Review: A masterfully written blend of fantasy & science fiction!
Rating: 5 out of 5
Date: 07 14, 2012
How can an author skillfully and intelligently weave a story of interest about a planet inhabited by wise telepathic wolves, dragons who communicate via colors and humans whose social structure mimics feudal eras? I had to find out. Diane Rapp has masterfully woven a magnificent blend of fantasy and science fiction genres within this new novel in her series, HEIRS TO THE THRONE.  Although third in the series, DRAGON DEFENSE is written with integrity and can stand splendidly on its own merits. The human, wolf and dragon characters' talents and interactions in their varied locales on Planet Drako are expertly integrated.Aside from her fantastically clever ideas involving life extension, cloning, mind control, telepathy and high-tech technology, I was fascinated by Diane Rapp's skill at integrating common themes into the story and the wisdom conveyed between wolf and human characters.  Her script is so marvelously intricate in its design. Many of the young humans must rely on the wisdom of their elders as well as the wisdom of the wolves and skills of the dragons in order for the planet to survive. Planet Drako is under a feudal system of law yet King Donovan and his independent, intelligent wife, Queen Krystal are subtly working to influence feudal lords to institute a more democratic form of rule. Their 3 cloned teenage daughters are a handful yet each has special talents relating to healing, `hosting' the minds of wolves and `mind-melding' with the dragons. Diane Rapp delighted me with the parts of the script related to relationship issues, especially the dialogues between these princesses and their suitors.Revenge, greed and power are central themes.  Desert riders fear all technology and guard their god's shrine, an old nuclear reactor that is leaking radiation, putting Drako at risk. The scenes related to the more forward-thinking characters finding a way around these fears is quite clever. Out in space is an Institute spaceship intent on revenge and on recovering material necessary to extend the lives of the rich back on Earth. Jarrack, a madman on Drako who uses mind control to extend his life, holds his many children captive to serve this purpose. The juggling act necessary to handle each danger is masterfully written.What are the roles of the dragons? You are going to have to read the book! I will simply say that, like the entire cast of characters, human and animal, the dragons' roles are fantastical! Although I read mostly novels in other genres, dragon stories have always captured my attention. Anne McCaffrey's novels in her Dragonriders of Pern series are still favorites. DRAGON DEFENSE now sits on my shelf along with the Pern series. The pace of the story was energetic and so entertaining that I wanted to rush through each chapter to its end. The intelligent thought invoked by the themes in this novel, however, compelled me to slow my pace, savoring each scene.