Dragonlance: Meeting Sextet Volume 4: The Oath and the Measure

Written by: Michael Williams.

Poetic. That was the one word I could think of when I read this book. Which is fairly apt given that Williams provided all the poetry for the Weis/Hickman books.

The story is of a young Sturm Brightblade who leaves his friends, Caramon and Raistlin to meet with the Knights. During this visit, a powerful and mysterious man with unknown ties to the Knights drop in and insult them, forcing Sturm to fight for his honor. He forces Sturm to come see him in a year’s time to settle them matter.

Along the way we are introduced to many of the Knights we know from the Chronicles. Lord Guntar, Lord Alfred, and of course Derek Crownguard. We are also introdcued to Derek’s father, Boniface Crownguard.

Sturm’s quest is a fun one for the readers. Introduced to honor, magic, tales of the past, and colorful characters, it is an effective tale of morality. Eventually we learn more about Sturm’s past with his father and surprisingly how Boniface Crownguard was behind his downfall.

It adds a lot both to this story and to the later tales involving Sturm and Derek.

Overall the book is about rigid morality and the choices we all can and must make. It is an entertaining tale, poetically written and one of the best non Weis/Hickman tales in the Dragonlance Saga.

B+

Dragonlance: The Lost Chronicles: Dragons of the Hourglass Mage

Written by: Margaret Weis and Tracy Hickman

The finale of Dragonlance as we know it. Although it has been claimed before and I would not be surprised if they didn’t stick to it again, but this is supposedly the final Weis/Hickman Dragonlance books. It finishes up the Lost Chronicles Trilogy of tales of the Companions that happened during the original Chronicles but had remained untold.

In a twist of fate this novel is also the spiritual third part of another trilogy – the Raistlin saga that started with Soulforge.

This is above all a Raistlin book. It is the story of what happened to Raistlin when he left his brother and friends to die as Berem the Everman steered the ship into the maelstrom.

And it is exactly what you would want or need. In a weird way given the timeframe it wraps up the Dragonlance saga very nicely. You get to see everything. Raistlin meeting Iolanthe, Ariakis’ witch. Lord Soth attacking the Tower of High Sorcery against the powerless Conclave. Cyan Bloodbane attacking Lord Soth. Raistlin’s final battle with Fistandantilus.

What’s great is we don’t see Raistlin as the master of past and present..well except for the very end. Instead we see a somewhat less sure of himself version. Written very well you can see the character and his trials and tribulations. Raistlin is an extremely layered character. You can’t say he’s good and you can’t say he’s all evil. You can say he’s extremely selfish. Nothing he does is completely altruistic, even if it is only to settle a debt and yet he does retain genuine feelings for his old friends and especially his brother.

The novel is probably the best of the three if only because the subject matter is the most interesting and it also connects the most with the original Chronicles.

There is a sense of wistfulness as we approach the end and learning that Raistlin is with Flint as he dies is a bit of a shock. It adds weight to the tale though and makes the finality of the story more apparent.

The new characters introduced are well thought out. Talent and Mari make for great rebels in the darkness while Snaggle is cool enough as a mage.

Overall it all comes down to Raistlin and in that way the book does not disappoint.

A

Dragonlance: Meetings Sextet Volume 1: Kindred Spirits

Written by: Mark Anthony and Ellen Porath

This is a very fulfilling tale about the meeting of Tanis Half-Elven and Flint Fireforge. It mostly forgos attempts to make a grand epic story out of it and instead concentrates on forging a real friendship based initially on them both being outsiders in the grand Elven city of Qualinost.

We had already been told of Tanis’ beginnings. His Elven mother being raped by a human father and yet Tanis being raised by the Speaker of the Suns with his children.

We knew a little less of Flint, only that Flint had lived in Qualinost for some time.

What most people don’t seem to understand is if the plot is great but the characters are weak, than a novel is honestly a failure. You need to feel connected to the characters to appreciate the plot. But a story can be successful without a real plot per se as long as the story about the characters and their relationships remain interesting.

And Porath and Anthony excelled at creating (or adapting) characters that were fleshed out enough to be enthralling. I honestly believe these two might know Flint Fireforge at least as well as Weis and Hickman. Their Tanis is also quite well done, given the difference he is at this time in his life versus the Chronicles era.

I’m not quite as sure they nailed Solostaran. He seemed much more human in a sense. More warm, and open to Flint and others than he does later on in the novels. It might be that events eventually hardened him over the years, but it wasn’t quite the same feel.

The newer characters such as Eid Ailea, Tyresian, and Miral are both well drawn even as they are antithesis of each other. Eid is the clever elven midwife with some evidence of human heritage. She befriends both Flint and Tanis alike. Tyresian on the other hand is the arrogant prejudiced elf who likes little more than to berate and belittle the half-elf. Miral is one who is intriguing in that he is mysterious.

The problem with the books is one of timing. Although the “twist”
is hinted at throughout the novel, it still feels as if the whole ending was a train wreck of epic proportions due to everything be unveiled at once but in unsatisfactory ways. Simply put too much happens all at once in a novel whose strength had laid in the slow build of Tanis’ and Flint’s friendship.

It’s not enough to make the book unreadable. In fact, I still enjoyed the book quite a bit, it just could have used a little more space room to breathe at the end.

B

Dragonlance: The Dark Disciple Trilogy Volume 3: Amber and Blood

by Margaret Weis

It’s hard for me to put into words exactly how I felt about this book. But given that it’s a review, I kind of have to don’t I? I didn’t hate the book. At all really. But I couldn’t shake the feeling that it wasn’t really a book. Instead it was more of an epilogue. A very long epilogue.

In trilogies you usually get the first part that draws out the problem, the problems for our heroes get worse in the second part until a rousing climax in the third and final installment. However the climax of this particular saga really happened at the end of book two, where we discover that Mina was in fact a god.

Now given that balance is the key element to the story of Dragonlance, the fact that a new god had arrived that would alter the balance one way or the other and throw everything out of kilter seems like it should be a fitting third volume basis. But it just doesn’t work. But I can’t put my finger on why. The inclusion of Galdar to the tale as Sargonnas’ emissary to Mina works well as does the first true appearance of Valthonis (who was once Paladine).

The Beloved, who were built up to be such an integral part of the tale were snuffed out early and treated as an afterthought. Ausic Krell was made into a Bone Acolyte for a seemingly pointless portion of the tale.

We got to meet Mishakal up close and in person in a touching sequence but all of it just seemed so dry.

But yet I enjoyed reading and won’t skip over it upon rereading the saga. But it is simply weird. It almost felt as if it truly wasn’t a Dragonlance tale. Again with the changing of the basis, and the inclusion of the gods in the tale as well as the flippant manner of death it seemed like an almost different universe.

The trilogy itself doesn’t quite match up with Weis/Hickman’s other Dragonlance work, but overall it is still a fun read.

C+

Dragonlance: Dark Disciple Trilogy Volume 2: Amber and Iron

by: Margaret Weis

Even more than the first volume, Volume 2’s enjoyment rests on one major preference. Do you prefer your gods aloof and distant or really heading into the muck of the story acting as major focused players? For the longest time the gods of Dragonlance were important but definitively background characters. You could argue that Fizban and Astinus made this not so, but in truth they weren’t gods being gods. There was enough mystery to them that still distanced themselves from the mortals of Krynn.

Now in the Dark Disciple Trilogy, the gods really take center age. Interesting choice for an Age of Mortals. Now personally I prefer the aloof gods. To me, it is much like the choice between showing the monster in a horror film or hiding it. Imagination is very powerful and creates much better demons…and in this case powerful gods than any author can truly depict.

So it is difficult for me to commit to the story fully. With that being said, Weis is a talented enough writer that I can’t say I disliked the book either especially given the surprise ending does provide a reason for Weis to have thrust the gods on center stage.

What does work is the development of the newer characters. Rhys Mason’s self discovery journey is reminiscent of Tanis but I dare say it’s better crafted. Nightshade is able to break free from the Tas-clone curse that all non-Tas kenders endure when thrust into a Krynnish tale.

Even Ausic Krell was better this time around, because I expected him to be what he was, a worthless lump. He ruins the good name of death knights everywhere but it seems that’s his job.

The tale continues where it left off as Rhys and friends search for a way to destroy the Beloved and gain powerful allies with Gerard at Solace, Lady Jenna who is head of the Conclave of Wizards, and Dominique Helmsman a holy warrior of Kiri-Jolith. But is knowledge going to help or cause mass panic, given the difficult way to tell if someone is indeed a Beloved of Chemosh.

On the other side of the coin is the ever enigmatic Mina who longs to help her lover and lord Chemosh. Mina has always been an interesting character mostly due to her mysterious past as well as her sheer charisma.

And we learn why. At the end of the novel we discover that Mina is a god. A god who doesn’t know she is a god. It’s a shocking reveal and one I was unsure about. After reflecting I do think I like it. I wonder if this was a planned event from the beginning of the War of Souls. I prefer to think it was. But either way, it does explain a lot and even if was shoehorned in, it actually fits in well when you go back and re-read everything.

So it is impossible for this tale to be told without having the gods be such an active part. But I still can’t stop thinking that it was just too much. Too many times people were talking to gods and they were specifically answering…it just seemed all too much.

However, at the end, I have to say, I was excited to continue the saga so that is saying something.

B

Dragonlance: Dark Disciple Trilogy Volume 1: Amber and Ashes

by Margaret Weis

I was interested immediately due to the fact that it was 1/2 of THE Dragonlance team. I was also interested to read Weis on her own after having read a novel of Tracy Hickman that was done with his wife, Laura. That particular book never took off with me and I never finished it. I may try again one day, but I didn’t feel the same magic. With Margaret, it may have helped being set in a familiar universe, but it definitely flowed a bit better.

But it still didn’t reach the previous highs of the Hickman/Weis teams. Like Lennon/McCartney, Jagger/Richards, Mercury/May/Taylor/Deacon, it seems the sum of the team is greater than the individual collaborations.

It is certainly an interesting concept. It basically takes a staple of fantasy and places it in a world that until now was bereft of it…Vampires. It is really more of a combination Vampire/Zombie though given that the undead would slowly begin losing their minds and personalities.

Chemosh, Lord of the Dead, tries to fill the gaping void left by the fallen Takhisis and he’s not alone. Sargonnas and Nuitari to a degree have grander designs, but none like Chemosh. Chemosh finds Mina, who is still fawning over her fallen goddess adn convince her to join him. Mina goes out and recruits new followers for Chemosh who up until now had only the dead and decayed. Now they would get living followers, and grant them immortality, health, all in exchange for their soul. The spread starts slowly and builds realistically allowing the horror of the situation to shine through.

The leading hero role is taken on by Rhys, a monk of Majere whose brother gets infected. After his fellow monks of the monostary are slaughtered by his brother, Rhys has a crisis of faith and knows only that he must stop his brother. He joins with Zeboim, dark ruler of the sea who has her own grudges against Chemosh.

Every Dragonlance story needs a kender and instead of trying to find yet another way to resurrect Tas, we are left with a new kender, Nightshade. And for the first time that I’ve seen in Dragonlance tales, the kender works. Nightshade can talk to the dead, and doesn’t act very much like a kender overall but it is certainly not a bad addition to the everexpanding Dragonlance roster.

The story is a bit slow at times and plodding, and sometimes the roles just are a bit muddied. The interaction between gods and mortals is of high importance now but this cheapens the once awe inspiring immortals.

Also less inspiring was Ausic Krell, a death knight and basically a replacement for Lord Soth. Krell was an embarassment and not fear inducing like Soth was..at least to the reader.

But, it isn’t a total disaster. Far from it. At the end I definitely wanted to continue to further the Dragonlance mythology. And I really liked Rhys and Nightshade.

Overall, while not a home run, it certainly was an entertaining read that kept me engaged.

B

Dragonlance: War of Souls Volume 3: Dragons of a Vanished Moon

by: Margaret Weis and Tracy Hickman

As always, Weis and Hickman have a good idea on how to end things climactically enough that even if it feels a tad abrupt, it is still satisfying.

What amazes me most is their ability to skirt cheesiness avoiding any groans or disbelief. Bringing characters back from the dead like Tas and Raistlin is a tricky proposition. It usually comes off as desperate and cheap. But Weis and Hickman make it seem believable and intricate to the storyline.

Mina continues her conquest of Krynn in the name of the One God, Takhisis. But finally the other gods catch up with her thanks in no small part to Raistlin. Some details of the book are slightly glossed over, but it didn’t bother this reader.

What I truly liked about the story is that it truly was a world changing event, not just a story to be wiped away. At the end of the trilogy, the gods have returned, Takhisis is dead, Paladine is mortal, Qualinost is destroyed, Silvanost is heavily occuppied, the elves are homeless, the minotaur are encroaching on Ansalon. The list is endless and finally the last of the Heroes of the Lance are gone leaving the world to their children.

I liked this ending better than the last “ending” of the saga in Summer Flame. And although there was some definite retconning going on with regards to Chaos being the creator, etc. and the existence now of a High God. And yes, I know there is more still to come as I begin the newest trilogy written solely by Weis, but it was satisfying.

The action was splending, the morality was finely tuned and at the end like the greatest of all tales, the readers meditates on their own mortality, spirituality and place in their world. That kind of connection is what Weis and Hickman excel at and why they continue to be phenomenal authors. It’s not their style or even their storylines. It’s the way the characters and their trials connect with the reader.

B+

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+

Dragonlance: War of Souls Volume 1: Dragons of a Fallen Sun

By Margaret Weis and Tracy Hickman

After the debacle of the Fifth Age, and Jean Rabe’s Dragons of a New Age trilogy, it wouldn’t have surprised me to see the Dragonlance saga die a quick death.  So, in order for salvation we turned our eyes to the only ones who could save it, the originators, Margaret Weis and Tracy Hickman.

In all honesty, the first volume of their first trilogy since the remarkable Legends did not nearly reach the same heights.  It is more on par with the Chronicles in some ways and yet deficient in others.  

While there is no doubt that their writers’ voice has gotten much better at weaving a complete fabric of a tale, there is something missing that was a big part of the Chronicles and Legends.  Perhaps it is the newness and excitement that came with the discovery of a new world. 

I truly believe that overall this entry into the saga is as magical and certainly is a million times better than the Rabe efforts, but I wouldn’t be surprised to hear that people were not a fan.  Much like one of the criticisms of Star Wars Episode I was that it was more politics than action and that demeaned the epic quality. 

The same could be said about Dragons of a Fallen Sun.  This is not an action piece.  This is a very long prologue which shows exactly how the politics of the new post-Second Cataclysm Krynn is set up. 

A lot of that though, I forgive for the simple fact that they had a lot of mess to clean up.

One such way is the absence of almost every character introduced by Rabe.  There is barely any mention.  I can remember one mention of Jasper Fireforge.  The only character with any connection to the plot is the giant dragons Malys and Beryl and that connection is a vague, ethereal one at that.

Using characters we know and love such as Palin, Caramon (albeit briefly) was a good way to segue into new Weis/Hickman creations such as Gerard, the ugly hero and Mina the enigmatic new villain…or is she? 

BY creating Krynn’s Joan of Arc, Weis and Hickman have shown a wonderful sense of mystery and suspsense so that the reader is almost as spellbound to her as everyone else appears to be. 

Of course no review would be complete without mention of the return of Tasselhoff Burfoot.  Thought to be killed by Chaos during Dragons of a Summer Flame, you knew he had to be in there somewhere…the only question was how to make it work.  The authors do succeed…barely.  It still feels a bit like a cheap return, but it is so ingrained in the plot and is such a loved character, that you can overlook the fact that he’s back from the dead. 

You overlook less though the slight forcedness of the character.  It didn’t seem to come as easy for them to return to Tas as it did Krynn itself. 

OVerall it is a set up novel for the rest of the saga, but it is a damn good one and it is simply satisfying seeing a Dragonlance novel I can enjoy again.

B-

Dragonlance: Dragons of a New Age Volume 3: Eve of the Maelstrom

By: Jean Rabe

The best thing I an say?

The trilogy is over.

I read this trilogy when it first came out over ten years ago and found myself very indifferent to it.  After reading it again, I don’t know how I could be indifferent to it and not simply flat out dislike it.

Characters?  Anyone care about any of these?  I know there are some Damon fans out there, and to each their own I guess, but he was simply void of personality.  Jasper?  Please.  Rig?  Ok, Rig wasn’t too bad.  At least he was amusing in a roguish Han Solo kind of way…and Groller wasn’t a bad Chewbacca.

But the characters all acted out of character if they acted at all and the sequences were either cliched and tripe or flat out confusing and out of nowhere.

Fury isn’t a wolf…he’s a something else that gets revealed in a throwaway line that really had to be explained during the epilogue.

I honestly find myself writing a list of bad things rather than a comprehensive review, and that’s simply because I don’t know where to start.  Nothing was built up at all so I guess there should be no surprise that nothing is truly resolved in any kind of climactic fashion.  Ideas introduced are either forgotten, answered in brief, unsatisfying manners, or given no weight whatsoever.

Who is the Shadow Dragon they built up?  No idea.

Who is the Shadow Sorcerer that betrays Palin and tries to help Malys?  After some further research, it seems she is an aspect of Takhisis but that makes little sense either.

What happens to the Master of the Tower of Wayreth?

All in all I really don’t want to waste anymore time on this trilogy and would much rather move ahead.  I’m sorry Ms. Rabe, I know you have your fans, but I have to be honest.  It is only my quest for completion that is going to allow me to even begin to read your Dhamon saga.

F