The Whim Of The Dragon, Secret #3 by Pamela Dean
The conclusion to 'The Secret Country' trilogy is satisfying, but seems to lack the easy magic of the first installment. What I had enjoyed most about 'The Secret Country' had been the natural way Patrick, Ted, Ellen, Ruth and Lucy had talked and bickered with each other, along with the indignation of finding things different then what they had imagined.
Of course, by this point the children are veterans of living in the fantasy kingdom and have accepted the differences, but nothing substantial seems to have taken that banter's place. The conclusion was unexpected, but exactly right in solving the question of what happens to the children after they leave the magical kingdom. Business-as-Usual always seemed to be a bit far-fetched.
All in all, the book is a satisfying end and ties up all the loose ends and makes 'The Secret County' a good children's fantasy that doesn't quite add up to Narnian heights, but what can?
Update: A companion book exists! See link below.
The Secret Trilogy
Next: 'The Dubious Hills'
Previous: 'The Hidden Land'
