Rating: 
Summary: Childishly Simple -- Cookie Cutter Junk Fantasy.
Review: I guess if your a teenager looking for a written form of Dungeons and Dragons this series may be the best thing it the world to you. But, if you're an adult that likes character development, plot line development, believable situations (yes, this can happen in a fantasy novel), then don't look here. I found the characters notably shallow, not self motivated, and frankly overly boring and unbelievable. The world seemed better thought out than the characters were. Certain races were so simplistic in their placement in the book showing that there is no real reason for their existance other than to be the 'band-aid' to cover poor planning on the part of the authors. The interaction between the races is predictably boring and again, not believable. I bought the first three in this series. After reading this first one, I'll toss the rest into the garbage. Look elsewhere if you're seeking a real fantasy novel. This is teenie-bop heaven. If you're a kid, have fun. If you've grown up, try Robin Hobb, Melanie Rawn, Robert Jordan, Tolkien, Stephen Donaldson ... there are too many good authors to list that will keep you enraptured in fantastical worlds. Don't waste good reading time with this kiddie junk.
Rating: 
Summary: Dragons of Autumn Twilight - A true fantasy genre classic!
Review: I first read this series back in the late eighties and at that time thought it was simply the best fantasy series I'd ever read. A re-read of this the first novel, simply reconfirms that opinion for myself. To think what Margaret Weis and Tracy Hickman started here with Chronicles is simply astonishing, considering the number of novels released since this outstanding series started it all! From what I've read, they and a few others were playing a game of Dungeons and Dragons and came up with the idea for this first of many series. In doing this, they too must've been amazed at how good their fantasy writing was. Their style of writing, to say the least, is very fluidic with scene after scene, chapter after chapter flowing into one another beautifully. Back when I'd originally read this and a few of the other early series, for some reason I'd stepped away from the fantasy realm. I can probably attribute seeing The Lord of the Rings - The Fellowship of the Rings to re-instilling a desire to once again delve into this genre. The premise: MINOR SPOILERS Welcome to the magical world of Krynn where every kind of fantasy and mythical creature is a possibility. A group of life long companions who, five years prior had chosen to take leave of each other to search in many directions for signs of the ancient true gods. Their time of separation is over and they are reuniting in their home town of Solace. Upon their arrival, they find false prophets have taken control of their home town and that they are literally at the epicenter of where a new war is beginning. Through chance and fate, they meet with new companions and that that meeting will take them on a whole new quest. This new quest will bring the group to many strange new places with peril lurking over their shoulders at every turn. What follows from this point for the reader is the first of one of the finest fantasy trilogies written since Tolkien set out to write the Lord of the Rings trilogy. You will quickly find that every character is extraordinarily well written, with a "soul" to their words and thoughts. There are few, if any, dull spots in this story, even as the writers clearly must get the reader from one spot to another, they inject a fair amount of humor and well placed dialogue to do so. If you're a fan of fantasy and have never read this series or, like myself and have read this once before, I highly recommend a first time reading or a reread of this exceptional trilogy! {ssintrepid}
Rating:
Summary: A Wonderful Introduction to Dragonlance
Review: This has been my first time out with a Dragonlance novel, and I couldn't be more pleased. I had tried to read this book months back, but couldn't get past the first page. I'm not sure why. But when I picked it up again just last week, I found myself reading beyond the first page. And I'm glad I did. It's great. At first, I thought maybe I was missing something; I felt that with each character that was introduced, I was supposed to know who they were - I thought maybe I had entered the middle of a series (my boyfriend later assured me that this WAS the book to start with, as far as all of the Dragonlance books that contain these characters). After I found that out, I enjoyed the book even more. I love a lot of the characters. Of course, Tasselhoff - the carefree kender - is my favorite, but I'm so intrigued with the mysterious Raistlin, that I can't wait to get onto the books in the series that are focused on him (the Twins series, and the Raistlin Chronicles). I haven't been this interested in a fantasy series since Terry Goodkind's Sword of Truth series (although, I can't seem to get past the third book with that one), but these are about half the size of those books, which is good. A lot of fantasy authors feel they need to go on for a thousand pages with lots of images and description, but so far, this one's just cutting to the chase. If you've ever seen the billions of Dragonlance books in a bookstore, want to read one, but don't know which one to pick up, I highly recommend this one. It is well-written, it's a good story, and it will make you want to run out and buy the rest in the series. It's definitely a great way to begin the Dragonlance series.
Rating:
Summary: What you should read once you've finished Lord of the Rings
Review: I read these books when I was younger, when I read fantasy for the action, and I hated them. I gave them another try when I was older, starting with Dragons of Autumn Twilight, and I fell in love. This book begins a sweeping epic that you never want to see come to an end. My favorite character is Tanis, who is pulled in two different directions all the time because of his half-elven heritage. The characters in this book are well written, and there is always a sense that the story is going somewhere. The story is easier than LOTR, but the underlying thems of good and evil are there. But in Dragonlance, there is a twist. Sometimes good people do evil things, and sometimes evil people do good things. These characters are not as black and white as Tolkien's, they seem more human. Now that LOTR is a major movie hit and I see people reading it everywhere, this is the book that I recommend that they read next.
Rating:
Summary: A Tolkein free review!
Review: If one tries hard enough, you can find similarities of LOTR in the works of Danielle Steele. I got the series of books when I was a teenager and this was the first of the genre that I read. Now I'm in my thirties and still pick them up from time to time. These books are simply good fun. The action is fast and the characters are great. I still have not found better authors who keep the story moving while establishing plot and background.
It starts off with a reunion of friends after a five year quest to find evidence of the old gods. This is a neat trick, because it establishes background and characterization by having characters observe each other, comparing what they were like and what they are like now while still moving the story along. They meet two unfortunates which is the catalyst of the plot.
They chemistry and pace is something akin to the old Star Wars movies and X-men. Meaning that each person has a specific use that contributes to the team and are more or less stumble onto the forces working against them.
But the best thing about this book. TALKING DRAGONS! For some reason I really enjoy fantasy books with these guys and the books run rampant with them. Yes, it's juvinile and I couldn't tell you the difference between high and low fantasy, but when talking dragons enter the picture, the book picks up in my mind. Sorry if I have spoiled anything, but the books ARE called Dragonlance so........ In summation: The books are good for all ages (parents, my brother started reading them when he was 8), the authors juggle ensemble better than a Guy Ricthie film and there are talking dragons. This book opens you to one of the most prolific literary "worlds" than has been the inspiration for 75 + books. Buy them and enjoy!
Rating:
Summary: Terrible, juvenile, contrived
Review: I had to read this book for a class on sci-fi and fantasy, and I must say, it's probably one of the worst books I've ever read. The character development is terrible, the writing is juvenile, and the plot is far too contrived. There is never any suspense, and no sense of danger, largely due to the far too simple device of a magic blue staff that heals all wounds (even restoring a man charred to a gooey mess by a dragon to full health). Quite simply, it's all very ridiculous, and I am amazed that people can actually read and enjoy this drivel.
Rating:
Summary: Great flight of fantasy that exhilirates you for a long time
Review: I had just finished reading Lord of the Rings triology when somebody recommended Dragonlance books.
It sounded more like children's tale but I decided to give it a try. Later I realized I like it more than Lord of the Rings, even if the plot seems to be 'inspired' from it.
The book talks about an unlikely group of companions, Tanis the half elf, Caramon the big warrior, Raistin, Caramon's twin and a magic user, Goldmoon and Riverwind the barbarians, Tas the cheerful kender and Flint the brave dwarf, who come together to save the world from the evil queen and her dragon armies.
The companions find themselves sucked into the war between good and evil and there's only one way to get out of it...their death or worse, eternal slavery of the evil queen.
Definitely among the best fiction I have read.
It is worth the money...BUY IT!
Rating:
Summary: Peerless
Review: There are a minute number of books out there in any given genre that deserve elevation above the top ranking. In this case 6 stars and beyond. Weis and Hickman's entire first Dragonlance Trilogy deserves such.
In some respects they are on the same plateau as Tolkien having created and defined an entire sub-genre - the D&D sub genre - that has spawned a vast library of games, characters, books, figurines, pictures etc. etc. that is truly awesome.
The plot of this book has been stated many times in the hundreds of reviews so I won't go into an extremely well trodden path. What Weis and Hickman have achieved, and so few authors do, is create a set of characters where every reader can identify and sympathise with at least one of them and feel a sense of true pathos and exhilaration as we follow their story. A blend of war and peace, anger and love, sadness and joy, 'Dragons of Autumn Twilight' has defined a generation of fantasy fans and irrevocably made an indelible impression on a genre that was has so much potential for the imagination.
Rating:
Summary: Hickman and Weis write a very good tale
Review: After reading the Dragon Prince and Dragon Star series, I was looking forward to the Chronicles series. I was very excited to read this series because I use to play the old rpgs such as Dark Queen and Death Knights and Heroes of the Lance. This book itself confirmed that Hickman and Weis know what they are writing about. I hope every book they write in Dragon Lance is as good as this one. From the beginning the action never stopped. While the companions search the ancient city for the only hope humans have left in finding the gods.
Rating:
Summary: The introduction of an Amazing World
Review: The first novel of the Chronicles Trilogy and of Dragonlance itself is an amazing debut of magic, wonder, and excitement. This book is of course archtypical but then again its the novel that was losely based on Dungeons and Dragons. But to say its nothing but a roleplaying game book is selling it short. Dragons of Autumn Twilight has its errors in writing but the themes and points given in the story is well mature and thoughtful. The characters (who indeed are archtype like-the cleric, the half elf, the mage, etc) are very character driven, each individual and each likeable in their own way. Much of then novel is driven with expierences the reader can relate to such as self doubt, questioning, and hope. The novel is indeed a good vs. evil story but has factors such as divination, corruption in organized,religon-which is very real today, and extreme prejudices. This and many other factors deem Dragonlance to be unique and equaled to other brilliant books (LOTR, Shannara, WOT,etc). Also this novel brings about the debut of the very popular character Raistlin which if this novel alone was about just him you should still buy the book. Raistlin is indentifable due to his weak and frail nature,his looks, and the fact that he is hated because he is a mage but his ambition and his drive is intriguing. Without spoiling the novel, the story brings about an action-filled quest to discover the truth, the hardships of responsiblity, and what it means to have faith. Plus it has Dragons in it :). If you do not own or have read this novel than you MUST BUY THIS BOOK!
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