Dragons of Summer Flame

First of all, if you're like me and kind of stupid, make sure you DON'T READ THIS BOOK FIRST!!! It will confuse you out of your wits. I was reading it and came across a name I didn't recognize, then I put the book down for a week just pondering who that person was. After finally deciding that it didn't really mater and I would find out later, I continued reading only to find the same thing happen again!Other than this, it is a very nice read. I read it again after reading the Chronicles and Legends, and appreciated it much more. Other reviewers have said that this book drags on and never seemes to end. Well, I think that this really isn't true, since everything needs to happen. Anyone whose read farther ahead in the DragonLance series will know this.Please, remember that nothing in the book is a personal offence to anyone. A friend of mine was so enraged with the ending that she burned the book. Later, she felt bad since it was a bad reaction, and she's now begging me for my copy so she can read it again.

Alright, all in all the book was excellent. There are some things though that should be cautioned though... But if this is gonna ruin the book for you DON'T READ IT! Last chance... Alright, first of all. Like most of the readers I felt as if the whole of DragonLance was pulled out from beneath me when Tanis died. He was one of the original characters and (though all of us have to die sometime)I feel he should have had a more heroic death or they could have at least described his funeral afterward. COME ON! He's one of the main people! Anyway, I did like how Tasselhoff was in it and I found that the way he died (sniff) was very noble. That part I think was played up really well, exspecially with the epilogue. The first time I read the book I felt a little confused about the new characters and had to read it again to acually feel any compassion for them. You just didn't have the kind of kinship with them that you feel you have with the other characters (exspecially if you've read the preludes)and it kinda takes away from the story. The part about the 'hidden race' (Irqa) did answer any questions about the (Love and War- one of the Tales trilogy) Raistlin's daughter story and taught you about them. I didn't really like how all the Irqa (minus Usha) died because well, it's kinda sad.All in all the book did have a stirring plot and showed the 'companions' lives later whihc is interesting as well. There is a satisfaction of the story since it does seem to be the boundary between Fifth age and before it. It kind of wraps up the 'companions' lives and brings a whole new 'world' to be unleashed. (too bad Tas didn't have any children!)

The book is also kind've thick, which makes the awesome experience of reading it last even longer. I liked this book because it was written very well -- in my opinion, it's the best book Hickman and Weis have ever written, the plot was original and not very complicated, and the authors played on all the reader's emotions quite well -- intimidation (Raistlin coming back and scaring everyone he comes in contact with), grief / loss (the death of some of the characters), humor (Tasselholf at his best), love (in regards to Usha and Palin -- they want eachother, but are they related?), and joy (because ALL [and I mean *all* hehe...] the Companions have either a small or a big part in the book itself). All the other reveiwers are just angry because some of the main characters died. Why, I don't know, but they had to die sometime, eh? It's just to bad the others ruined it for you! And yes, the plot is predictable, but the way the authors write is what makes the book so grand, just trust me. It was a good book, as far as the authors' skill is concerned -- anyone who's read it could tell you that, but it's pretty depressing near the end, which is another thing that I think made everyone mad. The one character is constantly in this cell awaiting to be executed, the other character is wanting to sacrifice himself in the other's place, and it just makes you want to go shoot yourself.

I found the book to be absolutely wonderful. Though The Second Generation has to be read to get full character development. But the book in itself was just awesome. The ending was sad and I have yet to read a fifth age book. Someday I'll get to them though. Read it if you haven't and get the chance. Just remember that yes... people can die in books.

This books is great following the Chronicles and Legends. It paves the way for the "Fifth Age". The book itself was written extremely well. It was a great book, but at the same time, saddening. Seeing the old favorites go was blow to the head for me. Though, when thinking about it, seemed necessary. I recommend this book to everyone who has read the Chronicles and the Legends trilogies. Reading "The Second Generation" would help, but is not totally necessary to enjoy Dragons of Summery Flame. If you read it, be prepared to shed a small tear at the end...