Home :: Books :: Science Fiction & Fantasy  

Arts & Photography
Audio CDs
Audiocassettes
Biographies & Memoirs
Business & Investing
Children's Books
Christianity
Comics & Graphic Novels
Computers & Internet
Cooking, Food & Wine
Entertainment
Gay & Lesbian
Health, Mind & Body
History
Home & Garden
Horror
Literature & Fiction
Mystery & Thrillers
Nonfiction
Outdoors & Nature
Parenting & Families
Professional & Technical
Reference
Religion & Spirituality
Romance
Science
Science Fiction & Fantasy

Sports
Teens
Travel
Women's Fiction
Dragons of a Lost Star (The War of Souls, Volume II)

Dragons of a Lost Star (The War of Souls, Volume II)

List Price: $7.99
Your Price: $7.19
Product Info Reviews

<< 1 .. 9 10 11 12 13 >>

Rating: 4 stars
Summary: Keep Yourself Informed
Review: I'm sure that a lot of the people reading this are regular readers/posters on Dragonlance message boards and mailing lists, and the reason I gave this book four stars was mostly for their consideration. The average reader won't be able to get into this so easily, even though the book is, compared to most other fantasy novels, well written. It's not the fault of the writers or their prose that people won't get into it; this book is, more than almost any other fantasy series, a small yet beautiful and important piece of the greater picture and puzzle. One by one, the possible solutions to the question of the One God's identity fall away or are destroyed as the triumphant and increasingly cruel Mina makes her way across the continent. Substantial hints are given as to the One God's true name in this book, much more so than in Dragons of a Fallen Sun. If you've paid close enough attention you should be able to figure out who the One God is before the end. Hints are given in the other Dragonlance books, but the few that lead to the correct conclusion are buried in a rockslide of useless information. The plot twists are what make this book not only important, but fun to read, as a part of the greater story. Chief protagonists and antagonists rise and fall in ways that, except in a couple of cases, could never be predicted. It brings to an unequivocal close much of what you think you know about Krynn and its people. If you're reading the series, you're already buying this. If not, I suggest you read the book-- but only after you read the original Chronicles, Legends, The Second Generation (individual book), Dragons of Summer Flame (individual book) and Fifth Age trilogies, not to mention Dragons of a Fallen Sun.

Rating: 5 stars
Summary: Dragonlance is back to its original glory!
Review: I am so impressed with this book, I just love it! It was one of the best dragonlance books I had ever read. It ranks up there with the original 3. Lost Star answered a few questions I had from Fallen Sun, like is Mina and her God good, evil, or neutral. That was the largest question I had and it was answered clearly in this book. It also brought more life into King Gilthas and his wife the Lioness. Tasselhoff is great as always and he adds enough to this book to make it a favorite. This book was great and it is a must read for all dragonlance readers. Can't wait for the next one!

Rating: 5 stars
Summary: Just what you come to expect from these great authors
Review: What a great book! It took only 8 hours to read, because I couldn't put it down. All the separate plot lines from the Dragons of a Fallen Sun come together in a unique and interesting way. We find out a lot more about Mina and her "One God" and a whole lot more. I can't wait till Dragons of a Vanished Moon comes out.

Rating: 5 stars
Summary: star
Review: After the dissapointment of Fallen Sun, Lost star is a fantastic book. The reader will come to enjoy Mina's character, and be mistified as to the identity of "the one god."

excelent reading - if you haven't picked it up yet, do so

Rating: 5 stars
Summary: The Return of the True Dragonlance Universe
Review: Finally, the remnants of the 5th Age are beginning to crumble before the brilliant story-telling of Margaret Weis and Tracey Hickman. After years of disappointing books and storylines, they've taken back the world that is so rightfully theirs and have begun to set the past mistakes of sub-par authors right.

Through the development of interesting new characters and the reglorification of old ones, a lush and rich story has begun to take shape. Thus far, only one problem still remains... We now have to WAIT for the next book to surface.

Rating: 3 stars
Summary: Somewhat Disappointing
Review: NO SPOILERS~

I like the apocalyptical feel to this book, but I think that the approach of using obliteration to solve situations which were viewed to be problematic was an error on the authors' part. Not that there isn't anything good about the book. In fact, there are quite a few spine-tingling moments and as my first sentence stated, I like the dark way in which it was written (well, at least as far as DL goes). Still, there are too many things missing and the feeling that this book was rushed is prevelant- especially towards the end, I'm afraid.

However, whining about this would only accomplish the fact that humans have a similiar DNA make-up to pigs tom selleck rules and I would have devoted my life to world peace if he had been the one god

Rating: 4 stars
Summary: Hmm.... definitely, this is more than I was expecting.
Review: If you read my review of "Dragons of a Fallen Sun" you know what I thought was lacking in it: a bit sparse on plot and weak characters you couldn't identify with.

I am pleased to admit that "Dragons of a Lost Star" has thoroughly exceeded my expectations. Not only are the old characters (Tas, Goldmoon) written better in this book (In Fallen Sun, they seemed strangely unlikeable) the new characters, like Mina and Silvanoshei become more fleshed out and appealing (though not Gilthas. I fear poor Gilthas is doomed to remain a static character for the rest of eternity).

Without giving away any spoilers (when people give away spoilers in Amazon.com reviews it just irritates me like all hell) I thought the scenes with Mina, her followers, and the One-God were done much better than in the first book. In the first book, the only event that provided any dynamic was her meeting with Mirror. In this book, the reader sees more than simpy "Ah Mina! I worship you and the One-God!" To cut it short, it's less religious-fanaticism-by-the-numbers than the first book.

We get to see more about Tasslehoff and Goldmoon, and Goldmoon's big secret and mystery, which I was expecting to be a letdown, was rather interesting, if not entirely original.

But for those of you who seek action, the wars with the elves are good... but not Hickman-Weis great in my opinion. Beryl and Qualinost does not measure up to, say, The Attack on Neraka in Spring Dawning, or the High Clerist Tower's Final Stand in Summer Flame. But it does nicely change the pace of the book from early on. The real strength of this book lies with Mina, Tasslehoff, Goldmoon, Silvanoshei... and a few others who I may not name.

If you're still doubting whether you should read this book, I have one more thing to remind you of:

What about Dalamar?

Rating: 3 stars
Summary: A lot of not much
Review: I think that the whole "War of Souls" trilogy is a very nifty idea, but Tracy Hickman and Margaret Weis gets weighed down in attempting to pull off a Tolkin-ish epic. Mina, Kyrnn's Joan of Arc, is still rageing against the Elf nations, and taking out major dragons in the process, all in the name of her One God. The mystery of why the gods have all left Kyrnn is still not answered by the time the book has finished. In fact, a lot of loose ends are still left more or less the way they started at the beginning. "Dragons of a Lost Star" (Lost Star is a magical sword, by the way) is a very long middle, or bridge, novel; where really, I feel, nothing much really happens. Things get much more dire for the good guys, we find out a little more about Mina's background, and the identity of the One God is reveled. Also it seems that not all magic has left the world after all, there are hot spots (or rather hot people) that wild magic can work through. But other than that it is 550 pages of much ado about nothing. But somehow it is an interesting nothing. I don't think anything is lost, in fact just the opposite. Nothing was omited. I really just wanted to put this book down and go to the next book, but had to know what happened next. Tassolhoff was, once again, a delight to follow around, though the gnome Conumdrem got on my nerves (although I think it menas that the Industreal Revolution is coming soon to Krynn). Palin Mejere and Dalamar were pretty interesting, though not a lot of new depth added to keep interest alive for long after I was done reading the book. Most of the other characters, like Laurana, Gerard, Medan, and Goldmoon kind of blurred into one another after awhile, they were kind of trite. Not a bad book, just needs a lot of tighting up.

Rating: 5 stars
Summary: Can be counted among the best works in the Dragonlance saga.
Review: Margaret Weis and Tracy Hickman have struck gold yet again with their latest novel, DRAGONS OF A LOST STAR, book two in The War of Souls trilogy. Following on the heels of 1996's DRAGONS OF SUMMER FLAME, The War of Souls trilogy continues the arc begun with their phenomenally popular Chronicles series. The first installment, DRAGONS OF A FALLEN SUN, set up an epic conflict for the war-torn, dragon-beset populace of Krynn, 40 years after the close of the Chaos War (and even longer since the triumph of the Companions in THE WAR OF THE LANCE).

DRAGONS OF A LOST STAR picks up where the first book ends. Faith, belief in the old gods, and spirituality are ideas that Krynn has not seen since the Chaos War. Yet now belief and hope are seeping back into the lives of the people of Krynn. A new age is dawning as the people look to someone who begins to unite the world behind one nameless, miracle-performing god.

Mina has taken Silvanesti and sets her sights on the North, on Solamnia. It is there where the titular War of Souls will occur. An ally from times long past is desperately following Mina to find answers, perhaps even to find the nameless god. This friend is youthful once more, the result of ungodly magic, and has given up hiding in his tower deep in Nightlund along the river of souls. The final battle of the souls, long dead, who rise up to fight the Knights of Solamnia, is one that will never be forgotten and will inexorably change the lives of both the living and the mythic.

The book doesn't just concentrate on old friends and dead souls. The invasion of Qualinesti by the Dragon Overlord Beryl is given some exposition as well. The knights of Nereka, once sworn enemies of the elves, have risen up to defend their homes and, in the process, aid the elves themselves.

DRAGONS OF A LOST STAR can be counted amongst the best works in the Dragonlance saga. The plot is atypical for Weis and Hickman and includes many twists that will change fans' perceptions of certain old favorite characters. The idea of the one nameless god is also quite an intriguing one. For so long, the peoples of the land have lived in a hopeless world, an Age of Mortals, and yet now they are faced with the news of godly magic and mystery. What will the denouement be for the people of Krynn?

This book is a must for the Dragonlance die-hard. However, if you are new to this or the multiple interlaced series of Weis and Hickman, this book and its cast of characters (almost all of whom come from other books) will be quite confusing and ultimately not that satisfying. Go to http://www.dragonlance.com/ for all the info you could ever need on all the characters and books of the many series. Then try out a book from one of the earlier series, either the Dragonlance Chronicles or Dragonlance Legends, before you read this engrossing but complex book.

--- Reviewed by Josh A. Fink


Rating: 5 stars
Summary: Engrossing and richly developed
Review: It took me a few chapters to become absolutely hooked, perhaps more than most books seasoned with thick prose. The language of the author was very eloquent, almost ethereal at times. Not wishing to be hyperbolic, it was a bit like reading Shakespear in that you must find the rhythm of the writer, but when you do it comes to you in a natural and pleasant fashion.

The characters, especially Mina, are multi-faceted and well-developed throughout the trilogy. I mention Mina because it is tempting to see her initially as flat and unidimensional. But she is not. To demonstrate this, most readers will find themselves rooting for her and fearing her simultaneously. By the end of the trilogy you're concept of her will take another, quite unexpected turn - sympathy or pity. (You'll have to find out why).

I bought this compulsively from a HB bargain bin and it sat on my shelf for more than a year and finally read it when I got bored. I missed out. This has become one of my favorite series and I am willing to try other series from Weis.

This was well worth the purchase and serious fantasy fans should try it.


<< 1 .. 9 10 11 12 13 >>

© 2004, ReviewFocus or its affiliates