The Dragons of Vensunor

[bibliogramma]

Earlier this year I read a rather interesting fantasy trilogy by Carol Heller; collectively known as the Shunlar Chronicles, the three volumes in the series are:

The Gates of Vensunor (1997)
The Sands of Kalaven (1998)
The Stones of Stiga (1999)

While it's true that this trilogy has all of the elements of the standard sword-and-sorcery fantasy, starting with the unparalleled warrior with an unknown past, a heroic quest, a star-crossed love story, a curious connection to dragons, and a great destiny, and going on from there, it's still a good read, rather better than most. What makes it interesting is that the author has put those standard elements together in some unusual ways, and has put her very own twist on others. Her dragons, in particular (and I have a fetish for dragons) are definiely not run-of-the-mill dragons.

The trilogy follows the paths of several people - not all of them human, but all of them ultimately connected to each other, often in unexpected ways - with the main hero being Shunlar, a skilled warrior who speaks with the dragons that everyone else around her believe to be long-vanished, and seems to share in some of their magic. Shunlar's quest involves more transformations than she - or the reader - can at first imagine, and there are secrets - some ancient, some more recent - that Shunlar must uncover, and the that reader will find satisfyingly answered. As well, Heller displays a certain gift for creating well-realised characters and cultures.

All in all, a satisfying read. I'm sorry that Heller appears not to have written anything else since the completion of the Shunlar Chronicles, becasue I'd like to read more of her work.