I love a fantasy book with a map. Second in the Sea Dragons Trilogy starts with a map of the Western Archipelago and then we meet Lila as she schools a group of dragons and their young riders, a group of sailors by trade, over the blue waves. I had not read the earlier book and this scenario immediately brought to mind Anne McCaffrey's Pern series, especially as there are blue and green dragons. This series, however, includes magic.

DRAGON CROWN starts in the aftermath of a battle, in preparation for more conflict. Lila, rightful Queen of the Western Isles, has bonded with a dragon called Crux. They speak telepathically and the large dragon can communicate with the other dragons, who are choosing to help the humans. Lila's friend Danu faints and he is used magically to communicate a message from others in trouble in a distant land. The narration shifts between Lila and Danu, who is a mage. Out to the west is an isolated island, shrouded in fog, called the Haunted Island. That's where the brave raiders now fly to the rescue -- they hope.

The witches we meet seem kindly, in harmony with nature. They are beset by strangers who include the undead. I'm not into zombie stories, but I can take a little in dark fantasy. A riveting battle occurs, sea and sky, scimitars and dragon-breath, still early in the story. This author, Ava Richardson, can certainly write a good battle. Reading about the long leagues of travel, I realized what a convenience the Pern dragons had by flying between locations instantly. No such simple means is available here, so Lila's flights take as long as they take, and dragons arrive sometimes exhausted or hungry. Also, because dragons are only newly partnering with humans, the good folks don't have much dragon lore and are constantly learning about the huge beasts, including how to treat wounds and speak to different species of dragon.

This adventure isn't just fast moving, but constantly moving, with no time to rest and resupply, let alone have conversations or romance, before taking flight again and facing new threats. The first book was DRAGON RAIDER and the third is DRAGON PROPHECY, which finishes the series about sea-raiding pirates turned dragonriders. Anyone who enjoys dragons, conflict, and magic will put DRAGON CROWN on their must-read list, but I suggest reading the series in order. Ava Richardson is an American author who says she grew up loving books about dragons; it certainly shows. The tale is suitable for mature young adults or adults.