Dragonswood (review)

The magical wood near Tess' small village has often provided her with respite from her stepfather's cruel beatings. Her frequent visits to the forest have caught the attentions of suspicious neighbors, though, and she soon finds herself accused of witchcraft. Forced to flee with her two friends, also accused witches, Tess and company are eventually taken in by a mysterious huntsman to whom Tess feels drawn. Unwilling, however, to simply tie herself to a different man, Tess runs again, this time north toward the hushed whispers of the forest that seem to be calling to her. There she learns that her attraction to the forest is due to her fey heritage and that, as the daughter of a former fairy king, she is destined to unite humans, fey, and dragons, fulfilling an age-old prophecy through her marriage to a mortal prince—something to which Tess is utterly opposed. Factual references to medieval towns and events complemented by appearances of talking dragons and mercurial fairy people create an appealing blend of fantasy and history, giving this a wide audience, but fans of romance are likely to take the most enjoyment out of Tess's tale. The relationship between Tess and the huntsman—whom readers will early on guess to be the prince in disguise—unfolds slowly and with caution by both parties, making their ultimate union that much more satisfying. Some of Tess' more adult-oriented thinking will be outside of audience experience, but readers of history will understand that Tess' concerns with marriage and childbearing are entirely expected and appropriate for the time. Readers familiar with Carey's Dragon's Keep (BCCB 5/07) will recognize the forests of Wilde Island and several faces, but knowledge of the previous book is not needed to get pleasantly lost in these woods.