GATES OF THORBARDIN (Dragonlance: Heroes) [Mass Market Paperback]

Dan Parkinson (Author)

Book Description

Series: Dragonlance: Heroes | Publication Date: September 26, 1990

Magic and Peril Under the Earth

Deep beneath the mountain fortress of Skullcap, legend has it, are the remains of the dark wizard Fistandantilus and the path to the gates of the dwarven kingdom of Thorbardin. Buried somewhere along that perilous path is the magical helm of Grallen, son of King Duncan, tragic hero of the Dwarfgate War. The finder of Grallen's helm, it is prophesized, will be rewarded and honored by a united Thorbardin -- but he will also open the gates of the realm to fresh horror and chaos.

In The Gates of Thorbardin, Dan Parkinson, author of Starsong, continues the history of the dwarves of Krynn in the tradition of Nancy Varian Berberick's best-selling Dragonlance novel, Stormblade.

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

The late Dan Parkinson authored 38 novels, including best-sellers in four categories of fiction. He wrote poetry, historical novels, westerns, sailing-ship adventures, fantasy, science fiction and several Dragonlance novels, of which The Gates of Thorbardin, originally published in 1990, was his first.

--This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Product Details

• Mass Market Paperback: 320 pages
• Publisher: Wizards of the Coast (September 26, 1990)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0880389125
• ISBN-13: 978-0880389129
• Product Dimensions: 6.9 x 4.1 x 0.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 5.6 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 3.3 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (10 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,612,287 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars An exceptionally well told story!, February 4, 2001

By 

"demarkes" - See all my reviews

This review is from: GATES OF THORBARDIN (Dragonlance: Heroes) (Mass Market Paperback)

I hope that Mr. Parkinson will write many more Dragonlance novels. While his characters weren't too developed, they were also not overkilled with detail (such as the details of 4 generations of their families, etc.). The story itself ran smooth as silk, no contradictions in itself, just the right amount of humor too.

Chane Feldstone, an orphan dwarf with no traces of his lineage, has a dream. Not like that of great men, but a dream that reoccurs constantly about an old helmet. He loves a dwarven woman who's father hates him (such as in-laws are, lol), and when Chane reveals that his dream is actually fate calling him... her father plans to have him "taken care of"... thus beginning Chane's quest and his adventures. Along the way he meets 'Chess' a kender, Bobbin- an insane gnome (you'll understand when you read it, lol), a human that goes by Wingover, and some others... then along the way Chane and his friends have to face armies of a Highlord (goblins, Hobgoblins, and a few Ogres).

The whole "concept" in the synopsis of "uniting Thorbardin" is barley skirted upon... instead its about the finder of Grallen's helm bringing Thorbardin to a time that it once was...

Very descriptive in battles, features and other things, and the combination of Kender and Gnome (insane remember) is a thoughtful added spice of humor. I highly recommend this book to Dragonlance fans.

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Extemely....good?, December 10, 1998

By A Customer

This review is from: GATES OF THORBARDIN (Dragonlance: Heroes) (Mass Market Paperback)

WOW! You talk about a change! Usually when books like this come out, they suck. This is the exception. After reading the Fifth Age series, I couldn't even stand to LOOK at a another Dragonlance book. Then one day my friend told me to read it, so I did. As it turns out,it was one of the best ones I have read. You should read it.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars a page turner from the get go, January 24, 2010

By 

Jobel "book wyvern" (Boston,MA USA) - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: GATES OF THORBARDIN (Dragonlance: Heroes) (Mass Market Paperback)

this is a great book... so much that I originally read it in the early 90's and recent purchased it again. I had forgotten most of the plot, just remembered I loved the book. And its every bit as satisfying almost 20 years later!

The first scene draws you in as the main character is chased by a pack of wild hunting panthers. Its great writing as the opening has a very small scope: survival, which is a nice contrast to the overall epic plot. The writer really eases you into the story which I appreciate. I really get annoyed when other books jump right in and inundate you with tons of details to remember right off the bat - not Dan Parkinson, he makes it a nice easy read.

Also, this book has some really good characters and lots of good natured humor. Wish there were more books like this!