Dragon Keeper discussion (WARNING: CONTAINS UNMARKED SPOILERS)

[Albertosaurus Rex]

Well, I set up this thread for those of us who have finished the book. Spoilers are unblocked here, so if you haven't finished the book yet, go back now.

So. I really liked the book. Reflecting upon it, I noticed that not all that much actually happens in the book - misifits get together and start herding dragons - but it's still interesting to read. It's all about the characters here.

I liked seeing old characters such as Althea, Brashen, Paragon and Malta again. As I've said before, though, I'm a little annoyed that we do not learn the name of Brashen and Althea's son.

Another thing that I noticed was the portrayal of the Chalcedeans. In all books thus far, they have been little more than faceless enemies. all we ever learn is that it is apparently a harsh land where people keep slaves. And that's about it. The Outislanders were kept vague in The Farseer, but were given much more depth in The Tawny Man. But the Chalcedeans? It's something that just bugs me. They're mean, they clash with the Six Duchies and with Bingtown, and that's about it.