Customer Reviews

The Soulforge (Dragonlance: The Raistlin Chronicles, Book 1)

5 star:		(195)
4 star:		(17)
3 star:		(8)
2 star:		(2)
1 star:		(3)

 

 

The Soulforge, a novel which tells of the early days of Raistlin and his twin Caramon, is an excellent story which answers a number of questions regarding Raistlin's past. Margaret Weis, one of the authors of the original DragonLance Chronicles and Legends trilogies is at her best when she writes about her favorite character -- the mage Raistlin. All the elements that made the original trilogies is recaptured here and definitely brings back memories of those two excellent trilogies published fifteen years ago.

The Soulforge begins with Raistlin at age six and progresses until his taking of The Test at age twenty-one. A number of the Heroes of the Lance also make appearances and meet each other for the first time. This is the only problem with the novel. The purpose of the Meetings Sextet written about ten years ago was to introduce readers to the Heroes of the Lance before their adventures in Chronicles. However, the utilization of the characters and their meetings with/introduction to one another in this novel differs at times from the stories originally presented in the Meetings Sextet. Other than that, this is an outstanding work which warrants a five star rating.

We get to see Raistlin progress from a child who was always picked on by others to his being the youngest mage to take The Test. We also learn the origin of Raistlin's magic at an early age, his golden skin tone, the reasoning behind his harsh/untrusting attitude toward others, the cause of his frailty, etc. Overall, if you're a Raistlin and/or DragonLance fan, The Soulforge is a must-read.

From what I've experienced, a lot of books are able to make the author sympathize with the character--but it's rare for books to be able to make the reader empathize with the character, to actually be the character. Soulforge, honestly, is successful on that very plank.

In this book, you'll be given a chance to view the life of one of the most intriguing characters in fantasy fiction, Raistlin Majere of Dragonlance fame. Often times, when we meet a particularly bitter, angry but likeable character we ask "What makes them like that?" and even if the Legends Trilogy gives you an understanding, Soulforge will pull you deeper into the heart of Raistlin and you'll be able to comprehend why he is who he is.

But I guess we all understand his nature by now. We understand he's envious of his brother. We understand his ambitions. Now what's so special with Soulforge, for me, is the fact that I was able to feel Raistlin's anger. I was able to understand and perhaps, perceive, that if I were in Raistlin's situation, I'd do the exact same thing. Raistlin wasn't just a 'character', he became someone akin to a real human person.

We'll get all the huge doses of Raistlin fame we want from Dragonlance in Soulforge. And if you want more, there's still Brothers in Arms, which is the sequel to this book.

WOW. Being a Dragonlance veteran (having read at least 20 books in the Dragonlance series), I was utterly pleased with my experience with the Soulforge.

Margaret Weis takes us back in time, to when Raistlin was a budding mage, who from the early age of 6 knew in his heart that magic would rule his life. Raistlin was so real that you could almost reach into the book and touch him, as you experienced the love, hate, and burning desire he had for power and magic. But that's not all - we also learn about his childhood experiences with Caramon, and their love for each other that you just never knew in the Chronicles.

The Soulforge ends where Raistlin completes his test at the Tower of Waywreth, and although the story of the test is a bit contratictory/condensed from what we read from other books, it gives us another great legend for us to treasure always in our memories.

Margaret Weis does it again, mesmerizing our hearts and minds with these characters that we could swear are real. And after reading the Soulforge, you will see Raistlin with a newfound respect and love, despite of what he becomes in the years that follow.

Three cheers for The Soulforge!

I really enjoyed this book, as I enjoyed all the Dragonlance books I've read to date. There's something special about Soulforge(and its sequel Brothers in Arms) and I think it's because of Margaret Weis' devotion to the character of Raistlin and the effort she puts into making him believable, frightening, but at the same time, heart rendingly sympathetic.

Soulforge is the story of Raistlin's childhood in Solace and follows him on his adventures with his friends until the test in the Tower of Sorcery at Wayreth. It portrays him as a gifted, yet tortured young man, quick to learn yet hemmed in by his physical frailties. Yet, in spite of his tendency to say and do hurtful things, he still tries to do what he considers right, though things are confounded by his own ambitions, his own jealousies and the cruelty of the world around him. Despite this, his growing magical power does not go unnoticed by those who have an inkling of the war that is to come...

The narrative is great, detailed and often very funny. It goes into a lot of detail and a lot of really great emotional perspectives. After the Chronicles and the Legends, in which Raistlin tends to be slightly horrifying and really mean (though still just so...awesome), it's great to have an account from his pov where you can understand and feel bad for him as a child. It's also great to see what he thinks of certain characters before his, shall we say, cynical and ambitious adulthood, especially Caramon and Kitiara.

In short, this is a must for all Dragonlance fans and hopefully all the rave reviews I've read on this site will provide motivation for those who have not yet experienced the singularly engrossing scope of the Drangonlance series, especially the books by Weis and Hickman. Really, Raistlin is quite a cool character...and so are all the rest. They're all great reads, but the Soulforge stood out as one of the best, in terms of quality of writing, plot, and intricacy of character development. Read it!!!

Ok, if you are just getting started in the world of Krynn, or are a weathered traveler, then you will love this book. Since Raistlin is a favorite character of mine, I had to add Soulforge to my growing collection. It helps the reader understand why he is the way he is. It finally reveals what really happened during the test in the Tower of High Sorcery. Basically, it is the long awaited story of Raistlin's life. (Thank you Margaret Weis!) It has much the same feel as the Chronicles or Legends. Almost all of the companions are there, taking you back to the days right before the War of the Lance.

This is a book that could only be written by Margaret Weis. She brought this character to life and has now done a wonderful job of telling his story.

a lot of people brush this book off saying it didn't truly depict raistlin as they knew him later on. I see it as a perfect example, as in chronicles, during the circus troupe where he was actually happy again. He really isn't as evil as the books lead you to believe he is. He just has a huge problem with people who are like what he becomes. People who prey on the downtrodden, people who attack the weak to gain power for themselves. People like the kingpriest, fistandantilus, although he obviously reserves some scorn for them (things they did he kind of took personally). Anyways, it's a perfect depiction of Raistlin, seeing as how he was Weis's character, and she knows him best. Not many people also understand the relationship between the author and their characters. Raist needed growth, and in this book, he got it. It shows all those little things he never wants to talk about, all the people that made him so spiteful and bitter. I wish he woulda stayed in those red robes.....

Soulforge is a novel that was definitely worth reading. It portrayed a young Raistlin well, with many insights into his future evil and eventual redemption. I was hoping for some more blatant spellcasting, but what can you do. It was basically a book about a troubled youth destined for greatness who happens to have a simple brother and a sardonic sister.

I was not aware that this book was going to be coming out, and so it was a very pleasant surprise to find it in the bookstore. I have to say that I bought it with very high hopes, for it was only 2 months ago that I re-read the Chronicles Trilogy, which I had not read in 10 years. I was taken back to Krynn, and wanted more.

The book starts off well enough, and it is billed as telling to story of what happened in the Tower of High Sorcery. Sure, in the last 20 pages. So much of the book was spent dealing with things that happen in the future (kind of a way to say, "hey did you catch this reference") that I was left a little flat.

The character development also was extremely inconsistent. There was very little on Kit, about whom readers of the trilogy are least knowledgeable. Sure it discussed her past, but did very little, in my mind, to discern what motivated her to hate her mother so, to leave home, and what drew her to the dark side of life. It was as if Weis was saying money and power, that's it. No reason, just money and power. More was made of what drove Raistlin, but in very short quips, the one about Miranda being the best example. Furthermore, Caramon was painted as a complete idiot, a description that is highly inconsistent with the chronicles.

Things just seemed to be too nice and neat in this book. It was as if Weis had a bunch of loose ends that needed taking care of. It would have been so much better if the book had centered more on Raistlin's psychological development, giving a clearer window into his soul. While I appreciated witnessing the origination of the relationship between Tas and Flint, and references to the 5 year deal, I was hoping that this book would not try to cover so much ground in such little time. Let's be clear, Chronicles covered less than a year in over 1000 pages, and this book covers 14 in 350? My perception of the test, at least as it was painted in Chronicles, could have covered 300+ pages. Why cut it short? So much more could have been done. At the end, the reader is left with the feeling of, "Oh, that is why his eyes are like that, and why his skin is like that, and why he does this that and the other thing" but, again, it was too nice and neat.

I've been a long time fan of the dragonlance series, primarily because the Raistlin and Caramon dichotomy. After the Dragonlance Legends series, I was in awe of the Weis and Hickman tandem. It has been very rare for me to sympathize with, much less admire an evil wizard. But I was disappointed by this book.

The book starts very strongly. We get to see not just Raistlin, but almost the entire Heroes of the Lance at a very young age. Ever wonder what Tika was like growing up? She's here. Wonder how Kitiara and Tanis got along? Its here too! But the BIG question I had was "What happened during the test at the tower of high sorcery?".

This question was partly answered or hinted at in several short stories and a gamebook. But they only enhanced my appettite for more. So I bought the book that was supposed to speak with a DEFINITVE voice.

Unfortunately Weis spends more then 85% of this book talking about something else. To say that the part that dealt with the test seemed RUSHED is an understatement. The Test of Wizardry was supposed to have three parts. In Weis' narration all three happened so quickly I couldn't tell which part was what. How these tests were supposed to give raistlin an understanding of himself or his abilities was poorly explained.

More unsatisfying was the explanation of Raistlin's golden skin, blasted health and hour-glass eyes. I wont give any spoilers but Par-Salian's justification seemed inordinately capricious and cruel.

Thinking back about it, there were strokes of genius throughout the work. I liked the idea of a young Raistlin writing the words "I, Magus" without knowing what he was asking for. So different from the end, when he has finally realized what he was willing to do or sacrifice for power. I actually shuddered when the books comes full circle with Raistlin the Archmage writing "I, Magus".

Too bad the thinly veiled promotion of the various Dragonlance novels by Astinus really jarred my immersion in Weis' writing.

I just started reading the Dragonlance novels earlier this month and I've already finished Chronicles and Legends. Neadless to say I've liked the books thus far and Soulforge is no exception. It is a great story of how Raistlin came to be who he is. How he was powerful and ambitious as a kid. And how his jealousy of his brother's looks, popularity, and strength led to his callous nature. And also gives an interesting view into the way Raistlin and Caramon met the rest of the Heroes of the Lance. Also the reader gets to experience the oath made by the companions and the horrid Test at the Tower of High Sorcery at Wayreth. All in all the book details the different events which led to Raistlin's and his Ultimate goal and ambition. Very well written and Weis' compassion for her characters really comes out in the writing. I suggest reading this after Chronicles and Legends though because some of the events in this book could spoil the suprises of those series.