Kinslayer Wars (Dragonlance: Elven Nations Trilogy) (Mass Market Paperback)

by Douglas Niles (Author) "The forest vanished into the distance on all sides, comfortingly huge, eternal, and unchanging..." (more)
Key Phrases: elven general, dwarven ambassador, human cavalry, General Giarna, Speaker of the Stars, Lord Quimant (more...)

Editorial Reviews

Product Description
Second title of a classic trilogy now brought back into print!
The Kinslayer Wars, the second title in The Elven Nations trilogy, was first released in mass market format in 1991, and it documented the ancient civil war of the elven races in the Dragonlance world. Unavailable for the past several years, this title is now being brought back into print in a new mass market edition in order to fulfill the rising demands of consumers. The other two titles in this trilogy will also be re-released in the same season so that readers may easily compile the entire trilogy.


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.

Product Details

• Mass Market Paperback: 320 pages
• Publisher: Wizards of the Coast (November 2, 2004)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0786933704
• ISBN-13: 978-0786933709
• Product Dimensions: 6.7 x 4.2 x 1.1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 5.6 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 3.9 out of 5 stars See all reviews (12 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #759,770 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

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

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.