SOLVED. Forgotten Fantasy Novels - fiery red heads and thread magic [s]

[Justin]

So I used to read non-stop about 15 years ago and there are two fantasy novels that I am trying to find again. I'd greatly appreciate any help anyone could provide in finding these again! Both of these books were definitely in a setting of knights/magic/dragons/etc

The first book:
I dont remember much, but I remember a scene early on in the book where the protagonist (male) was in the forest and comes across a red head (always described as fiery) that is stuck/trapped in a barrier. He is able to save her and she joins the party in the novel. We later learn that she can do magic related to fire.



The second book:
The second novel I am trying to remember has an even more vague description than the one above. All I can recall is that magic was visible as "threads" and you could pull/manipulate them to do magic. Sound familiar to anyone?? I'm fairly certain it was not a Tamora Pierce novel.

[Ann aka Iftcan]

Justin, the second one you mention sounds like one of the books in The Enchanted Forest Chronicles: Dealing with Dragons / Searching for Dragons / Calling on Dragons / Talking to Dragons. And actually--so does the first. Check them out and let us know.

[Anki]

These definitely sound like part of Patricia C. Wrede's Enchanted Forest Chronicles. The first book you're remembering is most likely Talking to Dragons (fourth in the series chronologically, but I believe the first one she wrote). The second could really be any of the books in the series.

[Jena]

The second one reminds me of a book I read a long time ago called The Dragon Prince by Melanie Rawn. That idea of tactile magic stuck with me for a long time afterward.

[Julie]

I concur with the "Enchanted Forest Chronicles" answers. I just sat here with my copy of Talking to Dragons, and in chapter 2 the main character, Daystar, finds a red-haired fire-witch named Shiara stuck in a barrier in the middle of a hedge.

I also think that I remember a lot of descriptions in the second book, Searching for Dragons, of how Daystar's father, Mendenbar, can use the invisible threads of magic in the Enchanted Forest to do spells. (I can double check that too, if you like).

[Justin]

Hey Everyone,

Thanks for the replies! The second you said the title of the Patricia Wrede books, I knew that was it. Didn't even need a googling :)

Thanks everyone for the help!

Justin