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Dragons of a Vanished Moon (Dragonlance: War of Souls, Book 3)

Dragons of a Vanished Moon (Dragonlance: War of Souls, Book 3)

List Price: $7.99
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Product Info Reviews

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Rating: 4 stars
Summary: The end, or is it!
Review: The story line is interesting throughout the book but I felt as if Weis and Hickman were attempting to accomplish something else with the Dragonlance setting as a whole. There were a lot of grammatical errors but I have come to expect that in today's market. The typos did not hurt the story though I had to re-read a few lines to make sure I understood what they meant. The ending of this book is the most surprising part of the book. Things change drastically with the ending of Dragons of a Vanished Moon. The great thing is that the ending of this book opens up avenues for many more books to be written about Krynn. This book is worth reading.

I also recommend The Price of Immortality by C.M. Whitlock and the lord of the rings series by Tolkein.

Rating: 3 stars
Summary: Ran out of steam.
Review: I guess they had to end this book some way. The first two books in this series we very entertaining. This one just did not grab me as much as any of the other books in this series written by Weiss and Hickman.

The book bogged down in places, failed to elaborate in others and basically ran out of steam towards the ending.

But you have to read it to finish the series. It ended on a psuedo-philisophical note. At best. I read the Chronicles and War of the Twins when they were as first released. They was amazing. I didn't want any of them to end. In this series, the first two books kept me interested. By the end of this one, though, my opinion is now that maybe they should end the saga here. And leave Tas dead.

Rating: 3 stars
Summary: Dragonlance "Reconstructed?"
Review: Why only 3 stars, you might ask? My answer is that this is a comparative review, in particular compared to all the other novels in the Dragonlance series by Weis & Hickman, whom I still consider the "main authorities" when it comes to this world and its novels. However, characters in the new trilogy just don't seem to be so resonant and richly engaging as their predecessors, for reasons I can't put my finger on (Weis & Hickman have a pretty good track record for memorable characters). Galdar the Minotaur is richly realized, thankfully, as is Sir Gareth, the ugly but practical and wise Solamnic Night. But, besides another Dark Night, Marshal Medan, who is a support character through the second book, very few have the impact the original characters had. Most disappointing is Mina, who turns out a rather empty character by the end of the series. Perhaps this was the authors' point, to show her as a "glorious vessel of her One God" but at her core a hollow, desolate character. Still, I didn't feel too sympathetic with her by the book's end. Overall, the characters just didn't resonate with me as deeply or stick with me as long as earlier characters have.

The book's end. Herein lies the final problem. A lot of "deus ex machina" at the end, and unlikely fates for most of the characters. ... Silvanoshei's "purpose" was yet to even begin. ...Inexplicable deaths, and even more inexplicable restorations and resurrections, and separate departures of characters I thought were meant to be together (two Knights of Solamnia come immediately to mind)-and inexplicable returns. All those "evil dragons" are still around, and only Gold and Silver Dragons return? Where are the Bronze, Brass and Copper? Where's the Balance? ... Just as Summer Flame seemed to end badly, quite the bit of a jumbled mess, this one does as well.

Still, the trip to get there was worth reading, and there were some moving moments throughout ... The writing itself is fine, and the plot drove me pretty much right through to the end of the book, so no complaints there. But still, despite many good aspects to the trilogy, it just doesn't measure up to other fantasy novels and series I've read lately. Most telling, it is
3rd best as far as Dragonlance trilogies go, and I was hoping at least for a tie or near tie with the first series.

So, I recommend War of Souls to longtime Dragonlance fans and Weis & Hickman fans as an interesting trilogy and successful in general, if not in particular, epic fantasy. Some of the issues they raise are interesting, but somehow we never get to explore these issues as deeply and interestingly as we could have. If this turns out to be the authors' fond farewell to the world of Krynn, that's fine by me. All the wonderful work they have done for this world and its inhabitants, including in this trilogy, is irreplaceable and much appreciated by this fan, at least. So hardcore fans, read this book and trilogy and form your own opinions. To the more casual fan, I say pass on this trilogy and stick with the original two. They're worth it.

Rating: 5 stars
Summary: Great Book for a Great Trilogy
Review: What can I say about this one?

I've read some of the Meetings Sextet, all of the Chronicles, a few of the Dawning of the New Age books, and all of the War of Souls.

All were excellent, (with the exception of Dawning of a New Age, which lacked the Dragonlance luster).

This book was necessary to usher in (yet again) a new age for Krynn. Thus, much had to be accomplished within the book, and indeed much did happen.

I, personally loved it, it didn't let me down (Weis and Hickman never do). The characters were appealing-- i've taken to heart Odila and Gerald, as well as Gilthas, Mirror the Silver, etc.
And, of course, the insatiable Tas.

It was well written, had a great storyline, and made me finish the book in three sittings.

Rating: 1 stars
Summary: Was this all necessary?
Review: Dragons of Vanished Moon really changes Krynn all over again. Again beacuse the Chaos War changed Krynn to all over too. The feeling after reading this books is that many plots and storylines devoleped during the serie were just throw off. Many facts and events are hard to understand and the book need of an appendix to put all the confusing story in line. In the end, you begin to ask yourself: was this all necessary?

Rating: 3 stars
Summary: Not the best, not the worst...
Review: I was kind of disappointed with this series. It took a long time to tell a short story. But, I'm still a huge fan. My one displeasure with the final book was the offing of several major characters. Such characters as Lord Soth and several others are summarily dismissed, without much fanfare or honor. Their parts were almost included as afterthoughts. I also didn't like the way things finished with Tas. In fact, we never REALLY know what happened to Tas. Kind of like Fizban falling into a bed of chicken feathers.

My biggest disappointment in the book though is that Raistlin didn't play a larger part. As an avid fan, I have loved the character of Raistlin and thought he should have been a bigger part. I would even venture to say that his constellation should have been placed in the heavens - but, I'm not one of the authors, so what does it matter.

Finally, the thing that disconcerts me the most, but is kind of intriguing is the power struggle of the gods? Gilean stands in the middle, but who is on his left and who is on his right? Sargas, Mishakal, Majere are all candidates???

Rating: 5 stars
Summary: A fantastic conclusion to the War of Souls
Review: This book provides some of the most unique treatment of "dark" characters I have ever encountered in a dragonlance book! Weis and Hickman develop the characters of Raistlin and Takhisis in very surprising (and psychologically dramatic) ways. As for the character of Mina...I expected to be firmly set against her at the end of the second book in this series. But surprisingly, the reader still feels sympathy when looking through her amber eyes. The fates of the two elven nations are detailed in mythologic fashion. This is a dragonlance book for those who like good literature (not just good fantasy).

Despite what some of the other reviewers have said, this book is clearly just as good as any of the Chronicles and Legends. A true page turner with a fantastic, well thought out ending.

Rating: 1 stars
Summary: What a disappointment
Review: Having read the originals when they were published back in the 80's. I have had a love of the dragonlance stories. That was until they went nuts at TSR/Wizards by publishing countless other dragonlance novels by people who couldn't write even if someone offered to help them. That being said, I stayed with the original writers Weis and Hickman. Then they wrote Summer Flame which sucked beyond belief. I think, however, the writers realized this and wanted to fix the mistakes of the past by writing the war of souls. The first book kept me interested and I wanted to find out where they took me. I am sorry to say they took me straight into the headlights of oncoming traffic. I felt it was a series trying to make up for past mistakes but they couldn't do it. In fact they made even more. Where were the heros we needed? Where was there Good vs. Evil? I find it hard to get excited for evil vs evil. I don't care who wins something like that. I know there were parts of the novel you can point out good vs. evil but not many. Some may say it's not the writers fault because where else were they going to go? I say it is their fault, they are the ones who painted themselves into a corner. One reviewer remarked that when they finally got to the end of the novel, they was like..."that's it?" I can't help but agree. In my mind there will only ever be two Dragonlance trilogies. The original Chronicles and Legends. If you want to read some really good material, go get those two trilogies. Not the best written work you will read but very entertaining.

Rating: 4 stars
Summary: The climax that ended the reign of the One God.
Review: Well, I was kicking myself for not figuring out earlier in the series that the evil Queen Takhisis was actually the very One God. I found myself thinking that it was Chaos, father of the gods. What an imbecile I was, should have seen it coming while reading the series! The series and the climax was one that left me bitter, because of the death of my favorite Krynn dragon Skie, a.k.a. Khellendros. On another note I was glad to see the downfall of Malys, that great evil red monstrosity, as well as the other dragon overlords.

The story was truly worth reading, a climax that one wouldn't dream of being the end result, kept me a little in suspense, and was all in all a joy to read. This is must read material for all Dragonlance fans. Margaret Weis and Tracy Hickman have pulled it off again.

Rating: 3 stars
Summary: Could have been so much better
Review: I am a HUGE Dragonlance fan. I started when the original Chronicles first came out. I was really looking forward to this series. Dragons of a Fallen Sun was good, as was Dragons of a Lost Star. But, this book just falls short. It was like MW & TH were on cruise control. I think their problem was that they were writing another series at the same time.

They just didn't care about their characters. Tas was just plain boring and they didn't do anything with Palin and Dalamar. Who else wanted to see some interaction at the end when Raistlin comes back and Dalamar is there? They didn't even acknowledge each other. I wanted Dalamar to show some respect. Something!!

Over the whole series I didn't like how they dealt with Palin. He could have been a great character. They just made him an old man who could have been anyone in the Dragonlance world.

The only good things about the series were Galdar and Gerard. Galdar was a great attempt by MW and TH at making their first main-supporting minotaur character. Although they can't match Richard Knaak at portraying minotaur, I thought they did a good job.

Gerard was an original character for a Knight. I'm glad they made him a focus of the books. Gilthas was good too and his wife the Lioness. But for the others,(the original companions and Dalamar) it was like they didn't care what happened to them.

In the end, I just think that this book was rushed. I know that we expect the best of MW & TH everytime they write a book, but where in the world does someone do their best everytime out.

I, by no means, will give up on further adventures in the Dragonlance world by MW & TH, but I hope they plan better and take their time. I will wait, I hope others will as well.


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