Amber and Ashes: The Dark Disciple, Volume I

Perhaps it's only Weis/Hickman's interpretation of the world of Krynn you enjoy. If so, you will probably find this book 3 stars instead of my 5. The storyline is decent, but it's not lifechanging. The writing is decent, but it won't utterly captivate you. (i.e. War of the Lance, Twins Series, and War of the Souls). But it's good summer reading, a trilogy that I'll finish in the next few months. Let me preface my message with that. However, if you're like me, you are the type of person that wants to know every aspects of Krynn, the other gods for example, or other religions, this is your book. Perhaps it's because I'm familiar with not only D & D but the Dragonlance Campaign Setting that I have such a desire to see other classes, know other gods, see other towns of Krynn, know what the atmosphere was like after the War of the Souls. This book will give you incredible insight into Krynn if this is the case. It will help you run better D & D sessions set in a Dragonlance campaign. At the end of the book it even has items and characters that were mentioned in the book, to allow you to take on this storyline yourself. That's such a brilliant idea in my opinion. Learn more about Chemosh - God of Death, Zeboim - Goddess of the Seas, Majere - God of Nature, Nuitari - God of the Black Robes and their ambitions, their drive. Experience the religious mentality of monks serving Majere, the typical wizard serving Nuitari, kender who aren't apt to constantly 'borrow' things. It's a worthy read, deserving of the Dragonlance stamp.

I was skepticall about this book for a long time and then I finally decided to give it a try.I am very glad that I gave this book a chance.I have read many reviews about it and alot of people seem to think this book is boring and unfulfilling.I know everyone it titled to there opinion but this is a story you need to learn how to read between the lines.Just open your imaginations and you will find this book as wonderfull as I do.I have yet to be dissapointed by any book in the Dragonlance series.

First and foremost, if you did not find the War of Souls trilogy enjoyable, then don't waste your time reading this book. I can understand how some might be upset at the fact that continuity was broken to a degree in that series, but I know I personally can ignore a few errors in the favor of a good story. But if you enjoyed the War of Souls, then you will very much enjoy Amber and Ashes. I personally recommend making sure you have some free hours, a comfortable place to sit or lie down, and something warm to eat or drink, as you will find this book very hard to put down. Chances are you will be enthralled in the very interesting plot of the struggle between the gods now that a vacuum of power exists on top. At least on the darker side of the panthenon, it seems everyone wants that spot and will do whatever it takes to get it. Along with their attempts to grab power, it is evident that some of them fall to mortal weaknesses as they attempt to gain followers. It is the price the gods do pay when they wear the guise of a mortal, and try to act as such to gain themselves followers. This is especially evident with Chemosh, but he's not the only one. Amber and Ashes definitely continues with the pattern of wonderful characterization, good plot, and enough action to make it very enjoyable. However I think it does better than most by really playing on the weaknesses of the characters rather than their strengths. I know I very much look forward to reading the next volume of this series. I cannot wait to see what happens next.

I finished this book yesterday and I found it one of the most enjoyable Dragonlance books since Soulforge. I must say I did not exactly enjoy War of the Souls, I found it lacking in pretty much everything. This however introduced the Age of Mortals as just that, an age where the gods of Krynn competed for mortal's support. Chemosh, Lord of Death, is one of my new favorite Dragonlance characters, rivaling even Raistlin. Mina was developed much more in this book, finally allowing us to understand the workings of her mind. I think more could have been done with Rhys and Nightshade which is my only complaint. Introducing the rest of the characters half way through the book, besides Mina and Chemosh, sort of didn't give alot of others time to be developed. Zebiom is deliciously evil, sarcastic, and highly amusing. Nightshade is quite the unusual kender, in a good way thankfully, and Rhys is an honorable character contrasting pretty much everyone else in this story. This book contained a shocking amount of romance, (Dare I say Ms. Weis has written some tasteful smut? hehe) It was still thoroughly enjoyable, and I think even the guys could appreciate it. Much darker, bolder, and sexier than the rest of Dragonlance, I am very interested to see where the rest of the trilogy will go and would highly recommend it.

If you are looking for a book that you cannot put down until you've finished the rest, look no further - this book is it. First of all for those who are interested in this book, I would recommend that you read the War of Souls Trilogy first, because many parts of this book would make a lot more sense if you read that trilogy. The book begins not long after the end of the events in the third book (Dragons of a Vanished Moon) of the War of Souls Trilogy. After the departure of Paladine and Takhisis, the gods of Krynn are looking for ways to gain power for themselves, jockeying for position and followers. One god in particular saw a great opportunity to leverage his position by winning the heart of the adopted daughter of Goldmoon. Mina, now without the One God that she worshiped before, embraced the opportunity to serve Chemosh, and started to win hearts after hearts for him. Starting with a doubtful cleric of Kiri-Jolith, she started spreading the promise of eternal life that would come by following Chemosh, unaware that the promise may not be what it seems . . . Standing on the other side of the spectrum is a Monk and a Kender, and this is where Margaret Weis scored her home run. She is able to do two things: 1) Make the monk character cool. For those of you that have played or at least read other Dragonlance and D & D books, you seldom see a monk as the main character. I've seen Clerics, Rangers, Fighters, Paladins, Mages, etc - your main classes, but not Monks. Margaret Weis shine brightly here by making the Monk character so appealing to us. 2) If you think you know a lot of things about Kenders, throw all those pre-conceived ideas through the window and prepare to be surprised. The Kender in this book is definitely not Tasslehoff - I'll tell you that much. That does not make him a less interesting character - if anything, he is a great character in his own ways. Without going into too much details, for those of you that have read many Dragonlance novels, you'll be pleased by the many references and parts of the story referring to those from the other books. Definitely pick this one up - you won't regret it!