Alta (Dragon Jousters Series #2) by Mercedes Lackey

From Barnes & Noble

The Barnes & Noble Review
In Alta, Mercedes Lackey's sequel to Joust, the young serf Vetch has escaped from an enemy stronghold -- on the wings of a recently hatched dragon -- to his homeland of Alta, with vengeance-filled hopes of sharing the invaluable secrets of dragon rearing and training with the Altan military.

Because of the nation of Tia's superiority with dragons and their riders (called Jousters), Alta has been slowly losing land -- and human lives -- for decades. If nothing is done soon, Alta will surely be defeated and all its people enslaved. When Vetch (his real name is Kiron) arrives in the capital of Alta City with his scarlet dragon, Avatre, his knowledge is welcomed. Alsmost immediately he begins training a new unit of young Jousters and hatchling dragons. But the more time he spends in Alta, the more he begins to realize that the real enemy of the Altan people may not be the Tian Jousters but an elite group of Altan Magi who are secretly sucking the life essence out of the people to supposedly protect the city. When Kiron discovers the sinister truth behind the Magi's actions, he and his wing-mates must do something before it's too late. But can nine young adults and their juvenile dragons stop an uncontrollable religious order and end a decades-long war?

Considering how this novel ends -- with several major burgeoning plotlines left unexplored -- fans can look forward to at least one more volume in the outstanding fantasy saga. Classic Mercedes. Paul Goat Allen

From the Publisher

National best-selling fantasy legend Mercedes Lackey created a vivid, dynamic fusion of the Upper and Lower Kingdoms of ancient Egypt with the most exciting, authentic and believable portrayal of dragons ever imagined. In the second novel in Mercedes Lackey's richly-conceived Dragon Jousters series, the dragonrider Vetch escapes to Alta, the subjugated land of his birth. There, he hopes to teach his people to raise and train dragons-and build an army that will liberate his homeland.

Publishers Weekly

As in its predecessor Joust (2003), a clear, uncluttered style marks Lackey's latest light entertainment about wizards and dragons and social struggle. Vetch (aka Kiron), the hero of Joust, has escaped from the oppressive dragon riders of Tia with Avatre, the crimson female dragon he has secretly raised. In his native Alta, the former serf finds his fate interconnected with the destinies of Orest, youngest son of the Lord Ya-tiren, and the girl Aket-ten, a "Winged One" in training capable of speaking with animals. Vetch begins a new career teaching other Altan males how to bond with dragons from the egg. Vivid depictions of mythical creatures and a pastoral, casual approach to magic enliven such emotionally charged themes as cultural displacement, alienation and search for self. The crises of individual characters with easily identifiable conflicts nicely mirror larger catastrophes of plot. Full of adventure, romance and political intrigue if low on moral complexity, this highly readable fantasy will appeal particularly to young adults. Fans of Anne McCaffrey's Pern series will also be happy. (Mar. 1) FYI: Lackey is the author of Exile's Valor (Forecasts, Oct. 27, 2003) and many other novels in her Valdemar series. Copyright 2004 Reed Business Information.

Marlyn Roberts Beebe - VOYA

The anticipated sequel to Joust (DAW, 2003/VOYA August 2003), like its predecessor, is the story of Vetch, the serf who escaped from a cruel master to become a dragon boy in the hostile neighbor country of Tia. The first novel ended with Vetch escaping Tia with the baby dragon he raised from a stolen egg. Here Vetch, now Kiron, returns to his homeland of Alta with his dragon, Avatre. He is unsure of how he will present himself when he returns, but the dilemma is taken out of his hands when he and Avatre save a young noblewoman from being killed by a vicious river creature. It turns out that the young woman, Aket-ten, is able to "speak" to animals and lives in an unconventional household with her scholar father and her older brother. The family takes Kiron in, and the influential Lord Ya-tiren introduces him to the Dragon Master of Alta. Kiron persuades the dragon master to allow him to gather a group of young men to attempt to raise dragon eggs, just as Kiron did with Avatre. The experiment is successful, and one of the country's Princes even joins the group. It is through this prince, Toreth, that Kiron discovers the corruption in the government of the country and that the war with Tia is being deliberately continued by the Magi so that they can steal the life from the casualties in order to prolong their own. As with all of Lackey's novels, the civilization and government of its world is described in great detail. The characters are well written, but the only problem is that there are so many of them it is difficult to keep track. Teens who love dragons and series will need to read Joust before this book, but then they will be hooked. VOYA CODES: 3Q 4P S A/YA (Readable without seriousdefects; Broad general YA appeal; Senior High, defined as grades 10 to 12; Adult-marketed book recommended for Young Adults). 2004, DAW, 402p., Ages 15 to Adult.

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