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Emmisary Prince (Ambassador 3)
By C.J. Dragon
Published by the author, 2025
Four stars

Each of the three books in this trilogy has a very distinct personality. This finale chapter in the story of River Carteret, Ambassador-at-Large for Earth and Drakonis, starts out in the dark and scary place we see in “The Envoy,” and then shifts dramatically about midway. I must say, I didn’t quite see that coming, and won’t spoil the fun for all the readers who I hope will pick up this series.

As we do know from the title, River, struggling with Prince Eris to define their relationship in some way that doesn’t suppress most of River’s identity in Drakonis royal protocol, is offered an amazing honor by no less than King Rohas himself. It is at this point that we all understand just how much good River has done for both his fellow earthlings, and for his Draas and Drakos fellow citizens of his new planet. We are reminded that always throughout this series, River has never been smug or complacent about his skills as an ambassador. We have seen him negotiate impossible situations, at the risk of his own life, without ever losing his diplomatic demeanor. He has confidence, but has never been completely sure that he’s “worth it.”

At the center of the book is, of course, the relationship between the beautiful, willful Prince Eris, his self-deprecating red-headed earthling ambassador, and the various secondary characters who help us understand just who River is in this world he has shaped so significantly. There are moments of high anxiety, but also a background of domestic humor and tenderness, against which the two young princes as well as the reader can really come to understand the fascinating, complicated world the author has created.