Jewel of the Endless Erg by John Bierce

Into the labyrinth, the first in the Mage Errant series, had Hugh and his friends surviving a deadly labyrinth, while Jewel of the Endless Erg moves into a new setting, that of a vast desert known as the Endless Erg. Their teacher Alustin wants them to train them there improving their magical skills and finally take them to a meeting in a powerful city, Theras Tel, ruled by Indris Stormbreaker, a dragon. But what was supposed to be a quiet summer turns into a whirlwind of dragons, monsters, sandstorms and conspiracy.

Bierce cleverly builds up a new world for readers to appreciate. It is easy to imagine the desert dunes of the Endless Erg and the deadly sandstorms that plague any who dare to be in that environment. Hugh and his companions learn to hone their skills there, and when pirates attack, Hugh uses his ability to help the ship to escape from danger. The city of Theras Tel is vividly described with its huge court for the Queen, her courtiers and young dragons.

The magic system that Bierce portrays is fascinating. In Jewel of the Endless Erg he presents a unique look at dragons and their magic and the magic that Alustin wields in a huge battle is amazing.

The four apprentices begin to learn more about their magical skills and the background of each other. Hugh is still reticent and quiet but his growing ability to control his magic helps him become more confident, even daring to hope for romance.

Danger, betrayal and battles make for a very exciting action-packed plot with a cliff-hanger ending that will have readers wanting to read to the next in the series, A traitor in Skyhold. Readers who enjoy books about dragons may like to read the Harper Hall of Pern trilogy by Anne McCaffrey, which begins with Dragonsong. 

Themes: Magic, Libraries, Deserts, Magic, Dragons.

Pat Pledger