Dragons of a Lost Star: The War of Souls, Volume II

I?ve always been an avid fan of the Dragonlance series. Perhaps it was the structured world or magical setting that appealed to me. Nevertheless, such has resulted in years of immersion ? downright addiction. Imagine my disappointment when I read Dragons of a Fallen Sun! With all the magic I was previously fascinated with supposedly gone, my interest in the series itself dwindled as well. All I could do was sit tight and hope the upcoming sequel would shed some light on the predicament inhabitants of Krynn were in, hopefully bringing magic back to life. Then came the day I borrowed Dragons of a Lost Star from a classmate. Impressive! Once again, I was swept off into a dark world filled with evil. Mina continues to lead her army deep into the lands, seemingly unstoppable with the might of her ?One God.? I was slightly disappointed when the heroes I had gotten know began dying, but overall, this book is certainly worth the read. I can?t wait for the last of the trilogy to be released, revealing whatever fate to come in this dynamic series.

This book is a much better book than its predecessor, Dragons of a Fallen Sun. I finished the book in a day, that's how engrossing it is so I urge you not to get this book if you don't have the time to commit to it. The writing is similar to that of Weis/Hickman books of the past by writing the events that occur to different characters intermittedly (i.e. Chapter 1 about character "a", then chapter 2 about character "b", etc.). The one problem I have with it is that it always wants me to read more because they always end the chapter at the most interesting part only to pick it up later. Other than that, the storyline is somewhat predictable if you are an avid reader of fantasy (particularly of Weis/Hickman). The identity of the One God was so obvious......But the book does have it's moments and there is more than enough action to satisfy readers. Perhaps the most annoying thing in the book is Tasselhoff, he was okay back in the day but he has been steadily annoying the hell out of me in the last couple of Weis/Hickman DragonLance books; he should definitely die (and stay dead) in the next one (I hope). All in all a great book; I eagerly await the release of the last book, Dragons of a Vanished Moon. If you are into Fantasy at all, pick up this book and it's predecessors (CHRONICLES, LEGENDS, Dragons of Summer Flame, and Dragons of a Lost Star) for they are some of the best. Once you read them, you'll know what I mean.

After Dragons of Summer Flame, I said a sad farewell to Krynn. All the signs pointed to that book's storyline being dictated to the authors by a desperate and sinking TSR. Then came WoTC and new series. Tracy Hickman promising to bring Krynn back to where it belonged. I read Dragons of a Fallen Sun skeptically, hoping the series would restore the quality of story and writing present in the earlier trilogies. While good, it was still chained by the dull and strange shackles of the Fifth Age. With Dragons of a Lost Star the author's are well on their way to fulfilling their promise. New characters like Mina, Medan, and Gerard become fleshed out and engaging. Old favorites like Goldmoon and Dalamar make more than cameo's and take the reader with them on a immersive journey seeking answers about The One God and the future of Krynn. The story is well set up by subtle hints and building momentum that clues in the careful reader to the discoveries coming at the end. Balancing the unfolding story, Dragons of a Lost Star provides plenty of action and dramatic moments. The gripping plight of the elves against the dragon Beryl ends in a truly climatic showdown. Laurana's stand will bring old readers a foreboding Deja'vu moment. A confrontation between Skie and Mina ends surprisingly and proivdes startling insights. Yet just when the forces of evil seem triumphant at every turn the heroes recieve their answers. In so doing, the saga's grand circle draws ever closer together, all but assuring a masterpiece finish to the series. If you are a fan of the Chronicles and Legends, get this book now! With each page the series grows better and better. By it's conclusion it seems set to take it's place alongside the first trilogies as some of the greatest works of fantasy you will ever read.

Some have stated that the new Dragonlance novels are not as entertaining or as well-developed as the originals. I have long been an opponent of the "old-codger" viewpoint in which the original is glorified and the new condemned. Perhaps it is nihilistic of me to say so, but I think that part of what makes a series like Dragonlance so amazing is the continued flow of quality work. This novel is every bit as good as Dragons of Winter Night, and one of the best fantasy novels I've ever read. Granted, if you do not know what has come before, it would fail to have that effect, but I think those who claim that Weis and Hickman have lost their flame (or is that star?) need to desperately reread this novel.

Not since the days of the Chronicles and Legends have i enjoyed reading so much. Dragons of a Lost Star is incredible! And while I had my doubts after reading the first War of Souls novel, Dragons of a Fallen Sun, rest assured fellow readers, all is right in the world of Krynn. Finally, the one God's identity is revealed! And you will kick yourselves because the answer is so obvious with all the elven wars. Qualinost under attack by the great Beryl! Once the one god is unmasked the pieces of this great and wonderful puzzle begin to fall into place. take note of the man aboard the Gull Wing, he's got alot of making up to do! do yourself a favor and run to buy this book. I promise, you wil not regret for one moment. the return of Dalamar! the secret behind the dead walking again! it's going to be a long year awaiting dragons of a Vanished Moon...