Customer Reviews

Blades of the Tiger (Dragonlance: Taladas Trilogy, Vol. 1)

5 star:		(6)
4 star:		(5)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

After several years of sub-par story lines set in Ansalon, Wizards of the Coast seems to have realized they need to explore more of the world of Krynn. Along come Taladas, a new continent not yet explored - or even knew about in the world of Krynn.

It took me a little while to get used to some of the nuances of the continent such as the different names for the gods and the 'altered' races. Once you come to grips with the changes the novel moves on at a brisk pace. I was surprised the book was over 400 pages, typical Dragonlance books average 300-350. Good to see they are allowing a little more in terms of word count.

I hesitate to give this book a perfect 5, as that would mean it was perfect and there was nothing to improve on. I think Pierson, is one of the up and coming Dragonlance authors. Yet, I think some of his dialog in this book seemed forced - at times it felt like the same character was talking when in fact it was a completely different character.

I think this series has great promise and one that I will follow for sure.

The continent of Ansolon may belong to Weis and Hickman but Chris Pierson has staked his claim to Taladas in a big way!

Blades of the Tiger is one of the absolute best books ever and the crowning jewel in the crown that will adorn Pierson's brow for years to come. A book filled with sharp edged betrayal, loyalty unto death and tragic heroes, this book sets the precedence by which all future novels based in Taladas should be measured. After the oft overlooked yet phenomenal Kingpriest trilogy, Chris Pierson has been rewarded with the opportunity of a lifetime in establishing Taladas as an unforgiving and cut throat continent that Ansalon was supposed to be before it was watered down with weak storylines.

If the remainder of the series is even half as good as Blades, prepare to have your world rocked!

One of the best Dragonlance novels I've read in a long time. As the before reviewer stated, maybe this is what Krynn needed. Something new and unexplored, yet not drastically different from Ansalon.

Pierson weaves a good tale I must say. He often switches from one of the three main characters and their own perspective outlook, which makes the read utterly absorbing. Even though this book runs over 400 pages, not once did I feel like it was dragging on. If anything I wanted it to go longer! Good start to what should be an even better series.

I'm ashamed to admit I didn't give much thought to his Kingpriest Trilogy when it came out but now I can't wait to get my hands on it after finishing this book.

I've never read a Chris Pierson novel - and this definately won't be the last!

This first novel of a trilogy was totally gripping and vastly entertaining. Pierson's storyline and writing style reminded me strongly of David Gemmel - but better. Where Gemmel lacks in utilizing mythic fantasy creatures, such as goblins, dragons, elves and such - Chris Pierson does all this and much more.

I like my fantasy heroic, with tons of rich and differing characters - both good and evil. Pierson delivered all of this in large quantities. And much more.

The 3 storylines here converge very well, all resplendant with cool characters. Magic abounds, along with cultures of peoples and beasts such as minotaurs, different types of elves, mages and wizards, shapeshifters, and the list goes on. All blending well with the epic storyline.

I just purchased the 2nd in the trilogy - Trail of the Black Wyrm, with another excellent cover art by Stan Stawicki. It seems each cover shows two differrent characters in each volume.

This 1st one, shows the shapeshifter tiger-man, Chovuk, with his bodyguard, Hult. Hult is a very interesting and tough character in this story. As is Shedara, the elven thief who wields magic and looks and acts like a ninja.

If you like your fantasy larger-than-life, with excellent pacing and heroic acts of derring-do - then Volume one of the Taladas Trilogy - Blades of the Tiger - is for you.

I really like the way that Pierson is stretching his wings with each successive piece of work in the Dragonlance universe. His earlier work started out as a very rigidly structured set of tales where most of the interesting decisions had been made. The Sacred Hammer trilogy was an exploration of a dimly covered legend, but with a clearly defined ending.

With the Taladas Chronicles, Pierson finally gets to almost full extension -- working in a part of the world which is not encumbered by a history outside of his own fertile muse. And he makes use of it! Working up entire races and histories and backstories which enrichen the tale.

I like most of Pierson's work, it is definitely some of the best Dragonlance available.

I picked this book up not knowing what to expect. Could I really tolerate another drastic change to the world of Dragonlance? Then again, maybe a totally new setting would breathe much needed life into Krynn. (After all, this is Chris Pierson, how can you not read it?)

What we get is an isolated continent, peopled with familiar races, influenced by familiar gods, but with a different twist on the events of Krynn.

Pierson fills his new canvas with a good story: 3 separate and very different lives uniting in a bid to contain an ancient evil within the confines of its elusive relic. While the Taladas Trilogy may not turn out to be the powerhouse that the Kingpriest Trilogy was, it certainly appears to be worthy reading and proof of Pierson's potential to be the new voice of Krynn.

as an avid reader of all the dragonlance books, going to other side of krynn was a trip indeed. both the books at this time are well written and very sustaining throught the entire story i reccomend it to any dragonlance reader.

I found this book to be amazing in every regard. The storyline was smooth and in no way predictable. I read this and what rushed to mind was, "Finally, a Dragonlance storyline where wars are not won by an idiot Kender's magical rainbow dust.

The story is brutal, it essentially follows three main characters. One of them a thief, another a general, and the last a bodyguard for a tribal chief. Their stories are completely different and at many times, at cross purposes, but the history and intrigue of the while epic keeps you going. I sat down to read this, and finished it in nearly one sitting. It is really just that good. I honestly wanted to hear about each character and how they dealt with every situation. None of the usual, "Great, lets finish up with this loser so I can read what happens to the guy I like."

Pierson has truly come a long way since I read him last, and I can't wait for the last part of this trilogy to be released. The cliffhangers are everything that they should be. A self contained plot that just hints at what is truly just beyond the next cover.

Really, if you are debating whether or not to shell out the few bucks for this book, then stop. Buy this book and buy the next one too. And if the last one is out by the time you see this, then buy that one too. Really, I have read practically every Dragonlance book out there and I truly mean it when I tell you that this one of the best, if not THE best. I will have to see how the series ends to be absolutely sure.

Well, I don't know what that other guy is talking about with this The Hooded One being owned by him, but I do not remember that name being on the boards at any time.

Anywho, this is a great book in Chris Pierson's pocket and I would highly recommend it to anyone. I really didn't know much going into this book about the continent of Taladas. After reading it, I must say that he painted a great picture of this continent on Krynn. Krynn needed a new world to explore and I am glad they came here. Human and Minotaur interactions are totally different, along with the elves and barbarians. They even have a nation that worships the dead, and raises them for their armies. I really can't wait until the next book comes out, and again, anyone looking for a great read should pick this one up.

uh, you know that chris pierson doesnt read message boards, right? for the very reason you claim, even. Being falsly accused of plagerizing drives him and many authors away from forums, for fears that random fanboys will throw a fit. Dude, the concept of a Hooded One is far older than you are, and is utterly generic to boot. You don't see me suing margaret and tracy for creating a half elven ranger, do you?

read this book, folks. Chris Pierson is the best author DL has right now, and taladas is a worthy subject for him.