Latest in the Dragon Knights series, this tale introduces gryphons to the mix. Winged big cats, these beings live in cliffside caves. But one youngling is following dragon agent Hugh around town in the sleet. Attracted by his magical heat, little Miss is also a good judge of character, for Hugh, masquerading as an ordinary trader in this foreign land, gets her warm and fed. She's barely able to talk yet but her parents have dumped her and she needs a friend. The endearing kitten is soon the source of rumour and a lady who is called KEEPER OF THE FLAME arrives to inspect the situation.

Assassins stalk the night and fleeing, the Keeper and Hugh run into further danger, when even the dragon shapeshifter needs help from his gryphon friend. Lera the Keeper has her own innate magic and relief at being safe, plus finding a like talent, draws her to Hugh in a tender, passionate romance. But the hired Eyes are still out to get her, and she doesn't know who she can trust.

Halfway the story does become more tightly linked in to the earlier books so a knowledge of the affairs of various countries and magicians would be a help. Bianca D'Arc has been creating a complex world filled with magical beings and ordinary folks who just want to get on with their lives; palaces, temples and inns. While dragonish folk like flames, sensibly gryphons are afraid of fire, with their fur and oiled wing feathers. So the disparity makes for some distrust and compromises among the characters.

I really enjoyed the descriptions of the winged cat-girl and her behaviour, and any cat lover will feel the same. Many earlier Dragon Knight characters return in this book and Bianca D'Arc's fans will enjoy this latest instalment, as KEEPER OF THE FLAME takes off in a different direction but retains the action, romance and intrigue we have come to expect.