Rousing. You don’t see that word much any more, but it’s the perfect descriptor for James M. Ward’s fantasy series, the first of which was MIDSHIPWIZARD HALCYON BLITHE. After a handy promotion for Blithe, we get the second book in the series, DRAGONFRIGATE WIZARD HALCYON BLITHE. This is a rousing adventure of naval battles, dragons, magic, dwarves, evil demons and a budding relationship between Blithe and the mysterious Lady Teagan.

Blithe comes from a long line of old salts, a line that bequeathed to him his magical powers and a muddied heritage that is as much feared as respected. But Blithe is still just a young man at 16 years old, and his youth and impetuousness often get him into trouble. This may not necessarily be a good thing when you are at war.

Sometimes, Blithe’s abilities seem a little too pat. His demon ancestry gives him an advantage in a battle with a demon ship, his ability to speak with dragons is obviously a valuable trait when you’re serving on board a living dragon, and we don’t see much of the clumsiness in his magic that we saw in the first book. If Blithe is going to continue to be interesting, he is going to have to seem a bit more vulnerable. The increasing animosity that shipmate Elan Swordson feels for Blithe might help in this regard. We’re obviously working up to a big confrontation, perhaps in the next installment.

Still, the story rolls along at gale force from battle to battle, from shipboard lesson to magic practice, as Blithe and his Arcanian dragonfrigate attempt to develop a treaty with the dwarven kingdom. Ward depicts life on board very well, and the banter between Blithe and the midshipmen in his charge has a nice paternalistic and realistic tone about it. This is serious adventure, a rousing tale of derring-do and highly recommended for those who like their work infused with sea salt, dragon lore, magic and fine, upstanding characters. –Mark Rose

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OTHER BOOKGASM REVIEWS OF THIS SERIES:
• MIDSHIPWIZARD HALCYON BLITHE by James M. Ward