As is often the case with number two in a trilogy, our heroes find themselves in apparently dire straits at the end of this volume. I'll be sure to look out for Book Three. Recommended for Lackey fans but read Book One first as they are not quite stand alone stories.

The second book in THE ENDURING FLAME picks up right where THE PHOENIX UNCHAINED left off. Harrier and Tiercel are off into the wilds, which means travel. Lots and lots of travel.

I'm not so down on travel scenes as some other fantasy readers. I sometimes find that they can be quite important. It's true, though, that they have the potential to slow the story right down, and that's just what happens here. The first half of the book isn't bad, but it's not exactly action-packed and that made it tough for me to sink into the story. There are some important things going in - including a big adjustment on Harrier's part - but there just isn't enough character or plot development to justify the amount of time it takes.

The second half, however, was very good. There's still some travel, but it takes a backseat to character development. Both Harrier and Tiercel face some pretty tough stuff as they struggle to find their place in the upcoming battle. I thought Lackey and Mallory did a good job of showing how two ordinary guys would really react to the situation they find themselves in.

I also appreciated how the authors developed the friendship between the two characters. They bounce off each other very well, and their reactions to one another are exactly what you'd expect from two people who've known each other forever.

In the end, the book was pretty good. It definitely wasn't the best thing these two authors have produced, but it was an enjoyable read nonetheless. I'm looking forward to the last one in the trilogy.

(A much longer, ramblier version of this review originally appeared on my blog, Stella Matutina). ( )

I hate to say it, but I actually forgot that I finished this book - it was a trial to read. I picked it back up, scanned the last chapter and realized that I had finished last week. I was using it as a pass-the-time book; reading 20 minutes here and 30 there. Normally I can't put a book down, relishing every moment, every word. Not this one!

The Phoenix Endangered: Depending on the chapter, the book is narrated by three different characters none of which know each other. But this is not the down side of this book. It seems as if Lackey and Mallory were at a loss when trying to write a follow-up to not only the first book in this trilogy, but after writing the Obsidian Trilogy. The story lines in both trilogies are very similar, just a small change here, and a twist there. Plus, the character development in this book is nil, nada, none, void....

Yes, there is magic. Yes, there is good vs. a sort of evil. Yes, there are dragons, and elves, and unicorns - but that is the only thing I can find of Mercedes Lackey in this book. No action. No suspense. No nothing.

I'm at a loss - I just can't think of any thing else to write about this book. I just can’t spare the time or energy – just like the authors. ( )