Customer Reviews

Knights of the Rose (Dragonlance Warriors, Vol. 5)

5 star:		(2)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(4)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

This book is OK to read, it indeed doesn't match Weis and Hickman's splendour, but it is better than MANY other Dragonlance novels. Knights of the Crown and Knights of the Sword are required though....

after reading several novels by greene, and being an avid dragonlance fan, i have to say that he is ok. at some points he gets dull, and long winded. however the stories are entertaining and you develope a certain kinship with the characters. not my favorite dragonlance author, but not too shabby

Numerous characters, including old favorites (Pirvan, Haimya, Eskaia, Tarothin).

The Knights must save a fortified castle full of civilians living in multiracial harmony from: Obnoxious Elves, and Misguided Knights. Okay, so the plot leaves something to be desired...I'm not even sure why the elves were to be feared, except that they're annoying. But whatever.

There is a giant battle, told in loving detail. There are two kender, on a mission of revenge.

If for no other reason, read it for the kender.

This book was passable. Nothing impressive. The plot was hardly in a hurry and the characters were not that memorable. One thing I found amusing was how the Solamnics took their families with them on campaign. What an interesting idea. Apparently it's not hard enough to make a decision in battle, you should add familial problems to make it more difficult. That and every scene with the two married couples ended in them having sex. Rather exhausting for them.

Knights of the Rose appear to follow very much the same plot as the previous book in the series, Knights of the Sword. The premise is that the Istarian expansionist ambitions led it once again to send an army to assert its authority and influence in foreign legions, this time, towards the elves of Silvanesti. Anxious to prevent a military endeavour that would probably cause Istar (further) shame and drag the Knights to a dishonourable campaign, Sir Marod despatch Sir Pirvan & Company (this time, accompanied not just by his wife Haimya, but also his son & daughter as well as protegé Darin). Along the way, he won the confidence of the Plainsmen, known as the Free Riders. Finally, Pirvan reached Belthukas, a sanctuary for all races, led by a couple of half-elven rangers and their daughter Ryth. Belthukas was to be THE meeting point of all forces as the Silvanesti elves send a delegation there to parley with the tax-collectors from Istar (in the form of mercenary companies and Istarian regulars and another delegation of Knights led by Sir Lewin, another disciple of Sir Marod).

Like Knights of the Sword, it becomes a tightrope situation for Pirvan who had to steer the situation from escalating into a full-blown all-out war. Greedy and ambitious mercenaries, anxious to make a name for themselves and win credit for Istar preferred to force conflicts against outnumbered entrenched local defenders. Pirvan had to defend Belkuthas as best as he can, keep them surviving until cooler heads can prevail.

Noteworthy of the author is that the detailing of the journey which added interest in the earlier books were skipped over, avoiding the tedium it would become had it been included in this book. More attention also given to new supporting characters and the stage is set in a totally different location - no eventful maritime voyages!

What went wrong with this book is that the author opened up a lot of possibilities: romances among the youngsters, titanic battle of the arcane arts between wizards, elven racial prejudices and political intrigues back in Istar (or civilisation). Also, nothing was mentioned with regards to Sirbones being more than familiar to Darin and Pirvan & Co from the previous book.

Sir Marod and Sir Lewin who played important (but short) roles were not properly fleshed out. The enigmatic behaviours of the lord of Belkuthas, Krythis and the elven ranger Tharash were not explained at all, leaving a strong sense of dissatisfaction.

Last but not least, the slightest detail regarding the political resolution at Istar which culminated with the resignation of the Istarian commander and elevation of Sir Pirvan to Knight of the Rose is completely left out (given the title of the book, it should be no spoiler) - the same brickbat for Knights of the Sword.

Roland Green had simply left too many things in between unaccounted for.

If you have read the first to book, go ahead and buy this one. The story of Pervin is okay. This is not an unique story. it won't leave you astounded at Mr. Green's writing ability, but I don't believe you will feel you have wasted your money either.

In my estimation, the only authors who shoukd write Dragonlance are Hickman and Weis. The book alone was good but was not good enough to carry the Dragonlance legacy

This is the third of Sir Pirvans adventures as a knight of Solamnia, now he must find allies and defend a fortress against corrupt knights and a mercinery. Banded along with some 50 Elven archers and a red robe mage, Pirvan will try to once more gain ranks amoung the Knights of Solamnia!