James M. Ward, Midshipwizard Halcyon Blithe

Midshipwizard Halcyon Blithe

James M. Ward

Tor, Sept 2005, $24.95, 288 pp.

ISBN 076532530

The island country of Arcania is at war with Maleen, a kingdom that is rapidly absorbing every country it fights into its empire. One of their greatest weapons is the shape changing monsters that can turn into any human form they wish to. The Arcanian navy is blocking the Maleen ships from entering their waters. Both sides harness sea dragons, making the vessels stronger, faster, and more durable.

Midshipwizard Halcyon Blithe, who came into his magical powers at the age of sixteen, unlike his relatives who developed theirs at the age of twelve, is assigned to the dragonship, the Sanguine, where he learns battle strategy on both the mundane and magical levels. Because he is the seventh son of a seventh son, his powers over air and earth are strong, and he thinks he will one day be leading his own battle ship, that is if he survives a court martial, a curse, and an unknown enemy's desire to kill him; of course there is also the Maleen.

The dragon that is part of the Sanguine is able to communicate with the hero, one of the few humans he can talk to, and he comes to care for him and helps him when possible. Magic is an everyday occurrence for the Arcanians, and they use it in battle just as they would as artillery or a missile. This is a charming high fantasy book, that will engage the Harry Potter crowd and those readers who like military fantasy.