Dragonlance: The Lost Chronicles: Dragons of the

Highlord Skies

Written by: Tracy Hickman and Margaret Weis

While the story is not as easily and naturally set up for placement as the storyline for Volume 1, it is a both a decently important and entertaining story to tell.

As can be gleamed from the title, this novel fills us in on what Kitiara was up to when she sent the note saying she would not make it back to Solace as they all had sworn. Set up as a tale of Tanis Half-Elven’s two loves, Kitiar and Laurana, we see Kit’s early days as a Highlord. It’s a very intriguing tale as we see her relationship with her dragon Skie really take off and in truth we see her rise to power enough to later challenege Ariakas, the leader of the Dragon Highlords.

While Kitiara’s tale is certainly on interest, it is not quite as inherent to the storyline as is the other portion of this tale. To follow the set up, this is supposedly Laruana’s tale, but in truth it is the tale of Derek Crownguard, Brian Donner, and the Companions as they get a hold of the mysterious and powerful Dragon Orb which is being held by the Dark Elf wizard, Feal-Thas.

We see the two intertwined as it is Ariakas’ plot to allow the Companions to get a hold of the orb as they believe it will cause divisiveness between the races of good, and will further ensnare and take control of some of the leaders of said races much like a sister orb did to King Lorac of Silvanesti.

While Laruana is very important to her side of the tale and we do get to see her develop more from the child she was to the woman she truly becomes by the end of the Chronicles, what is far more intriguing is the further tragic development of the Knight Derek Crownguard and furthermore the introduction of even tempered knight Brian Donner who tries to act as mediator between the dark obsessive Crownguard and the more jubilant knight named Aran as well as Sturm and the Companions.

Another interesting character added to the mix is librarian and Aesthetic Lillith who acts as the narrator to the tale. Her love story with Brian is a subtle tragic undertone that adds great depth to the story overall.

Not to be outdone, Ioanthe, Ariakas’ witch, is a scheming, dark, ambitious character who leaves a mark on the reader who wonders what is to become of her.

In a counterintuitive way, the story of Derek Crownguard does absolutely nothing to soften the harsh demeanor portrayed in Dragons of Winter Night, until the end. When Derek does take the orb we see that the orb ensnared him then and there which made his descent into darkness and madness much more sympathetic. It’s powerful because of it’s subtlety. They don’t try to paint him as a good guy, who is turned dark, he is instead, an arrogant, misguided, although overall mostly well intentioned Knight whose flaws are merely taken advantage of by the orb.

One negative about the tale is one of the most importantly marketed aspects of the story and indeed one of the most wondered about portions of the tale - namely Kitiara’s victory in obtaining Lord Soth’s loyalty is treated almost as an afterthought. It is a nice little piece that does well to end the novel, but it just seems out of sync with the story and almost as a separate novella.

Overall though this is another midquel well worth reading and while there has been a lot of question whether the third book of The Lost Chronicles will ever get published…(supposedly there is some kind of announcement imminent according to Margaret Weis), this second book proves to be a great story and a can’t put down novel.

Here’s to hoping for part 3 as in reality, that’s the story all of the Dragonlance Fans REALLY want to read.

B+