Time of the Twins

The Dragonlance novels by Margaret Weis and Tracy Hickman are loved by huge numbers of fans, and the stories have basically formed a world of their own. The books are well written. The characters are memorable, and the action is nonstop. The books are great fun to read. I'm sure the graphic novels of Dragonlance are less well known, but they are also extremely well done and great fun to read. As listed below, the saga starts with the three volumes of Chronicles and then moves on to Legends. Chronicles, Book I: Dragons of Autumn Twilight Chronicles, Book II: Dragons of Winter Night Chronicles, Book III: Dragons of Spring Dawning (2 books) Legends: Time of the Twins The illustrations in the graphic novels are outstanding and seemed to fit fine with the pictures I had formed in my mind of the various characters. The action sequences stand up to scrutiny by the reader, and dragons are all over the place. However, reading these books cannot possibly be the same as reading the originals. The graphic format has its limitations, so the depth of the original stories is not here but the spirit certainly is. I recommend the books highly to all Dragonlance fans. Please keep in mind that you should read the novels first. Otherwise, keeping track of the action in the stories could be difficult. One unfortunate note is that Time of the Twins may be the only volume published in graphic format from Legends. My understanding is that the publisher has no plans to put out succeeding books from Legends. That is too bad.

This, the first volume of the Legends trilogy is as stated above, quite intriguing. Where the Chronicles trilogy propelled the reader through fast paced action and a multitude of characters, Legends enthralls you with captivating intrigue and suspense. The beginning has a few of the "Heroes of the Lance," in the early stages of the book as part of the setup, but then sets off on its own with its primary characters; Raistlin, Caramon and Tasslehoff. We are also introduced to a "Revered Daughter of Paladine" in Crysania. High praises once again for Margaret Weis and Tracy Hickman who with this trilogy, prove that they are not limited to stunning action. One almost questions themselves as to whether the authors were planning this trilogy when writing Chronicles or capitalized on several things they set up in Chronicles. In either case, they did it perfectly. The Wizards of the Coast new cover art is quite beautiful as well, even much more so than the original covers.The premise:It is now two years after the "end" of the War of the Lance. At the end of Dragons of Spring Dawning, Raistlin went to Palanthas and as the master of past and present he dared the Shoikan grove without fear to enter the Tower of High Sorcery which no one had entered since before the Cataclysm due a curse laid upon it by a black robed mage. Raistlin has now had two years in the tower to study and become even more powerful than he was at the end of the Chronicles. He's also been devising his plan for the future...At the end of the war, Caramon and Tika returned to Solace to be married. Unfortunately for Caramon though, he's fallen on hard times. Crysania "Revered Daughter of Paladine," has some plans of her own as she met with Raistlin and these two begin making their own plans of each other. The lovable Kender, Tasslehoff Burrfoot gets deeply into the story with humorous antics as well.Combine these characters and small points of the plot and what we have is another outstanding book written by these authors that will compel you to hurriedly pick up the second book of the series, especially with the highly dramatic ending. I would highly recommend this trilogy, even if you've not read the Chronicles, but it would be good that you do so. {ssintrepid}

This is the Wuthering Heights of the fantasy genre. Yes, it's DARK; No, there's not much 'action' and swords, but SO WHAT? It's an incredible piece of psychological fantasy literature that you can read and enjoy over the age of 12 and be blown away. IS there a more engaging portrait of an anti-hero? The end of the third book breaks your heart -- but more importantly this trilogy is about the human psyche, ambition, love, greed, power, and the human soul. I thought the Chronicles were OK, but this trilogy made me lose my entire mind. Make fun of D & D nuts everywhere, but this will make you EAT your thoughts/words.There's no saccharine ending here, folks -- it's tragedy in the grand fulfilling sense of the word. It's life.If you've cut your teeth on the likes of George RR Martin, Robin Hobb, Tad Williams, & Stephen R. Donaldson, this series is a PLEASANT and fabulous surprise. We've all been there -- whether your disillusioned like Crys, or bound & determined for revenge like Raist, there's a little bit of both of them in ALL of us. Which, of course, is the general theme.And as for the "Was Raistlin really inlove?' debates.... oh PLEASE, you mean to tell me you buy the whole Cameron/Tika, Sturm/Alhana, Silvara/Gilthanas -- hello, let's fall inlove in all of five minutes relationships, but Crys and Raist leave you WONDERING? Grow up, read this, grieve, grow up some more, and read this flippin' series again.

For all those who have ever read, or are planning to read Dragonlance, I have some insight to share. All of the books are enjoyable, but there are only 7 that matter... the 4 Chronicles (especially the first 3), and the 3 legends books. This book 1 the first of the latter series, and is truly enjoyable. Not as much action as the chronicles, but for true dragonlance fans that doesn't matter. The subject matter is different, and equally as compelling, but on a more personal and spiritual level. This book deals with arguably the most famous dragonlance character, Raistlin, and his brother Caramon. It is the single-most important and compelling relationship in the Dragonlance saga, and for that reason alone, this book is a must read. Plus it is a hell of a book, and it tells the story of the culmination of Raistlin's power and ambition which, behind the war of the lance, is the most thrilling topic in the world of Dragonlance.

Being the sequel to the Dragonlance Chronicles, the Legends series takes the reader on a wonderful dark and dangerous journey through time, focusing on the twins Caramon and Raistlin. Well, maybe we have some stereotype characters here in the book, but the story is awesome. It isn't really important literature (something like the ring books), but it is a story where most people can't wait to turn the next page. From my point of view, it is even better than the first series. It's lovely.