The Dragonbards [Paperback]

Shirley Rousseau Murphy (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: October 1989

Prince Tebriel and his dragonbard companions prepare to fight a fierce battle against the dark forces that threaten their world.

--This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

The popular Dragonbards trilogyNightpool and The Ivory Lyre were the first two bookscomes to an exciting, if somewhat predictable close. The story picks up where the last book ended, with the defeat of the unliving at Dacia. Before Prince Tebriel and his bard companions have rested, distress calls from both dragonlings and an injured dragon signal the start of the final battle against Quazelzeg, lord of the dark. In a bold attempt to rescue two bard children from the slave pits of Quazelzeg, Teb is captured and brutalized; although he is rescued, only Kiri is aware of the true extent of the damage Quazelzeg has done. Will Teb be strong enough to overcome the seeds of destruction the dark lord planted in his mind? No reader familiar with fantasy will doubt the outcome of Teb's inner battle, but the thrilling last battle scene, with the dramatic appearance of Teb's long-lost mother, Meriden, and the poignant farewell to the wise otter Thakkur will more than satisfy readers who enjoyed the first two books. A rousing finale to a notable trilogy. Ages 12-up.
Copyright 1988 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

From School Library Journal

Grade 6-9 In this third confrontation be tween good and evil, Murphy brings her ``Dragonbards'' trilogy to a close. Each chapter begins with an excerpt from the journal of Meriden, lost Queen of Au ric, whose children searched for her in Nightpool (1985) and The Ivory Lyre (1987, both Harper). This device gives a framework to the plot and also reminds readers of past events. The Dark forces are finally destroyed; the Queen is re united with her children, Teb and Ca mery; and young Dragonbard Kiri finds her own dragon. Romance between Kiri and Teb is hinted at as the story progresses. As in the previous books, the plot is complicated and sometimes confusing; to add to this, all of the earli er characters reappear to crowd the pages. Murphy is better at action than at characterization. In the end it is the dragons sweeping through the sky that readers will remember, not Teb and his inner conflicts. Ruth S. Vose, San Francisco Public Library
Copyright 1988 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

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Product Details

• Paperback
• Publisher: Trophy Pr (October 1989)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0064470083
• ISBN-13: 978-0064470087
• Product Dimensions: 6.9 x 4.3 x 0.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 5.6 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.9 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (7 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,791,654 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Shirley Rousseau Murphy grew up in southern California, riding and showing the horses her father trained. She attended the San Francisco Art institute. Shortly after graduation, she married and worked as an interior designer while her husband attended USC. "When Pat finished school, I promptly quit my job and began to exhibit paintings and welded metal sculpture in the West Coast juried shows," Murphy explains. Her work could be seen in many traveling shows in the western States and Mexico. She continues, "But when we moved to Panama for a four-year tour, in Pat's position with the U.S. Courts, I put away the paints and welding torches, and began to write."

She has published sixteen children's books, a young adult fantasy quintet, the Dragonbards fantasy trilogy, and The Catswold Portal. "It was while working on this adult fantasy that I knew I wanted to explore further the fascinating world of sentient cats. I began to see the gray tomcat, whom I knew well in real life, as a feline detective with a brash attitude--and the die was cast. I launched into the Joe Grey mystery series. I like discovering anew with each book how the three cats interact with their close-knit world of human friends--Joe Grey in-your-face abrasive, Dulcie of a gentler nature, and Kit wildly imaginative."

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars This book is great., June 28, 1998

By A Customer

This review is from: The Dragonbards (Paperback)

People, this book is great. It is the third in a series, starting with "Nightpool", then the Ivory Lyre".. Then this one, "Dragonbards". I loved this book, I have read this one and nightpool.. I did not know about the series till I was done with "Dragonbards". So then I read "Nightpool", and now I want to read the "Ivory Lyre"... I am probably going to order it from Amazon!

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars This series will remain a trilogy, March 18, 2002

By 

Sylvia Engdahl (Eugene, OR USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Dragonbards (Hardcover)

As Webmaster for Shirley Rousseau Murphy, I'm posting her
reply to the comment here mentioning a possible fourth book
in the Dragonbards series. Long ago she considered writing
such a book, but she has no present plans to do so. She is
now fully occupied with her adult cat mystery series, and is
no longer writing Young Adult novels. However, she does hope
that the Dragonbards trilogy will someday be back in print--as
I do also, because I think it's a beautifully-written fantasy
that more people should have a chance to enjoy.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Sublime, September 26, 2000

By 

Robert LaPrelle (Rural Retreat, VA United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: The Dragonbards (Library Binding)

The beauty of Murphy's writing is awe inspiring. I first got the books (there are three books in the series) from my grandmother, and I stayed up for 36 straight hours reading them. Dragonbards is a wonderful ending to a wonderful trilogy. The characters, especially Kiri (the heroine) are wonderfully full and complete. The women play an equally important role in the war while still maintaining a realistic feel. Jordan has recently been praised for his powerful women, but they are all the same people. Murphy manages to create full enjoyable characters that are never repetitive. I would reccommend this book to anyone, whether they are a fan of fantasy or not.