The Irda (Dragonlance Lost Histories, Vol. 2) (Mass Market Paperback)

by Linda P. Baker (Author) "My dear, you know that magic, beyond that necessary for daily needs, is forbidden to all but the ruling Families..." (more)
Key Phrases: dead queen, tube worm, crystal sphere, Ruling Council, High Cleric, Lord Igraine (more...)

Editorial Reviews

Product Description
In the Beginning . . .

Given life by gods, the Ogres were the most intelligent and beautful of the early races on Krynn, and they reigned supreme in their perfect kingdom . . .

Until that fabled race was weakened by clan rivalries and evil ambition, their downfall orchestrated by the hand of the Dark Queen, Takhisis . . .

Until the once-proud Ogres were cursed by their own mistakes and transformed into one of Krynn's most ugly, despised, and villainous species . . .

All except a small group, the Irda, who learned to accept goodness, fight for their freedom, and escape to build a utopian civilization of their own on a paradise island in the Dragon Isles.

The Irda

The Lost Histories Series probes the historical roots and epic struggles of the heretofore little-known peoples of Krynn. Author Linda P. Baker sheds light on thelegendary origins of this mysterious race, The Irda.

Product Details

• Mass Market Paperback: 312 pages
• Publisher: Wizards of the Coast (June 1, 1995)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0786901381
• ISBN-13: 978-0786901388
• Product Dimensions: 7 x 4.2 x 0.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 6.6 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 3.3 out of 5 stars See all reviews (19 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #289,458 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

1.0 out of 5 stars Not the greatest, by far., May 30, 2001

By	Brandon Bergeron (APO, AP United States) - See all my reviews

To start I am an avid Dragonlance fan, in fact, it is my favortie series and I personaly have over 35 paperbacks and a few hardcovers. I am writing this review to tell all other Dragonlance fans to find another book before reading this one. This is the first Dragonlance book I had to put down because I just couldn't read any more. I dont even recall what the story involved. Usually with a Dragonlance book I read untill the roof falls on my head. Even then if I didn't die I would keep on reading. However this book bored me, failed to excite me in any way, and was in my opinion poorly written. It took me a span of 2 years to finish. Other novels have been devoured in a day. Now Linda P Baker has written other books and Im not saying she is a low caliber author, but this book was just plain bad. I didnt like it, and this is the first Dragonlance book I have said this about. Thank you for reading, thats my two steel.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Starts slow and ends too quickly, December 16, 2003

By	Russell P. Horton (Stoughton, WI) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

This book follows a group of characters, mostly Ogres, in the months that lead up to the downfall of Ogres from the favored of the gods to the brutal beasts that most people know them as. It also explains how the Irda separated from the Ogres, and how they ended up on the Dragon Isles.

I think this book could only appeal to fans of the Dragonlance world and would be confusing to those who've never read Dragonlance. Overall it is a decent novel, but it starts very slowly and ends too quickly. Instead of a sweeping history of the Irda, it is a snapshot of the downfall of the Ogres. Instead of relating the history of the Irda through the War of the Lance or even the Chaos War, it ends with their arrival at the Dragon Isles. I think this topic could probably have been handled in a short story, rather than a novel.

Due to the extremely slow start, it is very hard to become attached to any of the characters. Even after one begins to relate to some of the characters, they do things that seem inconsistant with their character quite often.

True fans of the Dragonlance series should read this, as it does give some insight into the fall of the Ogres. Anyone who wants to start reading the Dragonlance series should stay away from this one until you're hooked- else it might scare you away!

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The writing has a mythical sound, August 20, 2008

By	MeeMeeDee (Gulf Coast, USA) - See all my reviews

I have to take issue with a couple of reviewers who gave this book a lesser rating than mine. You can't slam an author based on the editing of her book. Take the time to look past the editing problems of a book and let yourself enjoy the compelling unfolding of the plot and characterizations. Granted, many people who are into gaming may not have the attention span to stay with a novel that is deeply plotted and well written. With games,(and I, too, enjoy them) it's the fast pacing of adventure following adventure following adventure that keeps the players interested and excited, rather than the love of words and word pictures that Readers love and celebrate.