Customer Reviews

Downfall (Dragonlance: The Dhamon Saga, Book 1)

5 star:		(13)
4 star:		(7)
3 star:		(5)
2 star:		(2)
1 star:		(7)

 

 

...I read this. Absolutely horrid. I read less than 100 pages before I got too disgusted to read anymore. The book doesn't contain any likeable or sympathetic characters. In fact, they're all terrible. I'm not sure which I hate the most: the wanna-be prostitute half-elf or the amoral "hero." The entire cast of "good guys" delights in cruelity without reason and bloodlust. Right, if I wanted to read about people like this, I'd buy Helter Skelter.

Downfall was the first book I read from Dragonlance realm, big mistake on my part. But I didn't learn and thought the second book of this series, betrayl, would be better. BoyO', I was wrong.

Downfall starts off with the main character, Dhaemon, being an uninteresting and very annoying, it ends the same way too. The plot and the characters were very hard to believe and were even harder to like. After finishing this book it left me with nothing, except a strongly dislike towards dragonlance novels and for a couple of years I refused to read them. But don't worry, I like Dragonlance now.

Even if you have read the core books (chronicles and legends) and are looking for other dragonlance novels, stay clear of this one. It's really horrible.

I must say that Jean Rabe may not be WM and TH but she is turning out to be a very good Dragonlance author. This novel was a good adventure for Dhamon and Rig, it reminded me very much of a Dragonlance game quest (both a good and a bad thing). With this new novel, Rabe's action scenes have also improved far above what she showed in the Dragons of a New Age Trilogy (i.e. she didn't have Rig throw a knife into someone's throat every single fight). I think this book did a very good job setting up new characters as well as reminding us who the older characters are and advancing them. If you like the Fifth Age (both the novels and the game setting) then you will find this novel very entertaining and if you don't then it should still be a good read.

This book starts out ok, and improves... however, there are parts of the story that kind of trip you up, and have to re-read what you just read.

All in all it is a great book to get. I say this because even though there are slow parts of the novel, there are many fast parts that keep the adventure going.

I am 30 years old and have been reading Dragonlance since I was a sophomore in HS and this by far has been the most dissapointing book of them all. Yes, the author's writing has improved from her first stories, but all in all I find the entire story boring until the very end. Many times I had to go back and re-read what I had already read, because she was unable to capture my attention. It is nice to hear from some of the old characters, and of course I would purchase the next book in the series, but don't waste an entire Sunday afternoon reading this one, do some lawn care as well!

First off, when reading any of rabes DL work, one must wonder if she has ever ventured into the world of Kryn. Last time I checked Dracions don't hiss like snakes. If I remember correctly, they talk just like humans and elves and kender. That fact above all things really set me off. With this book, I could not wait to put it down. Usally with DL I have to force myself to stop reading but with rabes Downfall I set it down eagerly. Another thing that ticked me off is that every main character in the book is as good with a weapon as 3 regular people. Not very exciting if you ask me.

I was expecting dragons in this book, as the author used lots of dragons in her previous trilogy. And . . . I was hoping for dragons. Instead, I got hints of a dragon and lots of great characters. Dhamon from her original trilogy is here, and he's explored in more detail. We get to see inside his head, and sometimes he's a pretty dark fellow. The sea barbarian also makes a few appearances. The strengths are in some new characters introduced--Maldred, especially. And my favorite, I think, is the kobold named Fetch. I hadn't readd a Dragonlance book with a kobold character before. There are plenty of surprises and lots of twists and turns. I was very pleased with it and am looking forward to the next one.

In this tome Ms. Rabe returns to the beloved world of Kyrnn to dissect the mind of one Dhamon Grimwulf. In this first volume, he has found himself at his all time nadir. Turning from one time hero to self absorbed rogue, his friends will attempt to redeem him. Will he get redeemed, we don't know. However the backdrop of the dragonlords in this story is used subtely rather than overtly in the first trilogy. I admit at first I wanted more characterization of dragons, but then I decided the focus on the characters drives the story on in a compelling way and actually increases my respect and fear of the overlords, Sable of whom is my favorite and hinted at in here.

I won't ruin anymore but to say that these characters are well written! Poor Jean received a lot of criticism for her first trilogy, I did not like a lot of it but I found it a fun read. This sequel is worlds better and more focused! A worthy adition to the saga that is Dragonlance!

5 stars

I like almost all the DragonLance books I read -- and I read a lot of them. I'm a diehard Weis and Hickman fan, and now I'm a Rabe fan, too. I love the Dhamon character she created in her previous books and which she nurtures in this book. He's changed, and now he's gritier and selfish. THe characters have lots of depth, and there's a good mix of angst. I'm looking forward to reading the others.

Taking place after Rabe's "Dragons of a New Age" trilogy, Downfall brings into play one of the major characters that made her first books so interesting. Dhamon Grimwolf, an ex-Knight of Takhisis and hero from the New Age books, has become a common theif. He is in league with an interesting half-elf lover, a kobold, and a man named Maldred who is a little more than he seems.

This books also brings back the chracters of Rig and Fiona, both of which were major players in Rabe's New Age series. Together, this group of uncommon partners travel as one, both searching for something different. Dhamon is looking for a cure for the painful scale in his side. Fiona decided to travel with the thieves in an effort to save her brother who is a prisoner in Sable's (The black overlord) swamp. All things come together, but this book doesn't really have a climax or an ending. It finishes when it could have gone on for another 100 or so pages.

While I can't say that this book was great, it was was at most readable. I enjoyed Rabe's "Dragons of a New Age" trilogy much more than I liked this book. It is a little slow to read. Though there are a few exciting parts that add some fun. The characters have room to build, and hopefully that room is used. If you are a fan of Rabe, or of Dhamon Grimwolf, then this is the book for you.