I do wish I'd read the first book in the series first -- I checked the ebook out of the library without realizing that it's a sequel. However, it stood alone reasonably well, and developed into a thoughtful fable. ( )

The hound continues her adventure with a bear. I didn't like Richon's personality as much as George's, but the fairy tale was strange enough to be interesting if sometimes a bit simplistic about magic and unmagic and love. ( )

Some on GR report that second is better than first.  It appeals more to me, too.  In any case, Clan has this but not first.

The Princess is a Hound that switched bodies with a princess. The Bear is king who was turned into a bear by the wild man. The two unlikely companions must travel back in time to the time right after Richon became a bear and try to head the unmagic off in the past. Richon muyst also deal with his shame regarding his previous behavior and lack of knowledge.

So this is actually the second book in a series, but if you don't read the first one I think it is very possible to read and enjoy this book. You are given enough information to understand what is going on and the plot is not connected to the the one from the first book. The story alternates between Chala and Richon and it's definitely very interesting to see how Chala thinks and how she slowly adjusts to having her own human form. I thought it was really interesting how Richon returning to his human form unsettled him and almost had him reverting to the behaviors that got him turned into a bear in the first place. It was an interesting read and I loved watching their relationship develop. ( )

The Princess is a Hound that switched bodies with a princess. The Bear is king who was turned into a bear by the wild man. The two unlikely companions must travel back in time to the time right after Richon became a bear and try to head the unmagic off in the past. Richon muyst also deal with his shame regarding his previous behavior and lack of knowledge.

So this is actually the second book in a series, but if you don't read the first one I think it is very possible to read and enjoy this book. You are given enough information to understand what is going on and the plot is not connected to the the one from the first book. The story alternates between Chala and Richon and it's definitely very interesting to see how Chala thinks and how she slowly adjusts to having her own human form. I thought it was really interesting how Richon returning to his human form unsettled him and almost had him reverting to the behaviors that got him turned into a bear in the first place. It was an interesting read and I loved watching their relationship develop. ( )