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59 of 61 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
Doesn't feel like a Dragonlance novel..., March 22, 2000
Perhaps the influx of new characters and the diminished role of the olders ones gave this book a distinctly different flavor from the other DL novels by Weis and Hickman. Certainly Dragons of a Fallen Sun breaks the mold of the Legends and Chronicles, which delve into character with much more depth. Some of the old heroes are still around, granted, but they are pushed into the background by new ones, or by those previously-undeveloped charaacters like Gilthas and Silvanoshei. Unfortunately, either because of the lack of character-development or the comparatively-bland and uninteresting personalities or simply 15 years of Dragonlance history, the new heroes do not command the same attention as do the old. The only saving grace is Palin, who has undergone some significant changes, reminiscent of another Dragonlance legend. Except for some bright patches offered by Tasslehoff's antics, this is a darker novel, filled not only with the decay of Krynn without its gods but also of its classic heroes. This is unfamiliar territory, even more so than Summer Flame. In a way, much of what was familiar to DL fans has vanished, replaced by a new, alien world. Part of this is due to the drastic changes instituted by the Fifth Age storyline, one which (until now) has paled in comparison to the richness of classic Dragonlance. But another factor which has completely altered the aspect of Dragonlance is the writing style of Weis and Hickman. It has been mentioned that a lot of the book was synoptic and plot-oriented, and that has indeed contributed, but Weis and Hickman are breaking new ground, writing about characters which do not have 15 years of history, which do not seem like old friends to them, but strangers, and this has affected how the reader views the characters--not with the familiarity of two trilogies, but the awkwardness of a first meeting. Plot-wise, this book has certainly sown the seeds that will revitalize the Dragonlance series. However, given the relative lack of character-development, there was insufficient story-development to truly compensate. Weis and Hickman seem to have but one cookie of creativity to offer their readers, and are trying to dole it out slowly, giving us only the barest crumbs. While this may whet our appetite for the remaining books of the trilogy, the lack of completeness in this first book is evident. Not only have we been left hanging, but there is no sense even of a partial resolution. Granted, this is only the first book, but without a firm bite, without being able to truly sink my teeth into this trilogy, I don't feel as drawn into the world as I was, for instance, when the Legends series was released. Still, this was a good, albeit somewhat disappointing novel, in part because it could not fulfill the expectations after four years away from the world, in part because it only somewhat salvaged the mishaps introduced by the Fifth Age storyline, and in part because it has such a rich legacy to live up to.
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55 of 57 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
A promising beginning for a new Dragonlance trilogy:, April 4, 2000
I have to begin by admitting I was a touch disappointed with Weis & Hickman's last Dragonlance book, Dragons of Summer Flame. It was quite good overall, up until the end, where it seemed like the authors deconstructed everything they had built for Krynn over many years in a few rushed pages. This book, however, picks up where that one left off, and generously contains references to the many changes Krynn has undergone since the Chaos War and the many novels written since about the new 5th Age of Ansalon. In fact, the authors communicate most of this background so successfully that it is easily understood by those purists like myself who've mainly read Weis & Hickman's Dragonlance books but not the others. Also, the way all this material is incorporated is quite inspired, and never gets in the way of the story these authors want to tell, but in fact actually enhances the story. With this book, Weis & Hickman are steering Krynn into a hopefully exciting new direction (just in time for the 3rd edition Dungeons & Dragons RPG, it seems, for all you roleplaying gamers out there). The characters, both old friends and new, are as richly developed and interesting as we've come to expect from Weis & Hickman. There is also a high level of sophistication to the story, causing the reader to question many of the sometimes disturbing miraculous events taking place, as some of the characters do, and wondering why other characters don't question these events. What is good and what is evil is very blurred in this book and keeps the reader guessing and very intrigued-- reminding me of some of the sophisticated ethical concerns in the Darksword trilogy, which were equally involving. There are also haunting scenes late in the book reminding me of Fire Sea, the fine fourth novel of the Deathgate Cycle. Note, these aren't repetitions as much as they are new treatments of themes these authors enjoy exploring, and the reader along with them. They top all this off with a wonderfully gripping "triple cliffhanger" that will make the months long wait for the next book a thoroughly agonizing one. Dragons of a Fallen Sun is full of fresh promise for the world of Dragonlance. I sincerely hope it lives up to its promise to be perhaps the best Dragonlance trilogy since the wonderful Legends series (which I recently re-read for the "Nth" time and thoroughly enjoyed once again!). I highly recommend this book to Dragonlance fans everywhere, and to those who haven't experienced Dragonlance's wonders yet, as well (but please don't pass up the original Chronicles or Legends trilogies, new readers!). The hardcover edition did have some minor copy editing errors-- typos and the like, but hopefully these will be corrected for the paperback release. Not a perfect novel, but a very good one and full of inspiring promise for the future of Dragonlance.
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23 of 25 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
A must read for all DL fans!, March 15, 2000
This book is the first of the WoS series and is not related to Rabe's 5th age series. The story explains how the heros of the old age and the new are trying to survive and cope with the lost of the gods, magic and under the the rule of Dragon Overlords. DoFS goes into great extent to explain what has happend ever since Chaos War and the current leaders of different nations and order. Which is a good fill in for those who have not read DL ever since DoSF. The new characters are well designed and unlike "The Chronicles" the characters are much easier to digest since they are spread into small groups of 2-3 rather then a huge group of eight. Which also allows the readers to witness events that is happening on different parts of Anasalon. The most attrative feature of this book is the mystery that are left unsolved even till the very end of the book. If you think that Dragons of a Fallen Sun will solve the questions you have about 5th age, think again.
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