A cute, classic fantasy quest, probably most appropriate for the younger YA fans.

This is the fourth book in the Enchanted Forest Chronicles series (which I would give 3.5 stars overall), but the first one written (as a standalone fantasy tale) by the author. I read it first, because I like to get the original build on a new world, so to speak. I don't think that changed my rating. As a standalone fantasy, it's solidly OK/likable. As a conclusion to the quintet, it's slightly disappointingly OK/likable.

The world is interesting, and the story is tried and true (orphaned hero heads into the enchanted forest on a vague quest and meets new friends who help him muddle through), but the main characters seemed kind of flat (Daystar) or annoying (Shiara) to me, and the plot itself is so meandering that it begins to drag. A meandering plot for adolescents on a vague quest in an enchanted forest makes sense, but there isn't enough wit and wisdom to turn it into an enchanting read for older or more sophisticated readers.

It does have a great first line though: "Mother taught me to be polite to dragons."