Rating: Summary: Who works for who? Review: Another good informative DL book, I seem to be reading a lot of those lately. This story involved quite a few elements, including a plague, the Knights of Solamnia `spying' on Hogan Bight, the Knights of Takhisis, and the Legion of Steel. The Legion of Steel stuck in the middle of this information battle while trying to help the common people. The Knights of Takhisis trying to overrun Sanction and kill Lord Bight. And last Hogan Bight himself, the mysteriously powerful Lord Governor of Sanction.Stuck in the middle of all this chaos is the Knight of the Rose Linsha Majere (daughter of Palin and Usha). Linsha was an interesting character, but I was saddened to find that her problem solving skills were so low. The only part of this novel that I didn't like was that Linsha seemed not able to put two and two together while some of the mysteries were very obvious through out the whole book. But that damage is easily repaired by finally getting to see the secrets of Hogan Bight. The very cool Lord Governor of Sanction that can control the Volcanoes around the city of Sanction and loves the city and it's people more than anything else in his life (except maybe a good swim). Mary Herbert has turned into one of my favorite DL authors, right at the top with Margaret Weis, Tracy Hickman, and Richard A. Knaak. I can't wait for her next DL novel (title Dragon's Bluff I believe) to come out.
Rating: Summary: Who works for who? Review: Another good informative DL book, I seem to be reading a lot of those lately. This story involved quite a few elements, including a plague, the Knights of Solamnia 'spying' on Hogan Bight, the Knights of Takhisis, and the Legion of Steel. The Legion of Steel stuck in the middle of this information battle while trying to help the common people. The Knights of Takhisis trying to overrun Sanction and kill Lord Bight. And last Hogan Bight himself, the mysteriously powerful Lord Governor of Sanction. Stuck in the middle of all this chaos is the Knight of the Rose Linsha Majere (daughter of Palin and Usha). Linsha was an interesting character, but I was saddened to find that her problem solving skills were so low. The only part of this novel that I didn't like was that Linsha seemed not able to put two and two together while some of the mysteries were very obvious through out the whole book. But that damage is easily repaired by finally getting to see the secrets of Hogan Bight. The very cool Lord Governor of Sanction that can control the Volcanoes around the city of Sanction and loves the city and it's people more than anything else in his life (except maybe a good swim). Mary Herbert has turned into one of my favorite DL authors, right at the top with Margaret Weis, Tracy Hickman, and Richard A. Knaak. I can't wait for her next DL novel (title Dragon's Bluff I believe) to come out.
Rating: Summary: Following the bloodline Review: As much as War of Souls follows the giant sweeping epic arcs of Krynn, it is good to be able to watch what the children of the original Dragonlance Chronicles heroes are doing... or in this case one particular grandchild. That in and of itself does not make for a good book. But what did make this book good was a good solid storyline, interesting characters, and enough intrigue to keep you going from chapter to chapter. I don't mean to spoil anything but not all details get resolved, but it does leave enough open for a true sequel (rather than the following Crossroads novels which are separate stories) that I would be very much inclined to read. A few of the details are easy to figure out on your own in this book, and there are a few details you want to slap the main character for not seeing. But to be able to read through the boatload of events going on in one city existing in the location in Ansalon that screams 'Please Gods! Destroy us now!' is very much the treat.
Rating: Summary: Among the best that I have read Review: First, a disclaimer: I'd been away from the fantasy genre for quite a while when I picked up this book on a whim recently. I used to be a big fan of the Dragonlance world, and perhaps I was expecting too much. But compared to how some of those early tales really affected me, this one just fell flat. While the main character, I think, was fairly well developed, all of the critical plot developments were telegraphed from MANY miles away (especially the traitor in Lord Bight's midst). The subplot about the bronze dragon, too, seems thin and easy to guess. Another thing that I disliked was the way the Solamanic Order was portrayed. In all of the other books I read, I gained a healthy respect for the order... in this one, I was forced to question their motives and simply wasn't given a good reason why they were doing what they were. Luckily, after reading this I picked up the great Magehound by Eileen Cunningham, which gave me faith in the genre once again!
Rating: Summary: Predictable, flat and ultimately unsatisfying Review: First, a disclaimer: I'd been away from the fantasy genre for quite a while when I picked up this book on a whim recently. I used to be a big fan of the Dragonlance world, and perhaps I was expecting too much. But compared to how some of those early tales really affected me, this one just fell flat. While the main character, I think, was fairly well developed, all of the critical plot developments were telegraphed from MANY miles away (especially the traitor in Lord Bight's midst). The subplot about the bronze dragon, too, seems thin and easy to guess. Another thing that I disliked was the way the Solamanic Order was portrayed. In all of the other books I read, I gained a healthy respect for the order... in this one, I was forced to question their motives and simply wasn't given a good reason why they were doing what they were. Luckily, after reading this I picked up the great Magehound by Eileen Cunningham, which gave me faith in the genre once again!
Rating: Summary: Among the best that I have read Review: I am addicted to Dragon Lance novels and Mary Herbert, in my opinion, is one of the best Dragon Lance authors that I have ever seen. The clearness of her prose makes her characters seem as if they are sitting right next to you as you read her tale. You will be left wondering why things are happening and awaiting with baited breath the next turn of the page. For Dragon Lance addicts, like myself, this is one of the best Dragon Lance books that I have seen in a long long time. The only reason that I have not given it five stars is because Mary Herbert is no Margret Weiss. She could stand to learn a bit from the acknowledged master of fantasy literature. If you have not read any Dragon Lance before this one, go back and read Dragons of Autumn Twilight and the rest of the Chronicles and Legends sub-series first. The new reader will be a bit confused by the presence of the dragons and the references to Caramon, Tika and Palin. Needless to say this is not an entry book into the Dragon Lance saga. For those of you are mildly interested in the Dragon Lance saga this one will hook you as it did me. Please be sure to have read the Chronicles, Legends, Dragons of a Summer Flame and the Dragons of a New Age trilogy before you read this one. This one will convert most people to addicts like me. Now for a small snippet of the tale. The town is Sanction where Linsha Majere has been assigned by the Solmanic Nights to the Clandestine Circle, which has intern sent her to be Lord Bight's body guard. There appears to be something fishy about the governor of the town. Before she realizes what is happening, the governor is not the only one that needs to be saved. Slowly she works her way deeper and deeper into a wired mystery that is Lord Bight.
Rating: Summary: A deceptively interesting book indeed Review: I just got this book the lastest one out by dragonlance. It was not the best dragonlance book i've read and ive read them all.
Rating: Summary: A boring series Review: I was so looking forward to this trilogy. The look of it just promised a great read....but lead to such a disappointment. The characters were likeable enough & the plot was good but I was left with an empty feeling at the end. I've come to expect a certain amount of action out of DL books & this had so little of it. This was more of a plotical intrique novel which is fine but it could've done with some more movement. This is one of those books where the words are just crammed onto the page. The author spent too much time describing the obvious & not enough on making the plot more entertaining. Unfortunately, this was the best in the series.
Rating: Summary: A boring series Review: I was so looking forward to this trilogy. The look of it just promised a great read....but lead to such a disappointment. The characters were likeable enough & the plot was good but I was left with an empty feeling at the end. I've come to expect a certain amount of action out of DL books & this had so little of it. This was more of a plotical intrique novel which is fine but it could've done with some more movement. This is one of those books where the words are just crammed onto the page. The author spent too much time describing the obvious & not enough on making the plot more entertaining. Unfortunately, this was the best in the series.
Rating: Summary: Great characters, great story Review: If you're a fan of Krynn and its many stories, this book is a must-read for you! Not only does it feature some great characters, but it also brings in some faces (and places) familiar to those who have read other Fifth Age novels. Mary does a great job with her characterization of Linsha Majere and Hogan Bight, and the story's pacing was excellent. The book reveals a few surprises to those following Fifth Age storylines, and it should also grab those who haven't been buying every single Dragonlance novel and game supplement. Readers can find intrigue, romance, action, and great character interactions within this book, as well as the Krynnish flavor that is necessary in a Dragonlance novel. I couldn't put the book down once I started reading it.
|