This book is intended for middle-grade children and not my usual fare but I am finding the entire series extraordinarily entertaining.

The end of the last story found the children separated.  Callie, Willow, and Neal escaped Helston to Eyrewood leaving behind their Papa, Sir Nick, Edwyn and his sister Elowen.  And the separation only got worse. Elowen and Edwyn find themselves in Dumoor with Princess Alis.  Elowen believes her place is there and she is eager to learn magic from Alis.  She feels welcome into her found family at the Roost but things aren't progressing as she hoped.  Alis coerces Edwyn into returning to Helston with his father, Peran.  Elowen cannot believe Alis would do such a thing unless she truly doesn't understand Peran's nature.  Edwyn is convinced that he'll be spying on his father and reporting to Alis; he overcomes his fear of his father and agrees to the assignment. Kensa, the dragon that everyone in the Roost loves and respects is gone; also on assignment from Alis.  But their absence makes everyone uneasy.

Sir Nick is incarcerated in a dungeon in Helston along with Teo.  Eventually, though, Peran - nominally in charge in Helston in the absence of the Queen and Prince Willow - acknowledges that he needs Nick to train up the young squires to be his Army and releases him from the dungeon. Edwyn is playing his part, pretending to be the same fearful boy to his father.  He manages to convince his father to allow him to attend to Teo and try and restore his health.  Peran allows it as he desperately wants his own dragon to control.

Peran sends troops into Dumoor to find the kids and Queen Ewella.  The Queen's magic defeats them but it is obvious to the adults that Peran isn't going to stop.  Ewella decides to send Willow and Callie to Fairkeep to find allies.

Elowen, meanwhile, worries about her brother's silence; Alis promised to send a bird to him to get his reports but Elowen hasn't seen any reports.  She begs Alis to bring him back safely and is firmly refused.  This has the effect of eroding Elowen's trust in Alis.

Each of the four champions are forced to face their own particular fears and weaknesses if they are to prevail.  But to what end goal?  Are they to support Princess Alis' claim to the throne? Restore Queen Ewella? Or is their primary concern to destroy Peran's ambition to take the throne?

This story was much bigger than the last two books.  The children are more cognizant of their power, stronger in their faith in themselves and each other, but still frustrated by adults and their apparent belief that they have the right to decide for the children.  One of the things I find refreshing in these stories is the children recognizing that they don't always have the power to make a difference; they are still, after all, children.  But they are spirited and make a difference in small ways, as they can.  But they can, especially Callie, still make a decision independent of the adult's opinions or direction.

I totally recommend this series. Their website indicates a fourth book is forthcoming and I am so looking forward to see their resolution.  ~~ Catherine Book

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