Stronghold is the first book in Melanie Rawn’s second trilogy in the same world, of Sunrunners and dragons, following on pretty closely from the first set. I read them all years ago, and had rather assumed that the first trilogy was about Rohan, the second moving on a generation to Pol – actually, Pol grows up in the first series, so it’s not that clear cut!

What has changed here is the tone. It’s more brutal, following a huge war and major threats to Rohan’s kingdom. The first books were – sorry! – quite obviously written by a woman, with so many references to clothing and jewels. In a way, that makes the story here even more grim. That said, it’s an exciting rather than miserable read.

I think what I like about these books is the accessability without being ‘young reader’. Easy to read without being trite. And, of course, just the world Rawn has created, full of light and dragons, and family scheming!