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The Dragon of Despair

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The Dragon of Despair
AuthorJane Lindskold
LanguageEnglish
SeriesFirekeeper Saga
GenreFantasy
PublisherTor Fantasy
Publication date
2003
Publication placeUnited States
Media typePrint (hardback & paperback)
ISBN0-7653-0259-4
Preceded byWolf's Head, Wolf's Heart 
Followed byWolf Captured 

The Dragon of Despair is a 2003 fantasy novel by Jane Lindskold. The book is the third in the Firekeeper Saga, happening about a year after Wolf's Head, Wolf's Heart.

Synopsis

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The novel continues the story of Firekeeper, who must deal with the continued machinations of Melina Shield. Continuing to desire power and strong magic, Melina has brainwashed a powerful leader into marrying her. It's up to Firekeeper to stop Melina and hopefully bring peace.

Release

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The Dragon of Despair was first published in hardback and ebook formats in 2003 by Tor Fantasy.[1][2] A paperback edition followed the next year, also through Tor.[3]

Reception

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Don D'Ammassa, who reviewed for the Chronicle: SF, Fantasy & Horror's Monthly Trade Journal, considered The Dragon of Despair to be an improvement on the two previous books in the series, "despite its familiar plot".[4] Jackie Cassada, for the Library Journal, considered the book to be an enjoyable closure to the first three books of the series, praising "[t]he author's ability to create complex tales involving believable human and animal characters".[5] Barbara Riley of The Santa Fe New Mexican also wrote a favorable review and a reviewer for the Albuquerque Journal noted that Lindskold had done "a hefty amount of study on wolf behavior".[6][7]

Kirkus Reviews criticized Lindskold's book, saying the "distracting subplots, tedious dialogue, and multiple points of view stalls a story that starts too slowly and never gains momentum."[8] Publishers Weekly, on the other hand, praised the story, especially for Lindskold's use of "lore about pack behavior and feral animals."[9]

References

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  1. ^ Lindskold, Jane M. (2003). The dragon of despair. New York: Tor. ISBN 0-7653-0259-4. OCLC 51631336.
  2. ^ Lindskold, Jane M (2003). The dragon of despair. OCLC 1056177172.
  3. ^ Lindskold, Jane M (2004). The dragon of despair. New York: Tor. ISBN 978-0-7653-4158-7. OCLC 225988598.
  4. ^ D'Ammassa, Don (June 2003). "The Dragon of Despair". Chronicle: SF, Fantasy & Horror's Monthly Trade Journal. 25 (5): 36.
  5. ^ Cassada, Jackie (July 2003). "The Dragon of Despair". Library Journal. 128 (12): 132.
  6. ^ Riley, Barbara (November 23, 2003). "BETRAYAL, CIVICS AT CORE OF LINDSKOLD'S THIRD IN WOLF SERIES". The Santa Fe New Mexican. Newspapers.com.
  7. ^ Steinberg, David (September 14, 2003). "Writer weaves wolf interest into 'Dragon'". Albuquerque Journal. Newspapers.com.
  8. ^ "THE DRAGON OF DESPAIR". Kirkus Reviews (11). June 1, 2003.
  9. ^ "The Dragon of Despair". Publishers Weekly. 250 (28). July 14, 2003.