Customer Reviews

Dragons of a Lost Star (The War of Souls, Volume II)

5 star:		(63)
4 star:		(39)
3 star:		(16)
2 star:		(5)
1 star:		(2)

 

 

If you read my review of "Dragons of a Fallen Sun" you know what I thought was lacking in it: a bit sparse on plot and weak characters you couldn't identify with.

I am pleased to admit that "Dragons of a Lost Star" has thoroughly exceeded my expectations. Not only are the old characters (Tas, Goldmoon) written better in this book (In Fallen Sun, they seemed strangely unlikeable) the new characters, like Mina and Silvanoshei become more fleshed out and appealing (though not Gilthas. I fear poor Gilthas is doomed to remain a static character for the rest of eternity).

Without giving away any spoilers (when people give away spoilers in Amazon.com reviews it just irritates me like all hell) I thought the scenes with Mina, her followers, and the One-God were done much better than in the first book. In the first book, the only event that provided any dynamic was her meeting with Mirror. In this book, the reader sees more than simpy "Ah Mina! I worship you and the One-God!" To cut it short, it's less religious-fanaticism-by-the-numbers than the first book.

We get to see more about Tasslehoff and Goldmoon, and Goldmoon's big secret and mystery, which I was expecting to be a letdown, was rather interesting, if not entirely original.

But for those of you who seek action, the wars with the elves are good... but not Hickman-Weis great in my opinion. Beryl and Qualinost does not measure up to, say, The Attack on Neraka in Spring Dawning, or the High Clerist Tower's Final Stand in Summer Flame. But it does nicely change the pace of the book from early on. The real strength of this book lies with Mina, Tasslehoff, Goldmoon, Silvanoshei... and a few others who I may not name.

If you're still doubting whether you should read this book, I have one more thing to remind you of:

What about Dalamar?

I thought this book was actually very good, and for me that was a surprise, because after what they and Rabe did to Dragonlance, it just doesn't look all that interesting anymore, y'know? Taking away magic?! I mean, what's left? You gotta have that. And after reading reviews for some of the "filler" books that they were throwing out for the Dragonlance series, I gave up for a few years.

But with this book, and it's predecessor, they've dug (or I should say, "are still digging") their way out of the trenches. The first one set the tone, (a grimmer, darker book then they have written in the Legends or the Chronicles) and this one fit smoothly into place, continuing exactly where the other one stops, at a point of certain doom.

When I first read this book, I was literally shocked. I mean, yeah, they have death and destruction in all Dragonlance books, but in Lost Star, boy, they really wipe Krynn clean. You'll see when you read it (FOOL, GO READ IT NOW!! :)

One of the bad things about this book, I saw in a previous review and I totally agree: it keeps you wanting a LOT more. After every chapter ends, you HAVE to keep reading or else you're going to go insane; you'll literally snap. You'll also find yourself yelling at people to stop make noise so you can just finish your darn book. The ultimate evil of this book, however, is the end, where you're left just cringing, NEEDING to know what happens next, because it's such a dramatic point (dramatic but unfortunately not resolved). And that's why this is different from the Chronicles. Those were the best, because if you bought one book and read it, it's complete in itself. There's insanely good writing, a climax, and then a good resolution of the events.

This book, unfortunately, doesn't have that and that's the reason for the 4 stars and not 5. It's a good book, don't get me wrong, but it, of course, can't have the glory of the first set.

Some of the "secrets" of the book are pointedly obvious, and that's a shame. They really could have done a lot better. But, still, it's not finished and they have their reasons, I'm sure.

This book is very, very short. The type of suspense just forces you to keep reading. I read it and I wished I hadn't, God, I wished I hadn't, cause at that point, I would've had to wait more than a year for the next one. But, time is slowly creeping toward April....every so slowly......
You'll find the book finished in just a couple of days. But, don't worry, if you read , it'll be a good couple of days.

Not since the days of the Chronicles and Legends have i enjoyed reading so much. Dragons of a Lost Star is incredible! And while I had my doubts after reading the first War of Souls novel, Dragons of a Fallen Sun, rest assured fellow readers, all is right in the world of Krynn. Finally, the one God's identity is revealed! And you will kick yourselves because the answer is so obvious with all the elven wars. Qualinost under attack by the great Beryl! Once the one god is unmasked the pieces of this great and wonderful puzzle begin to fall into place. take note of the man aboard the Gull Wing, he's got alot of making up to do! do yourself a favor and run to buy this book. I promise, you wil not regret for one moment. the return of Dalamar! the secret behind the dead walking again! it's going to be a long year awaiting dragons of a Vanished Moon...

After Dragons of Summer Flame, I said a sad farewell to Krynn. All the signs pointed to that book's storyline being dictated to the authors by a desperate and sinking TSR. Then came WoTC and new series. Tracy Hickman promising to bring Krynn back to where it belonged. I read Dragons of a Fallen Sun skeptically, hoping the series would restore the quality of story and writing present in the earlier trilogies. While good, it was still chained by the dull and strange shackles of the Fifth Age.

With Dragons of a Lost Star the author's are well on their way to fulfilling their promise. New characters like Mina, Medan, and Gerard become fleshed out and engaging. Old favorites like Goldmoon and Dalamar make more than cameo's and take the reader with them on a immersive journey seeking answers about The One God and the future of Krynn. The story is well set up by subtle hints and building momentum that clues in the careful reader to the discoveries coming at the end.

Balancing the unfolding story, Dragons of a Lost Star provides plenty of action and dramatic moments. The gripping plight of the elves against the dragon Beryl ends in a truly climatic showdown. Laurana's stand will bring old readers a foreboding Deja'vu moment. A confrontation between Skie and Mina ends surprisingly and proivdes startling insights.

Yet just when the forces of evil seem triumphant at every turn the heroes recieve their answers. In so doing, the saga's grand circle draws ever closer together, all but assuring a masterpiece finish to the series.

If you are a fan of the Chronicles and Legends, get this book now! With each page the series grows better and better. By it's conclusion it seems set to take it's place alongside the first trilogies as some of the greatest works of fantasy you will ever read.

Ive always been an avid fan of the Dragonlance series. Perhaps it was the structured world or magical setting that appealed to me. Nevertheless, such has resulted in years of immersion  downright addiction. Imagine my disappointment when I read Dragons of a Fallen Sun! With all the magic I was previously fascinated with supposedly gone, my interest in the series itself dwindled as well. All I could do was sit tight and hope the upcoming sequel would shed some light on the predicament inhabitants of Krynn were in, hopefully bringing magic back to life.

Then came the day I borrowed Dragons of a Lost Star from a classmate. Impressive! Once again, I was swept off into a dark world filled with evil. Mina continues to lead her army deep into the lands, seemingly unstoppable with the might of her One God. I was slightly disappointed when the heroes I had gotten know began dying, but overall, this book is certainly worth the read. I cant wait for the last of the trilogy to be released, revealing whatever fate to come in this dynamic series.

This book is a much better book than its predecessor, Dragons of a Fallen Sun. I finished the book in a day, that's how engrossing it is so I urge you not to get this book if you don't have the time to commit to it. The writing is similar to that of Weis/Hickman books of the past by writing the events that occur to different characters intermittedly (i.e. Chapter 1 about character "a", then chapter 2 about character "b", etc.). The one problem I have with it is that it always wants me to read more because they always end the chapter at the most interesting part only to pick it up later. Other than that, the storyline is somewhat predictable if you are an avid reader of fantasy (particularly of Weis/Hickman). The identity of the One God was so obvious......But the book does have it's moments and there is more than enough action to satisfy readers. Perhaps the most annoying thing in the book is Tasselhoff, he was okay back in the day but he has been steadily annoying the hell out of me in the last couple of Weis/Hickman DragonLance books; he should definitely die (and stay dead) in the next one (I hope). All in all a great book; I eagerly await the release of the last book, Dragons of a Vanished Moon. If you are into Fantasy at all, pick up this book and it's predecessors (CHRONICLES, LEGENDS, Dragons of Summer Flame, and Dragons of a Lost Star) for they are some of the best. Once you read them, you'll know what I mean.

When I read Dragons of a Summer Flame, the book detailing the Chaos War, I was high disappointed with the departure of gods and magic. Without gods and magics, Krynn was no longer fantasy. It seemed like it was moving forward to a modern era. I lost interest in 5th Age Krynn, with the great dragons and the weak magic being welded by the former wizards.

Eventually though, I gave in and bought Dragons of a Fallen Sun. Although the book was alright, I really despised the similarities between Mina and Joan of Arc. It seemed like a blatant rip off. But in this book, Mina's zeal and spouting of One God theology is greatly toned down, much to my enjoyment. If I had wanted to read about the virtues of God, I'd go read the Bible. Dragons of a Fallen Star is a very good book, with plenty of action, and one of the best conclusions I've seen in a long time. It seems like Weis and Hickman and pretty much everyone at Wizards of the Coast have recognized their mistake with 5th Age, and are coming up with an excellent way to remedy it. The only bad part is this is a continuing series, and the 3rd book won't be out till April of 2002. Talk about a long wait!

Margaret Weis and Tracy Hickman have struck gold yet again with their latest novel, DRAGONS OF A LOST STAR, book two in The War of Souls trilogy. Following on the heels of 1996's DRAGONS OF SUMMER FLAME, The War of Souls trilogy continues the arc begun with their phenomenally popular Chronicles series. The first installment, DRAGONS OF A FALLEN SUN, set up an epic conflict for the war-torn, dragon-beset populace of Krynn, 40 years after the close of the Chaos War (and even longer since the triumph of the Companions in THE WAR OF THE LANCE).

DRAGONS OF A LOST STAR picks up where the first book ends. Faith, belief in the old gods, and spirituality are ideas that Krynn has not seen since the Chaos War. Yet now belief and hope are seeping back into the lives of the people of Krynn. A new age is dawning as the people look to someone who begins to unite the world behind one nameless, miracle-performing god.

Mina has taken Silvanesti and sets her sights on the North, on Solamnia. It is there where the titular War of Souls will occur. An ally from times long past is desperately following Mina to find answers, perhaps even to find the nameless god. This friend is youthful once more, the result of ungodly magic, and has given up hiding in his tower deep in Nightlund along the river of souls. The final battle of the souls, long dead, who rise up to fight the Knights of Solamnia, is one that will never be forgotten and will inexorably change the lives of both the living and the mythic.

The book doesn't just concentrate on old friends and dead souls. The invasion of Qualinesti by the Dragon Overlord Beryl is given some exposition as well. The knights of Nereka, once sworn enemies of the elves, have risen up to defend their homes and, in the process, aid the elves themselves.

DRAGONS OF A LOST STAR can be counted amongst the best works in the Dragonlance saga. The plot is atypical for Weis and Hickman and includes many twists that will change fans' perceptions of certain old favorite characters. The idea of the one nameless god is also quite an intriguing one. For so long, the peoples of the land have lived in a hopeless world, an Age of Mortals, and yet now they are faced with the news of godly magic and mystery. What will the denouement be for the people of Krynn?

This book is a must for the Dragonlance die-hard. However, if you are new to this or the multiple interlaced series of Weis and Hickman, this book and its cast of characters (almost all of whom come from other books) will be quite confusing and ultimately not that satisfying. Go to http://www.dragonlance.com/ for all the info you could ever need on all the characters and books of the many series. Then try out a book from one of the earlier series, either the Dragonlance Chronicles or Dragonlance Legends, before you read this engrossing but complex book.

--- Reviewed by Josh A. Fink

The primary reason why I fell in love with Dragonlance in the first place was not because of the plot (which was, admittedly, good, but not absolutely awe-inspiring), but because of the diverse, unique, and amazing characters. I'm talking about Raistlin, Tasslehoff, Caramon, Tanis, and the like.

This book has one of those characters -- Tas -- but somehow he's just not as interesting and not even half as amusing, or quite as lovable when he's not with the rest of the Companions. Dragonlance just isn't the same with out the old characters.

But that isn't the point: The plot of the War of Souls is a most interesting one, with many skillfully concealed secrets and unexpected events (read: Qualinesti. Those who've read it will understand). The pacing is done nicely enough, and the events all fall together quite smoothly.

But again, one of the most important factors in a book is that the reader can relate to one of the characters, can see him or herself in them. I don't see that happening with Mina (Joan of Arc turned TV evangelist, thank you), or with Palin (King of Middle-aged Angst), or even with Laurana (who I still like, but not prefer to Laurana-with-Tanis, if you catch my drift).

Dragons of a Lost Star is a good enough read, but without the old characters and well-loved traditions like Raistlin's sharp tongue, most of the magic's just gone from Krynn. Literally and poetically speaking.

But I have to admit. It will be most interesting to see how Weis and Hickman are going to attempt to revive the seemingly lost world of Krynn.

(Looking at the reviews of Vanished Moon, however, it seems as if they've ruined an old character as well, and are well rid of their chances of taking back into possession Dragonlance's old magic. Sadly enough.)

They continue to pull it off, series after series. This time they have resurrected the DragonLance Series. Last Star continues with usual Weis & Hickman suspense. Tying up a few strings here dangling more there. Giving you just enough information to keep you hooked. The story unravels across Krynn, skipping from one place to another with wonderful smoothness. The changing of the guard goes full force as the Heroes of the Lance full pass on the reins. Our new set of heroes are quite a rag tag bunch. But then again...who are the heroes and who are the villians. The influence of the One God sweeps across the realms. As the elves fight for their survival, you wonder if the One God is on there side or not, and darnit WHO is this One God? This story will suck you in and leave you gasping for the conclusion, begging for more. This is a true masterpiece of fantasy that shouldn't be missed by anyone.