Shadowed By Wings: Book Two of the Dragon Temple Saga [Paperback]

Janine Cross (Author)

Book Description

Series: The Dragon Temple Saga | Publication Date: August 1, 2006

The Dragon Temple Saga continues as Zarq Darquel embarks on a trial by fire, defying Dragon Temple scripture by undergoing the rigorous training of an apprentice dragonmaster, while desperately searching for the doctrine that allows women permission to participate in the battles at Arena.

Yet Zarq's difficulties pale in comparison to her craving for the hallucinogenic dragon venom, and her desire to understand the dragons themselves-both of which make her a vessel to receive the ancestral memories of the great beasts. And now, eager for the knowledge only Zarq can uncover, Temple has her imprisoned and subjected to starvation and torture-all to make her reveal the dragons' deepest secrets...

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

In unflinching detail, the horrific second installment in Cross's controversial Dragon Temple trilogy (after Touched by Venom) chronicles 17-year-old Zarq's struggles to attain her destiny as the Skykeeper's Daughter. Zarq faces the oppression of a brutal Taliban-like theocratic dictatorship and her own addiction to dragon venom as she undergoes a brutal apprenticeship to the Dragonmaster of Clutch Re. Zarq hopes to change her oppressive patriarchal society by becoming a dragonmaster herself, despite the violent opposition she faces—and the demands of her dead mother's dragon "haunt" to search for her long-lost sister, Waivia, instead of completing the apprenticeship. Cross's anguished protagonist faces grim issues that might make some fantasy enthusiasts uncomfortable—addiction, genital mutilation, rape, slavery, racism, bestiality and prostitution, to name a few. Warning: these are not McCaffrey dragons. Think X-rated Tolkien set in the Middle East. (Aug.)
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About the Author

Janine Cross has published short fiction in various Canadian magazines and was nominated for an Aurora Award in 2002. Her non-speculative fiction has appeared in newspapers and a local anthology Shorelines. She has also published a literary novel.

Product Details

• Paperback: 368 pages
• Publisher: Roc Trade (August 1, 2006)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0451460898
• ISBN-13: 978-0451460899
• Product Dimensions: 8.9 x 5.8 x 0.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 13.6 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,450,098 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

10 of 12 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The saga continues, September 23, 2006

By 

rainsong (Australia) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Shadowed By Wings: Book Two of the Dragon Temple Saga (Paperback)

Whatever flaws TBV had, are not found in Shadowed by Wings, its much more polished, much less graphic in its portrayal of violence (so if thats what you're looking for, you will be disappointed!!), the flow of the action/adventure more well-paced, and the story unfolds with some answers, particularly concerning the politics of Malacar. From SFRevu, Review of 'Touched by Venom' by Gayle Surrette:"Zarq .. doesn't observe or ask questions about what goes on around her. As the clan and her family are torn apart she simply watches with all the innocence of a young child. For most of this book, Zarq steps back from taking responsibility for her own life and lets passion, revenge, and anger rule her choices......I found myself ...to really want to sit Zarq down and let her have it, with her aloofness and stubbornness."

I agree with this portrayal of Zarq the whiny child in TBV - but that child has grown and mostly gone by the end of 'Shadowed by Wings', Zarq at 17/18 is a much wiser, mature young woman, her character far more fully developed than in TBV, as we witness the birth of a political revolutionary leader, where the Personal is indeed the Political. A much more satisfying ending than TBV too.... the final installment can't be published quick enough for me!

0 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars book two dragon temple saga shadowed by wings, January 30, 2011

By 

Bambie - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Shadowed By Wings: Book Two of The Dragon Temple Saga (Paperback)

Your despatch was very prompt.
Our customs clearing was slow and Ihave only just received the book. Book arrived in as new condition.
I ordered this book because book one was excellent as I expect the others will be.
Thank you for you prompt service
Yvonne

2 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Entertaining Read, March 16, 2007

By 

Cruzan Girl (STX, VI) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Shadowed By Wings: Book Two of the Dragon Temple Saga (Paperback)

This book was an excellent read. I could barely put it down, it was the same with the first book too. She has created a very consistent and entertaing world. I can't wait for the next book.