Linda P. BakerCritiques

Mixed feelings about this one. Not just is the quest of the stones important here, but also the aspect of love between Crysania and her advisor/mage Valin. Like before, it's a story about love, friendship, trust, betrayal, greed, perseverance, faith, ...

The gods are indeed battling each other, or rather, Chaos, the god of all and nothing. Therefore they don't have time to deal with the peoples' pleas, wishes, and worries. All of Ansalon is hot, burning hot. Rivers and streams are drying up or have dried up, crops are lost because of the heat, and so on. The forces of darkness and evil have gathered to conquer the continent.

And that heat is very much present. The number of times this is written is unbelievable. Repetition is vital here, apparently, also for other elements. To make sure you can easily follow the story, the events.

Mixed feelings because the first part (say 1/3 or so) is ok, but not very good. But I decided to read on. It does get better, more exciting, but then the curve drops again a little, and so the flow goes a bit up and a bit down, until there are fights, for example. Then things become more interesting again and you want to read on.

Also, I didn't know Crysania was... well, I thought she would be more daring somehow. Then again, it has been many years since I last read the "Legends" trilogy. On the other hand, considering what she's been through, and how strongly she relies on Paladine, it's understandable. Also, in a way, kudos to Valin for showing his love in such a way and taking the risk.

I was also a bit surprised to see Tanis being featured, knowing he is no longer among the living. But then I checked the dates on dragonlancenexus.com and it seems "Dragons Of Summer Flame" and "Tears Of The Night Sky" are set in the year and sort of overlap each other, as they recount what happened via different viewpoints and events.

The ending is rather mellow, bland, ... And somehow predictable, though not in those details. On the other hand, considering the importance of the aspect relationship in the story, it makes more sense.

All in all, an entertaining story. A little better, I thought, than "The Last Thane".

'In the Beginning . . .

Given life by gods, the Ogres were the most intelligent and beautful of the early races on Krynn, and they reigned supreme in their perfect kingdom . . .

Until that fabled race was weakened by clan rivalries and evil ambition, their downfall orchestrated by the hand of the Dark Queen, Takhisis . . .

Until the once-proud Ogres were cursed by their own mistakes and transformed into one of Krynn's most ugly, despised, and villainous species . . .

All except a small group, the Irda, who learned to accept goodness, fight for their freedom, and escape to build a utopian civilization of their own on a paradise island in the Dragon Isles.

The Irda
'