5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
Finally something about dwarves!, January 31, 2004
This review is from: Dark Thane (Dragonlance: The Age of Mortals) (Mass Market Paperback)
Not many in-print Dragonlance books are on the race of subterranean dwelling dwarves, and Dark Thane is the latest. The half-blooded king Tarn Bellowgranite gains a new political and personal enemy, surprisingly the Hylar thane. Contrary to all preconceptions of the Hylar, this disfigured, exceedingly ambitious, and more than a little neurotic usurper, plans on slaying Tarn and taking the throne for himself.
The flow of the book is generally pretty smooth, but there were a few unfinished storylines that may leave a reader unsatisfied. The ending was also a bit unconclusive, either a way of enticing a reader to buy a sequel, if there is one, or just plain, poor writing.
If you are into mystery and intrigue, Dark Thane is definitely for you, as it is chock full of political unrest, backstabbing and assassinations, and manipulation. There are few hack and slash battles, especially considering that we are dealing with a bunch of disgruntled dwarven leaders bent on wiping out entire clans.
There were a few inconsistencies in the book that a reader might find strange. First of all was for the Hylar thane, supposedly leader of the dwarves of light, to so readily turn to darkness for power. Another thing was the final decision that Tarn made, a choice between his people and something precious to him, and rather choose his people in the classic self-sacrificing Dragonlance spirit, he selfishly thought only of himself and chose the object important to him.
Readers new to the world of Dragonlance might want to try the Chronicles and Chaos War series first, as this book may leave him or her confused with its numerous historic references. If you liked Leaves from the Inn of the Last Home, you will like this book with its insightful look to dwarven festivities, culture, and traditions. To the connoisseur, especially if he or she enjoyed The Last Thane or Conundrum, this is also must have. Jeff Crook once again uses a powerful dark tone to narrate the turmoil that takes place underground in Krynn, making perhaps his most masterful piece yet.
-Steve
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1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
Jeff Crook Rawks!, September 11, 2004
This review is from: Dark Thane (Dragonlance: The Age of Mortals) (Mass Market Paperback)
:D I really enjoyed this book. As always, I wanted to hear more about the gullydwarves, but otherwise it was a fun read. I hadn't read much about the Dragonlance dwarves before. The only reason I gave it 4 stars instead of 5 is because I liked Crook's _Conundrum_ much much better.
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1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
Not as good as The Last Thane, August 14, 2004
This review is from: Dark Thane (Dragonlance: The Age of Mortals) (Mass Market Paperback)
The first part deals with the events immediately following DOALS with Tarn having to report the disaster at Qualinesti to the council, some of whom are looking to use his defeat for reason to dethrone him, ending in Thorbardin once again being sealed off from the world.
The second part picks up almost a year after the WOS has ended, although they don't know it, with Tarn's enemies getting ready to overthrow him & the discovery of a leftover Chaos dragon. It ends with Tarn & a group of followers being exiled...
And you get the feeling this is the last you'll read of Thorbardin because no one believes Tarn's warning of the dragon, especially when the dragon isn't where he told them it was.
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