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For years the final word on high fantasy has been reserved for a simple homebody and his magic ring and populated by a succession of dark lords, towering fortresses, and crafty wizards. In the author's tale, this long-held genre trend may have finally abated. Mira, Kajika, and their friends are on a quest. A menace is creating conflict in nearby villages, and the disturbance has spilled out toward the company's own daily life. Mira is an accomplished huntress with a gender-bending attitude towards action while she leads her group of friends on this quest. It's a fascinating read that achieves the beauty and grandeur of a Kurosawa epic.
The lovingly crafted main characters are the story's highlight. The reader feels for them and can't help but relate to their objectives. These are not mere towering heroes. They are the best manner of protagonists: ordinary people thrust into conflict. Yet the most groundbreaking aspect in this book is its ability to flush out the race of dragons fully. In many other works of fantasy, the dragon has long been restricted to the role of an antagonist, a one-note villainy status. Here they are seen as individuals, having the same range of moods and personalities of all other races. Overall, there is a wonderful mix of cunning and kindness in the dragons.
This is simply a great story, and not one overly consumed by background stories nor weighed down by unnecessary details. That being said, the reader is also never cheated on the visuals. Everything from the paws of a dragon to the general landscapes is presented in a richly vivid manner. This is a tale of sweeping action and loving friendship that any fan of fantasy will enjoy.