Just about anything with "dragons" in the title turns my head. And I was not disappointed with this romantic fantasy that took me not only into romance but also into planetary travel.

First King of Tarlis, Garrik le Fey, has been released from the Book of Stars after 800 years. During those years he was a black dragon, sworn to keep the Red Dragon of the High Priest, Narokah, from returning to Tarlis to engulf the world in darkness. Now free, Garrik must find a way to release himself from that same Black Dragon. By day he is the dragon, by night he is a man.

Meggahn du Val is the daughter of a low-lord of Gola-Duh. Meggahn has seen her father killed by Narokah and has sworn that she will avenge his death or die herself. Reluctantly Garrik takes Meggahn and a small band of warriors on his quest to defeat Narokah, knowing that he could be signing a death warrant for all those who follow him.

I really liked the characters that the author created. Garrik and Meggahn keep stumbling over miscommunications that block the way to finding each other. I also liked the use of intergalactic travel. Those who are waiting for the king’s return are upholding a tradition brought to Tarlis from beyond the stars. What I also liked was the way that Ms. D’Arcy did not offer a total "happy ending." One of the secondary characters must face the pain that unrequited loved brings with it. This book did not set off any fireworks for me, but I would not hesitate to recommend it to any friend who likes either romance or fantasy.

Reviewed By Kathy Martin
© May 2005