Though the war between the two kingdoms has been on going for quite awhile, the Tian Empire is winning. The prime reason for their success with their enemy the Altans is that they have superior Jousters. These warriors employ dragons as a tool of war with a dexterity that the Altans have failed to match. Thus more than half of what was once the Altan Empire has become occupied by the invading forces of the Tian Empire.

The Tian annexation of formerly Altan territory impacts the lowest levels of life in the conquered land. For instance, Vetch, was once the son of a farmer, but now is a serf considered by the conquerors as one beneath that of a slave. His owner is a nasty person who uses the whip to keep law and order on his property including human fodder like Vetch. However, when his owner whips Vetch in front of the Jouster Ari, the warrior takes the lad away from his cruel master. Ari escorts Vetch to the Jouster compound where he trains the youngster into serving as his dragon boy.

Vetch learns his tasks quite quickly and soon takes full cares of Ari’s dragon Kashet. He quickly comes to love his charge and has plenty of food, fine shelter and clothing, and a reasonable workload. However, with his stomach full, Vetch has never forgotten where he comes from or the lack of rights of serfs. He cherishes his host Ari for what he did for him by lifting him out of his forced servitude and Vetch cares for a few other people in the compound, he loathes the Tians and what they have done to his people. He seeks freedom for himself and other Altans and is willingly to die for his cause.

Fantasy readers know that vivid exciting tales starring delightful characters are a trademark of Mercedes Lackey as her novels are always among the genre’s best. Ms. Lackey introduces a new series with a terrific first installment that captivate readers who know beyond a show of doubt that she must have lived in Altan. The picturesque tale provides the audience plenty of tidbits to satisfy a sociologist as to how common people live in the conquered land when to the victors goes the spoils. The talent of Ms. Lackey lies in providing depth, but insuring it remains inside the story line so that nothing interferes with the action.