City of the Lost (Dragonlance: The Linsha Trilogy, Vol. 1)

Rating:
Summary: A good read
Review: I've been a huge dragonlance fan since the franchise started probably 15 years ago. Unfortunately, very few of the current books measure up to the original Weis/Hickman books. However, I would consider Mary Herbert to be the best of the current crop of writers.

This book is well written and has a good storyline. Unfortunately, the second book in the series Flight of the Fallen does not measure up to this book. I am hoping the third book will meet my expectations and make for a good series. City of the Lost gets my recommendation, but I am consistently disappointed with the current crop of Dragonlance books. The Dragonlance franchise is showing its age.

Rating:
Summary: Overwrought
Review: Linsha Majere lacks charisma. There are a lot of details poured into her character, and she definitely comes across as a courageous, if unconventional, knight; but somehow I get the feeling that Mary Herbert is still trying to convince herself as to who Linsha Majere is. The writing seems a little overwrought, and the fantasy in the book (e.g. a modern city built around a spirit city) really doesn't serve the story. I'm still trying to finish this one, and I'm not sure I'll continue with the trilogy.

Rating:
Summary: Worth the read and then some!
Review: This is one of the most engrossing Dragonlance novels I have read, outside of the core storyline. Linsha's character is well-developed and interesting, and the politics and intrigue of the book had me turning page after page. I can't wait for the next one! One suggestion for improvement: a map of the city and its immediate environs would have made the story easier to follow. Otherwise, nigh perfect.

Rating:
Summary: Worth the read and then some!
Review: This is one of the most engrossing Dragonlance novels I have read, outside of the core storyline. Linsha's character is well-developed and interesting, and the politics and intrigue of the book had me turning page after page. I can't wait for the next one! One suggestion for improvement: a map of the city and its immediate environs would have made the story easier to follow. Otherwise, nigh perfect.

Rating:
Summary: A good start to a trilogy
Review: This was indeed an engrossing novel. I couldn't stop reading. Most of this novel takes places before DOAFS in an intriguing part of Krynn. Herbert did much better here than on her long-winded Clandestine Circle novel. This was a much easier, well-paced story.

Linsha & Varia are more entertaining & fleshed out too. There were plenty of other interesting characters including two very likeable Dragonlords & one not so likeable one. It'll be interesting to see what kind of villian the Brutes commander turns out to be.