Blood of Ten Kings

Lazellari’s crowded final Aandor fantasy installment picks up five months after the events of The Lost Prince, finding teen hero Daniel Hauer frustrated by a relentless crash course in combat and tactics. He’s supposed to lead the charge to retake the conquered medieval realm of Aandor, which he was spirited away from as an infant. Raised in modern-day America, Daniel is now aware of his status within Aandor, and the responsibilities suddenly thrust upon him are daunting. Aided by loyal protectors and mentors, Daniel faces numerous threats—human, magical, and political—on the road to saving a people he never knew he had. Less lively than previous installments, this volume gets bogged down in exposition involving its large cast of characters, and it takes far too long to get the narrative going again. The series is best enjoyed when read in one go, as there’s too much to keep track of otherwise. (Dec.)