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    Alta
    Alta
    Alta
    Audiobook14 hours

    Alta

    Written by Mercedes Lackey

    Narrated by Ryan Burke

    4/5

    ()

    About this audiobook

    Nationally bestselling fantasy legend Mercedes Lackey created a vivid, dynamic fusion of the Upper and Lower Kingdoms of ancient Egypt with the most exciting, authentic and believable portrayal of dragons ever imagined. In the second novel in Mercedes Lackey's richly conceived Dragon Jousters series, the dragonrider Vetch escapes to Alta, the subjugated land of his birth. There, he hopes to teach his people to raise and train dragons-and build an army that will liberate his homeland.
    LanguageEnglish
    PublisherTantor Media, Inc
    Release dateMar 29, 2019
    ISBN9781977342225
    Alta
    Author

    Mercedes Lackey

    Mercedes entered this world on June 24, 1950, in Chicago, had a normal childhood and graduated from Purdue University in 1972. During the late 70's she worked as an artist's model and then went into the computer programming field, ending up with American Airlines in Tulsa, Oklahoma. In addition to her fantasy writing, she has written lyrics for and recorded nearly fifty songs for Firebird Arts & Music, a small recording company specializing in science fiction folk music. Also known as Misty Lackey.

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    Reviews for Alta

    4/5

    319 ratings11 reviews

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    • 3/5
      I enjoyed the book until about halfway through. Then I just wanted to finish it. I enjoyed the dragons and most anything about them, but when Kiron interacted with other humans I lost interest. Not sure why, the story itself is entertaining if a little simple. Maybe that's what it was. I would say that it's because I've read a variety of Lackey's books now and that her writing style and predictability is getting old, but that's not it, because I love most of her Valdemar books. Hmm. Well, anyways, the story is okay, a little less entertaining than the first Dragon Jouster book. I've heard it goes downhill from here, so I probably won’t read the next two books. I'd suggest reading the book only if you’re a die-hard fan of Lackey and want to read all her books.
    • 4/5
      While, in my opinion, this is not as good as the first book in the series, I nevertheless did enjoy this continuation of Joust, the story of Vetch and his dragon. I plan to find and read the next book, Sanctuary.
    • 5/5
      I originally reviewed this book on my blog - The Cosy Dragon. For more recent reviews by me, please hop over there.

      Little Vetch has grown into a man, named for his father Kiron. With his tame dragon Avetre he has fled from Tia t Alta, the land of his birth. He does not know what he will find, or what he will be able to do for Alta. When he arrives, he finds that there are more troubles than he could have imagined.

      This is the second book in the awesome Dragon Jousters Series. I'm so very fond of it! I like Kiron, even though he's a male protagonist (it wouldn't have worked with a female), and the minor things that go on in this book are really down my alley. I love learning, and I love learning with Kiron and also feeling with them as the dragons hatch.

      The dragons are so realistically realised. Lackey is an animal carer, and its obvious that she has drawn on that expertise. She has thought about everything - their breeding habits, the way the hatch, how they interact. This is the way dragons should be - they may be wild, but they can also be tamed and form bonds of love.

      As Kiron learns to read, it becomes obvious to the reader that this series has a foundation in Egyptian history. The ideas of tombs and hieroglyphics really make that stand out. It's nice to see some input, but not too much. It's not intrusive at all.

      This book is really unusual in that its climax doesn't really feel to me like a climax. This is really a medium plot book - several moderately exciting things happen, and you often wonder whether they are going to get away with their tricks, but of course they will - because most things are relatively minor. I've read the book so many times now that I'm never surprised by anything happening!

      Just as in any good book, it is obvious how Kiron is growing up and becoming more opinionated, as well as stronger. Things he has been through make him seem older than the other unique Jousters. It's interesting that Kiron supports slavery, when usually Lackey channels characters that hate it. It's understandable though, and I don't think I could have expected anything else as it wouldn't be in line with Kiron's beginnings as a serf. The other characters also show development, particularly Orest and Aketen who we meet early in the novel.

      I'd recommend this book for teens and adults. Nothing particularly controvercial in this one - it's all very above board. Yes, the Magi's scheming is unpleasant, but its totally in keeping with the rest of the novel and not too confronting.
    • 5/5
      This is the second in the Dragon Jouster's series that began with Joust, which you should read first. The series is centered on Kiron (in the first book known as Vetch) who is an appealing figure. In the first book he came across as angry and bitter (but with good reason, so he never came across as whiny.) In this book he comes into his own and to a position of leadership as he tries to teach his compatriots the secrets of raising tame dragons. The new, supporting characters in this tale of his fellow jousters-in-training and friends are appealing and memorable. Lackey herself is involved with raptor rehabilitation, which may explain why her take on dragons feels so plausible. I also enjoy the setting, not the usual pseudo-Europe you see in high fantasy, but rather a magical land akin to Ancient Egypt, with a bit of the legend of Atlantis thrown into the mix.
    • 4/5
      Second in the Dragon Jousters series. It's a good sequel to JOUST. Though it could be read independently from JOUST, its ending demands that you read the third book. I really enjoyed introduction of new characters in the development of Kiron's story. I'm glad I waited to read this series after the third book was published. I'd have been too impatient for the rest of the story.
    • 5/5
      An excellent sequel to Joust. More developed and complex plot, although still littered with typos and grammatical errors. I'm now completely hooked on this series, and love the Ancient Egypt meets dragon riders idea. More dragons are hatched and ridden, and there is intrigue and excitement. What more could you ask for? One of my new favourite series.
    • 5/5
      Alta is the second book in the Dragon Jousters series. Alta picks up where Joust left off. Vetch is ready to leave and return to his homeland of Alta. After some difficulty during his return he is well received and set up to train new students in the are of becoming dragon riders with their own hand raised dragons. The conclusion of this book paves the way for another in the series. A fun and exciting sequel.
    • 4/5
      I thought this was a great sequel to Joust. It continues the action-packed, hard-to-put-down style of its predecessor and Kiron's story grabs you from the beginning. His growing bond with Avatre and his growing sense of self really emerge to take center stage as he fights for his country and, ultimately, the people.
    • 4/5
      Alta is the second book of the Dragon Jousters series by Mercedes Lackey. It is not quite a complete novel in its own right and if you start here, some of the details may not be clear. Enough background is supplied through various means, however, that it may be read by itself. Alta is also more of a Young Adult story than the previous volume, although adult readers should find it quite enjoyable. It is not on par with any of Rowling’s Harry Potter novels or Christopher Paolini’s Inheritance series, but it still a very rewarding read. In this installment, we follow the main character, Kiron, as he completes his journey to freedom. We are introduced to another portion of mythic world he lives in and we follow him as he seeks to create a new identity for himself. We also follow his physical and emotional development as he begins passing into manhood and becoming a leader. Lackey carries forward her theme of overcoming oppression and introduces us to a new cast of characters. Once again, the society Kiron finds himself immersed in is based on Terrestrial Ancient Egypt, with a nod to Ancient Greece by way of some supporting characters. If you have trouble with non-Anglicized names, you may have trouble following this story due to this influence. The plot for Alta revolves around hidden powers behind the throne destroying the lands for their own gain. There is a good deal of court intrigue involved, but most of the action focuses on Kiron training Avatre, his Dragon, forming a flying wing of his own and seeking to restore a balance of power between the two warring factions.While this is an excellent fantasy series, it falls short of being really classical. The characters are well developed, but they did not reach me the way Frodo Baggins or Bilbo Baggins and their company did. The description Mercedes Lackey gives us of the world Kiron inhabits is not as complex, not as complete as the world Frank Herbert gave us for Dune nor as gritty as the Bas Lag setting of China Mieville’s Perdido Street Station. Still, I would rank it above the Temeraire series of Naomi Novik because while I do not feel compelled to actively pursue that series after finishing the second installment, I am anxiously waiting to move on to the third installment of the Dragon Jousters series. In fact, I’ve already acquired it; I just need to find time to read it.
    • 4/5
      Again, rich story. Vetch/Kiron starts stretching himself into a new role - and finds he's even more important (as in, necessary) than he thought he would be. Joust had relatively few fully-described characters - maybe four fully shown and another 4-5 sketched in. Alta has a lot more full characters - the wing, Orest and...arggggh, his sister (she's more important to the story than he is! Why can't I remember her name?) and their father - which makes it feel richer and fuller.
    • 4/5
      interesting sequel where Kiron teaches some new dragon riders in the same manner as he learnt and some interesting setups for the next book