Elven Star

This is the 2nd book of the Death Gate Cycle and has only one returning character from the first book "Dragon Wing" : the Patryn Haplo. The book starts out slow as we are introduced to the Realm of Fire, Pryan. This world stays lit constantly which has made the surface a massive jungle so high that only dwarves have ever seen the ground. The story starts with our introduction to an elf family who are in the weapons business. As the best in the trade, they are the richest in the land. They are selling a new shipment of magic weapons to a pair of human traders/smugglers who in turn are smuggling them to the dwarves. The dwarves are worried due to rumors that mythical Tytans are on the move and destroying everything in their path.It is into this scene that Zifnab (Fizban for those who've read the Dragonlance series) makes a grand entrance fighting to control a huge dragon. After gaining control of the dragon, he predicts Haplo's coming and that the Patryn will be their savior.So when Haplo does show up, he is surprised to see he has been expected and his arrival is none to soon. The mythical Tytans have proved to be all to real and are destroying everything in their path. Much to Haplo's surprise, these Tytans know crude Sartan magic which they use with the force of a mountain and nearly kill Haplo. Haplo and a few survivors barely escape with there lives and make for one of the "stars" in the sky. It is here that Haplo learns about the creation of the Tytans but is no closer to learning what happened to his enemies, the Sartans.Learning about the political situation of Pryan is a tad slow in the begining but Zifnab makes great comic relief and the Tytans make for an interesting creature that (IMO) helps speed the book along. This book continues to slowly show us that Haplo is not pure evil just because he's a Patryn. All-in-all an excellent read!

Elven Star brings readers into Pryan, word of fire. Although it may not seem to have mutch in common with the first book, readers will see that it plays an important part later and is tied in with the rest of the story. It is a continuation of Haplo's journey through the four elemental worlds. New charictors are introduced and hummor and romance are added to the rather dark plot. A great book and I can't wait to read the entire series again.

I adore this book. Despite it's tragedy (sp?), it's hilarious! Zifnab, a Gandalf wannabe, adds an hysterical element to the story that makes him one of the most lovable characters in the series! Then there's his dragon. We have to remember him, too. Otherwise, he'll be offended and Zifnab will have to sing that drinking song all over again to charm him! Of course, Haplo's there. As usual, he's getting personally caught up in something he's supposed to just be a witness to (Mostly because of Zifnab), and instead of being a casual passerby, he's a part of that crackpot's prophecy (The usual death, doom, and..er...destruction! Yeah, that's it! Destruction!). Well, what can he do but follow along, especially if it means his own life if he doesn't? This is a must-read!

In Elven Star you discover the second brilliantly concieved world in the Death Gate Cycle. Margaret Weis and Tracy Hickman create the ultimate blend of mystery and comedy. The world is unlike any we've ever perhaps imagianed in our wildest dreams. Everlasting light provides this world with lush growth(understatement). The trees are hundreds perhaps thousands of feet in the sky. The thick moss growing between the trees provide a type of land that the humans and elves live on. Finding the dwarves in areas dug well beneath the moss. Once again the Patryn(Demi-God like magic user) whom you meet in Dragon Wing is exploring the world to find evidence of the Sartan's existance. Instead he finds a new force of great power that challanges even his own. The foreshadowing is excellent, The comedy is unbearable at times,(especially if you've read J.R.R.Tolkien or DragonLance) and once again you find that the need to read on in the series is not an option, its an requirement to satisfy your growing addiction for more Weis and Hickman brilliance

Zifnab is the worlds greatest looney. Armed with a lack of better sence and a Pyran Dragon it's no wonder why he can afford to be that way, although Zifnab sorta reminds me of Fizban from Dragonlance...*wanders down a tangent