Dragon Prince and Dragon Star trilogies

The Dragon Prince and Dragon Star trilogies form a set of six fantasy novels written by Melanie Rawn. The first trilogy centers on Prince Rohan of the Desert and his Sunrunner wife, Sioned. The second trilogy follows their son, Pol. The Dragon Prince books are Dragon Prince, The Star Scroll, and Sunrunner's Fire. The Dragon Star books are Stronghold, The Dragon Token, and Skybowl.

The setting is the Continent, a land divided into thirteen princedoms: Desert, Princemarch, Cunaxa, Dorval, Syr, Gilad, Ossetia, Meadowlord, Grib, Kierst, Isel, Fessenden, and Firon. A High Prince rules from Princemarch, and the princes gather at the Rialla to create laws and alliances. Titles usually go to the eldest son, though women have served as regents and ruled their own keeps.

Goddess Keep stands apart from any princedom. It houses the Sunrunners, or faradh'im, who are led by a Lord or Lady. Each Sunrunner has a unique pattern of colors, described by associated jewels, which they weave into light. Sorcerers, or diarmadhi, were believed extinct for many years. They once ruled the world and commanded the Mérida, a race of assassins. Sorcerers use starlight as well as moon and sun. Dragons rule the sky, living mainly in the Desert and Princemarch. Most people fear them, but the Desertborn share a special connection and can sense their presence.

The Dragon Prince trilogy follows Rohan’s life as he works to achieve his dream of peace. The first book covers his rise to power and his navigation of Continental politics, where treaties are often broken and High Prince Roelstra exploits the greed of other princes. Meanwhile, the Lady of Goddess Keep advances her plan for a Sunrunner Prince, and Rohan falls in love with the Sunrunner Sioned.

Fourteen years later, in the second book, peace has lasted longer than usual. New laws and treaties have brought more civilization. A young man then appears, claiming to be High Prince Roelstra’s heir. Rohan must balance new civility against old barbarism while defending his son’s claim to Princemarch.

The third book spans many years, mostly peaceful. Rohan reveals his deepest secrets to his grown son, Pol. As past demons grow stronger and new family enemies arise, Rohan tries to preserve the order he built while watching Pol fight a battle that could cost him more than his life.

The Dragon Star trilogy tells the story of the Vellanti War and Pol’s struggle to become his own man and prince. In the first book, the Vellant’im invade without warning and with extreme brutality. They overrun nearly every princedom before the princes can react. Only the Lord of Goddess Keep had any warning, but even he acted too late. The invaders head toward the Desert, and Rohan and Pol struggle to repel them while leading their people to safety. Differences between father and son become clear, leading to clashes.

In the second book, the Vellant’im have nearly conquered the Desert. Pol gathers his forces and remaining allies to resist the stronger enemy. As he fights, he learns more about his ancient diarmadhi ancestors. He realizes he must use sorcery, not just his sword, to defeat the foe.

In the final book, Pol risks losing everything: his family, land, people, and life. As the war continues, he must choose between his morals and sorcery, his pride and his people. He must fully accept who he is—man, prince, faradhi, and diarmadhi. Only by uniting the peoples of the Continent can he and his people survive.

Main characters include Prince Rohan, the Dragon Prince of the Desert; Sioned, his Sunrunner wife; and their son, Pol. Major characters are Tobin, Rohan’s sister; Chaynal, Rohan’s brother-by-marriage and battle commander; Maarken, Pol’s cousin and battle commander; Andry, Pol’s cousin and rival; and Ostvel, Sioned’s trusted old friend. Others include the Lords of Radzyn Keep, the line of High Prince Roelstra and his descendants, the Lords of River Run, Sunrunners of Goddess Keep, and Sorcerers of the Old Blood.

Key locations include Goddess Keep, home of the Sunrunners, and the princedoms. Cunaxa is a northern princedom where nothing grows except the Merida’s hatred of the Desert; it is known for steel. The Desert is Rohan’s land, rich in dragons and gold, and the primary setting. Dorval is a peaceful island where the Star Scrolls were found. Fessenden is a western princedom often at odds with the High Prince. Firon is the northernmost, mountainous and cold, where diarmadh’im hide. Gilad is the southernmost, home to the School of Physicians. Grib is an eastern princedom often in conflict.