This review is also featured on Behind the Pages: Dragons of the Hourglass Mage

Raistlin Majere has chosen to cast aside his symbol of neutrality and take up the black robes of Nuitari. By bearing the robes of the dark god, he’s able to slip into Neraka unhindered. There he seeks power to surpass the Gods themselves. But Raistlin is soon interrupted when he finds Queen Takhisis plans to remove magic from all but those who devoutly follow her. Refusing to be subservient to anyone, Raistlin wages his own battle against the Queen of Darkness.

Dragons of the Hourglass Mage allows the reader to experience Raistlin’s choices and actions behind taking the black robes. When reading the original Chronicles, it’s clear Raistlin seeks more power, but all the sacrifices and challenges he faced trying to attain it were never mentioned in detail. There are also rare moments within the novel when the reader is drawn into a first-person point of view allowing readers to see through Raistlin’s eyes and experience his emotions. Raistlin has always been a guarded character. Being able to see his doubts and insecurities added a new depth to him.

It also helps that compared to the older novels, Raistlin is able to be the main focal point. This allows the authors to write in all the minute details of his character’s ambitions and goals. His title as the Master of Past and Present is well known to anyone who has read The Chronicles. But now readers are given a first-hand encounter of how Raistlin faces his destiny. And it is so artfully done, that the essence of who Raistlin is as a character hasn’t been altered from his original appearance. If anything, this story shows how much he has grown from his experiences and how certain events refocus him on what is important.

Raistlin is a wonderful morally gray character. He can manipulate and con his way into almost any situation and turn it to his advantage. Dragons of the Hourglass Mage showcases him playing both sides, the light and dark, masterfully. Readers will be entranced by his scheming ways and the small glimpses of hope that he genuinely cares for others. And as the story told in this novel begins to line up with Dragons of Spring Dawning, readers will be able to witness events from an entirely new perspective.

For those new to the Dragonlance series, picking up Dragons of the Hourglass Mage right away isn’t going to be a good choice. However, there is information at the beginning of this book detailing which stories need to be read beforehand. For fans of the series, this is a wonderful supplemental tale to Dragons of Spring Dawning. And if Raistlin is one of your favorite characters, this is a must read. ( )

copy-pasted from my Librarything account: third part and final regarding the classic Dragonlance era. Focused on Raistlin, his destiny, his way of becoming the master of past and present (w/ thanks to Fistandantilus). Absolutely great story about Raistlin's rise to power, to be the Master Of Past And Present. Especially the last few chapters were enticing, hard to put the book away. It's indeed a nice way to end a very entertaining series, from Weis & Hickman's point of view, since they started it all. Highly recommended! ( )

Returning to the classic characters we can read about the whereabouts and deeds of Raistlin after he left his companions at the Blood Sea. Simply a must for the fans! ( )

So what can I really say about this book. This is not great literature, but I don't expect that from the Dragonlance books. I do expect a fun read and I sort of got that with this book. These Lost Chronicles novels take us to places and events that were glossed over in the main Chronicles series so we get to see some of favorite characters from the past. This novel focuses on one of my favorites in Raistlin. However, I'm not sure this really worked. I knew how it all worked out in the end being familiar with the main story line and I have to admit, the path to get from beginning to that ending just wasn't all that intriguing and I probably could have lived my life happy having never read it. But, with that in mind, I read this novel and it was an easy quick read that doesn't take much effort, so if you enjoy the Dragonlance world, then I'm sure you'll enjoy this. ( )

The Chronicles stories are cleverly woven between existing tales to present further adventures for a few of fantasy fiction's best loved characters. Raistlin Majere, a fan favourite, gets another shot, having already had a trilogy documenting his history. This time it's straight in to the action as Raistlin attempts to create his own path of mastery against a tapestry of betrayal and revenge. Set amidst a gallery of rogues and evil-worshippers there is little opportunity for the authors to offer balance with the story and although there are factions vying for power, the novel is shrouded in dark intentions. Subsequently the pace never really escalates to the previous heights since there is little emotional engagement, remaining flat and at times the godly intervention seems rather cumbersome. Fans will lap it up since Raistlin has all the limelight and there is some impressive writing at the end to ensure the continuity with previous novels remains intact. ( )