Customer Reviews

The Siege of Mt. Nevermind (Dragonlance Chaos War, Vol. 5)

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

 

 

While I won't lambast this book as being "dumb" like the previous reviewer, I must say it is "different." This is the 21st Dragonlance book I've read, and definetly one of the oddities of the bunch. I don't find the gnomes to necessarily be portrayed as evil, merely different from what the world of Krynn sees them as. The plot is really off the wall, but manages to barely keep itself together into something enjoyable. If you're looking for the normal quality of the Dragonlance series - avoid this book. It doesn't hold up to the quality of any of the other books I've read, but I guess that's what you get when Margaret Weis had nothing to do with it. It's a common problem since the Dragonlance name has become "exploited" by various authors. Fergus Ryan seems to have some writing experience under his belt, and it does show here. Otherwise, if you want something different from the usual in the Dragonlance world, The Siege of Mt. Nevermind may be the book you're looking for.

I'm a huge fan of Dragonlance; I have about 60 DL books, I've played various Dragonlance games, and I frequent DL web sites. I've read some good stuff and some bad stuff, but this book was by far the worst. I knew it was a gnome story, so I expected something off the wall, but the plot of this book was just ludicrous. I didn't think Mr. Ryan portrayed the gnomes very well either. They seemed more evil than neutral, which they are supposed to be. They were very manipulative and plotting, not the loveable, carefree gnomes I've always read about in DL. There were parts of the book that could have been explained a lot better too. I still haven't figured out why the main character Innova was held accountable for blowing up one of the Barium twins when he didn't even do anything. The whole idea behind Innova's Paradise Machine (an invention based on those dipping birds oiled with something that seeped out of the Greygem and has perpetual motion and brought order to Mt. Nevermind and made everything work like it should) was dumb. I'm surprised this book made it to print. I'm thinking of writing my own book about Mt. Nevermind in the Chaos War. Anyway, don't waste your six bucks, leave this one on the shelf.

Well, I've read a few Dragonlance novels, and think this one isjust fine. All that gnomish preposterousness mixed with a bizarre andappealing plot (fully in line with gnomish character), and a genuine Irish flair for language. One of the better Dragonlance books I've read in a while: the character of the High Justice Gordusmajor is alone worth the price of the book!

The first thing I have to say about this book is that I wish I could give this book a negative 59. I have almost every book related to Dragonlance, as well as about 50 other good fantasy books, and this one isn't a millionth as good as the second worst book I've read. Fergus needs to seriously learn about the worlds he writes about. The gnomes in the book do not conform with the gnomes in other Dragonlance books at all. The thoughts about the Paradise Machine are what you would expect from a know-it-all preschooler. The commander of the Knights of Takhisis probably couldn't lace up his boots with out his Queen's instructions. The last major point I care to touch upon is that Chaos dragon at the end of the book probably couldn't face down or outwit a child of three. It has been established that dragons in Dragonlance, no matter their color or allegience are extremely intelligent and aggressive. It has also been established that Chaos dragons have no need or desire for treasure that would melt to molten rock in their claws. Besides, no Chaos dragon would be just sitting in some remote cave. In all, Fergus should try to find a new career, or at least write for another book series.

Great book. The confusing, busy plot works perfectly with the gnomes of Mt. Nevermind. The blend of humor and drama makes for charicters you can really care about, including the often- overlooked gully dwarves.

A fun, creative, adventurous book.

When I picked up this book, the author was unknown to me or nearly anyone, and the cover was not appealing, but I have always known never to judge a book by its cover, and I take that literally. I have found that fantasy stories tend to center around iconoclastic skills, leaving great images in our minds but leaving, sometimes, the story and its effects something to be wished for. And indeed, this one began in such a way, until about halfway through the book, there was suddenly a massive amount of character development and writing development as well. Symbolism, a meaning. And it made the process of reading it so enthralling, that among fantasy stories I have read, it sits high up there, above the Hobbit.

I have read dozens of dragonlance books and i have to say that this one was terrible. Mr. Ryan had a good concept with the gnomes but he didnt follow it. Next time Mr. Ryan do your homework and maybe your next novel will be worth reading.

fergus, please never write in Dragonlance unless you research before hand. i could've written a better book and i've been with this series for two years and known nothing about the gnomes and don't have a degree in writing, english, journalism or literature. this book was flat out, the more horendous book i have ever read. with every page that i forced myself to read, a little of me died inside. the only thing good about this book was that it was Dragonlance. there is no word in any language that can describe how dispicable this book was. and im not even done yet.

The fact that Ryan is new to the DL saga is blatantly obvious in this tale. The story had some potential but as noted elsewhere, Ryan depicted the gnomes much differently than in any other book and thus completely missed the characteristic traits that make gnomes so enjoyable. The writing style is fairly good but much of the plot is illogical and under-defined(e.g. the paradise machine) I've read every book in the series thus far and this one definitely jumped out of context though it was still an acceptable read with some good moments.

Weeeeelllll.... let's just say that this book was... disappointing. The characters didn't act at all like gnomes; sure there was craziness, but they seemed too.... human. The plot was pretty poorly explained, jumping around, and thoroughly confusing. The whole Paradise Machine bit was... totally unconvincing and idiotic. Machines with a mind of their own that repair themselves and build things on their own, and operate with the evaporation of water! It was not a good book. Whenever Margaret Weis and Tracy Hickman wrote a book, i was totally enthralled, but this book left me thinking "I might as well finish it; I payed for it...." *sigh* most of the books not by Weis and Hickman don't seem to _fit_ with the Dragonlance world, and seem to have shaky and weak explanations. Anywho, get this book if you want, but only if it's the only thing left on the shelf.