Skybowl (Dragon Star, Book 3) [Paperback]

Melanie Rawn (Author)

Book Description

Series: Dragon Star | Publication Date: March 1, 1994

In the final volume of the "Dragon Star" trilogy, Sioned, the mother of High Prince Pol, leads a daring mission into the castle where her daughter-in-law is held captive. Reprint.

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

This surprisingly toothless final volume of the Dragon Star fantasy trilogy (after The Dragon Token ) reads more like a melodramatic Russian play than like an epic adventure tale. Pol, sorcerer and High Prince of the Desert, must come to terms with his fanatical cousin Andry, High Lord of Goddess Keep, so the two can pool their magic and influence to defeat a barbarian horde that threatens their people. While Pol and Andry strike an uneasy truce in Pol's castle, surrounded by the intrigues and agonizing of their friends and relations, far away the High Warlord of the barbarians holds Pol's wife and child hostage. The major characters languish passively in their lush surroundings while the reader learns of desperate battles for survival through occasional off-stage reports, a device that makes the entire conflict seem unreal. Rawn writes fluidly and creates reasonably complete characters, but there's not enough action to justify the book's excessive length. The tragic climax, when it comes at last, is lost amid the general angst suffered continuously by all.
Copyright 1992 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

From Library Journal

With his wife and daughter held captive by the invading army of Vellant'im, High Prince Pol is forced to put aside his old antipathies and accept the help of his cousin Andry, the Lord of Goddess Keep. This conclusion to the second trilogy set in Rawn's world of Sunrunner magic continues the skillful plotting and complex relationships outlined in previous novels. Epic in scope, with a large cast of vivid characters, this belongs in most fantasy collections.
Copyright 1993 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Product Details

• Paperback: 776 pages
• Publisher: DAW (March 1, 1994)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0886775957
• ISBN-13: 978-0886775957
• Product Dimensions: 6.8 x 4.2 x 1.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 12 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.4 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (32 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #319,396 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Characters are the key to these fantastic stories, November 22, 1999

By 

"crystalrose" - See all my reviews

This review is from: Skybowl (Dragon Star, Book 3) (Paperback)

Rawn has created an entire world of people, politics, innovative magic and the amazing plotline that transcends generations of characters and effortlessly draws the reader into it. Somehow, you feel as old as Chay and Sioned by the end of the last book, yet you somehow can't believe it's all over. I have read many books where the characters had no life, no reality to them but these do...they have flaws as well as virtue...there is no "perfect" character in these books and that's one of the things I like most about it....even though it's fantasy the characters are as real as any I've ever read.

6 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Outstanding, insightful series, May 21, 2000

By 

K. N. Nelson (California, USA) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Skybowl (Dragon Star, Book 3) (Paperback)

The 3 books each in the Dragon Prince and Dragon Star series are some of the best written, most vididly imagined and deeply reflective of human nature that I have ever encountered by fiction authors. Melanie Rawn is a master at interweaving stories, personalities and elicting emotional responses from the reader. The saga begins with Rohan and Sioned, his Sunrunner Princess, as they face overcoming an evil High Prince Roelstra and his nest of scheming daughters plotting to capture the world with the aid of an enemy, the Merida, a group of assassins with the prize of the desert promised them for their help. They are assisted by various corrupt petty princes whose goals are increasing their wealth and holdings. Rohan, the brilliant intellectual prince of the desert is hereditary protector of the dragons who live there and return their love and interest. Rohan is beneficiary to the secret, unlimited wealth of dragon gold which is unknown to, but coveted by, the other petty princes. Rohan succeeds in overcoming Roelstra's evil rule, establishes fair trade and writes the law codes for the land when he becomes High Prince, and peace ensues for years. Throughout the stories the author uses delicious humor and repartee between principles in a most engaging way. The Dragon Star series continues the saga with Rohan and Sioned now in the background and the focus is upon their son Pol's ascendancy toward his eventual position as High Prince. Pol faces many inner conflicts as he struggles to become a prince like his father, and a husband to a fragile, helpless, cowardly and weak wife. He has married Meiglan, instead of Sionell, his soulmate and childhood friend whom he later realizes was the woman best suited to him. On top of his personal wars he is thrust into a world war by invading barbarians who are both superstitious, and religiously fanatical. The Vellant'im sole purpose is to destroy all inhabitants, especially the High Prince and the Sunrunners to pay back evil done to them by an unknown group of evil sorcerers hundreds of years in the past. The struggle for survival is bittersweet and poignant. The sub theme of religious beliefs vs sorcery and magic, and the conflict between Pol and his cousin Andry, the Lord of Goddess Keep whose goal is to dictate beliefs and what constitutes sin and to set himself up as judge and jury keep emotions high. Andry's parents, brother and kin and Andry's own children must chose between him or Pol while trying to work together to save themselves from facing annhilation by the enemy. The many subplots of individuals forced to face their own personal and power struggles while facing the Vellant'im is fascinating and makes these stories rich and textured. The dragons aiding humans in peril present a compelling picture of those special protective, loving bonds between man and animal. The author has captured the indomitable spirit of mankind and their non human friends in a battle to survive being conquered by overwhelming forces in an inspiring, engaging and unforgettable way.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Dragon Prince, February 12, 2007

By 

White Witch (Pleasant Prairie Wis) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Skybowl (Dragon Star, Book 3) (Hardcover)

I dont care what anyone says the Dragon Prince books are a wonderful tale. Anyone and I do mean anyone would enjoy the entire tale of the prince and his witch wife. Melanie has woven such magic in these books. So if you get the chance get the entire series. Sit back with a cup of coffee and a tissue and enjoy.