I have to admit, I really wish I had read the first two books first! I got this book in a pile from a yard sale and though, ah, give it a try and wow.. I'm hooked and wanting to read the other two in the series. :) And if there's a fourth...... :)
The characters are real, the rehash of the first books concise without giving away all the details, the danger was tangible, and the end result surprising. It worked well. :)
I advise you that, if you like fantasy.. particularly involving dragons and their people, give this book a read, you may be pleasantly surprised as I was. :)