This intricate but bloated sequel to Dragons in the Stars blendstwo highly original universes, one SF, one fantasy. The Flux is themutable hyperspace used by "riggers"--space-pilots--to coverinterstellar distances. Somewhere in the Flux is a magical realminhabited by talking dragons and other fantastic creatures who arelocked in a cataclysmic war with a force known as the Nail of Strength.Although struck a heavy blow in the last book, this entity has more thanrecovered and now threatens even the universe beyond the Flux. Thedragons' only hope is the female rigger Jael, who has fought beside themin the past and was prophesied to return as their savior. Jael is anappealing heroine, but, given her centrality, she appears in too fewscenes. Despite a refreshingly unique setting and excellently realizedcharacters, Carver's fantasy plot is standard and predictable, draggingon with little action and an excess of agonized internal monologues.Though it has some emotionally powerful moments, this work is weakerthan its predecessor.