Rating: 
Summary: The Fifth Age Starts
Review: "Dragons of a Fallen Sun" takes place some thirty years after "Dragons of a Summer Flame". Most of the Heros of the Lance are dead or very old now; and their children, the next generation of heros, seems to be ineffectual in the new woes of the land. Magic has been steadily disappering from Krynn for a long time now, the clerics are getting weaker all the time. It is starting to look like a repeat of the aftermath of the Cataclysm until Mina shows up after a particularly bad storm. She leads a group of Minators in a crusade to spread the word of the one true god, thus far nameless. But in her way are the Silvinesti, very xenophobic elves who wish to remain isolated at any cost. Also thrown into the mix is Tassolhoff Burrfoot, with a magical time traveling device that has helped him mess up the future events. This book is the start of the "War of Souls" trilogy; which is the story of the beginning of the Fifth Age, the Age of Men. It is so far a fairly solid start, with a lot of forshadowing what is going to happen in the next books (a lot is made of Raistlin and Dalamar's disapperance, also the strange new sky). The character's are not as well fleshed out here as usual; even Tas is not as good as usual. But it has a lot iof mystery, intriege, action, even a few laughs. I can't wait to see what happens next.
Rating:
Summary: The Fifth Age Starts
Review: "Dragons of a Fallen Sun" takes place some thirty years after "Dragons of a Summer Flame". Most of the Heros of the Lance are dead or very old now; and their children, the next generation of heros, seems to be ineffectual in the new woes of the land. Magic has been steadily disappering from Krynn for a long time now, the clerics are getting weaker all the time. It is starting to look like a repeat of the aftermath of the Cataclysm until Mina shows up after a particularly bad storm. She leads a group of Minators in a crusade to spread the word of the one true god, thus far nameless. But in her way are the Silvinesti, very xenophobic elves who wish to remain isolated at any cost. Also thrown into the mix is Tassolhoff Burrfoot, with a magical time traveling device that has helped him mess up the future events. This book is the start of the "War of Souls" trilogy; which is the story of the beginning of the Fifth Age, the Age of Men. It is so far a fairly solid start, with a lot of forshadowing what is going to happen in the next books (a lot is made of Raistlin and Dalamar's disapperance, also the strange new sky). The character's are not as well fleshed out here as usual; even Tas is not as good as usual. But it has a lot iof mystery, intriege, action, even a few laughs. I can't wait to see what happens next.
Rating: 
Summary: Same High Standards
Review: Dragons of a Fallen Sun is a very complete work by Weis and Hickman that will leave you anxious for more in the series. It is developed with very full characters, uses great foreshadowing, and has a seemless build-up of tension toward the conclusion. Not unlike Dragonlance Chronicles, the story leads you into very complete world full of drama and suspense.A lot of time is taken to fill you in on events leading up to the current storyline so that someone new to the Dragonlance series could quickly learn to know the world in which it takes place. For those who are already familiar with the older novels, the constant review of past occurances can cause the book to drag at times. Overall, the depth that Weis and Hickman write with is not unexpected and can be appreciated by most Dragonlance readers. The threads of this novel wind together better than any book I've read in quite a long time. There is an undeniable mood that carries you deep into the story so that every page is easily devoured for the next. Though over half of the book tends to concentrate on background and introduction of new characters there is constant action developing and the reader is truly rewarded with a superbly intricate plotline. Don't worry about the cliff Weis and Hickman leave you dangling on. You'll have no trouble getting addicted enough to plunge over it into the next in the series, Dragons of a Lost Star. E.H.
Rating:
Summary: A good start to a great trilogy
Review: I came across dragonlance last year and have devored the books. This book, Dragons of a fallen sun, has much of the loved charm of dragonlance. I would recommend this trilogy to early dargonlance readers of all ages. This brilliant book starts with a horrible storm that leaves its wrath everywhere. Galdar, comes in contact with a human "girl" who gives him back his sword arm. He instantly, along with the small army with him, falls in love with Mina, the fearless girl that is soon to become Lord of the Night for the Nights of Nerka. Weiss and Hickman weave several story lines masterfully, including the stories of both elven nations, the fearful dragons, Gerad(a knight that doesn't do anything...), a HONORABLE kender that changes history, and the main story line,Mina. A great book filled with adventure, heroes, dragons, and the one god, this book is one you will not soon forget.
Rating: 
Summary: Reminds me too much of Xena...
Review: I'm sorry, but I used to watch Xena on TV, and I've been there and done that. The gods are dying/dead and there's a new "one god" that's going to come and be good? Oh gee, us modern readers are supposed to assume this is the Christian (or whatever) God, or some parallel, and feel frightened that a magical fantasy world is going to turn into something horribly boring like a Middle Ages Earth where miracles are real. But of course, there must be a plot twist. Just like in Xena, we can count on this "One God" being very evil. Oh wow, how shocking! If it matters, this "One God" is not revealed as being evil in this book. But I know a tired old cliche when I see one, and I can feel it in my blood... this is going to be nothing but a disappointment. Besides, Tracy Hickman is a fanatic Christian in real life. He would never create a "One God" that isn't the God of the Bible and have it be good. Nor would he allow Weis to do so, at least not over his dead body. It would be blasphemy to him. Hickman is a very predictable author, once you have the misfortune of reading his non-fantasy works. Anyway, it still IS a Dragonlance novel, and not a horrible one. I would give it 2.5 stars if I could, but I can't, and 2 is just too low. So 3 stars. It is not a bad book, and it's a nice way to kill some time if you're a Dragonlance fan, but I fear the "mystery" over this "One God" will not be a mystery to anyone with half a brain.
Rating:
Summary: i'm surprised
Review: I've been a fan of Dragonlance for over 10 years; when I first read Chronicles I thought that this was the most amazing thing I'd ever seen. The characters were so deep you soon got a real feeling you knew them and loved them; how I wept for Sturm, Raistlin, and Steel! Which is why I'm surprised by this book. People have said that its more plot orientated (which is true), but even so there doesn't seem to be the same amount of plot development as there is in any of the other Dragonlance books. I guess this is because they're writing a few different plot lines at the same time; while these are being tied together and its interesting, the book doesn't have the same power because it doesn't focus upon the trials of particular heroes as acutely. When you finish reading it, you get the same feeling as when you finish reading ANOTHER of those AWFUL Jordan books; not much has happened! So in some ways its disappointing. But its a good start; they've built well and have set the scene for some good action in the next books. And the characters aren't shallow; we just haven't seen enough of them yet.
Rating:
Summary: Engrossing and richly developed
Review: It took me a few chapters to become hooked, perhaps more than most books seasoned with thick prose. The language of the author was very eloquent, but almost different. Without being 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.
Rating:
Summary: Glimpses of the Chronicles
Review: Let me start by saying that Weis and Hickman are among the best in the genre. The Chronicles and Legends trilogies were landmark, just fantastic reads. So obviously I was excited to check out the War of Souls trilogy. The setting of DoFS is cold, bleak, verging on hopelessness. The Gods are gone and monstrous dragons hold the peoples in their firm talons. There is no joy on Ansalon. Then a storm hits, and in comes the mysterious Mina. While all other wizards are losing their power, Mina has plenty to spare. She leads a regiment of the Knights of Neraka and performs miracles a plenty. Okay, the storyline isn't too bad. But in my humble opinion, the characters leave much to be desired. It is hard to find a hero to root for. The personal character of the heroes are weak. Remember the selfless and strong of heart Caramon? The honorable Sturm? The courageous and bold Flint? No such characters here. Instead we have a small band of whiners, an arrogant knight, and a familiar kender. On the plus side, this leaves the characters plenty of room to grow in the next two books. Also, the book is predictable. You know Mina is going to be successful in whatever she does. You will find yourself rooting against her, but knowing she's going to win each battle. There are some twists, but fans of Dragonlance will see them coming. This book is a good one, and I plan to read the next two. But if the first book is any indication, the War of Souls is not going to rock our worlds like the War of the Lance.
Rating:
Summary: mina i've crossed oceans of time...............
Review: My mother bought me a Dragonlance book when I was 13 years old. The first book in the Elven Nations trilogy. From that first book, I was hooked, through the Chronicles, Legends, Tales, etc. This book came to me sans the "prequel" and I must say that I was bamboozled to see what had happened to our beloved Krynn. Nevertheless, the book is superb and a great introduction to a new age in the Dragonlance saga. I feel like I'm 13 all over again. A good read.
Rating: 
Summary: Huh? What's Going on Here???
Review: Okay, I read all the original Chronicles, and they were great. I read the self-indulgent "Time of the Twins" storyline where Raistlin practically wore a leather jacket and brooded a lot about his soul. It was okay, even though the story ultimately did nothing-other than give me a permanent twitch every time that irritating kender pops up yet again. I read the Second Generation novellas-as always, a mixed bag but some good ideas there. And I read "Dragons of Summer Flame," where everybody fought All-Father Chaos and most of the original heroes were finally polished off (even-dare I hope?-Tasselhoff himself!). And it was okay, even though Usha's identity was never resolved. So now I pick up what's ostensibly the "next step" in the timeline... and I'm totally lost. What's all this about "monster dragons" killing regular dragons? Where did all the mystics and sorcerers come from? Yes, I know the gods left Krynn at the end of the Chaos War; fine. And it IS forty years later. That can explain the Silvanesti blight-shield, the fading of magic-though not properly introduced or explained-and the introduction of Demon Queen Mina. (Anyone who didn't see her faux-monotheism as the Obvious Harbinger of Pure Evil, go to the back of the class). But I've obviously missed something in between. Where did all these alien dragon-monsters come from? When did the kender get wiped out and "afflicted"? (I'm kinda sorry I missed that....) What's up with these new powers (also fading) replacing the magic of wizards and clerics, and when did Palin switch from a 2nd Edition wizard to a 3rd Edition sorcerer? In short, WHERE'S THE MISSING CHAPTER??? And why, oh WHY did they have to dredge up that stupid kender again? The little twerp is DEAD, people! You'd think we could safely have ONE book that doesn't have Tasselhoff's irritating face popping up, now that he's dead and buried! I'm not naming names, but someone is far, far too in love with their pet character to move on and create new, more interesting protagonists. Finally, by reading the other Amazon reviews, I pieced together the fact that there may have been an intervening story (perhaps a whole trilogy) by someone named Rabe, who wrote "Dragons of a New Age." (What a creepy title: "new age" and "dragons" should never be in the same sentence lest a herd of crystal-waving unicorn lovers descend upon us.) And apparently, "Fallen Sun" picks up where Rabe's story presumably left off. To which I can only say to Weis & Hickman: bad move. If you're relying on someone else's work to bridge the gap between your novels, you need to 1) refer to those books in your frontispiece chronology and 2) build in some explanation for readers who never saw those books. Weis and Hickman did neither... so somone who (like me) has mainly followed the "canonical Dragonlance" as written by the original authors stumbles into this new book totally lost and without a map. The actual story and characterization are fairly thin, though I can't be too objective a judge since that demonspawn Tasselhoff keeps intruding into every other chapter (die, damn you! why won't you stay dead?). So far, Gerard's an honorless ass, Silvan's a selfish twit, and Mina-as noted-is a self-evident Agent of Evil. Are there ANY heroes in this book to root for? So far, I'm favoring Mina's minotaur sidekick, Galdar. At least he has an interesting history and a strong personality... something sadly lacking from the whiners and egotists that otherwise populate modern-day Krynn. It seems that when Tanis and company died out, they took heroism with them. I really, really hope this story picks up and that Weis & Hickman get back some of their engaging characterization and sense-of-wonder skills that made the first books so compelling. And I hold out the faint hope that by the end of this set of books, maybe-just maybe-this time Tasselhoff will finally. Stay. Dead.
|
