The Dragon's Horn

Glynnis Kincaid

Reviewed by Molly

When we first catch sight of Rynak the last dragon, he is torn, bleeding, and being helped by a small child. Xlana lives with her father Czerick at the edge of the village. To care for a dragon is forbidden. Before long we find Czerick, the local sorcerer is not specifically as he first appeared, nor is Rynak. Xlana has learned much in the way magical powers from Czerick when no longer a small child she discovers the secret of the Chosen Ones, The Demon of Fire threatening the world and even of Karn the one who had determined he will marry the now adult Xlana. Karn in his determination to possess Xlana breaks into the little home she and Czerick have shared for years. From the moment Czerick is killed by Karn, Xlana knows her life will never be the same again.

The Chosen Ones, Xlana discovers she is one, have been placed for their safety on earth. The Demon of Fire is determined to conquer and possess them all, and it they who will save the earth from the dreadful power of the Demon of Fire. From Dykstra the homely earth dragon to Rynak the majestic, the Chosen Ones slowly come together, realize who and what they are and what their mission is. The Old One is found, dragon horns returned to her and the precise mission of The Chosen Ones explained. The Demon of Fire is powerful; the battle will not be easy if it can be won at all.

Writer Kincaid has taken an interesting premise in The Dragon's Horn and has set forth a masterful work filled with fanciful creatures, excitement and a lot of plain old intrigue. The Dragon's Horn is an entertaining well written work in which the reader is drawn right into the tale from the opening lines and is held fast straight on to the last paragraph. The characters are fanciful of course, however they are very believable. The reader will enjoy meeting the 'good guys' and will root for their success. Death of one of the 'good guys' is dismaying. The 'bad guys' are all ones the reader can really detest and hope for their failure.

This is a nice page turner in which the reader will find all the elements hoped for in a good fantasy. There are dragons, elves, magic, mystery, conflict and even a little romance as various of The Chosen Ones come together to renew old relationships. The Dragon's Horn Glynnis Kincaid should have great appeal to those who enjoy a well written, pleasantly puzzling fantasy and it may even have special regard to a market not as often drawn to the genre. This is a book that should hold interest for both female and younger male readers. The book may not have as much appeal to the older male reader of fantasy who prefers the dark vampire blood dripping variety of the genre. Entertaining read -- very highly recommended.