The Measure and the Truth (Dragonlance: Rise of Solamnia, Vol. 3) (v. 3) (Mass Market Paperback)

by Douglas Niles (Author)

Product Details

• Mass Market Paperback: 388 pages
• Publisher: Wizards of the Coast (January 9, 2007)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0786942479
• ISBN-13: 978-0786942473
• Product Dimensions: 6.6 x 4.2 x 1.3 inches
• Shipping Weight: 6.4 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 2.5 out of 5 stars See all reviews (6 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #346,524 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

9 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

2.0 out of 5 stars Disappointing book and trilogy, January 16, 2007

By	Andrew Gray "Beezer Review" (Minnesota) - See all my reviews (TOP 1000 REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)

The Measure and the Truth by Doug Niles is the third, and final book, in the Rise of Solamnia trilogy. The first book is Lord of the Rose and the second is The Crown and the Sword. When the first book of this trilogy was released, this trilogy was said to signify a reworking of the Solamnic Knights order, how they operate and how they conduct all their business. After finishing the trilogy however, I am not really certain all that much has changed beyond one thing.

The plot of this book, and the trilogy for that matter, held a great deal of promise. Yet, after finishing three books and about 1,000 pages I am left feeling like Mr. Niles made a trilogy out of one book. This books plot, while there are a few subplots, is rather benign and at times boring. The main plot is about a large battle that is fought, moved to a different location, fought again, and moved and fought one more time. The main character Jaymes seems to run around all over the place even though he is the emperor in power now. As I said with my review of The Crown and Sword, Mr. Niles again repeats these large scale battles where thousands of people (and creatures) die. This begs the question, how many people are there in the world of Krynn, or more importantly Solamnia to fight these massive battles? It has to run out sooner or later right?

If you are a fan of character development, be prepared to be vastly disappointed. Unless you like characters doing this completely opposite of what you would expect them to do for no apparent reason. Case in point, throughout the course of this book, and most of the second book, the main character Jaymes is a dictator ruling with an iron fist and even calls the people `cattle' at times. Yet, at the end of the book, for no real reason his attitude suddenly shifts and we are to look on him as a kind caring man who understand he did wrong at times. I'm sorry, but with the things he did (no spoilers) there is no way that image can take root. The characters in this book were mostly disappointing and quite honestly, I cared very little for them. The only characters I found myself wanting to read about were the dwarfs (and they were merely a subplot). For a book, and series, that will likely have a lasting impact on Krynn these characters were not good at all.

There are certainly events in this book, and series, that will have a lasting impact on the Knights order and Krynn in general. Yet, I can't help but feel cheated after finishing this book because the expectations I had going into it were so much higher than what I got in the end. In my opinion the characters were very shallow and the overall plot arc was poorly done. I am surprised by saying that because there are several books by Mr. Niles that I have enjoyed a great deal. Unfortunately, this series is not one of them. This could merely be a case of the wrong author for this particular assignment.

Hardcore fans of the Dragonlance world should really read this series, for no better reason than the events that transpire will have a lasting impact for future Dragonlance books. Casual fans may be disappointed by this series due to the poor character development and shallow plot lines. Over the course of the past couple years it seems the Dragonlance novels and suffering from poor plotlines and substandard characters. There are somegems being written, but largely the quality is not up to what one would expect. I sincerely hope Wizards of the Coast is working to rectify this, as I enjoy Dragonlance books quite a bit.

4.0 out of 5 stars James Markham, hidden powers., January 9, 2009

By	David J. Wright "Airborne71" (Jonesville, MI USA) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

This story is getting pretty good. James has to get things in perspective and make sure he is doing the right thing for the right purpose for the many.

Good continuence to the story line.

3.0 out of 5 stars Its a ok ending for a promissing history., July 17, 2008

By	Felipe Mascarenhas "nerdcore" (Belo Horizonte, MG, Brazil) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

The whole trigoly had a great idea. Changing the "status quo" of the Solamic Knights. As the history develops showing all the sides of the conflict (the good guys, the sidekicks, the conspiracy and the villains) the author keeps th flow going of all the story lines, sometimes you can even face yourself cheering for the villains of the book, because they are charismac as well.

I see that the book has a few (and minor) gliches, as inconstant time lapses between travels, endless supply of soldiers and gold/gems, and some overpowered use of spells, nothing that spoils the fun, but can bug the more careful readers.

The volume 3 of the trilogy cover the downfall and redemption of the Emperor of the new Solaminia, as well it conclude the War agains Ankhar (a great vilain, by the way). The way it develops the end is a bit rushed and there is very little information of what happens in the near future.

The trilogy is a good read, but this book isn't the strongest of the three.

But the ending of the story