Cathal MacAlaisdair was fighting against the English with
his best friend, Fergus, by his side. In one battle, they
meet a wizard who uses magic against Fergus. Reluctantly,
Cathal leaves the war behind and returns to his home while
he seeks to find someone who can reverse the magic used
against Fergus. Fergus is fading away before their eyes.
Nothing seems to help.
Sophia Metzger and her companion, Alice have traveled to
Scotland from France. Sophia has been pursuing the study of
alchemy but the Jewish men refuse to allow her to study the
sacred books she needs. She knows that dragon scales are
magical. The rumors about the MacAlasdair family have drawn
Sophia to a land that is so different from anything she has
known. The opportunity to heal Fergus offers Sophia an
opportunity to advance her studies.
Ms. Cooper has written an intriguing story involving alchemy
and dark magic. The story twists and turns through the
lives of Cathal and Sophia as they seek to save one young
man's life and to thwart a wizard who wants to win at all
costs. Cathal and Sophia are drawn together emotionally as
they seek to save Fergus. Ms. Cooper has done a great job
of integrating magic and sorcery into medieval Scotland.
This is one of the best books by Ms. Cooper that I've read.
Legend claims
When Scotland fell to English rule
The Highland dragons took a vow:
Freedom at any price.
The war may be over, but so long as English magic controls
the Highlands, not even a dragon laird can keep his clan
safe. What Cathal MacAlasdair needs is a warrior fierce
enough to risk everything, yet gifted enough to outwit an
enemy more monster than man.
What he needs is Sophia.
Alchemist Sophia Metzger traveled to Loch Arach in search of
knowledge. She never dreamed she'd learn to do battle, ride
through the stars on the back of a dragon, or catch the eye
of a Highland laird. But as her quest turns to sizzling
chemistry and inescapable danger, she'll soon discover the
thrill of being caught in a dragon's claws...