I like the characters, and the plot, but the writer just seems to lack the talent to bring her ideas to fruition. The writing is sometimes confusing, and I'm unsure why the characters react as they do. The politics between the Holds bores me to tears, but I love the dragons, and the author has wonderfully inventive ideas about dragons.
Her later writing is better.

For those considering giving this book to a kid.....
This book has some slight references to sex, but nothing graphic at all. Just that "she took off her robe and he embraced her." That's it. One reference to wondering who had impregnated a woman b/c she'd had so many partners. No descriptions though, no mention of body parts.