Customer Reviews

The Covenant of the Forge (Dragonlance Dwarven Nations Trilogy, Volume 1)

5 star:		(8)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

This is a good book, with a big flaw. The timeline is all wrong. The Elven Nations Trilogy for the most part is supposed to have taken place after the Dwarves have delved Thorbardin, and Damon Omenborn (Father of Kings) is long dead. Namely because the ambassador to the Silvanesti in the book Firstborn is Hylar, as well as the fact that troops that fight alongside Kith-Kanan are Hylar troops.

Well in this book Cale Greeneye meets elves in Kal-Thax that say they are from Qualinesti. That really cannot be, since Kith-Kanan didn't found Qualinesti till after the Kinslayer war. Which brings up the question, how do the Hylar of Thorbardin fight in the Kinslayer war, if they are still the Calnar of Thorin?

The Elven Nations Trilogy was released prior to this trilogy. Dan Parkinson should have at least read it, so that they could get their stories straight.

Other than that it is a very good story, and Dwarves make fascinating subjects.

Dan Parkinson does an excellent job spinning the tale of how the dwarves came to find (or claim) their new mountain home and how the many dwarven clans become inspired to live (somewhat) peacefully alongside their neighboring clans. The history of the majestic and powerful Hylar clan and how they helped to unite the dwarves is an interesting one that I would recommend any Dragonlance fan should read.

Parkinson is one of the writers who proves that much good can come out of TSR, along with the much-ridiculed fantasy they also produce. This story was wonderful in part because it focused on a different brand of peoples, dwarves rather than humans. Writing from the viewpoint of a totally alien culture requires quite a bit of talent and I, for one, think Parkinson pulls it off here. This novel was also praiseworthy because it showed well strife between different groups and different people, all members of one larger culture, yet torn by varying allegiances and viewpoints. Finally, I enjoyed the book due to its theme of a nation that had to leave their home and create another - nation-building is not something you see often in fantasy, which usually revolves around well-established cultures, and its presence here was a nice touch. Politics rarely find their way into good fiction, but here that is the case. Recommended for those skeptical about the quality of anything printed by TSR.

Dwarves rock and so does this book. Why? Well, mostly because this book creates a very clear world for the reader to immerse themselves in when reading the book. Many of these books assume the reader is already aware of the worlds they offer up for a story. This is a problem, but this book does not and shares with the reader what the world consists of and who resides in it. I find that this allows the reader to be more aware of what matters to the characters and why it does. Simply stated, you have context for the story that is being told, and that makes reading this book all the more enjoyable. Get it and follow in the first steps of a group setting forth on a long adventure.

The Covenant of the Forge portrays the dwarven image to perfection and is a fast read for any fantasy lover. High action and great wording by Parkinson kept me going strong until the end. The best thing about this book is that its a trilogy, so I can satisfy my need for more and reach the conclusion of a great start of a great series.

I personally have always loved the stout, dour races of Krynn, and Dan Parkinson fully captivated my attention with this novel. It's the best of the triligy (I think a lot of firsts are the best in the triligy, though). Expect a good tale of a different sort.

This book was the one that drew me into the amazing world of krynn. This story begins the Dwarven Nations Trilogy, which is one of the best DL series ever!

I was totally captivated by this story. The dwarves leave thier homeland, being lead by "Colin Stonetooth", leader of will soon be the "Hylar" clan. They soon arrive in Kal-Thax, and make thier new home below the mountains.

What a spirited begining!! A must read!!

Great story - told as an epic tale

The Dwarves, to me, are the Most interesting of all the races. Thier hard work, determination, and just plain Toughness is fun to read about. i enjoyed this trilogy even more than The Elven Nation Trilogy, and thats saying alot. All praise to Chemosh!

A wonderful explaination of why Dwarves are the way they are. Wondeful book with lots of suprises along the way!