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Dragon Jousters #3
Sanctuary
In the third novel of the best-selling Dragon Jousters series, The Altan serf Vetch has escaped the enemy kingdom of Tia, only to find his homeland, Alta, enslaved by the evil Priest-Kings. With a small band of followers, Vetch must gather a secret army of dragon riders to rid their world of war and magical domination once and for all.
320 pages, Hardcover
First published January 1, 2005
About the author
Mercedes Lackey
631 books8,884 followersMercedes entered this world on June 24, 1950, in Chicago, had a normal childhood and graduated from Purdue University in 1972. During the late 70's she worked as an artist's model and then went into the computer programming field, ending up with American Airlines in Tulsa, Oklahoma. In addition to her fantasy writing, she has written lyrics for and recorded nearly fifty songs for Firebird Arts & Music, a small recording company specializing in science fiction folk music.
"I'm a storyteller; that's what I see as 'my job'. My stories come out of my characters; how those characters would react to the given situation. Maybe that's why I get letters from readers as young as thirteen and as old as sixty-odd. One of the reasons I write song lyrics is because I see songs as a kind of 'story pill' -- they reduce a story to the barest essentials or encapsulate a particular crucial moment in time. I frequently will write a lyric when I am attempting to get to the heart of a crucial scene; I find that when I have done so, the scene has become absolutely clear in my mind, and I can write exactly what I wanted to say. Another reason is because of the kind of novels I am writing: that is, fantasy, set in an other-world semi-medieval atmosphere. Music is very important to medieval peoples; bards are the chief newsbringers. When I write the 'folk music' of these peoples, I am enriching my whole world, whether I actually use the song in the text or not.
"I began writing out of boredom; I continue out of addiction. I can't 'not' write, and as a result I have no social life! I began writing fantasy because I love it, but I try to construct my fantasy worlds with all the care of a 'high-tech' science fiction writer. I apply the principle of TANSTAAFL ['There ain't no such thing as free lunch', credited to Robert Heinlein) to magic, for instance; in my worlds, magic is paid for, and the cost to the magician is frequently a high one. I try to keep my world as solid and real as possible; people deal with stubborn pumps, bugs in the porridge, and love-lives that refuse to become untangled, right along with invading armies and evil magicians. And I try to make all of my characters, even the 'evil magicians,' something more than flat stereotypes. Even evil magicians get up in the night and look for cookies, sometimes.
"I suppose that in everything I write I try to expound the creed I gave my character Diana Tregarde in Burning Water:
"There's no such thing as 'one, true way'; the only answers worth having are the ones you find for yourself; leave the world better than you found it. Love, freedom, and the chance to do some good -- they're the things worth living and dying for, and if you aren't willing to die for the things worth living for, you might as well turn in your membership in the human race."
Also writes as Misty Lackey
Author's website
"I'm a storyteller; that's what I see as 'my job'. My stories come out of my characters; how those characters would react to the given situation. Maybe that's why I get letters from readers as young as thirteen and as old as sixty-odd. One of the reasons I write song lyrics is because I see songs as a kind of 'story pill' -- they reduce a story to the barest essentials or encapsulate a particular crucial moment in time. I frequently will write a lyric when I am attempting to get to the heart of a crucial scene; I find that when I have done so, the scene has become absolutely clear in my mind, and I can write exactly what I wanted to say. Another reason is because of the kind of novels I am writing: that is, fantasy, set in an other-world semi-medieval atmosphere. Music is very important to medieval peoples; bards are the chief newsbringers. When I write the 'folk music' of these peoples, I am enriching my whole world, whether I actually use the song in the text or not.
"I began writing out of boredom; I continue out of addiction. I can't 'not' write, and as a result I have no social life! I began writing fantasy because I love it, but I try to construct my fantasy worlds with all the care of a 'high-tech' science fiction writer. I apply the principle of TANSTAAFL ['There ain't no such thing as free lunch', credited to Robert Heinlein) to magic, for instance; in my worlds, magic is paid for, and the cost to the magician is frequently a high one. I try to keep my world as solid and real as possible; people deal with stubborn pumps, bugs in the porridge, and love-lives that refuse to become untangled, right along with invading armies and evil magicians. And I try to make all of my characters, even the 'evil magicians,' something more than flat stereotypes. Even evil magicians get up in the night and look for cookies, sometimes.
"I suppose that in everything I write I try to expound the creed I gave my character Diana Tregarde in Burning Water:
"There's no such thing as 'one, true way'; the only answers worth having are the ones you find for yourself; leave the world better than you found it. Love, freedom, and the chance to do some good -- they're the things worth living and dying for, and if you aren't willing to die for the things worth living for, you might as well turn in your membership in the human race."
Also writes as Misty Lackey
Author's website
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 128 reviews
April 29, 2013
This isn't really the final book, since she then went back and wrote a fourth one, but since the threat of wild horses couldn't entice me to continue reading once I found a good stopping place, I might as well use this as my conclusion. It was, after all, only meant to be a trilogy.
She finally ended most of the tedium of dragon care, what was fascinating in the beginning soon felt like I really did own a dragon. The reader was present for every feeding, at least we were spared the shoveling of dung in this final book. What's more, the constant search for food was an all-pervading theme, okay, we get it, dragons are HUNGRY. I'm only glad she bothered to take care of the search for water in the desert, because that could've really gotten boring.
The world was moderately interesting, except it was just a fantasy version of Egypt, and the Egyptian names blurred together after a bit. The characters proved intensely flat. So what if boy got girl? Boy was never in danger of losing girl. In fact, the books were entirely devoid of any romantic entanglements of any sort. How is it that every relationship was so distinctly without any drama? A few people died, but no one intrinsic to the plot, or if they were, I didn't seem to notice. I didn't really care about any of them.
Honestly, I'm just glad this is over with, which isn't how I should feel about a trilogy. I should be exciting about jumping into another book, and happy that she wrote a fourth.
She finally ended most of the tedium of dragon care, what was fascinating in the beginning soon felt like I really did own a dragon. The reader was present for every feeding, at least we were spared the shoveling of dung in this final book. What's more, the constant search for food was an all-pervading theme, okay, we get it, dragons are HUNGRY. I'm only glad she bothered to take care of the search for water in the desert, because that could've really gotten boring.
The world was moderately interesting, except it was just a fantasy version of Egypt, and the Egyptian names blurred together after a bit. The characters proved intensely flat. So what if boy got girl? Boy was never in danger of losing girl. In fact, the books were entirely devoid of any romantic entanglements of any sort. How is it that every relationship was so distinctly without any drama? A few people died, but no one intrinsic to the plot, or if they were, I didn't seem to notice. I didn't really care about any of them.
Honestly, I'm just glad this is over with, which isn't how I should feel about a trilogy. I should be exciting about jumping into another book, and happy that she wrote a fourth.
July 18, 2022
Narrator again does a great job with the story and voices.
The third book wraps up the main conflict from book two up nicely, and also brings in some hanging threads (or rather, characters) from book one. It was nice to get that reunion with older familiar faces, and to see the dragons grow and plan non-military missions. A smidgeon of romance as the characters mature, and some fun discovery and home-making in the new Sanctuary. Less history and Egyptian culture nods than the previous books, but still some.
The third book wraps up the main conflict from book two up nicely, and also brings in some hanging threads (or rather, characters) from book one. It was nice to get that reunion with older familiar faces, and to see the dragons grow and plan non-military missions. A smidgeon of romance as the characters mature, and some fun discovery and home-making in the new Sanctuary. Less history and Egyptian culture nods than the previous books, but still some.
September 15, 2019
Not terrible, but not a great read either. I didn't really feel any real connection to any of the characters and never really worried if things would turn out okay for them. Even with the evil mages and two warring countries there was never any doubt in my mind that everyone wouldn't survive. If the author gave the characters real challenges to face and didn't make everything happen so conveniently I might have been more invested in the story. I feel this series is aimed at a younger audience; it's not bad, but as an adult I expect there to be more conflict and doubt in a story. There is a part where Aket-ten was captured and it was believed her dragon dead. As the author had unexpectedly killed off a character in the previous book I thought she had again and for a moment I thought the story might pick up and be interesting. Then, bam back to everything works out for the main characters and it all works out. I know people are killed in this story, but none of the main characters every really face any real danger except for a moment with Aket-ten but she's conveniently saved in the end. Overall, not a bad read, but a forgettable one. There is only one book left in the series even if this one pretty much tied everything up. I guess I'll go ahead and finish the series as I already have it from the library.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
September 27, 2010
This is the third book in the Dragon Jouster's series that began with Joust and continued in Alta, and you should read those first. I'm a fan generally of Lackey's books, particularly her Valdemar series, and I think these are among the best of her books I've read. The series is centered on Kiron (in the first book known as Vetch) and I like his arc throughout the books, as well as the magical land, reminiscent of Ancient Egypt, in which this is set--and the dragons of course. They're not talking or telepathic dragons in the vein of McCaffrey or Novik, but are still engaging. The problems in the two lands of the previous books come to a head in this one, and beyond following characters I'd grown to care about (the dragons as much as the humans) this makes for a well-paced gripping adventure tale.
May 23, 2020
A nice, classic ending to a story (even though there's a fourth).
I enjoyed this one about as much as the others, if not a wee bit more, because this one actually had some action spread throughout. Things were actually happening instead of the day-by-day development of the plot. I still think the characters handled everything a little too well without much of a struggle, getting things right on the first try pretty much all the time, and suffering just about never, but by now I'm not on this boat for a run through the rapids. This series has always been a lazy river kind of read, and that's its appeal to me - a book about dragons that I can actually relax with.
I enjoyed this one about as much as the others, if not a wee bit more, because this one actually had some action spread throughout. Things were actually happening instead of the day-by-day development of the plot. I still think the characters handled everything a little too well without much of a struggle, getting things right on the first try pretty much all the time, and suffering just about never, but by now I'm not on this boat for a run through the rapids. This series has always been a lazy river kind of read, and that's its appeal to me - a book about dragons that I can actually relax with.
May 26, 2019
I never read the first or second book in the series, but WOW. I really should. The writing was phenomenal. The characters really came to life and jumped out at you. The story was slow and steady until the end, but it was fantastic nonetheless. It turns out you don't need crazy things happening all the time to keep a story entertaining! Who would've thought. 😉
January 4, 2015
I just enjoyed these books. And I still have one more to go.
June 2, 2019
I really enjoyed this series. It was fun and light and had interesting characters. The only thing I would have liked was to go back to kirons family at the end - to find his mother and sisters.
October 23, 2019
I wanted to know what happened. I did not enjoy the ride.
June 13, 2023
Mercedes Lackey is, so far, an excellent author. Sanctuary is, in most regards, a great book. While it has flaws, they are few and far in between. Between a distinctive written/storytelling style and excellent characters that are well written, I have little to complain about with this.
The only complaint is things fall into place a little too easily and are, for a novel of this type, predictable. That said I highly enjoyed the book and look forward to the next and final book in the quartet. Though, with the ending as it is, I wonder what comes next and how there is a next book. We shall just have to see.
Overall, excellent and highly recommended. This series doesn’t disappoint and this entry into it doesn’t lack.
The only complaint is things fall into place a little too easily and are, for a novel of this type, predictable. That said I highly enjoyed the book and look forward to the next and final book in the quartet. Though, with the ending as it is, I wonder what comes next and how there is a next book. We shall just have to see.
Overall, excellent and highly recommended. This series doesn’t disappoint and this entry into it doesn’t lack.
December 27, 2023
I read these all back to back, so they're all blurring together now, but this one was also very fun.
June 24, 2024
Classic boy meets dragon city and makes war
April 25, 2010
wing-leader Kiron, the former serf known as Vetch and a disparate group of refugees from the countries of Alta and Tia flee to the desert to a hidden refuge that the gods have uncovered and named Sanctuary. In Sanctuary Kiron and a small cadre of Jousters are safe from the evil Magi who are draining Alta and Tia of their "gifted ones." Kiron and the Jousters with their magnificent dragons who have as much personality as the human characters must learn to coexist in a land of extremes. They know they need to hide from the Magi and increase the number of jousters and dragons to wage a war. Refugees from both Alta and Tia begin to straggle into Sanctuary seeking saftey. The jousters make desperate attempts to rescue those being drained of their powers and get set for the coming battle with the Magi. Once again Kiron and friends must face their fear and brave danger to help save Alta from the Magi's corruption.
September 9, 2019
Finally, we get some actual high stakes and threats to our main characters! And we get out of the training grounds for a bit! There were some cool things that happened off page that I wish we could have seen Still not a huge fan of the love interest but it’s not a huge part of the story at this point.
August 27, 2020
Kiron only superficially resembles the slave that he used to be. He leads the dragon riders and has turned from fighting one war between nations to fighting another more dangerous and important war between right and wrong. I bet he did not see this when he first escaped from Tia, but he certainly is man enough to step and do what is right. Kiron has a lot in common with the dragon riders of Pern - they all understand duty and guardianship, regardless of the cost.
September 9, 2023
Another great addition to the "Joust" series. I enjoyed getting to know the characters better and spending more time with the dragons and their riders. I have read this book several times before, and I will definitely read it again in the future. This has always been one of my favorite series of books.
January 28, 2019
With this book, the series has gotten rather more epic in scale, with characters hoping to set up a new united kingdom. Mostly I liked this book. It was a quick read and entertaining. The thing that annoyed me the most is that the gods want our characters to succeed and do various things that conveniently help them.
January 30, 2020
The third in the series, this book is best read after the first two, but I think there's enough context without. This book ends in a reasonably satisfying manner to not require book 4, but there's good wrap-up in 4 if you feel you just need more.
The various groups gather to finish what was started.
The various groups gather to finish what was started.
July 10, 2018
Following the adventures of Kiron the Dragon Jouster as he and his friends set up their refuge in the desert and their saving of those the Mages of Alta would use in their quest for eternal youth and power
November 9, 2018
This addition to the series wasn’t bad, but felt too long. The plot could’ve been tightened up to enhance the dramatic tension. I consider this a rare miss in the body of Lackey’s work (although that still makes it a decent read).
April 9, 2019
I like the books Mercedes lackey writes, she is good at creating a believable world and people to populate it. This series starts off very strong though I do feel that it falls off a bit as it progresses. It is truly readable and enjoyable.
August 26, 2020
Full review here:
https://jamesgenrebooks.blogspot.com/...
I've enjoyed this reread, but I find it really doesn't have as much emotional depth as some of her other works. On the other hand, it hold attention quite well, so I can't complain.
https://jamesgenrebooks.blogspot.com/...
I've enjoyed this reread, but I find it really doesn't have as much emotional depth as some of her other works. On the other hand, it hold attention quite well, so I can't complain.
November 8, 2017
The third book in the series is an lovely tale of people coming together, definitely something the world needs more of.
November 26, 2018
A very satisfying tale that brings the series to a good point.
September 5, 2019
This got a little too close to Pern, but it still has a distinctive Misty touch.
February 5, 2020
It was an okay story line which lacked substance but a great Disney like story.
June 18, 2020
This one was very slow and I had trouble finishing it.
June 23, 2020
The storyline is getting better and more exciting, though some parts are still boring.
September 16, 2020
A solid conclusion to the main plotline of the series.
October 22, 2020
This could have easily been the last in the series, everything gets all tied up at the end. Not sure where the next book will go.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 128 reviews