Dragons of Spring Dawning (Dragonlance Chronicles, Book 3) [Mass Market Paperback]

Margaret Weis (Author), Tracy Hickman (Author)

Book Description

Series: Dragonlance Chronicles | Publication Date: November 1, 1999

The war against the dragon minions of Queen Takhisis rages on. Armed with the mysterious, magical dragon orbs and the shining, silver dragonlance, the companions bring hope to the world. But now, in the dawn of a new day, the dark secrets that have long shadowed the hearts of the friends come to the light. Betrayal, treachery, frailty, and weakness will nearly destroy all that they have accomplished.

The greatest battle they have left to fight is within each of them.

Yet, in the end, they will be heroes.

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com Review

The final installment in Weis and Hickman's Chronicles series--Dragonlance's undisputed must-read trilogy--brings on the main event: the Companions vs. the dragons in a knock-down drag-out at the iron works of Pax Tharkas, as the fate of Krynn hangs in the balance. They've mastered the Orbs and picked up the Dragonlance (see Dragons of Winter Night), and things are looking pretty good with the return of the good metallic dragons. But the band soon learns they must do battle with their own inner conflicts if they ever hope to defeat the Dark Queen Takhisis. A bang-up conclusion to Dragonlance's best-loved trilogy. --Paul Hughes

From the Inside Flap

Dragons of Spring Dawning, the concluding episode in the ever-popular Chronicles Trilogy, once again takes listeners on a fantastical journey to Krynn, where friendships are made and lost and destinies finally realized.

Armed at last with the powerful dragonlances, the Companions of the Lance lead their people in a final desperate battle against the destructive dragons. Knight and barbarian, warrior and half-eft, dwarf and kender and dark-souled mage -- none has reckoned how high the price of victory -- or even defeat -- might be. One by one, they must each overcome personal doubts and conflicts -- their only hope if they are to stop the return of the five-headed dragon goddess, Takhisis. Listen and discover how truth and virtue at last triumph over the deadly darkness of an all-consuming evil in this dramatic conclusion to one of fantasy's most legendary tales. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

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Product Details

• Mass Market Paperback: 384 pages
• Publisher: Wizards of the Coast (November 1, 1999)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0786915897
• ISBN-13: 978-0786915897
• Product Dimensions: 4.1 x 1 x 6.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 6.4 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (107 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #53,804 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #4 in Books > 4-for-3 Books > Science Fiction & Fantasy > Authors, A-Z > ( W ) > Weis, Margaret
  • #6 in Books > Science Fiction & Fantasy > Gaming > Dungeons & Dragons
  • #72 in Books > 4-for-3 Books > Science Fiction & Fantasy > Fantasy > Epic

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

19 of 21 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Beauty in the eye of the beholder, October 6, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: Dragons of Spring Dawning (Dragonlance Chronicles, Vol. 3) (Mass Market Paperback)

This, my fellow readers, is an absolute gem of a tale. A treasure which is a find of a lifetime. A cataclysmic tour de force.

For many a years I had settled for mediocrity fantasy deep in the belief that nothing could excel Tolkien. Now, I honestly do believe that anything is possible. This isn't just another fantasy novel. It truly is the greatest fantasy saga of all time. Several of the other readers have made comparisons to Tolkien. Tolkien set certain standards with his novels. Weis and Hickman have developed this further (and no, I didn't think that could be possible either), setting their own universal standards in the process. They certainly are the masters of the fantasy cosmos. I could not find a single flaw or make a single criticism of the entire series. I have nothing but acclamation for it.

This powerhouse has incessantly urgent plot development and intrigue, and every consequence of that plot is clearly thought out. The characters are so comprehensively defined and developed that you feel as if you know them personally; thus truly adulating or despising them. The authors achieve this by probing deep into the characters' minds and their very souls. Tanis, the tortured central figure in the universe, weighing problems upon him with the stakes of which no mortal being should ever be demanded. Laurana, an elven enchantress of eternal beauty and pure of heart, suffers as deeply as Tanis. Kitiara, an alluring yet complex presence, is chillingly captivating. The tragic loss of two key figures adds greatly to the affinity. The authors put their characters into uniquely dark situations and get their responses so correctly that the spell is never once broken.

Both the subtle and apparent use of several themes throughout the novel is flawlessly executed, and harmoniously tied together at the end. Although the style of writing remains consistent, the pace and scheme of this novel picks up greatly from Winter Night, with a suspense/thriller feel to it. The disquieting tension as the plot races to its conclusion is a reader's thrill ride. On one hand you want to read hastily and gleefully to see how the perilous tale unfolds, but on the other hand, you want to slow down to fully appreciate the authors' work; one reason why this merits a second reading.

I disagree with some of the views that Dragonlance is purely for the younger generation of readers. I believe the classic series appeals to all readers regardless of age for different reasons. As an example, when I first read the Chronicles back in the 80s, I was only 10 and I thoroughly enjoyed it for the spectacular battle scenes and the fantastic adventures our heroes go on. I read the series again not so long ago and was captivated for an altogether different reason. This time it wasn't the majestic dragons or the mythical world of Krynn that enraptured me, as I no longer have a child's imagination. Instead I was spellbound by the characters themselves and how they developed throughout the course of this trilogy. The emotional turmoil and complex relationship between Tanis, Laurana and Kitiara, culminating with the shocking twist at the end, is perhaps the best example. I failed to appreciate this during my first visit to Krynn.

At the end of it all, when you close the book and come back to reality, there is a real sense of despondency as if you cannot believe Krynn is not real. Hats off to Weis and Hickman who have written a masterpiece that allows every reader to take away with them something endearing and unique.

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Perfect Introduction To The Legends Trilogy, June 2, 2001

By A Customer

This review is from: Dragons of Spring Dawning (Dragonlance Chronicles, Book 3) (Mass Market Paperback)

I personnaly think this is an excellent book, except it doesn't deal with Raistlin enough. But it was still a good book and a perfect way to end the Chronicles trilogy and a good introduction to Legends.

For those of you who have read the first two books and are dying from anticipation, Tanis finally chooses which woman he spends his life with. Tas and Flint continue bickering until the end, in more ways than one. Raistlin shows off his real personnality (something I was waiting for). Fizban loses his hat (again). And Caramon beats up some draconians.

If you are a Raistlin and Caramon fan, like I am, this book is necessary. As I have mentoined before, this is where Legends gets started (I know Legends takes place 4 years after this but everything in Chronicles leads up to Legends).

The best part of the book was the very end when Raistlin fulfils the prophecy. Out of everything in Chrocicles those few pages are what realy stood out.

"Someday you, with all your strength and charm and good looks,you, all of you, will call me master" Raistlin, Dragons Of Autumn Twilight

6 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Great in 5th grade, great now., March 24, 2000

By 

Josh (Texas) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Dragons of Spring Dawning (Dragonlance Chronicles, Vol. 3) (Mass Market Paperback)

I must say I agree with John from Cambridge on the first page. I read this book for the first time in 5th grade, and was captivated by all the battles and the dragons. But now as a senior in high school, I thought it would be fun to reread it. I liked it for a entirely different reason this time. The intense emotion of all the characters, the overwhelmingly "human" aspect of them, the bitter realizations at the end....all of it combined to make one of the best books I have ever read. I am going to Harvard next year, and with all the classics I have read in school, I have not read a book with as hauntingly real characters as this book. They'll stay with you longer than even the Baggins and Gandalf will.