Customer Reviews

Night of Blood (Dragonlance: The Minotaur Wars, Book 1)

5 star:		(9)
4 star:		(6)
3 star:		(3)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Dragonlance is the long-lived (and some would say long-suffering) fantasy line originally based on a series of game supplements for the Dungeons and Dragons RPG. There are dozens and dozens of novels in this series, but none of them need to be read prior to this one to understand what is going on. Still, knowledge of Richard Knaak's other novels (The Legend of Huma, Kaz the Minotaur, Land of the Minotaur) may help the reader grasp some references in this book, though such occurrences are rare and have little impact on the main plotline.

NoB is one of Knaak's most polished Dragonlance novels. While The Legend of Huma (a wonderful read) had many rough sentences and didn't always flow well, NoB has no such problems. It is, in fact, a testament to how much Knaak has improved as a writer - my hat is off to him for this.

Where Knaak fails is in his portrayal of minotaurs - the focus of the novel. The characters we get are humans in bulls' clothing - they have horns and fur, but they don't ACT differently than humans (a far cry from how every other novel in the series has portrayed them). They tend to be greedy, dishonorable, cowardly, and just plain duplicitous - the character Ardnor will tend to conjure mental images of Emperor Commodus (Joaquin Phoenix in Gladiator) rather than a powerful creature of fantasy and legend. Most of the time, the physical differences aren't even taken into account - clothing choices often wouldn't fit over a minotaur's irregular-shaped head, horns are never used in combat, etc... There is even a minotaur DANCE - which is described exactly as a human dance would be. More effort should have been put into making this once interesting race unique.

Short version: This book might be interesting to fans of the Dragonlance series, but I wouldn't recommend it to anyone else.

Apparently this one got mixed reviews. It's easy to see why. This is a well written book with a solid plot, and yet it just doesn't have that DL feeling. It's extremely slow in getting into the story, and of course it lacks diverse characters (as well it should on the islands of minotaurs)- no wizards, no elves, certainly no kender. But I thought it was very solid nonetheless.

For anyone who's ever read Machiavelli, this is a carbon copy of The Prince, only as application rather than theory. That in itself was enough to keep me reading (well, I am a political science major). It's all about the most effective way to seize and maintain power, how to deal with dissention, and how to gain and hold the support of the masses (and of course, keep them dependent on you). In that respect (as theory actually put into practice in this novel) it's even more chilling than Machiavelli. I loved and hated Hotak and his children. And although it took me longer to finish this one than any other DL novel (even the 600+ WoS ones) due to the slow-to-get going build-up, in the end I was not disappointed.

This book was my first experience into looking at Richard Knaak's minotaur nation on the continent of Ansalon. So far, let me state that I'm impressed.

On the cover it states this is Volume One of a series, so don't go into this one expecting it to be a stand alone. But then again, considering all of the DragonLance (DL) novels that have comes before it, this isn't really the true starting point either. But Knaak gives a history of the minotaur race prior to the actual story which fills gives DL newbies most of the required information needed before stepping into this series. Not being a newbie however, I can only guess he did a decent job in describing what needs to be known to those who haven't read anything in DL before.

I've read several but not a large number of secondary authors for DragonLance (Hickman and Weis being the first tier). Up until now Mary H. Herbert was the only one I had a large amount of respect for, even though Jean Rabe has partially redeemed herself with the recent Dhammon Saga. To my pleasure, Richard A. Knaak has just been put up on that list as well.

The overall story flow is consistant with only a few minimal lulls in the action, and his characters are well defined and shown to be individuals different from each other even though 'cultural commonalities' can be seen in all of those in the minotaur nation. Most importantly, even though 'The Minotaur Wars' are about fighting and manuvering for power, much of the plot is character driven by strong characters that one could believe will be read about by students of history in the future of Krynn. There are times where one has to catch oneself reading this or else find themselves rooting for the wrong side (especially at the end of this first volume).

Now, I've seen this book advertised as the first post-War of Souls book. In reference to my review title, I want to state that although I get the feeling this series will lead into the times after the War of Souls, from what I can gather this one volume takes place primarilly slightly before and during Mina's War. The book covers something like five or six months worth of time (estimate), so I have no doubt the series will go into and past the event alluded to the DL readers at the end of WoS.

Yes, I'm doing what I can to avoid talking about the plot. You've already got the summaries up above for that. But I will state that this first volume of the series not only has me interested in the rest to be released, but I'm going back and finding Knaak's other novels in DragonLance to see what I've missed (specifically 'Reavers of the blood Sea' and 'The Legend of Huma').

This hardcover book is a good buy. Sit back and enjoy.

The old minotaur Emperor is old and the empire corrupt, yet Emperor Chot remains unbeatable in the arena. Rather than try his chances in the traditional method of minotaur succession, General Hotak launches a coup. Aided by his magician/priestess wife, Hotak ruthlessly destroys everyone loyal to the old regime, sending army units and ghosts against those who even consider resisting. Yet Hotak is unsatisfied with ruling the minotaur islands. Throwing aside Chot's tentative alliance with humans, Hotak decides to make common cause with the minotaurs' most ancient enemy--the ogres.

Although Hotak has eliminated most of the resistance, a few minotaurs remain unbowed. General Rahm, somehow protected from the priestess's magic, gathers a small force committed to destroying the pretender-emperor. Captured and worked as a slave in the mines, Faros plots eventual revenge. Yet their efforts, weak though they may be, are constantly undermined by the priestess's control over ghosts themselves.

Author Richard A. Knaak writes an exciting fantasy novel. The violent and headstrong minotaurs make intriguing protagonists. Hotak is surprisingly complex, wishing to serve his people and empire at the same time as he ruthlessly suppresses anyone who dares to oppose him. His wife and oldest son, in contrast, are purely self-interested, yet intelligent enough to know that supporting Hotak will serve their own interests as well--at least until Hotak finds family obligations at odds with his duty to his nation. Knaap's writing is approachable and his characters distinctive and interesting.

Fans of the DragonLance universe will find a lot to enjoy in NIGHT OF BLOOD.

If you're a fan of the world of Dragonlance then Knaak shouldn't be a new name to you. He's written some shorter stories that have been compiled with Margaret Weis. For any who are not familiar with the world of Dragonlance & Krynn, then I suggest you go read "Dragons of an Autumn Twighlight: Chronicles Book 1" by Margaret Weis & Tracy Hickman.

This is the first book in the next stage of Dragonlance, the Age of Mortals. The God's are no more and now it is up to the people of Krynn to watch out for their own. This book takes a very specific look at a race that hasn't very much been explored or even mentioned in Dragonlance History. "The Minotaur Wars - Volume 1 - Night of Blood" is just the first book in the 3 part series and while this does end at a cliffhanger it's worth it. The book specifically deals with the inter-relations and civil war disputes of the Minotaur nation as it struggles to set itself right among the other races of Krynn. This book explores much about the race of Minotaurs: politics, religion, social structure. The only negative thing that I might mention about this book is that it inter-slice many different scenes and at times might seem a bit overwhelming, though this is done for the end result, which is weaving many different story lines as they are merged into one towards the end. I like it quite a bit and would suggest this book as a must for any fan of Dragonlance.

I've been a DragonLance fan for a decade or so. I read a LOT of its books(as well of its sister world Forgotten Realms), and I have to say this is one of the best!

I read the past works of Knaak about his minotaurs, and though I enjoyed them all, this one is his masterpiece! The characters are well done, the flow of the story - though shifts from one character to another - keeps you totally interested, unlike some books where some character's plot is just boring. It is so well done that my mind is racing, thinking, wishing that this character and that will meet and go at it. You will really admire most characters in this book(Rahm, Bastion), though there are some you will dislike(Nephera and Ardnor), and some both (Hotak, Faros). Some of you may have a hard time deciding whos side you are on, since any side shows a part where you can agree on, and disagree as well... Well, maybe except the ogres.

His storytelling and description of places and characters are so vivid, that you can really picture them out with ease, and no confusion at all. Speaking of confusion, some reviews said you get confused with too many names. Well, there is a glossary at the back of the book to help you, which isnt really a hassle as others would say. Also, if you use common sense, you will know this character will die at the end of the chapter anyway! So you will know who is worth remembering or not. And unlike other books, like Forgotten Realm's "the Rage"(which I still enjoyed), he actually kills off even some important characters, not give them millions of chances to live.

The cons I found are just minor ones. Yes, the story isnt really 100% original, but then again, its one that is worth retelling and never gets old. The battle scenes arent as colorful as RA Salvatore's, but either cuz Mr. Knaak dont want to focus much there, or that they are afterall minotaurs, and not drow in terms of style-fighting. Too many "stab at the unprotected throat"!

Get it! Its worth your money! And I for one cant wait to read 2 and 3.

And as of my personal favorites in this book(book 1 of the Minotaur Wars)... Rahm>Bastion>Hotak>Ulthar=Faros>everyone else...

A minotaur general named Hotak-de-Deroka & his family assassinate all of the minotaur leaders loyal to the corrupt Chot-es-Kalin, as well as the emperor, and declares himself emperor. A general named Rahm-es-Hestos manages to evade capture and death, and starts a rebellion on an uncharted island. On one of the prison camp islands a nephew of Chot, named Faros (pretending to be his servant Bek) & two friends start a rebellion that nearly succeeded in escaping & killing Hotak's daughter.

This is a basic summery of this book. I love this book so much and it has the right amount of everything to create a near perfect book just like the rest of these Chronicales. One part though I thought was really cheesy how he would have enough assassins to kill all the leaders, and have only one escape. My favorite Character would be Rahm-es-Hestos because he manages to escape, and outsmart the emperor and his family at every turn. I defiantly would recommend reading this book and it's rich but leaves you wanting more and I am definitely getting the rest of the Chronicles.

This is a great novel which is a follow up to the War of Souls trilogy. So it is a must for all Dragonlance fans to continue with the saga. Richard A. Knaak is definately one of the best Dragonlance writers, and to give him the reins of this series is a great choice. Unlike that little trilogy by a certain Jean Rabe which many fans would like to forget. The first novel, Night of Blood acts as a prequel to the events involving the minotaurs in the War of Souls trilogy. It really dives into the minotaur society filled with action and political intrique which makes this a novel you can't put down. There are a lot of characters and at times you feel a bit overwhelmed but you stick with it.

Dragonlance readers would remember that the minotaurs were last invading Krynn, namely Silvanesti back in the War of Souls. Night of Blood deals with a bloody coup which puts minotaurs in power who feel that the time for expansion has come at last. The second book, Tides of Blood, is eagerly anticipated next year. It will probably involve war with the Elves of Silvanesti. Knaak has done it again, and the Dragonlance series is alive and well.

I fell in love with Richard Knaak after he wrote the Legend of Huma. In that book, he was able to humanize the minotaur race through Kaz. Unfortunately, I was not able to read the sequel, Kaz the Minotaur.

This book however, fails me, a fan of the Dragonlance sage. And I mean, I have a read a lot of dragonlance books from Dragons to the Kagonesti to the War of Souls. I can devour one book in one sitting. In The Night of the Blood however, I have to drag myself to finish it. And right now, there's no compelling reason for me to further read on the series.

I think the reason lies on the race. I believe that one of the foundations of the dragonlance is magic. Whether it be Fizban, Dalamar, Magius, the silver dragons, Elven mages, Raistlin, Fistandatilus, etc. - a book should have magic. If there's none, might as well read a John Grisham of Michael Crichton book. This one however, concentrates too much on the politics and deceit of the minotaur regime - which is not uncommon to what we see in corrupt governments all over the world - which made me think, am I reading a Robert Ludlum novel.

Thus, the fantasy world Krynn that we come to love is not present. No dragons. No elves. Not even kenders who give the readers comic respite. The race is only about minotaurs...and to a certain extent, for now, the ogres.

The novel is just a pure testosterone-filled book. And it's about to get a notch higher when the ogres become more apparent in book 2.

The legend of Huma is much better than this.

Ok, many people didnt like it but i loved it. The Minotaurs are generally overlooked by the rest of the Dragonlance authors. I find them entertaining. THey're a different society from the rest of Krynn. Taking on a more Roman type gov't. If you're into books for action then you wouldnt like this though. This is more of a political book. Explaining how they came to be where they are, taking over Silvanesti in the War of Souls. All in all, it's a really good story. Though like othe Knaak books it has a lot of characters. I mean A LOT. There must be up to 10-15 Characters just in the first book. Gets confusing. But again, I say its a really good book. Different from other Dragonlacne books for a change, it's not all about war (though I like war).

I suggest u read it when u have the time