Dragon Prince (1988) (edit title/settings)

• Rated 5 stars

“this book was awesome!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!”

• Rated 2 stars

“Melanie Rawn is like soap opera in a fantasy world, with endless "intrigue" on who ends up with whom. Had I read these more recently, I'd never have finished the series.”

• Rated 3 stars

“This book took me four days to read. Four. I normally read a book or so a day. And it's not even all that long: 500-some pages. I don't mind slow, atmospheric reads on occasion, but it's likely that my impatience with the slow pace accounts for a half star or so.

Rohan was always a studious boy, and even those who knew him well were afraid what would happen when his father died and he became Prince. His aunt Andrade in particular, the head of the Sunrunners (magically talented people who can manipulate the rays of the sun & moon to various effects), plans to manipulate him, and starts by introducing him to a young Sunrunner woman, Sioned, with whom he falls in love.

The story starts out with great promise--Rohan showing that his years spent in books were not wasted, as he schemes and plots to ensure peace and prosperity for his people, and the intensity of the feelings between himself and Sioned and the pitfalls of their path to being together. I loved the scheming and cleverness, and I loved that others had schemes that countered his.

But then it falters. There's a story line about the dragons that's really shortchanged, and either 3 or 6 years (it wasn't particularly clear which) were just skipped, during which several key characters died in a devastating plague, with only a brief mention. It's the GSM, indeed.

Then the story picks up again, with Rohan and Sioned's quest for a child, an excellent, twisted scheme-ful and emotionally intense section.

If Dragon Prince had been a trilogy... If all three sections had been fleshed out, especially that middle section, and the first book ended with Sioned & Rohan conquering the odds to be together, the second with the full story of the plague and the importance of the dragons, and the third with the child plot and the final battles... I'd probably have given each one 5 stars. Maybe 4 for the middle one, which is weakest, unless it was punched up a lot.

But as it was, the exciting stuff--the schemes, and the emotional intensity--got buried in repetition and wordiness, when they weren't completely skipped over.

I said impatience accounted for a half star. Disappointment that it wasn't all I imagined it could have been accounted for another half star. I don't think I'll be looking for the next book in the series.”

• Rated 4 stars

“This is an excellent beginning to a fantasy series. The order of society, religion and government is well setup and convincing, and the element of dragons is a very interesting variable, effecting the economy of the world in a positive and negative, as well as known and unknown way.

The story is well written, the characters are believable, and easily loved or hated. Plenty of suspense, I enjoyed the twists and turns of the plot, never sure, but always hoping that all would be well in the end.”

• Rated 5 stars

“These can be a bit longwinded, but very good stories. A little too much of the romance piece at times. Such a unique, new vision of magic presented. The end of the series seems to be a little open ended, like there may be more in the future. Fans can only hope that is true.”

• Rated 5 stars

“This is a real good sci-fi book. It has all you could want in a sci-fi book: dragons, sword play, intrigue, romance and magic. At times, this story could drag but then a really good part comes along. It is really worth while reading. I have read it many times and could read it again.”

• Rated 5 stars

“Fantastic first book for an incredible series. Loved the large cast, and the world-buidling is top-notch and effortless. Sunrunning is a brilliant talent and Rawn's take on dragons keeps them believable. This is one I re-read every once in awhile, and still love it.”

• Rated 5 stars

“Since the time I first read this book... it captivated me... i was enthralled... dragons!!! a handsome prince who is every gal's dream... a princess who is what every gal's wants to become... add to all these the beauty of words and the intrigue of sun running and there u have a best seller... Like i said when i first read this book which was ages ago... it captivated me... It still does.... I still am in love with Rohan and envy Sioned her beauty her sunrunning skills and the fact that she has rohan :D ....”