1996 "First Edition" stated on copyright page; autographed and inscribed on title page by Susan Fletcher "For Lauren" - see pic; Atheneum Books for Young Readers; very good condition with unmarked pages; dust jacket very good.
 
description -
Sign of the Dove takes place seven years after Dragon’s Milk following the adventures of Lyf, Kaeldra’s now twelve-year-old sister. Though cured of her vermilion fever, the titular Dragon’s Milk has left Lyf with green eyes and the ability to mentally commune with both birds and dragons. This puts her in considerable danger however since Alythia has been invaded by a Craggish queen who is offering large bounties for both dragons and those who can communicate with them, as she believes feeding the hearts of dragons to her warriors will make them invincible.
 
The book opens as Lyf is forced to flee into hiding with the resistance movement, the Sign of the Dove, a group who seek to protect the few clutches of hatching dragons from the Crags long enough for the young dragons and their mothers to fly across the northern sea to the dragon’s homeland. The first thing to say about Sign of the Dove therefore, is that Lyf is probably the most likable and well-drawn protagonist of the series, which is rather strange considering that in many ways Lyf should by rights be a less than appealing character. A combination of an early childhood illness, two doting older sisters and a nauseatingly over protective mother have resulted in Lyf leading a decidedly pampered existence.