With plenty of bravery and old-school marine derring-do, the second novel (after 2005's Midshipwizard Halcyon Blithe
) in this unabashed homage to the Horatio Hornblower series continues to follow the career of the 16-year-old eponymous naval officer and wizard serving the Arcania Empire aboard a fabled dragonship. Now Blithe finds himself tested by a jealous rival officer, Elan Swordson, and facing down the vicious Maleen enemy. Fortunately, Blithe's innate decency and honor earns him the loyalty of nearly everyone he serves with. A chance meeting at a ball also introduces a potential love interest, the Lady Teagan Delesanor, whose interest in taking a drop of Blithe's blood for a magical amulet will no doubt lead to major complications later in the series. Though suited for YA audiences, this cheerful fantasy adventure will also entertain adults who like their magical heroics burnished with a spot of navy spit-and-polish. (Dec.)
