Frontier Magic series by Patricia Wrede

Thirteenth Child by Patricia Wrede - 344 pages
Across the Great Barrier by Patricia Wrede - 339 pages
The Far West by Patricia Wrede - 378 pages

This is a fantasy series that takes place in an alternate history world of 1860s America.  It centers on Eff, a young girl who is bullied for being an unlucky 13th child.  The first book deals with the trauma this causes her.  The second book deals with the issues this has caused her magic.  The third book explores how these difficulties have made her learn different types of magic and how there is no one way to deal with things.  I enjoyed this series as the main character develops quite a bit throughout the stories.

Talking to Dragons by Patricia Wrede

Talking to Dragons by Patricia Wrede - 255 pages
Book 4 - The Enchanted Forest Chronicles

Daystar is surprised when his mother melts a wizard who tries to attack her.  He is even more surprised when that leads to her giving him a sword and telling him to go into the Enchanted Forest to find out what to do with it.  While traveling through the forest he meets and befriends fire witch Shiara, becomes allies with a young dragon, and is chased by wizards -- all while his sword keeps proclaiming him bearer of the sword of the sleeping king.

I remember when I first read this series in college that this was my favorite book of the series.  I'm not sure if it is still my favorite, but I did enjoy it quite a bit.  Again, I didn't remember as much of the book as I thought I did.  There was a lot more to the story than I remembered.  I did enjoy the narration of the book.  They did a much better job of keeping actors playing the same parts they did in the previous book.  The only issue I had was that the final CD went bad right at the last chapter.  I had to find the book to read the final chapter.

Calling on Dragons by Patricia C. Wrede

Calling on Dragons by Patricia C. Wrede - 244 pages
The Enchanted Forest Chronicles, bk 3

Wizards have stolen King Mendenbar's sword which is draining the magic out of the Enchanted Forest.  It is up to Queen Cimerene, Morwen the witch, Telemain the magician, King of the dragons Kazul, Morwen's cats, and Killer -- a seven foot blue floating donkey -- to find the sword and save the Enchanted Forest.
This is the third book of the series that I have listened to.  I'm really enjoying the series.  I've read this series back when I was in college.  I've remembered the other books in the series.  However, I didn't remember this one at all.  The full cast reading of the book is great.  The only thing that bothers me is that the actors switch which role they are reading between the books. 

Dealing with Dragons by Patricia Wrede

Dealing with Dragons by Patricia Wrede - 212 pages

Princess Cimerene is bored with the life of a princess.  The final straw is when her parents decide to marry her off to a prince she finds completely boring.  So she runs off and becomes the princess of the dragon Kazul.  It is the perfect life for her.  It's full of excitement.  She's just uncovered a plot by the wizards to kill the king of the dragons and rig the test to choose the next king.
I read this series years ago when I was in college.  I loved it.  When I was looking for something to listen to while driving out to Columbia for a meeting I came across this series on audio and decided to give it a listen.  It is a wonderful audio version.  It is a full-cast reading of the book. 

The Far West by Patricia C. Wrede

The Far West by Patricia C. Wrede, 378 pages

Eff has grown over the last two books and in the third installment of the series, she is headed back into the wild west with her brother, best friend, mentors and others. The expedition hopes to discover more about the wildlife and the dangers/benefits to the settlements beyond the Great Barrier. The book still moves along slowly with rare moments of action. A touch of romance weaves through the final book but doesn't really blossom until almost the very end. Once again, the author literally saves all the "bests" for last. I will say that more is explained about the magical token Eff wears around her neck. I did enjoy learning more about the different types of magic woven into the necklace. The romance between Eff and one member of the expedition party is very subtle and sweet. The epilogue gives a subtle hint that we might see more of Eff, Lan and William in further stories. All in all an okay series for teens who enjoy a bit of western and a whole lot of detail.

Across the Great Barrier by Patricia Wrede

Across the Great Barrier by Patricia Wrede, 339 pages
(book 2 in Frontier Magic series)

The 13th child, Eff, we previously met in "The 13th Child"is back again for the second time. This time she is a young adult still struggling with her magical skills and ready to graduate high school. When her twin brother (the 7th son of a 7th son) pushes for her to attend a magic university, Eff insists on going to work instead for the local menagerie and as an assistant to one of the professors of the local school of magic. When trouble again brews across the great barrier, Eff is called upon to travel with Wash and the professor to discover the cause. Before she can leave, however, an urgent message arrives concerning her twin, Lan. Will her magic finally work the way it should in time to save her brother and the settlements? The story meanders slowly through Eff's life and interactions. Once again, the story is very detailed oriented about the "Wild West" and the settling of the land. The true action is not reached until the last few chapters of the book.