion.
That said, the author does a great job of getting characters around the map without lengthy travel scenes, and even manages to do some (*some*) exposition rather seamlessly. However, some of the other exposition is clunky or lengthy. Overall, though, a great sequel to a great book.
That said, the author does a great job of getting characters around the map without lengthy travel scenes, and even manages to do some (*some*) exposition rather seamlessly. However, some of the other exposition is clunky or lengthy. Overall, though, a great sequel to a great book.
August 30, 2023
Too much repeated information and really long winded without adding much to the story. Coming from reading the first in the series it’s pretty unreadable for me to reread the same story multiple times. Really disappointing.
September 17, 2018
Good read.
June 27, 2020
Maybe more of a 3. 5.
September 19, 2021
It was an interesting read although there were a lot of characters and people groups to keep straight.
June 29, 2023
A lovely intricate plot full of emotion, 3D characters, and magic. A story that leaves you wanting more. I am definitely getting the 3rd book.
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November 11, 2021This is not the book I read. See my list of Ann McCaffrey books read.
February 13, 2017
I had the chance to finally re-read this book after several years and it is just as good as I remember. The author has created an interesting world, filled it with interesting characters who grow on you and make you eager to find out what's next.
March 19, 2020
I remember waiting for this book forever after loving In Legend Born. On a re-read of the entire trilogy 10 years later, this middle book is a lot weak, and I’m changing the rating from 4 to 3. So much tension goes out of the plot once the main character who was driving the story in book 1 and his mission are taken out of the game. And new prophesies seem like a retread. I had struggle to finish. Now, book 3 gets interesting again with new twists and developments, and finishes very interesting.
March 4, 2017
I just love the characters and the setting. I'm a sucker for intricate plots that make you pay attention, but then make it worth your while if you do.
April 26, 2019
I more or less dropped my life to read this. Laundry is not even a consideration when you have a sea-born boy, a bunch of conflicted characters, and a rather amusing insane waterlord. BRB, I need to read the conclusion NOW.
Displaying 1 - 23 of 23 reviews