Customer Reviews

The Kinslayer Wars: Elven Nations Trilogy: Volume Two

5 star:		(8)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(2)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

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.

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)

"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.

The Elven Nations Trilogy: Firstborn, The Kinslayer Wars, Qualinesti

One of the best DL trilogies ever! The Kinslayer Wars (Vol. II) is an excellent book, if you like elves, and especially if you like war. One of the greatest wars in the history of Krynn, the Kinslayer War was the war between the Qualinesti and the Silvanesti. I believe the dwarves of Thorbardin become involved, taking different sides. This is an excellent book and it's a "must read" for any "elf at heart." A very descriptive description of events, this is the source book for the Kinslayer Wars. I know you will enjoy it.

Please reprint some of these older novels Lots of people would love to get their hands on them especially the newer readers. I love the elves and i would love to read this book if it was reprinted.

I used to have this book and I ordered it as a replacement. The cover isn't the same as the original but it's not that far off. Love the story!!

I read many Dragonlance Books in high school and greatly enjoyed them. I was recently reminded of this series and decided to go back and read it as an adult to see how it stands up. Unfortunately, not well. The characters have very little depth. Bad guys are all bad and good guys are all good and most show no character development over a book that spans nearly 50 years. The only character who shows any real development is Sithas and even there he end up right back in his old ways after the adventure in the mountains. The Deus Ex Machina ending was also a bit over the top, as was the willingness of the Dwarves to fight for half their lifetime on the plains.

I've read the trilogy 3 times. "The Kinslayer Wars" is the 2nd book in the trilogy. It goes into the war that starts between the elves and the humans, but turns into a sort of "world war" when other factions join. Although the book covers the war in detail, the story isn't impersonal. There's still a focus on the main characters and Niles does a really great job of tying their story into the war in a way that's significant and believable. The most memorable part for me was the brothers' trek into harsh wilderness territory in search of a new type of mount that could help to tip the war in their favor. I liked the Chronicles, but the Elven Nations Trilogy is still my favorite and "The Kinslayer Wars" replaced "Watership Down" as my favorite book.

I must say that this book was a little disapointing, but it was an o.k. book. I enjoyed the conspiracies and the hike into the mountains to find the griffons, but I don't understand how the mountain "giant" could sense that Sithas and Kith-Kannan needed help.

I love to read about the past of the Nations. This one was especially good though because the elves are very intriguing and two brothers fight each other reminded me of Raistlin and Caramon. I wish I could get a hold of the other two books.