The Dragon Knight

The victim of a series of transformations, twentieth-century American mathematician Jim Eckert struggles to control his magical abilities as a dragon and to learn his knightly responsibilities as a fourteenth-century English baron

YA-- A sequel to The Dragon and the George (Ballantine, 1978), set within the same year. Jim and Angie have decided not to return to the 20th century, but rather have chosen to stay in the fantasy world of 14th-century England with the dragons and sorcery. The two are now the proud possessors of a middling-size castle where they worry about draining moats, fleas, baths, and other prosaic problems of the time. Then the Accounting Office for Magic steps in and turns Jim back and forth into a dragon without his consent. It seems that when you are a magician, even a lowly Class D one, you must use your magic or it uses you. This latest tale involves a quest to France with his newfound friends and cohorts to rescue Prince Edward of England from the hands of the evil French sorcerer, Malvinne. Included are spells, dragons, talking wolves, enchantment, foul play, and a rousing good time. This humorous, engrossing adventure is sure to please fantasy fans.
- Pat Royal, Crossland High School, Camp Springs, MD
Copyright 1991 Reed Business Information, Inc.

Thrown into the alternative universe of 14th-century England, 20th-century mathematician Jim Eckert and his new wife, Angie, have become Sir James, Baron de Bois de Malenconti, and Lady Angela. They are learning how to live and govern in the medieval era, coping as well with the local dragons and other magical manifestations. Suddenly finding himself transformed into a dragon, Jim turns to S. Carolinus, his magician neighbor, who takes him on as an apprentice. When Prince Edward is captured by the French at the Battle of Poitiers, Jim, submitting to feudal pressure, sets out with some companions from his earlier adventures, including the wolf Aargh, to join the English forces. He is chosen for a special mission that involves penetrating the castle of the evil sorcerer Malvinne, councillor to the king of France, where the prince is being held. During ensuing events, Jim finds that he has become chief pawn in a battle with the Dark Powers--with far-ranging consequences. Dickson has further developed the intriguing medieval universe he posited in the first volume of the series ( The Dragon and the George ) giving reality and texture to the actual life of the time while exploring the effects of magic. The scenes describing diplomatic relations among the dragons are particulary fine.
Copyright 1990 Reed Business Information, Inc.

Sir James Eckert, a 20th-century academician turned 14th-century baron in an alternate, magical Middle Ages, finds his idyllic existence disrupted by a call to arms to rescue his captive prince from the clutches of the French. Aided by his loyal companions and by the sudden emergence of his latent magical talents, Sir James brings his own modern sensibilities to bear in a confrontation with the forces of darkness. Dickson's long-awaited sequel to The Dragon and the George (Ballantine, 1976) lives up to its predecessor in its affectionate, tongue-in-cheek approach to the fantasy genre. Highly recommended.
Copyright 1990 Reed Business Information, Inc.