Rating: 
Summary: Doesn't feel like a Dragonlance novel...
Review: Perhaps the influx of new characters and the diminished role of the olders ones gave this book a distinctly different flavor from the other DL novels by Weis and Hickman. Certainly Dragons of a Fallen Sun breaks the mold of the Legends and Chronicles, which delve into character with much more depth. Some of the old heroes are still around, granted, but they are pushed into the background by new ones, or by those previously-undeveloped charaacters like Gilthas and Silvanoshei. Unfortunately, either because of the lack of character-development or the comparatively-bland and uninteresting personalities or simply 15 years of Dragonlance history, the new heroes do not command the same attention as do the old. The only saving grace is Palin, who has undergone some significant changes, reminiscent of another Dragonlance legend. Except for some bright patches offered by Tasslehoff's antics, this is a darker novel, filled not only with the decay of Krynn without its gods but also of its classic heroes. This is unfamiliar territory, even more so than Summer Flame. In a way, much of what was familiar to DL fans has vanished, replaced by a new, alien world. Part of this is due to the drastic changes instituted by the Fifth Age storyline, one which (until now) has paled in comparison to the richness of classic Dragonlance. But another factor which has completely altered the aspect of Dragonlance is the writing style of Weis and Hickman. It has been mentioned that a lot of the book was synoptic and plot-oriented, and that has indeed contributed, but Weis and Hickman are breaking new ground, writing about characters which do not have 15 years of history, which do not seem like old friends to them, but strangers, and this has affected how the reader views the characters--not with the familiarity of two trilogies, but the awkwardness of a first meeting. Plot-wise, this book has certainly sown the seeds that will revitalize the Dragonlance series. However, given the relative lack of character-development, there was insufficient story-development to truly compensate. Weis and Hickman seem to have but one cookie of creativity to offer their readers, and are trying to dole it out slowly, giving us only the barest crumbs. While this may whet our appetite for the remaining books of the trilogy, the lack of completeness in this first book is evident. Not only have we been left hanging, but there is no sense even of a partial resolution. Granted, this is only the first book, but without a firm bite, without being able to truly sink my teeth into this trilogy, I don't feel as drawn into the world as I was, for instance, when the Legends series was released. Still, this was a good, albeit somewhat disappointing novel, in part because it could not fulfill the expectations after four years away from the world, in part because it only somewhat salvaged the mishaps introduced by the Fifth Age storyline, and in part because it has such a rich legacy to live up to.
Rating: 
Summary: A New Age Begins for Dragonlance
Review: The gods are missing, the world is ruled by huge dragons that keep the people under its claw. Magic and healting are dying. A mysterious red hair girl arrives during a storm that rocks the world. She allies herself with the forces of evil proclaiming that the One God is the people savior. She works healing not seen for many years and helps the Silvanesti elves defeat their biggest evil. Meanwhile, the Qualensti elves are dealing with their own threat and their king has become more then a mere puppet. Is this girl up to something and who is this One God? And the person to save all of the world from a new evil, a kender long dead and possibly cursed with fear. Dragonlance has come a far way from its early beginnings. This book creates a new beginning with some old and new faces. This book is a tad bit longer then the previous ones but it is just as good. Hickman and Weis are on top of the game in both style and writing quality. The only bad note is that this book is just a mere prep for the next two books of the trilogy. Go out and read this both Dragonlance fans or not.
Rating:
Summary: Dosn't reach the usual Weis-Hickman standard
Review: This book isn't as good as the rest of the Weis and Hickman Dragonlance Saga. In the matter of fact, most of the time it doesn't reach the standard of any of their books that I've read. Why 5 stars then? Well, it's Dragonlance and it's Weis and Hickman. They are still great storytellers that make you eager to turn the page, even when the plot is relatively weak. Another thing that's puahing you forward is, as I said, the fact that Krynn is your favorite world, and you enjoy just being in it. I do recommened this book, even if only as a bridge to the other 2 books in the series, which are great.
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