Rating: 
Summary: What you should read once you've finished Lord of the Rings
Review: I read these books when I was younger, when I read fantasy for the action, and I hated them. I gave them another try when I was older, starting with Dragons of Autumn Twilight, and I fell in love. This book begins a sweeping epic that you never want to see come to an end. My favorite character is Tanis, who is pulled in two different directions all the time because of his half-elven heritage. The characters in this book are well written, and there is always a sense that the story is going somewhere. The story is easier than LOTR, but the underlying thems of good and evil are there. But in Dragonlance, there is a twist. Sometimes good people do evil things, and sometimes evil people do good things. These characters are not as black and white as Tolkien's, they seem more human. Now that LOTR is a major movie hit and I see people reading it everywhere, this is the book that I recommend that they read next.
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Summary: A Tolkein free review!
Review: If one tries hard enough, you can find similarities of LOTR in the works of Danielle Steele.I got the series of books when I was a teenager and this was the first of the genre that I read. Now I'm in my thirties and still pick them up from time to time. These books are simply good fun. The action is fast and the characters are great. I still have not found better authors who keep the story moving while establishing plot and background.
It starts off with a reunion of friends after a five year quest to find evidence of the old gods. This is a neat trick, because it establishes background and characterization by having characters observe each other, comparing what they were like and what they are like now while still moving the story along. They meet two unfortunates which is the catalyst of the plot.
They chemistry and pace is something akin to the old Star Wars movies and X-men. Meaning that each person has a specific use that contributes to the team and are more or less stumble onto the forces working against them.
But the best thing about this book. TALKING DRAGONS! For some reason I really enjoy fantasy books with these guys and the books run rampant with them. Yes, it's juvinile and I couldn't tell you the difference between high and low fantasy, but when talking dragons enter the picture, the book picks up in my mind. Sorry if I have spoiled anything, but the books ARE called Dragonlance so........ In summation: The books are good for all ages (parents, my brother started reading them when he was 8), the authors juggle ensemble better than a Guy Ricthie film and there are talking dragons. This book opens you to one of the most prolific literary "worlds" than has been the inspiration for 75 + books. Buy them and enjoy!
Rating: 
Summary: Terrible, juvenile, contrived
Review: I had to read this book for a class on sci-fi and fantasy, and I must say, it's probably one of the worst books I've ever read. The character development is terrible, the writing is juvenile, and the plot is far too contrived. There is never any suspense, and no sense of danger, largely due to the far too simple device of a magic blue staff that heals all wounds (even restoring a man charred to a gooey mess by a dragon to full health). Quite simply, it's all very ridiculous, and I am amazed that people can actually read and enjoy this drivel.
Rating:
Summary: Great flight of fantasy that exhilirates you for a long time
Review: I had just finished reading Lord of the Rings triology when somebody recommended Dragonlance books.
It sounded more like children's tale but I decided to give it a try. Later I realized I like it more than Lord of the Rings, even if the plot seems to be 'inspired' from it.
The book talks about an unlikely group of companions, Tanis the half elf, Caramon the big warrior, Raistin, Caramon's twin and a magic user, Goldmoon and Riverwind the barbarians, Tas the cheerful kender and Flint the brave dwarf, who come together to save the world from the evil queen and her dragon armies.
The companions find themselves sucked into the war between good and evil and there's only one way to get out of it...their death or worse, eternal slavery of the evil queen.
Definitely among the best fiction I have read.
It is worth the money...BUY IT!
Rating:
Summary: Peerless
Review: There are a minute number of books out there in any given genre that deserve elevation above the top ranking. In this case 6 stars and beyond. Weis and Hickman's entire first Dragonlance Trilogy deserves such.
In some respects they are on the same plateau as Tolkien having created and defined an entire sub-genre - the D&D sub genre - that has spawned a vast library of games, characters, books, figurines, pictures etc. etc. that is truly awesome.
The plot of this book has been stated many times in the hundreds of reviews so I won't go into an extremely well trodden path. What Weis and Hickman have achieved, and so few authors do, is create a set of characters where every reader can identify and sympathise with at least one of them and feel a sense of true pathos and exhilaration as we follow their story. A blend of war and peace, anger and love, sadness and joy, 'Dragons of Autumn Twilight' has defined a generation of fantasy fans and irrevocably made an indelible impression on a genre that was has so much potential for the imagination.
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Summary: Hickman and Weis write a very good tale
Review: After reading the Dragon Prince and Dragon Star series, I was looking forward to the Chronicles series. I was very excited to read this series because I use to play the old rpgs such as Dark Queen and Death Knights and Heroes of the Lance. This book itself confirmed that Hickman and Weis know what they are writing about. I hope every book they write in Dragon Lance is as good as this one. From the beginning the action never stopped. While the companions search the ancient city for the only hope humans have left in finding the gods.
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Summary: The introduction of an Amazing World
Review: The first novel of the Chronicles Trilogy and of Dragonlance itself is an amazing debut of magic, wonder, and excitement. This book is of course archtypical but then again its the novel that was losely based on Dungeons and Dragons. But to say its nothing but a roleplaying game book is selling it short. Dragons of Autumn Twilight has its errors in writing but the themes and points given in the story is well mature and thoughtful. The characters (who indeed are archtype like-the cleric, the half elf, the mage, etc) are very character driven, each individual and each likeable in their own way. Much of then novel is driven with expierences the reader can relate to such as self doubt, questioning, and hope. The novel is indeed a good vs. evil story but has factors such as divination, corruption in organized,religon-which is very real today, and extreme prejudices. This and many other factors deem Dragonlance to be unique and equaled to other brilliant books (LOTR, Shannara, WOT,etc). Also this novel brings about the debut of the very popular character Raistlin which if this novel alone was about just him you should still buy the book. Raistlin is indentifable due to his weak and frail nature,his looks, and the fact that he is hated because he is a mage but his ambition and his drive is intriguing. Without spoiling the novel, the story brings about an action-filled quest to discover the truth, the hardships of responsiblity, and what it means to have faith. Plus it has Dragons in it :). If you do not own or have read this novel than you MUST BUY THIS BOOK!
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Summary: All Time Greatest
Review: What is it that makes this Fantasy work so much better than all the rest? One can only answer that after reading it for oneself. BUT, I'll try to explain a few things as best as possible. As with every other fantasy novel created, the reader will open to the first page and be introduced to a new, vast world known as Krynn. Wasting very little time(Meaning, not wasting PAGES to describe meaningless scenery), our new heroes are introduced. Ok, now, with many novels, I personally have found myself picking out a favorite central character and accepting the rest simply because. NOT the case with this book. Each character introduced had their own special qualities that can get on instantly attached from start til way after finish. Whether you like the small, mischievous characters with innocent kleptomania and optimism Or the dark soul type with boundless ambitions to attain power, these characters are definitely for keeps. There are still more characters with other elements to them that WILL keep you hooked, but I won't spoil them all. Plot is also another key. No time is wasted getting this story going(Disappointed readers of Robert Jordan will definitely find this a golden quality). A mysterious pair wanders into a tavern bearing a relic of immense interest. So interesting, that evil has been immediately drawn to it. Within a heartbeat, our 8 characters are on the run for their lives and to protect the mysterious couple. Little do they realize just what an adventure they, and the rest of Krynn, are in for. What else? Its a New York Times Bestseller . . . so what? I've seen my share of "Bestsellers" that definitely do not deserve such an honor. This one, however, does deserve it. The book makes amazing use of magic, gods, warriors and dragons. This is the kind of book you'll hate to put down. You'll find yourself lost in this book as the story deepens and develops into one of the greatest tales ever told. Still have doubts? Kick'em in the gut and throw them aside. Get this one. You won't be disappointed with this or with the books that follow. This one's definitely for keeps.
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Summary: Pure Entertainment!
Review: Dragons of Autumn Twilight is a book that does its job well. It entertains and keeps you turning the pages. It is an easy read and doesn't take itself too seriously. While there is certainly some of the darker aspects of life in this book (war, death, etc.), it by no means distracts from the more light hearted aspects of the book. Don't get me wrong, you should go in expecting all the ingredients of an epic fantasy that most have come to expect. However, you should not expect Tolkien or the intricate back drops of Robert Jordan. This is a more concise, fast paced romp which I think most will appreciate. So, buy it new or used, check it out from the library... whatever you have to do. If you like fantasy and need something to take your mind off things, then pick Dragons of Autumn Twilight...you won't regret it.
Rating:
Summary: A great start
Review: This is the beginning of one of the greatest ongoing series in literature today. Read it. and oh by the way this is the way the time line flows - Chronicles trilogy, Legends trilogy, The Second Generation, Dragons of Summer Flame, and The War of Souls, just a FYI.
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