Rating: 
Summary: Somewhat of a disappointment
Review: I went into this book with the highest of expectations. i really enjoyed the Dark Glory War a lot and couldn't wait to see what happened. i'll tell you what happened...not a lot....lots of traveling back and forth from place to place without much action in between. Although the ending picked up a bit, i really missed the action and adventure and excitement from the first book. Although I'll definitely read the next book (i already own it) it'll probably be awhile. overall I thought this book was about 300 pages too long...there was no need for this book to have been 700 pages long. I loved the swords and socerery and fighting and action of the first book soo much, i can't say enough how disappointed i was in this book. I hope the action and excitement picks up in the next volume. By the way could the character of Kerrigan be any more boring???? Sorry Michael but I expected more...
Rating:
Summary: Somewhat of a disappointment
Review: I went into this book with the highest of expectations. i really enjoyed the Dark Glory War a lot and couldn't wait to see what happened. i'll tell you what happened...not a lot....lots of traveling back and forth from place to place without much action in between. Although the ending picked up a bit, i really missed the action and adventure and excitement from the first book. Although I'll definitely read the next book (i already own it) it'll probably be awhile. overall I thought this book was about 300 pages too long...there was no need for this book to have been 700 pages long. I loved the swords and socerery and fighting and action of the first book soo much, i can't say enough how disappointed i was in this book. I hope the action and excitement picks up in the next volume. By the way could the character of Kerrigan be any more boring???? Sorry Michael but I expected more...
Rating: 
Summary: Author in progress
Review: I've been a fan of Mike Stackpole's since he released his first X-wing novel. I've since read all his subsequent Star Wars stories and comics, as well as his fantasy novels put out by Bantam and Harper. And it's no secret that I've been disappointed with his latest efforts (Dark Tide, I, Jedi, and Dark Glory War). I must say, however, that this book is a definite improvement, probably his best work since Once a Hero and Talion: Revenant. Also, this seems to be Mike's most massive novel yet.Despite my displeasure with Dark Glory War, I've really been looking forward to this book, and was extremely pleased to open my copy and start reading. For the first fifty pages or so, the writing or editing seemed pretty sloppy, and I was mentally bracing myself for the negative review. But as the book went on, *something* changed, and the writing style improved vastly. In terms of characters, Mike finally seems to be breaking out of his rut. Tarrant Hawkins, Corran Horn, Nolan...all of his heroes always seemed exactly the same. For the first time in years I didn't feel like I was reading the exact same character with a different name slapped on. In fact, we get several heroes in this book (at least one of them can only loosely be labelled "hero," though). This book also kept things moving. The plot is fast moving, the characters mostly compelling. Granted, by the time you're ten pages into the book, you'll know who two of the main characters *really* are, and there's not really a whole lot of suspense, but the deftly fleshed-out characters and typically wonderful action sequences more than make up for that. I really only have three problems with this book. The first is one common to the genre -- the bad guy is too one-dimensional. She's EEEVVVIIILLLL and must be stopped at all costs, but there's really no personality or development there. She's just this horrible evil force. The second is one common to the author -- the dialogue just doesn't sound real. Most of the conversations sound like a collection of speaches and one-liners somehow mashed into dialogue form. The third and final problem is more a matter of taste than a problem, per se -- I found that occasionally the book would bog down too much with the planning sessions and then spend too little time on the subsequent battles. However, even with these gripes, this is Mike's best work in years, thoroughly enjoyable. I can't wait for Rage of Dragons! (Write faster!)
Rating: 
Summary: A worthy sequel to "The Dark Glory War"
Review: Long ago there was a prophecy of a Norrington who would lead the world against Chytrine, tyrant of the North, and free the island Vorquellyn from her clutches. Twenty-five years after the surprising events of "The Dark Glory War" when Chytrine corrupted ten of the world's finest heros into her tools including the only two Norringtons who fit the prophecy, Resolute, a Vorquellyn survivor and his human friend known as Kedyn's Crow believe they have found the Norrington who will lead them, in the form of Will, a young bastard thief from the slums of the capital city, Ysln. While they are training Will for his ultimate encounter with Chytrine, Alexia, Princess of a shattered nation has begun raising arms herself. Meanwhile, the Vilwan Sorcerers have endowed a human, Kerrigan Reese with powers unheard of in hundreds of years. These three paths will cross at Fortress Draconis, the southern land's first line of defense against Chytrine, and keeper of two fragments of the legendary DragonCrown. Their mission to stop Chytrine from taking Fortress Draconis is doubly important, because if she obtains the rest of the DragonCrown, there will be nothing, prophecy or no, to stop her. The second book in the DragonCrown War cycle delivers just as well as it's prequel, "The Dark Glory War" did. This time around, the focus is off of Tarrant Hawkins, who plays a supporting character rather than the lead. The characters are all very well developed and real, while the battles are stunning and vivid enough for you to hear the peal of sword strikes, see the armies clashing, and smell the world as the characters do. While the descriptions of the surroundings are sometimes lengthy, they want for nothing in terms of interest held. The entire book is incredible and awe inspiring, making it completely un-putdownable from beginning to end. Just as with "The Dark Glory War," this one leaves you on a cliffhanger and begging for more.
Rating:
Summary: Excellent battle-writing
Review: Mr. Stackpole has a rare talent for writing about combat episodes (both tactical and strategic). Having served overseas with the US military, I believe Mr. Stackpole has caught the very essence of what it is to serve with one's life, and also with one's death. One scene in particular - involving refugees leaving Fortress Draconis - was particularly touching for me, but his eye for a world of war captures the nobility and savagery equally well. When he's not describing battles he slowly unfolds a subtle yet powerful plot, and gives his readers a detailed (almost living) description of life and struggle in his particular fantasy world. I bought the book, read it in less than one day, and I'm eagerly awaiting the next installment of what I am sure will be an excellent fantasy trilogy! (Write faster, Michael, write faster!) ;)
Rating: 
Summary: Too much superpowerful magic
Review: The Sullanciri can now teleport, cast spells to shapechange other people, mindcontrol dozens of people at a distance, hear a whisper from half a mile away, and casually break into enemy castles to kill people. There is way too much magic on the human side also. Excerpt 1
The Apprentice gave him a witheringly depreciative glance. "You dulls. This will take forever." She gestured once and a blue spark flew from her right hand. It hit the broom dead in the middle of the stick and wrenched it from his grasp. Whirling and twirling, the broom danced through the flour and drove it in a wave to the waiting sack. Excerpt 2
Thaumaturgical enery surged from him in an invisible wave that swept out toward its target. It swelled and gathered the ship up into its grasp. He raised his right hand and the ship emerged from the sea. Twenty feet, forty, higher and higher.
Rating:
Summary: Once more...with feeling
Review: There are only a few things one can say about this book, apart from the overused raves, but i can say that it is a page-turner. if i didn't have finals, i would have stayed up all night reading....Mike put it best himself...WRITE FASTER!!!!!!!
Rating:
Summary: Keeps getting better
Review: This book did not start where I expected it to start, it did not have the characters I expected it to have, nor did it use a style that I expected it to use, I have just one thing to say to that . . . GREAT JOB MIKE! Excuse me for the informality, but I get excited about these things.
"Fortress Draconis" is a sequel to "The Dark Glory War" in that it takes place after the events in TDGW, however it does not take up after the last book's cliffhanger ending, it begins 25 years later. As I mentioned before, the style of this book is also different from the first. FD uses a third person narrative style with multiple viewpoint characters and has the feel of a traditional quest fantasy, although there is nothing DERIVATIVE about it. The book also attains a subtlety that I think has been unparalleled in Mr. Stackpole's work so far and I am sure he will only continue to improve on.
This is quite simply a fun book. It has great characters, an excellent plot, and plenty of original material. I highly recommend it.
Rating:
Summary: Stackpole is fantastic!
Review: This book is the second in a very compelling series. I am a very picky reader and I tell you this is a GREAT book written by an ever better author. Michael Stackpole is one of the best authors I have ever read. Why every Sci Fi/ Fantasy fan in the world does not buy this and his other books, I will never understand. Not since Robert Jordan's Wheel of Time have I been so swept away by the story and characters of a novel. Not to mention, Michael has the courage to let his story go somewhere (WoT fans know what I mean). I tell you this, if you don't by this book and other Stackpole works, you are really missing out. Also, if you are a fan you will NOT be disappointed. This book is just as deep and compelling as his other novels.
Rating:
Summary: Awesome Book! - But don't skip the prequel.
Review: This book was awesome. I wanted to let people know that before anyone starts reading the books to the dragon crown series, you need to get Dark Glory War, which is the prequel to the series. That book provides a lot of character development that is not covered in Fortress Draconis. But back to the book on review, this book is great. I found it to be slower at first because of all the character development needed, but I think it helps in the long run. It makes the next book (When dragons rage) a lot better, and a lot more action occurs later. Anyhow, great book! Everyone should read it, but get Dark Glory War first.
|
