The Kinslayer Wars (Dragonlance Elven Nations, vol.2) [Paperback]

Douglas Niles (Author), Robin Raab (Illustrator)

Book Description

Series: Dragonlance Saga | Publication Date: August 1991

Kith-Kanan commits the ultimate heresy by falling in love with a human. But his twin brother, Sithas--the firstborn ruler of all Silvanesti elves--declares war on the humans, and Kith-Kanan must fight in the terrible Kinslayer Wars. Novels published in the 1990 Dragonlance Preludes Trilogy have already sold more than 500,000 copies. Black-and-white illustrations.

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Douglas Niles is the author of over 20 fantasy novels, many of which were published with Wizards of the Coast, Inc. He is also an award-winning roleplaying game designer who was part of the original creation team for the Dragonlance setting two decades ago. His most recent books in the Dragonlance world include Wizards' Conclave and the Icewall Trilogy.

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

Product Details

• Paperback: 314 pages
• Publisher: Wizards of the Coast (August 1991)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 156076113X
• ISBN-13: 978-1560761136
• Product Dimensions: 7 x 4.1 x 1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 6.4 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 3.9 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (14 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,026,432 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Not the war I expected, in a good way., September 19, 2006

By 

Bret Sheeley "carteeg" (Shirley, MA USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Kinslayer Wars: Elven Nations Trilogy: Volume Two (Mass Market Paperback)

After reading about 50 Dragonlance novels/anthologies, I finally came to reading 'Elven Nations'. I had always heard how the Kinslayer Wars divided the elven nation in two. I had always thought it was a civil war, and after reading this wonderfully constructed tale I see how much more of an odd affair the schism truly was.

As the war with Ergoth continues, some elves sided with the human nation. Although the dwarves were an important factor, the action of the primarily human vs. elven nations fighting was engaging enough to hold my interests. However the separation of Kith-Kanan from Sithas was always the main point of this trilogy. Yet it felt like is was a sort of 'B' story to the war. Funny enough, I think that by Niles hitting only on those details when he needed to, the reader gets the sense of how quiet and how without much debate did these twins come to see the world in different ways and in the end have to part company for good, separating the nation in the process.

It wasn't a separation due directly to war. It was one caused by quiet frustrations slowly building and festering as decades wore on. This so-called 'B' story had no major climax, just a few points of epiphany involving lumps in the characters' stomachs which the readers can see developing. It was a vastly different route than what I expected, and I was extremely glad I was able to see something beyond a direct conflict of words and blows. There is enough enjoyment of that sort coming out of the Ergoth/Silvanesti conflict. But the more important story, the seeming 'B' story, is probably what I will remember more.

I know the story is 15 years old now, but I give credit and thanks to Mr. Niles for putting this great addition to the Dragonlance history together.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars One of the reasons I got back into Fantasy!, January 6, 2004

By 

Lisa (Richmond, IN USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Kinslayer Wars (Dragonlance Elven Nations, vol.2) (Paperback)

This, being the second book of a trilogy, isn't really the book that got me back into reading fantasy works but, it IS the one that kept me here! Douglas Niles makes his characters so flawed, so real that I find myself staying up way too late reading, waking up late for work and repeating the whole process day after day until I complete the book! My only regret is that Niles nor any one else has continued the story. (From the immediate end of Volume 3 of the trilogy)

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Depressing, yet enjoyable, November 22, 2002

By 

D. Pachal (WA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Kinslayer Wars (Dragonlance Elven Nations, vol.2) (Paperback)

"The Kinslayer Wars", but Douglas Niles is probably one of the better Dragonlance books out there. It has its share of action and adventure. Though, as the story nears its end, Niles seems to kill off characters just to keep the plot moving. Granted, it represents actions that needed to take place, yet many of the deaths seem to be unjustified. But, all in all, this book is enjoyable to read, albeit a little depressing towards the end. It has a lot of action, much of the book centering around pivitol battles and situations during the Kinslayer Wars. This book isn't that long, only about 300 or so pages so it is a quick read.

If you want to learn more about the Elven past, this book and series is what you need. It reveals pivitol information that deals with the seperation of the Silvanesti elves, and the reasons for Kith-Kanan's ideas of founding a new nation for himself, the Qualinesti. If you can get a hold of this book or series, check it out. It is worth the read.