Aerie (The Dragon Jousters, Book 4) [Hardcover]

Mercedes Lackey (Author)

Book Description

Series: The Dragon Jousters, Book 4 | Publication Date: October 3, 2006

Kiron has secretly gathered an army of dragon riders to seek refuge in the abandoned desert city they have named Sanctuary, where they join with other dragon riders to rid their world of both war and magical domination. But now it is time to build a new society in Aerie: an ancient city that seems to have been designed for dragon riders and their dragons.

Editorial Reviews

Review

"It''s fun to see a different spin on dragons...and as usual Lackey makes it all compelling." - Locus

About the Author

Mercedes Lackey is a full-time writer and has published numerous novels and works of short fiction, including the best-selling Heralds Of Valdemar series. She is also a professional lyricist and a licensed wild bird rehabilitator. She lives in Oklahoma with her husband, artist Larry Dixon, and their flock of parrots.

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 18 and up
  
• Hardcover: 352 pages
• Publisher: DAW Hardcover; First edition (October 3, 2006)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 075640391X
• ISBN-13: 978-0756403911
• Product Dimensions: 9.4 x 6.3 x 1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 3.4 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (28 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,164,743 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Mercedes Lackey is the acclaimed author of over fifty novels and many works of short fiction. In her "spare" time she is also a professional lyricist and a licensed wild bird rehabilitator. Mercedes lives in Oklahoma with her husband and frequent collaborator, artist Larry Dixon, and their flock of parrots.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

21 of 23 people found the following review helpful:

1.0 out of 5 stars Death of the DragonJousters...., October 30, 2006

By 

frfubar8 "joe reader" (USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Aerie (The Dragon Jousters, Book 4) (Hardcover)

The 4th in Mercedes Lackey's 'Dragon Jouster' series, Aerie reads less like a fantasy novel and more like an exploration of dysfunctional families/relationships. I spent most of the book wondering where the author was trying to go with the story and also if she might be purging some anger at a relative or two.

Without giving away too much the book meanders back and forth between the angst of young lovers, the unrealistic demands of family and only at the very last minute is a pat conclusion conjured almost out of thin air. I would have been satisfied with a three book series (even though 'Sanctuary' was disappointing as well) rather than have the fourth book end it on such a lackluster note.

If you haven't read any of this series then by all means pick up 'Joust' and 'Alta', the first two books. They are fresh, original and very good reads. I recommend them highly....just don't go any further.

15 of 17 people found the following review helpful:

2.0 out of 5 stars Ending the series with a whimper, February 3, 2007

By 

Alaine Sepulveda "SCIgirl" (Scottsdale, AZ) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Aerie (The Dragon Jousters, Book 4) (Hardcover)

It took several pages before I could get interested in this book, but once I did I was pleasantly surprised ... for about half the book. The characters of Kiron and Aket-ten were showing greater complexity than they had in the past books, and I enjoyed the misunderstandings in their relationship, as well as the developing mystery that drove the plot. Then - POOF! - the real, understandable reasons for their disagreements were swept aside, the mystery was cleared up, and deus ex machina descended to solve all the problems for the Tians and Altans. It was such a disappointing ending to the series. I've been loyally reading all of Mercedes Lackey's books for the past twelve years, and I can't help feeling a little betrayed by the decline in quality.

11 of 13 people found the following review helpful:

2.0 out of 5 stars Shame on DAW books- quality control problems, February 3, 2007

By 

Parkermann347 (U.S.) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Aerie (The Dragon Jousters, Book 4) (Hardcover)

The story is alright, however I have collected all of Lackey's books since day one and have noticed something that appears to be a trend in the book publishing industry.
Has anyone else noticed that DAW along with other publishers have switched to low quality materials for their hardcover books? Take a look at the paper for instance. We all paid a lot of money for a seriously inferior product. Just compare the other volumes in this set and then this last book. You won't like it when the first few look okay in about 5 years, but the new ones are already yellowed with age. I have already seen the yellowing at my local library and am so annoyed for spending money on junk. Wait for the paperback, this is the same just about 4 times as expensive.
Shame on DAW!