Dragonlance: War of Souls Volume 2: Dragons of a Lost Star

by: Margaret Weis and Tracy Hickman

The engine still revs.  After a little clunkiness in the first volume of War of Souls, the second volume takes the groundwork it is given and runs with it a bit.  The tone of the series really seems to find it’s focus amidst the chaos and with an injection of both characters and action, Lost Star is worthy to sit side by side with the other Weis/Hickman Dragonlance novels.

One reason, is that the identity of the One God, while in some ways predictable is still dramatic and enticing to the readers.

The characters of old seem much more themselves.  Weis and Hickman really seems that they remembered Tasslehoff a bit more.  Laurana’s tone was perfect.  Meanwhile the newer characters seemed to evolve and become a strong part of the saga.

Marshall Medan is as strong as any character in the saga.  The leader of the Dark Knights in Qualinesti who has gone native is done remarkably well.  It is a character and arc that could have easily been overdone and made soap opera dramatic, but is handled with a nice dose of subtletly, letting the character become a favorite.

Mina, while still consciously underdeveloped is given enough to continue the intriuge without ruining the mystery.

Gerard is given more and his relationship with Lady Odilla is at once both humorous and touching without being sappy.

Palin and Dalamar are given much more in this novel but it still isn’t quite enough. They are relegated to being sideline characters which is a shame as Dalamar especially can drive a story.

The only real negative in the book is still that the pacing is a bit drawn out, but perhaps it is well to make readers anticipate the battle for Qualinost, as well as Tasslehoff’s battle with himself.

And the battle does not disappoint.  With as many hardcore important battles in the Dragonlance Saga, from the High Clerist Tower to the battle against Chaos, the battle for Qualinost stands up well featuring the deaths of Beryl and more importantly the death of Laurana, sacrificing herself to destroy her enemy.

And the ending where Mina reveals the One God as Takhisis to Goldmoon, who rejects the goddess, is a great show of strength in faith that the inhabitants of Krynn desperately need.

For the middle part of a trilogy, Volume 2 is a job well done, and leads directly into Volume 3 with little fumbling.

B+