Customer Reviews

The Rise and Fall of a Dragon King (Dark Sun)

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

 

 

Lynn Abbey does a very remarkable job of bringing us behind the scenes of being a sorcer-king. I think this was the last Dark Sun book written and I had already read all the others. Abbey shows that Hamanu is not necessarily evil but is more a victim of circumstances than anything else. I also gotta admit I really like the names Lynn came up with such as Gallard Bane of Gnomes, Ogre-Naught, Myron Troll-Scorcher, etc. Unfortunately it seems WoTC has ended Dark Sun. I'm gonna write em and ask why because I think Dark Sun has excellent potential. I wanna see more of Sorak, Just-Plain Pavek, Sadira and Rikus.

I found this book to the one of the best thing to come from TSR since the Dragonlance Chronicles. It moved me somehow. It was gripping. I KNEW Hamanu in so many ways. It was so cool. I've read it about 4 or 5 times now, and my old paperback copy is about to fall apart. I have pages dog-eared like you wouldn't believe. This book has it all.

Thanx, Storyweaver

Lynn Abbey's book seems to end the "Dark Sun" chronology. The author is most concerned with character and motivation. We originally met Hamanu in the Prism Pentad, as a harsh tyrant and brutal defender of his city. In later novels and stories, his relationship with the land's protectors, and his humility and overall deep sadness were explored. Lynn Abbey creates a past and a set of motivations for Hamanu which (in the context of this make-believe world) are credible and profoundly moving. The dictators of our own world (both right-wing and left-wing) claim (if pressed) that they must suppress freedoms to maintain security and prosperity for their people. Are they sincere? Are they correct? I don't know. But Hamanu finds himself in their position, and struggles (as perhaps they do) with its implications. The struggle is the theme of this book. And in the end, he recovers his humanity, both literally and spiritually.

Afte reading Dark Sun books about Athas, this is a new perspective. The face of the tyrant Dragon Kings is revealed a little more and with a surprising view point. A must for Dark Sun fans and sure to interest anyone looking for a gripping tale of intrigue and adventure. Ultimate power is really ultimate responsibility

A wonderful book. Once again, Lynn Abbey tells a wonderful story with great characters and an extremely engaging plot. This book certainly sheds a lot of light onto the Dragonkings and on Athas. Highly recommended.

I would put this in my top list of fantasy books. It was amazing. You start the book, thinking you'll read a chapter and do something else. But the story of a boy coming of age, becoming a monster, and finally seeking redemption was just too good to let go of.

One thing I'll always remember was my sister reading this book, and then screaming when the doorbell rang because she wanted to finish the novel instead of going out with her friends.

This is the greatest Dark Sun's book. It's essencial for everyone who plays Dark Sun, in fact dor all Dark Sun's DMG. It tells important facts in Athas' history, and it's a book-end too...

Did any of you actually read this book????? AS a big fan of the Dark Sun World,I found this book to be a MAJOR letdown.Lynn Abbey threw all the established rules and history of Athas and dragons out the window to make this garbage,the plot makes no sense,her desription of Hamanu's past makes no sense(for one thing in the book she says he is only 1000 years old,but he is at least 2000 years old because thats when he helped lock Rajaat up!!!).The woman obviously read the history of Athas,but she ignored it when she wrote this book and that I just can't get by.

SO if you love Athas and it's sorcerer-kings,DON'T READ THIS BOOK!!!