Eona by Alison Goodman

Angus and Robertson, 2011. ISBN 9780732284947.
(Age 14+) Recommended. Eona has been revealed as a female, the first woman Dragoneye for hundreds of year in this sequel to Eon. She is having problems controlling her power although it is up to her to save her country.  With fellow rebels Ryko and Lady Dela, she is on the run from High Lord Sethon's army. The rebels must find the black folio, which will help to put Kygo, the Pearl Emperor on the throne.  Eona has to come to terms with her emerging powers, the anguish of the ten dragons whose Dragoneyes were murdered and her growing feelings for Kygo.
Eona is an exciting adventure fantasy with suspense, drama and lots of action to keep the reader alert and involved in the story. However it is the depth of the character building that makes this an engrossing read. Eona, after spending many years as a boy, has to come to terms with her female side, and assure her companions that she is honest and not deceiving them as she has done for so long. She has many difficult decisions to make about the power that she wields, and whether violence is justified in war. Can she trust Kygo to use the power that she as Dragoneye possesses? The growing feelings between Kygo and Eona are also beautifully brought to life with all their complexity with issues about power sharing, trust and loyalty being tested. There is also ambiguity around Lord Ido's actions and Eona has to make many decisions that require great sacrifice.
Goodman has continued with her wonderful world building in this sequel. Her description of the battles, the training of Eona's dragon, the countryside and the people give it a depth that is not always found in fantasy.
This is a wonderful duo of books that should be on every library shelf and promoted to readers.
Pat Pledger