Most Helpful Customer Reviews
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5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
What an epic!, 29 Nov 1998
By A Customer
Joining the ranks of lost histories such as THE IRDA and THE DARGONESTI, THE DRAGONS is an amazing conclusion to the series that sifts through the obscure races of Krynn. People who want to know about the history of Dragonlance's most focal race will love this book, which spans over 8000 years of history from the beginnings of the world to the defeat of Ariakas at Neraka. Even better: THE DRAGONS is not only an exceedingly detailed "history" book, it's also a finely written novel in its own right. Of all the rich Dragonlance books, THE DRAGONS probably has one of the largest casts. Some four or five generations of the firstborn race are detailed, starting with the children of Paladine's daughters and finishing with the evil great-grandchild of Takhisis. It's recommended that you read "Aurora's Eggs" from THE DRAGONS AT WAR anthology before this book, because the first chapters pick up right after the short story. The best part is, both stories are great reads on their own, even better together but hardly necessary for enjoyment. Douglas Niles has quite an ability to juggle viewpoints, perspectives, and also gloss over important events without making them seem frivolous. For example, whereas other books can spend chapters on the Cataclysm, the dragons are unaware of the immense armageddon wreaking havoc on Krynn, and thus Niles appropriately makes little mention of it. The effect at the end is of one long, arduous journey completed-but a journey that was enjoyable from the start. Also a testament to Niles is the fact that despite having so many characters (he does appear to make some small lapses, however, in numbers and mentions) he never lets the focal dragons slide. Any other author might fully develop the evil Crematia and leave her descendants form-letter characters. But the development of each personality is full, although at the end, there are a handful of weaker characters. THE DRAGONS is also excellent in how much history it spans. THE LEGEND OF HUMA (Richard A. Knaak) is retold in the viewpoint of the dragons, including the adored silver dragon Heart. The stories of the exile of the three moons of Krynn, the creation of the evil draconians, the exodus to northern utopia, and the return to ancestral Kharolis are only a few of the incredible pageantry one will find in this book. Unfortunately there is also plenty of death, too, so much that it becomes predictable in the end, and this is probably the biggest flaw I can find with the book. Otherwise, it's a shiner. At the last page, it feels like Douglas Niles has written a 1000 page book, not a 300 novel. A definite must read.
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1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Terrific, Magical, spellbounding,left me speachless, 1 Aug 1999
By A Customer
Tells more than enough about the old dragon ways and is the most dramatic and heart warming novel yet. The Great Aurora will rise again. (HOPEFULLY)
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1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
addictive and awe-inspiring, 20 April 1998
By A Customer
after reading most of the dragonlance books, i saw this one on the shelf of the book store. I love dragons so i bought it. It was my favorite so far. it has love, magic, and battle. What more do you want?
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