Elizabeth Kerner

Elizabeth Kerner is an American fantasy author best known for the Kolmar trilogy, a series exploring the reconnection between humans and dragons. Her works include "Song in the Silence" (1997), "The Lesser Kindred" (2001), and "Redeeming the Lost" (2004). Born in 1958, Kerner pursued her education at the University of St Andrews in Scotland, where she earned an MA in English Language and Literature in 1981. Her professional background includes diverse experiences as an apprentice goldsmith, bookbinder, and furniture restorer. After living in various locations including New Orleans, Hawaii, and Oregon, Kerner settled in Scotland near the Firth of Forth. She later worked as a copy-editor for Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society and married astronomer Dr. Steven Beard in 2002. The Tales of Kolmar series represents her main published work to date, with additional books in the series reportedly in development. The trilogy blends elements of traditional fantasy with dragon lore, focusing on the restoration of long-lost connections between humans and dragons.

Readers highlight Kerner's unique take on dragon-human relationships and her detailed worldbuilding in the Kolmar series. On Goodreads, many readers praise her poetic writing style and the depth of emotional connection between characters. What readers liked: - Fresh approach to dragon mythology - Rich descriptive language - Character development, especially protagonist Lanen - Romantic elements without overshadowing plot What readers disliked: - Slow pacing in early chapters - Some found the romance too prominent - Long gaps between book releases - Limited publication output (only three books) Ratings across platforms: Goodreads: - Song in the Silence: 4.1/5 (6,800+ ratings) - The Lesser Kindred: 3.9/5 (2,900+ ratings) - Redeeming the Lost: 3.9/5 (2,400+ ratings) Amazon: Average 4.5/5 across series Reader quote: "The dragon characters feel authentic and alien, not just humans in dragon form" - Goodreads reviewer

Song in the Silence (1997) A young woman with the rare ability to communicate with dragons embarks on a dangerous journey to find the legendary dragons of Kolmar.

The Lesser Kindred (2001) As ancient prophecies unfold, the protagonist must navigate political intrigue and racial tensions between humans and dragons while confronting a growing darkness in the realm.

Redeeming the Lost (2004) The series culminates in a final conflict between light and darkness as humans and dragons must overcome their differences to save their world.

Anne McCaffrey authored the Dragonriders of Pern series featuring telepathic bonds between humans and dragons in a science fantasy setting. Her work established many conventions for human-dragon partnerships in fantasy literature.

Patricia McKillip wrote lyrical fantasy works like The Riddle-Master trilogy that focus on deep character relationships and mythology. Her stories often feature characters discovering ancient magic and forgotten knowledge.

Robin Hobb created the Realm of the Elderlings series which includes dragon-human relationships and detailed character development. Her work explores bonds between humans and magical creatures through multiple interconnected series.

Mercedes Lackey developed the Valdemar series featuring magical companions and deep emotional connections between humans and supernatural beings. Her books focus on characters discovering their abilities and forming partnerships with magical creatures.

Naomi Novik wrote the Temeraire series combining historical fiction with dragons as military companions in the Napoleonic Wars. Her work explores the practical and emotional aspects of human-dragon partnerships in a military context.