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Dragonfrigate Wizard: Halycon Blithe by James M. Ward
01/06/2007 . Source: Joules Taylor 
pub: TOR/Forge. 319 page hardback. Price: $24.95 (US), $33.95 (CAN). ISBN: 0-765-31254-9. Buy Dragonfrigate Wizard: Halycon Blithe in the USA - or Buy Dragonfrigate Wizard: Halycon Blithe in the UK  check out website: www.tor-forge.com
Halcyon Blithe, seventh son of a seventh son, part demon, rope and dragon-speaker and exceptional wizard, has been pardoned for his use of High Magic while on board the dragonship Sanguine (in the first book, 'Midshipwizard Halcyon Blithe') and promoted to Midshipwizard Third Class.
This second book continues charting his rise through the naval ranks. Promoted to Midshipwizard First Class after his magic saves his vessel from the attack of a demon ship, Halcyon is re-assigned to the dragonfrigate Rage whose crew unusually consists of several half-dwarfs, including the captain. The reason for the crewing becomes apparent very soon. For their shakedown voyage they are escorting Ambassador Abernathy to the Dwarven Empire 'to present his credentials'.
Abernathy is the strangest elf Blithe has seen, with bright red hair and (most unusual for an elf) handlebar moustache. Most elves, it seems, have black or green hair and no facial hair. Abernathy is fastidious and effete but does eventually prove his worth.
The style has settled down a little from book one, although the author still insists on explaining - at length - rather than demonstrating and the characters are all still distinctly superficial. There's the requisite amount of action, quite a few fights and Blithe continually wins, of course, against all the odds. There's also the most awkward and unromantic 'romantic' interlude, between Blithe and Lady Teagan Delesanor of the House of Et I've ever read but, given the intended (teen) audience, I suppose this is more or less understandable.
My main issue with the book is that it's just too derivative, certainly for the older reader. I can read 'Harry Potter' and find it appeals to me on my own level, while my 12 year-old son enjoys it at least as much as I do. The 'Hornblower' books don't have the same appeal, probably because they're less complex. But as I was reading 'Dragonfrigate Wizard Halcyon Blithe', I kept seeing flashes of scenes from 'Hornblower', not just because the Blithe books are touted as being a cross between 'Hornblower' and 'Harry Potter' but actual memories of similar scenes from the TV series repeated in the book.
Another irritating element is the continual reversal of fortune that allows Blithe and his colleagues to win all the time, the deux ex machina that constantly save the day. There's no real suspense. The reader knows that no harm is going to befall Blithe or any of his close friends.
Not a satisfying read for adults. My son hasn't had time yet to read and offer his considered opinion.
Joules Taylor
http://www.wavewrights.com
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