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The Dragon Throne #2
The Empire of the Stars
Proclaimed the long-prophesied ruler of the Celestial Empire, Princess Ailia escapes her enemies on the planet Mera and joins her father, the king, on the world of Arainia. There, with her trusted companions Damion, Jomar, and Lorelyn, she struggles to control her growing powers while gathering political allies.
Yet time is running out for Ailia. On Mera, the mad tyrant Khalazar enters into an unholy alliance with the Dragon Prince Mandrake, a shapechanger with the blood—and magic—of dragons in his veins. Together they assemble a fearsome army for an attack on Arainia. Desperate to strike first, Jomar and Damion return to Mera in command of a brave, yet untested, army of their own. But as they prepare for what might be their last battle, Ailia embarks alone on a perilous mission—one that will place her in Mandrake’s power…
Yet time is running out for Ailia. On Mera, the mad tyrant Khalazar enters into an unholy alliance with the Dragon Prince Mandrake, a shapechanger with the blood—and magic—of dragons in his veins. Together they assemble a fearsome army for an attack on Arainia. Desperate to strike first, Jomar and Damion return to Mera in command of a brave, yet untested, army of their own. But as they prepare for what might be their last battle, Ailia embarks alone on a perilous mission—one that will place her in Mandrake’s power…
416 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 2004
1 person is currently reading
61 people want to read
About the author
Alison Baird
23 books49 followersAlison Baird is a resident of Oakville, Ontario, Canada, and a graduate of Trinity College, University of Toronto, where she earned her Honours B.A. in English and her M.A. degree.
As an author she had an early start, publishing her first poems when she was 12. Her first book, The Dragon's Egg, was published by Scholastic Canada: it was a national bestseller and a Regional Winner of the Silver Birch Award (a children's choice award). It is now featured on school curricula across the country. The Hidden World and White as the Waves: A Novel of Moby Dick were both CCBC "Our Choice" selections, and White as the Waves was shortlisted for the IODE Violet Downey Book Award. Baird has also written two trilogies, the Willowmere Chronicles and The Dragon Throne. The Stone of the Stars, the first book of The Dragon Throne, received a starred review in Publisher’s Weekly.
Baird's short fiction has appeared in On Spec magazine, a Canadian periodical of original science fiction and fantasy for adults. Her story "Dragon Pearl" received an Honourable Mention in The Year's Best Fantasy and Horror published by St. Martin's Press. Another short story, "Moon Maiden," appeared in the acclaimed young adult anthology What If. . .? Amazing Stories Selected by Monica Hughes (Tundra Books), which was an ABA Kids’ Pick of the Lists and was featured on the New York Public Library’s Recommended List.
As an author she had an early start, publishing her first poems when she was 12. Her first book, The Dragon's Egg, was published by Scholastic Canada: it was a national bestseller and a Regional Winner of the Silver Birch Award (a children's choice award). It is now featured on school curricula across the country. The Hidden World and White as the Waves: A Novel of Moby Dick were both CCBC "Our Choice" selections, and White as the Waves was shortlisted for the IODE Violet Downey Book Award. Baird has also written two trilogies, the Willowmere Chronicles and The Dragon Throne. The Stone of the Stars, the first book of The Dragon Throne, received a starred review in Publisher’s Weekly.
Baird's short fiction has appeared in On Spec magazine, a Canadian periodical of original science fiction and fantasy for adults. Her story "Dragon Pearl" received an Honourable Mention in The Year's Best Fantasy and Horror published by St. Martin's Press. Another short story, "Moon Maiden," appeared in the acclaimed young adult anthology What If. . .? Amazing Stories Selected by Monica Hughes (Tundra Books), which was an ABA Kids’ Pick of the Lists and was featured on the New York Public Library’s Recommended List.
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Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews
July 31, 2013
Ailia, now named the Tryna Lia, knows that a battle will happen between her and Mandrake, the servant of an evil God. Homesick, she longs for everything to return to the way it once was; however, that cannot be so, and deep inside, she knows it. As Ailia learns about her heritage, her enemies, and the universe--she also learns what it means to be a leader and to make your own decisions.
This was a solid four stars and a good sequel to the first book. It's a bit slow at first (when Ailia is in her kingdom), but really picks up about halfway through. Baird writes beautiful descriptions and has a wonderful, rich mythology (part of me wonders if the books are an excuse to show it off :P). These books are a seamless blend of science fiction and fantasy, with different planets and technologies blended with sorcery and dragons. The characters are well-developed, and although Ailia is a little passive and a little goody-goody, she has her own form of bravery and does make her own decisions eventually. Even Mandrake, the antagonist, has believable motivations and we are made to feel sympathetic for him.
I'd recommend this more to fantasy fans than to science fiction fans; despite the blending of genres here, it reads with more of a fantasy feel.
This was a solid four stars and a good sequel to the first book. It's a bit slow at first (when Ailia is in her kingdom), but really picks up about halfway through. Baird writes beautiful descriptions and has a wonderful, rich mythology (part of me wonders if the books are an excuse to show it off :P). These books are a seamless blend of science fiction and fantasy, with different planets and technologies blended with sorcery and dragons. The characters are well-developed, and although Ailia is a little passive and a little goody-goody, she has her own form of bravery and does make her own decisions eventually. Even Mandrake, the antagonist, has believable motivations and we are made to feel sympathetic for him.
I'd recommend this more to fantasy fans than to science fiction fans; despite the blending of genres here, it reads with more of a fantasy feel.
September 4, 2008
A thrilling sequel...you never know what may happen next!
June 26, 2014
3.5 Stars
April 18, 2017
This was a really great continuation of the first book. It's a great mix of science fiction and fantasy.
I was a little worried at first with that badly written plot summary shoved in the beginning that Baird tried to pass off as an academic paper (it was cringe worthy and a very poor idea), but thankfully became really compelling as soon as the story started.
I really liked how Baird showed the dark/downsides of being 'Chosen' (for either side). No one cares about you, but only what you represent. People believe they have the right to control their life because others think it's better for their chosen status. Another part of that is the downside of being the people who are meant to be saved. It leads to people being leaving everything up to the Chosen, and it ends badly. The people on Eldimia are so unprepared, dumb, and oblivious, and they're going to suffer because they think 'well, she's the one to beat him, so it's all good. No one needs to do anything' compliancy id going to bite them in the ass...and it does.
I also swear to God, this is the first story where I don't want there to be some big confrontation. I want the poor chosen ones, neither who want anything to do with this, to go their own ways and find peace. I want them to be happy, because it seems like everyone is forcing them into these roles, and I just want them to have peace and quiet. I also, somehow, ship it.
All of these characters are really compelling. You feel for them all. Their struggles are real, and even when they make stupid decisions, you want it to work out for them. Mandrake is my favourite kind of villain, so reading his sections was a delight.
I was a little worried at first with that badly written plot summary shoved in the beginning that Baird tried to pass off as an academic paper (it was cringe worthy and a very poor idea), but thankfully became really compelling as soon as the story started.
I really liked how Baird showed the dark/downsides of being 'Chosen' (for either side). No one cares about you, but only what you represent. People believe they have the right to control their life because others think it's better for their chosen status. Another part of that is the downside of being the people who are meant to be saved. It leads to people being leaving everything up to the Chosen, and it ends badly. The people on Eldimia are so unprepared, dumb, and oblivious, and they're going to suffer because they think 'well, she's the one to beat him, so it's all good. No one needs to do anything' compliancy id going to bite them in the ass...and it does.
I also swear to God, this is the first story where I don't want there to be some big confrontation. I want the poor chosen ones, neither who want anything to do with this, to go their own ways and find peace. I want them to be happy, because it seems like everyone is forcing them into these roles, and I just want them to have peace and quiet. I also, somehow, ship it.
All of these characters are really compelling. You feel for them all. Their struggles are real, and even when they make stupid decisions, you want it to work out for them. Mandrake is my favourite kind of villain, so reading his sections was a delight.
Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews