Vengeance of Dragons

Second installment of Lisle's sword-and-sorcery saga (Diplomacy of Wolves, 1998, not reviewed). The Sabir family has attacked and destroyed its deadly enemy, the Galweigh family. Shapeshifting diplomat Kait Galweigh, the lone survivor, together with her wizardly Falcon allies, seeks all ancient artifact, the Mirror of Souls, which may be used to reincarnate her murdered relatives. The Sabir Wolf wizards also want the Mirror, thinking it will bring them matchless power. The reader, however - but neither Falcons nor Wolves - knows that the Mirror contains the trapped souls of baneful Dragon wizards who've been plotting for a thousand years to escape into the real world and capture new host bodies. Now, Kait's found the Mirror but has been shipwrecked. Ry Sabir, another shapeshifter with whom she shares a psychic bond, has followed her. When Ry catches up with Kait, she resists his allure only by keeping in mind that he's a hereditary enemy. One good Dragon, Solander the Reborn, opposes the evil Dragons, and the prophetic Secret Texts insist he'll triumph. Eventually, though, Kait receives irrefutable proof of Solander's death. What then of the prophecy? Do the Dragons win by default, or can Kait and Ry - yes, they do get together - somehow still prevail? Well, you won't find out here; stay tuned for part three. Vividly set forth, with a synopsis for newcomers: engaging if wildly overcomplicated. (Kirkus Reviews)