In the fourth volume of Jeff Smith's excellent Bone series, the valley goes to war.

Oh sure, there's the main plot, in which the greedy, self-serving Phoney Bone sets himself up as a dragonslayer -- knowing full well that dragons are peaceful, inoffensive creatures that protect the valley from outside harm -- so he can make a fortune playing on the fears and superstitions of the local bumpkins. But, heck, we all know he's no match for a dragon anyway. He doesn't really intend to catch one.

The real point of The Dragonslayer is to advance the Bone story as forces under the control of the Lord of the Locusts mass for an assault on the valley. The Hooded One directs armies of rat creatures and disaffected mountain folk as war becomes inevitable. Meanwhile, Thorn learns more about her true history, and the indomitable Gran'ma Ben faces up to her hidden past. Oh, and there's a cute little rat creature cub, too.

This is good stuff, and it keeps getting better.

- Rambles
written by Tom Knapp
published 9 August 2003