While Amero stood front and center in the previous two novels, the storyline forces him out of the limelight for much of the book. That in itself is not was threatens the pleasure of the read. It is with Amero's absence, we as an audience, also lose the playful banter between Amero and his dragon friend Duranix. My biggest complaint about this book is how the authors handled the chase/duel of Sthenn and Duranix. Sthenn, who in the earlier books exhibited ruthlessness, cunning and an all around miscreant behavior did everything possible to make sure Duranix came out as the victor. When his traps worked, he did not finish his foe off and when he decided he couldn't win a fair fight he didn't do enough to hide and set more traps. It seemed at infinite points in the story a ruthless and cunning Sthenn was provided with many keys and options to victory and he ignored them all.
The true light of this story came in two parts. First, was the inclusion of two characters, Balif and Harak. Typically, I don't elves because they tend to be too dry, too unemotional, and well, altogether too British. However, the elf lord was endearing, comical, but also conspiritorial. His presence did much to give a soul to your stereotypical, carved in marble, straight-laced elf. Harak, while certainly not an elf lord was a fun character as well. The low man on the totem pole in more than one situation worked amazingly well with what he was given, the gift of flattery and knowing his opponent. In the end this overtly charismatic con man may have gained the best prize/position in the book. He was a character who lived and died by his manner to read people and speak well. In a book laced with warfare he never needed to lift a sword, and I liked that.
Secondly, the ending of this book was amazing. It is not the ending that I liked to read or that I would have written myself, but it was powerful and very emotional. In conclusion, the early departure of Amero and the over extended dragon chase were two mighty blows to what could have been a knockout ending to the trilogy. While this book is average, it is the first book that lands the hook in you and wont let go. The main characters of Amero, Nianki, and Duranix are so compelling that wanting to know what will happen to them will carry you through the subsequent books and through their trouble spots to a shocking and poignant ending.