Unicorn & Dragon

At the center of this slight fantasy novel is a brief romantic episode of 11th century England. A young Norman knight carrying a message in the dead of winter is set upon by outlaws and wolves. Stephen wakes in Saxon Hafwynder Manor, where the lord's daughters, blonde Alison and dark Wildecent, are both attracted to him. When the emboldened outlaws amass to attack the manor, Stephen gets word to his people, who come to the aid of the Saxons, their erstwhile enemies. In the meantime, adopted Wildecent finds that Stephen's Norman language unlocks memories of her mysterious origins. The magic sprinkled through the book is as weak as the sketchy illustrations, but young readers with a romantic bent might enjoy this. (February)