Rating: 
Summary: Slipping a little.
Review: This is probably the least satisfying of all the books in the series, with the possible exception of #1. The story is advanced a lot farther in this one than in the three previous, but the characters and the storylines were the most disappointing. Grundle and the other 'mensch' characters are like small children; I'm sorry, but little kids (or characters who act like little kids) have no place in this story. Samah's part in the story reads like a direct attack on fascism. They don't even bother being subtle about it. I found the dragon-snakes very interesting though, second only to Abarrach's lazar. This book is still good, and it's necessary because everything following progresses from it. I only wish it didn't seem like a young-adult fantasy so often. And if you're one of those people complaining that the start of the series has no continuity, just read on. From book 5 onward they all start coming together.
Rating: 
Summary: Evil Runs Rampant
Review: This is the fourth book of the Death Gate series and final book of the Death Gate Cycle and takes place on the Realm of Water, Chelestra. Alfred emerges from the Death Gate (having just fled Haplo's ship) find's himself in a Sartan chamber similar to the one on the Realm of Air. This chamber is filled with living Sartan which Alfred awakes. He soon discoveres that these are the original Sartan who sundered the world but for some reason can not bring himself to trust them.Meanwhile Haplo attempt to go to Chelestra without meeting with his lord, Xar. Xar has other plans and manages to get the information about necromancy and the possibility of a higher power out of Haplo. Xar punishes Haplo for his considering the possibility of a higher power as well as punishing him for allowing Alfred to escape. Once his punishment is done, Xar notes with satisfaction that Haplo's mysterious dog is now missing. On Chelestra, Alfred is surprised by Haplo's dogs appearance at his side. He is also concerned that the Sartan leader refuses to believe there is a higher power and his attempts to hide the truth from Alfred. Haplo makes his way into this world of water when he is shocked to discover that the oceans negate ALL of his magic. Haplo is rescued by a human, elf, and dwarf child who are captives of the powerful and mysterious Dragon-Snakes. As Haplo learns the truth about the Dragon-Snakes, Alfred learns the truth behind the Sundering. The Dragon-Snakes lead Haplo, the humans, elves, and dwarves to the Sartan and the Sartan leader reacts by threatening to destroy these 'invaders.' As the Dragon-Snakes flood the Sartan city with the rune magic negating ocean water, the leader of the Sartan opens the Death Gate and allows the Dragon-Snakes into the other realms. This book makes it clear that not all Sartan are good and not all Patryn are evil. Learning more about the past and the fight over whether God (the higher power) really exist proves more interesting than I've made it sound. Fear and arrogance seems to rule both the Patryn leader and the Sartan leader. An excellent read!
Rating:
Summary: Evil Runs Rampant
Review: This is the fourth book of the Death Gate series and final book of the Death Gate Cycle and takes place on the Realm of Water, Chelestra. Alfred emerges from the Death Gate (having just fled Haplo's ship) find's himself in a Sartan chamber similar to the one on the Realm of Air. This chamber is filled with living Sartan which Alfred awakes. He soon discoveres that these are the original Sartan who sundered the world but for some reason can not bring himself to trust them. Meanwhile Haplo attempt to go to Chelestra without meeting with his lord, Xar. Xar has other plans and manages to get the information about necromancy and the possibility of a higher power out of Haplo. Xar punishes Haplo for his considering the possibility of a higher power as well as punishing him for allowing Alfred to escape. Once his punishment is done, Xar notes with satisfaction that Haplo's mysterious dog is now missing. On Chelestra, Alfred is surprised by Haplo's dogs appearance at his side. He is also concerned that the Sartan leader refuses to believe there is a higher power and his attempts to hide the truth from Alfred. Haplo makes his way into this world of water when he is shocked to discover that the oceans negate ALL of his magic. Haplo is rescued by a human, elf, and dwarf child who are captives of the powerful and mysterious Dragon-Snakes. As Haplo learns the truth about the Dragon-Snakes, Alfred learns the truth behind the Sundering. The Dragon-Snakes lead Haplo, the humans, elves, and dwarves to the Sartan and the Sartan leader reacts by threatening to destroy these 'invaders.' As the Dragon-Snakes flood the Sartan city with the rune magic negating ocean water, the leader of the Sartan opens the Death Gate and allows the Dragon-Snakes into the other realms. This book makes it clear that not all Sartan are good and not all Patryn are evil. Learning more about the past and the fight over whether God (the higher power) really exist proves more interesting than I've made it sound. Fear and arrogance seems to rule both the Patryn leader and the Sartan leader. An excellent read!
Rating:
Summary: Excellent!
Review: This is very good book. I have read the first four books of the serie. This is best of those four. The plot is good and there are great characters. Dragonsnakes are very interesting. The end was fascinating. If you have read the earlier books of the serie, you must read this too!
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