afterward. Both are rescued by the Quiztanos and brought to Dragonlake. Miss Leonis is already there, and is dying. The Quiztanos hail Simon's arrival as the long-awaited "return of the Phair". After some initial resistance, Simon decides to stay at Dragonlake and continue the good work that his ancestor started with the Caring Places. Characters Major characters in the book who appear in other works by L'Engle include Polly and Charles O'Keefe and their parents, Calvin O'Keefe and Meg Murry O'Keefe, as well as Simon Phair-Reinier, Mr. Theotocopoulos, Forsyth Phair and Canon Tallis. Reception At the time of the book's publication, Kirkus Reviews said, "Of all L'Engle's novels, we find this the most satisfying, perhaps because it doesn't demand to be taken with such deadly seriousness. Deduct ten points at the beginning for self-importance and enjoy the rest for a lark." Cynthia Benjamin wrote in The New York Times, "There is enough adventure in 'Dragons in the Waters' to make Nancy Drew and her chums squirm... The plot of 'Dragons in the Waters' is complex and might be confusing to less able readers. The narrative is an intriguing mixture of contemporary allusions and gothic mystery." References External links L'Engle's Official Site 1976 American novels 1976 children's books American young adult novels Children's mystery novels Farrar, Straus and Giroux books Novels by Madeleine L'Engle Novels set in Venezuela Novels set on ships