Dragons of Spring Dawning (The Dragonlance Chronicles, Vol 3) by Margaret Weis
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Book Reviews of Dragons of Spring Dawning (The Dragonlance Chronicles, Vol 3)
Book Review: A Storied End To A Legend
Summary: 4 Stars
The third book in the series, it picks up a little bit from there the second book fell off.
The characters, who have now had a chance to have fairly large development arcs, are very well fleshed out with solid personalities. Some of them, like Tanis and Tas have really evolved from their original one-dimensional nature. Both are much darker, as one would be if they went through what these guys have, but still seem to have hope. Others changes have been simpler, but still as important to the character. The one character who was intended to change the most, Raistlin, seems to have the least amount of change (for his arc, its better to look at the Twin sereis).
What helps lift this book from the second is that most of the characters come back together. It is always difficult to follow a story if everyone is to split up, and thankfully most of the group comes back together.
The story itself is a bit rougher then the previous two, with several of the sub-plots feeling very rushed to conclusion. The Raistlin plot is also somewhat tiresome, as they have been devoting a lot of time to it, without much happening.
There is one very large bright point, and that is the Weis and Hickman are excellent at writing death scenes. The way the character that dies in this novel is written really choked me up.
This is an excellent fantasy novel and a definite pace setter for the genre.
Book Review: The Death And Rebirth Of The Companions - Krynn In Balance
Summary: 3 Stars
There is an expectation of a happy ending with every fantasy novel and series. Dragons Of Spring Dawning, the conclusion of the Dragonlance Chronicles trilogy, presents a more realistic ending which leaves much room for the saga and the heroes to roam.
With death, destruction, discovery and desperation looming and lurking at every turn The Everman, Tanis, Laurana, Tas, Flint, Caramon and Raistlin take centre stage to play their part in a drama which now actively includes Kitiara in a surprise twist. Wars rage and sorrows reign as Raistlin's prophecy regarding the death and separation of the fellows comes true.
Spring Dawning does have major flaws, as did its two prequels, in that coincidences flow illogically at every turn (the dismissal of the dragons by Fizban, the defeated magic of a Dragon Highlord at a crucial time or the appointment of Lauranathalasa) and the book still cannot rid itself of allusions and comparisons to The Lord Of The Rings (the metaphysical presence of The Dark Queen is just one instance) trilogy. Nevertheless, the ingredients for an exciting and satisfactory read are present here in more potent quantities than in volumes one and two.
The book does answer many nagging questions and puts to rest several mysteries, although there is much that still goes unexplained. Mystery, magic, myth and mages come together in an expansive and enchanting land and become sources for more fantasy trilogies to come.
Book Review: A Landscape of Cracked Mirrors in the Soul
Summary: 5 Stars
An Excerpt from the novel:
"Insane, desperate rage twisted Tanis's face. Somehow he'd make Raistlin listen to reason! Somehow they would all use this strange magic to escape! Tanis started forward, then stopped. From nowhere - - - seemingly - - - had come a small silver dagger, long concealed, fastened to the mage's wrist by a cunningly designed leather thong.
`All right,' Tanis said, breathing heavily. "You'd kill me without a second thought. But what about your brother? Caramon, stop him!
Caramon took a step toward his twin. Raistlin raised the silver dagger warningly.
`Don't make him come near me, Tanis,' Raistlin said. `I assure you. I am capable of this, truly. What I have sought all my life is within my grasp. I will let nothing stop me. Look at Caramon's face, Tanis! He knows! I killed him once. I can do it again . . .'
The War of the Lance nears its end . . . for good . . . or for evil . . .
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
Long years of desperate warfare are now nearing an end; the eternal battle between good and evil has long been waged over the face of Krynn and now the tumultuous emotions of a lifetime are crashing around our beleaguered cast of characters. Some will be tempted to join the ranks of the dark side, others will loose their life warring against the forces of evil, and still others will continue to fight against the minions of Takhisis, goddess of destruction. Along the way, our characters must overcome treachery, despair, and one of the bleakest winters of their lives. Will the power of good overcome, or will the dragons inherit the eart?. For good or evil the dye is cast and all of Krynn must pay the eternal price.
Once again, the reader reunites with their favourite characters. Tanis, Raistlin, Strum, Caramon, Tas, Flint, Laurana, Riverwind, Goldmoon, and the delightfully doddery old mage, the enigmatic Fizban all meet once again to battle the forces of darkness and console each other along the way. However, there are many surprises in store for our careworn group of heroes. Tanis is torn between his love for Laurana, the gentle elf maiden and Kitiara, the ambitions dragon highlord and follower of Takhisis. Meanwhile, Raistlin has discovered a new magical talent that could be the key to his future, or the destruction of everything. Loyalties are stretched and breached, love is tried to the utmost, hatred is kindled, as the entire force of Krynn is rallied to fight the coming onslaught of dragons, our characters must not only confront these beasts of doom, but their own inner turmoils and disloyalties as well. The war is not only for the salvation of Krynn, but for the redemption of the soul. Nothing will ever be the same again.
Not only do we, the public of readers, become drawn into the story by the fast paced action and the stunning revelations, but the sheer emotional depth and the realistic nature of the cast of vivid characters is what truly makes this tale classic literature. While the war rages on the outside, we are allowed to not only witness its irrevocable destruction of Krynn, but to see first hand how this degeneration of the world effects the characters we have come to love as family. How can we not weep as Raistlin begins his long fall from grace? How can we not experience Tanis's emotional turmoil over his love life? How can we not respect and admire Laurana, the Golden General, who risks everything for a man who no longer loves her? All these things and more culminate to produce an astoundingly complex and highly emotional tale that will leave the reader crying during many segments. Unforeseen betrayals, love lost, hopes destroyed, magic discovered, all these things must have their toll on the characters that we have come to love and admire. While they may not all be human, they have distinctly human emotion and desires creating what can truly be called modern literature at its finest. It would be impossible for the reader to remain unaffected by the emotions of Dragonlance. It would also be equally impossible for the reader to even begin to guess what outcome, whether good or evil, would come from our characters' actions and reactions. Truly, Dragons of Spring Dawning is as emotional as it is unpredictable. This is one story that cannot fail to draw the reader in.
The sheer ingenuity of the plot and the extreme emotional depth displayed, is complemented by a rich and complex storyline, edge-of-the-seat action and suspense, and a terrifying cast of vitriolic villains. While the protagonists are deeply cherished by the reader, the villains make an equal, although opposite impression, truly engaging all of the reader's emotions, both love and hate. What could be more epic! Once again, we are treated to modern literature at its finest.
Also, Dragons of Spring Dawning, is complemented with a wonderful rich and descriptive writing style that brings the magical world of Krynn vividly to life. Yet another virtue that Dragonlance can boast.
In Conclusion: This is to be Krynn's bleakest hour. An hour when the decisions of a moment will affect a lifetime. An hour when sides must be chosen forever. An hour when love and hate, desire and despair, culminate into one heady brew to create an unforgettable epic that is just as emotionally demanding as it is imaginatively captivating. All of Krynn hangs in the balance and it is up to our beleaguered group of heroes to save their lost and dying world. Rich in characterization, writing, imagination, and epic in scope and storytelling, this is one tale not to be missed. Highly recommended.
- Ravenova Majere
In balance all purity is destroyed,
But in voluptuous darkness lies the truth.
- Raistlin's Farewell
The Dragonlance Chronicles Series:
(1.) Dragons of Autumn Twilight
(2.) Dragons of Winter Night
(3.) Dragons of Spring Dawning
(4.) Dragons of Summer Flame
The Raistlin Chronicles:
(1.) The Soulforge
(2.) Brothers in Arms
The Legends Series:
(1.) Time of the Twins
(2.) War of the Twins
(3.) Test of the Twins
The Lost Chronicles:
(1.) Dragons of Dwarven Depths
(2.) Dragons of a Highlord Sky
The Preludes:
(1.) Darkness and Light
(2.) Kendermore
(3.) Brothers Majere
(4.) Riverwind the Plainsman
(5.) Flint the King
(6.) Tanis the Shadow Years
Book Review: The end...
Summary: 4 Stars
SPOILER ALERT!!!!
Dragons of Spring Dawning is the final volume in the Chronicles Trilogy. At the beginning of the book the forces of good are in disarray and headed for defeat at the hands of the evil Dragonarmies. However, since this is the last book in the trilogy you just know that things are going to turn around. First Laurana is named commander of the Knights around Palanthas and then her brother, Gilthanas, returns with the good dragons. After the good dragons are equipped with the dragonlances they drive the dragonarmies south in disorder. However, the blue Dragon highlord Kitiara has a trick up her sleeve. She preys upon Laurana's love for Tanis Half-Elven to capture the elven general; Kit plans to sacrifice Laurana to the evil goddess, Takahsis, and then give her soul to her death knight Lord Soth. When Tanis learns of this dastardly plot he leads the other companions to Nereka to free Laurana. Tanis also has an ace in the hole as he has managed to find Berem the Everman, who has a strange jewel in his chest that is preventing the evil goddess from returning. In the end, Tanis manages to rescue Laurana, Berem returns his jewel and prevents the return of the evil goddess and Raistlin turns to the dark robes.
For the most part this book is a very satisfying conclusion to the series. We reach a measure of resolution with all of the major characters (some sadder then others) and we get a glimpse of what their future will be like. However, in some ways the ending is a bit too...neat. Why does Berem's jewel hold such power over a Goddess? How does his sister's death effect anything? Is it because of his sister's love that the entrance to the world is blocked? I don't get it and it is never completely explained. Also the fact that Fizban, the bumbling wizard who has been following them around for almost a year, turns out to be the god Paladine. That's a little too good to be true. And if he was a god, why not have some more powerful magic or something? Other then that this was a good book.
In conclusion, I am giving this book four stars. The one star that it lost is for the ending. A better ending would have put a better cap on a magnificent trilogy.
Book Review: No Suprises
Summary: 4 Stars
Once again Hickman and Weis come through with flying colors!
Each volume seems to flow seemlessly into the next. I can hardly wait to read the next adventure.