Customer Reviews

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

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

 

 

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.

Followiing Niles through the different journeys he creates just gets better with this final installment of the rise of Solamnia trilogy.

I enjoyed this series thoroughly, and thought the direction the main characters took was unexpected and fresh. One small mistake (although a big one if you're this particular character)... one of the Generals was said to have perished in the second book, only to be referred to as a living, active character in the third. Did I miss something? Having the same last name as this character, I was quite sure I didn't mistake that he died and was buried. A little odd the publishers didn't catch this. Otherwise, I felt fairly emotionally involved in the story - even angry at some of the main characters' actions. A sign of good writing I would say. Also, a very realistic depiction of someone coming into ultimate power. Without giving anything away - it happens when people become supreme rulers they sometimes lose sight of their original goals and self. Looking forward to reading more in the DL series!

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.

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

i don't think this book was horrible. the Trilogy wasn't bad either. just not the best Dragonlance book. i've read worse.
the thing is that people don't like Douglas Niles cause he writes about relatively unknown subjects in the Dragonlance series, therefore their the only book abut the subject and there's nothing to check the continunity against.

Douglas Niles can now officially go down as one of the worst Dragonlance authors in my opinion. He has no sense of the history of the Dragonlance world and it shows in this book. First of all, he claims that the Legion of Steel was a part of the Knights of Solamnia for over 4oo years. Not true, they are a modern knighthood. Also, why would a Knight of the Rose be in charge of the High Clerist's Tower when there is a High Clerist. And then to destroy one of the greatest sites in all of Ansalon, just not right.

His characters have little or no character to them, they are one dimensional, especially Jaymes. He thinks with one member of his body and his hate towards people for talking about him is just ignorant. He almost sets the PATRIOT ACT in Solamania.

I only bought it so that I could finish the trilogy.

Characters that don't make sense and a hackneyed plot with minimal promise are typical Doug Niles writing. The guy doesn't seem to describe people or their motivations with great credibility. The plot seemed to have promise but left me hanging. A real disappointment. Get this at half price books (if you realllly are bored.)