Dragons, ever-present Gods bestowing gifts in real-time,
magic and a world where women are the more powerful gender – this is an
engrossing and entertaining fantasy.
From the age of three, Princess Esofi of Rhodia has
been betrothed to Crown Prince Albion of Ieflaria. She has been brought
up and been trained all her life to be a Queen. However, when Princess Esofi
finally reaches Ieflaria, it is during a mourning period – Crown Prince
Albion has died in an unfortunate accident. Given a choice, the young Princess
shows maturity beyond her years, and chooses to enter a new marriage contract with
the new heir. The new heir is Crown Princess Adale, who spends her times
hunting, drinking and partying. Who has no interest in inheriting the throne
which makes it vaguely possible that one of her two cousins, Brandt and Svana,
will inherit. So Esofi finds that she has three possible suitors instead of
just one. While these personal problems are complicated, things get more
complex with attacking dragons. Only mages can battle and possibly win against
dragons. The gift of magic comes from the Goddess Talcia, but Ieferia has
sidelined the Goddess of Magic in favour of science and as a result they have
no mages. Esofi has brought along a company of battlemages in addition to her
huge dowry plus a determination to re-establish the worship of Talcia in
Ieferia. So Esofi has huge issues to handle almost as soon as she arrives in
Ieferia.
Princess Esofi – we confess we developed a kind of character
crush on her from her very first scene. She is gentle, soft, warm, strong,
caring, courageous and a powerful mage. She also has a hunger for love because
of being denied it by her parents and siblings all through her life which makes
all her actions with and towards Crown Princess Adale totally understandable.
Adale starts off as a wastrel but almost immediately redeems
herself by her softness towards Esofi. Though, the scene where Esofi is
challenged to a duel because of Adale’s thoughtlessness and Adale, instead of
putting a firm end to that drama stands by an watches – had our heckles up and
planted a seed of dislike for Adale. But as the relationship progresses, Adale
comes across as childish, awkward and emotionally immature rather than ill-intentioned
or self-indulgent or self-serving. This helps in rooting for the twosome –
Esofi and Adale.
Brenda Scott Wlazlo does a good job with the narration. Her
performance of Esofi surely added to the character and she also does an
engaging job with the fight scenes.
We certainly recommend this one wholeheartedly.
⭐⭐⭐⭐★
