What do you think?
Rate this book
The Death Gate Cycle #1
[Dragon Wing] (By: Margaret Weis) [published: October, 1990]
Margaret Weis and Tracy Hickman The first book in a groundbreaking, seven-volume, epic fantasy series about a planet magically split into four separate worlds.Ages ago, sorcerers of unmatched power sundered a world into four realms--sky, stone, fire, and water--then vanished. Over time, magicians learned to work spells only in their own realms and forgot the others. Now only the few who have survived the Labyrinth and crossed the Death Gate know of the presence of all four realms--and even they have yet to unravel the mysteries of their severed world. . . .In Arianus, Realm of Sky, humans, elves, and dwarves battle for control of precious water--traversing a world of airborne islands on currents of elven magic and the backs of mammoth dragons. But soon great magical forces will begin to rend the fabric of this delicate land. An assassin will be hired to kill a royal prince--by the king himself. A dwarf will challenge the beliefs of his people--and lead them in rebellion. And a sinister wizard will enact his plan to rule Arianus--a plan that may be felt far beyond the Realm of Sky and into the Death Gate itself.
Paperback
First published January 1, 1990
1223 people are currently reading
22956 people want to read
About the author
Margaret Weis
678 books5,845 followersMargaret Edith Weis is an American fantasy and science fiction author of dozens of novels and short stories. At TSR, Inc., she teamed with Tracy Hickman to create the Dragonlance role-playing game (RPG) world. She is founding CEO and owner of Sovereign Press, Inc and Margaret Weis Productions, licensing several popular television and movie franchises to make RPG series in addition to their own.
In 1999, Pyramid magazine named Weis one of The Millennium's Most Influential Persons, saying she and Hickman are "basically responsible for the entire gaming fiction genre". In 2002, she was inducted into the Origins Hall of Fame in part for Dragonlance.
In 1999, Pyramid magazine named Weis one of The Millennium's Most Influential Persons, saying she and Hickman are "basically responsible for the entire gaming fiction genre". In 2002, she was inducted into the Origins Hall of Fame in part for Dragonlance.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 869 reviews
September 22, 2007
Book one in a 7 book series. I LOVE the series. Let me say this, if you think 'oh no it's just another fantasy series', think again. Yeah it sure seems that way, till you get further in... and you start realizing some of the plot, and the timeline... just WHEN it happens will interest you! Some books drag, some are better, but the last 2 books are my favorite.
Book 1 however is action packed and hooks you in quickly.
Book 1 however is action packed and hooks you in quickly.
December 22, 2020
Imagine something like the grand mythos of Tolkien adapted for the stage by an exuberant community theatre company. Sure, there are faults but their edges are softened by enthusiasm and you can easily lose yourself in the grandiose, scene chewing theatrics. There's action, excitement, comedy, magic, political intrigue... Fans of swords and sorcery in any form will find something to love in this wide-ranging series.
4 stars out of 5. Bigger than the sum of its parts, and loads of fun.
4 stars out of 5. Bigger than the sum of its parts, and loads of fun.
February 21, 2009
The Death Gate Cycle is probably my favorite fantasy series. The settings are unique and engrossing. The characters are deep and complex. Haplo is the most interesting fantasy character I've come across.
July 31, 2024
Ala de Dragón de Margaret Weis y Tracy Hickman
Un libro que consta de 464 páginas por la editorial Minotauro en este edición en especial.
En este clásico de la fantasía, nos cuenta la historia de Ariano, el reino del cielo, un mundo de islas que flotan en el aire donde humanos, elfos y enanos luchan por el control del bien más el agua. En esta lucha, un asesino humano, conocido como Hugh «la Mano», viola cualquier frontera en sus mortíferos viajes.
En líneas generales, me ha parecido un libro bastante original comparado con la mayoría de su género y que a pesar de tener bastante años me da la sensación que tiene poca popularidad comparado con otros del género.
Con respecto a la trama, nos sitúa en el reino del cielo en esta primera novela, haciendo un extenso worldbuilding magnífico y contado de una manera que haces que estes dentro de la propia novela, descubriendo a través de los ojos de los personajes un poco de este mundo y poco a poco saber más de su lore.
Los personajes me parecen lo mejor del libro tanto por su dualidad como por su diferentes personalidades y origen jeje. En este caso, de mis favoritos fue Hugh que es el protagonista central de la historia que si que es verdad que me recordaba en ocasiones a Bronn de Juego de Tronos.
El sistema de magia, si que es verdad que no es el más original del mundo pero si que es el justo y necesario, teniendo elfos, enanos y magos ya os podéis imaginar...
En general, bastante buen libro y bastante buena pluma de la autora, libro cortito que se lee bastante rápido y que está bien para leer entre sagas, teniendo en cuenta que esta es otra saga.
8/10
Un libro que consta de 464 páginas por la editorial Minotauro en este edición en especial.
En este clásico de la fantasía, nos cuenta la historia de Ariano, el reino del cielo, un mundo de islas que flotan en el aire donde humanos, elfos y enanos luchan por el control del bien más el agua. En esta lucha, un asesino humano, conocido como Hugh «la Mano», viola cualquier frontera en sus mortíferos viajes.
En líneas generales, me ha parecido un libro bastante original comparado con la mayoría de su género y que a pesar de tener bastante años me da la sensación que tiene poca popularidad comparado con otros del género.
Con respecto a la trama, nos sitúa en el reino del cielo en esta primera novela, haciendo un extenso worldbuilding magnífico y contado de una manera que haces que estes dentro de la propia novela, descubriendo a través de los ojos de los personajes un poco de este mundo y poco a poco saber más de su lore.
Los personajes me parecen lo mejor del libro tanto por su dualidad como por su diferentes personalidades y origen jeje. En este caso, de mis favoritos fue Hugh que es el protagonista central de la historia que si que es verdad que me recordaba en ocasiones a Bronn de Juego de Tronos.
El sistema de magia, si que es verdad que no es el más original del mundo pero si que es el justo y necesario, teniendo elfos, enanos y magos ya os podéis imaginar...
En general, bastante buen libro y bastante buena pluma de la autora, libro cortito que se lee bastante rápido y que está bien para leer entre sagas, teniendo en cuenta que esta es otra saga.
8/10
April 16, 2022
Ala de Dragón, primera novela de "El ciclo de la Puerta de la Muerte" y un inicio de saga interesante, correcto, pero que no se salva de los decepcionantes "deus ex machina" a los que Weis y Hickman ya nos tienen acostumbrados... Y es que para reseñar esta novela yo la dividiría en dos partes: una excelente primera mitad y el decepcionante resto del libro.
Pero veamos de que va ésto primero:
"Ala de Dragón" nos narra principalmente la aventura de Hugh la mano, un asesino a sueldo condenado a muerte, qué es rescatado con la idea de llevar a cabo la importante misión de líquidar a un muchachito, Bane. La misión lo llevara a toparse inevitablemente con Alfred, un torpe chambelán; Happlo, un poderoso mago Patryn; y con Limbeck, un enano curioso en vias de llevar a cabo una revolución en contra de los elfos.
Hasta este punto de la trama todo es perfecto, la novela te mantiene enganchado y es fácil de leer, las motivaciones de cada personaje están bien fundamentadas y el mundo de Ariano es interesante y original. No obstante, a la mitad del libro es donde comienza el declive... Y es que nos meten un "deus ex machina" tan descabellado, pero tan descabellado, que no pude evitar bajar el libro, respirar hondo, mirar al vacío y decirme a mí mismo "¿Es en serio?" "¿¡EN SERIO!?"
Y es que acá uno de los personajes se salva de manera tan milagrosa, pero tan milagrosa, que ni Harry Potter pasando todos los cursos de magia con 10 podría llegar a conjurar el hechizo que el personaje, un niño sin experiencia alguna en magia, logra conjurar... y eso no es todo, porque a partir de este punto los autores nos llenan de situaciones similares, cada una con menos sentido que la otra.
1. Hay una batalla en la que vencen cantando. Sí, para no creerlo ¡Cantando!
2. Al personaje de Happlo intentan mostrarlo como malo, cruel e increiblemente poderoso... pero son solo palabras, porque ningún momento nos lo muestran. Es más, el personaje comienza herido, casi muerto después de haber sufrido una simple caída en su nave... y cuando leemos y vemos sus acciones nos damos cuenta que es más bueno y noble que la mayoría de los demás. Lo que no tiene ningún sentido con lo que los autores nos intentan colar.
3. Los Dragones supuestamente son muy poderosos, malvados y vengativos si no se les controla... pero nuevamente, hay una batalla donde uno de ellos da un par de manotazos y ya ¡Zan se acabó! ¡Y a otra cosa mariposa!... ¡Qué autores más flojos! Ni siquiera le hacen utilizar el característico poder por el que tan famosos se han hecho. Sí, hablo de su fuego. ¡Decepcionante!
4. Uno de los personajes supuestamente se enamora ¡En tan solo un par de días! de una maga al punto de estar dispuesto a sacrificarse por ella... pero nuevamente no nos lo muestran en ningún momento, simplemente lo dicen y tú tienes que creértelo porque sí, porque los autores lo dicen y porque les es conveniente para la trama.
5. Hay unos cuantos nombres algo ridículos que te sacan de onda en la lectura: Welfos (elfos), tumpa chumpa (umpa lumpa), entre otros que por suerte ya no recuerdo.
6. Un par de personajes mueren y a los dos párrafos reviven porque... ¡Bueno! Los autores así lo decidieron. Aunque ésto me hace preguntarme ¿Qué sentido tenía matarlos entonces? o ¿Por qué preocuparse por ellos siquiera? ¿Cuál es la idea? ¡Si a los dos párrafos los vas hacer regresar! Es más, al final uno de los personajes principales muere, pero ya ni causa impacto sí es más que obvio que en los libros futuros va a regresar. Realmente una muy mala idea empezar una saga de esta manera ¿Por qué importarme del destino de los personajes o sufrir con ellos cuando estén en peligro ahora? Si sabemos que si se mueren pueden volver a la vida a los dos parrafos... ¡Hasta resulta molesto cuando lo pensamos de manera más exhaustiva!
En fin, un inicio de saga, qué pese a lo anterior mencionado, logra generar suficiente interés para querer continuar con su segunda novela. Aunque ese interés no es precisamente por la calidad de esta primera parte sino más bien por la supertrama de fondo que pareciera comenzar a gestarse, supertrama que promete bastante y qué espero a futuro no decepcione.
De hecho, actualmente me encuentro a la mitad de ésta saga (en el Mago de la Serpiente) y como adelanto te puedo decir que, a pesar de sus muy malos episodios en algunos casos, en general ha valido la pena. Por lo que si estás pensando iniciarte en esta saga, te recomendaría sin dudarlo que lo hicieras. Eso sí, no esperes un "Canción de Fuego y Hielo" o un "Señor de los Anillos" porque en cuanto a calidad están muy por debajo de ellas. Aunque pese a esto, estoy seguro que igual lograrás entretenerte.
¡Novela correcta como inicio de saga! ¡Nada más, nada menos!
Pero veamos de que va ésto primero:
"Ala de Dragón" nos narra principalmente la aventura de Hugh la mano, un asesino a sueldo condenado a muerte, qué es rescatado con la idea de llevar a cabo la importante misión de líquidar a un muchachito, Bane. La misión lo llevara a toparse inevitablemente con Alfred, un torpe chambelán; Happlo, un poderoso mago Patryn; y con Limbeck, un enano curioso en vias de llevar a cabo una revolución en contra de los elfos.
Hasta este punto de la trama todo es perfecto, la novela te mantiene enganchado y es fácil de leer, las motivaciones de cada personaje están bien fundamentadas y el mundo de Ariano es interesante y original. No obstante, a la mitad del libro es donde comienza el declive... Y es que nos meten un "deus ex machina" tan descabellado, pero tan descabellado, que no pude evitar bajar el libro, respirar hondo, mirar al vacío y decirme a mí mismo "¿Es en serio?" "¿¡EN SERIO!?"
Y es que acá uno de los personajes se salva de manera tan milagrosa, pero tan milagrosa, que ni Harry Potter pasando todos los cursos de magia con 10 podría llegar a conjurar el hechizo que el personaje, un niño sin experiencia alguna en magia, logra conjurar... y eso no es todo, porque a partir de este punto los autores nos llenan de situaciones similares, cada una con menos sentido que la otra.
1. Hay una batalla en la que vencen cantando. Sí, para no creerlo ¡Cantando!
2. Al personaje de Happlo intentan mostrarlo como malo, cruel e increiblemente poderoso... pero son solo palabras, porque ningún momento nos lo muestran. Es más, el personaje comienza herido, casi muerto después de haber sufrido una simple caída en su nave... y cuando leemos y vemos sus acciones nos damos cuenta que es más bueno y noble que la mayoría de los demás. Lo que no tiene ningún sentido con lo que los autores nos intentan colar.
3. Los Dragones supuestamente son muy poderosos, malvados y vengativos si no se les controla... pero nuevamente, hay una batalla donde uno de ellos da un par de manotazos y ya ¡Zan se acabó! ¡Y a otra cosa mariposa!... ¡Qué autores más flojos! Ni siquiera le hacen utilizar el característico poder por el que tan famosos se han hecho. Sí, hablo de su fuego. ¡Decepcionante!
4. Uno de los personajes supuestamente se enamora ¡En tan solo un par de días! de una maga al punto de estar dispuesto a sacrificarse por ella... pero nuevamente no nos lo muestran en ningún momento, simplemente lo dicen y tú tienes que creértelo porque sí, porque los autores lo dicen y porque les es conveniente para la trama.
5. Hay unos cuantos nombres algo ridículos que te sacan de onda en la lectura: Welfos (elfos), tumpa chumpa (umpa lumpa), entre otros que por suerte ya no recuerdo.
6. Un par de personajes mueren y a los dos párrafos reviven porque... ¡Bueno! Los autores así lo decidieron. Aunque ésto me hace preguntarme ¿Qué sentido tenía matarlos entonces? o ¿Por qué preocuparse por ellos siquiera? ¿Cuál es la idea? ¡Si a los dos párrafos los vas hacer regresar! Es más, al final uno de los personajes principales muere, pero ya ni causa impacto sí es más que obvio que en los libros futuros va a regresar. Realmente una muy mala idea empezar una saga de esta manera ¿Por qué importarme del destino de los personajes o sufrir con ellos cuando estén en peligro ahora? Si sabemos que si se mueren pueden volver a la vida a los dos parrafos... ¡Hasta resulta molesto cuando lo pensamos de manera más exhaustiva!
En fin, un inicio de saga, qué pese a lo anterior mencionado, logra generar suficiente interés para querer continuar con su segunda novela. Aunque ese interés no es precisamente por la calidad de esta primera parte sino más bien por la supertrama de fondo que pareciera comenzar a gestarse, supertrama que promete bastante y qué espero a futuro no decepcione.
De hecho, actualmente me encuentro a la mitad de ésta saga (en el Mago de la Serpiente) y como adelanto te puedo decir que, a pesar de sus muy malos episodios en algunos casos, en general ha valido la pena. Por lo que si estás pensando iniciarte en esta saga, te recomendaría sin dudarlo que lo hicieras. Eso sí, no esperes un "Canción de Fuego y Hielo" o un "Señor de los Anillos" porque en cuanto a calidad están muy por debajo de ellas. Aunque pese a esto, estoy seguro que igual lograrás entretenerte.
¡Novela correcta como inicio de saga! ¡Nada más, nada menos!
November 3, 2010
This is certainly an example of 'thinking out of the box' as far as world building is concerned. I'm not too sure how to approach a review of this book. I've never read the Death Gate Cycle before, and I must say that this book left me intrigued. I did, initially, have a struggle wrapping my mind around the world of Arianus and the different realms. The maps and diagrams in the front of the book certainly helped. One or two of the characters left me cold, but that didn't really alter my reading experience. Let's face it, the world(s) being presented here is almost a character in its own right. I did enjoy the surprises and twists, although the intrigue (political and otherwise) being presented here is not nearly on the same level as what can be found in other series'. I think that actually helps the plot in this case, where too much skulduggery could seriously bog things down. There are secrets and conspiracies though, and enough adventure to keep the pages turning. I would recommend this to people who intend reading the whole series. It's blatantly obvious that some loose ends are only going to be resolved right at the very end. Like I mentioned, I wasn't sure how to approach this review. I couldn't help but feel it might have been better to wait until I've finished book seven. On the other hand, by then I would likely have forgotten what I wanted to say in the first place.
Anyway, I'll not go into plot details. This series has a large following, it seems, and most folk likely already know what it's about. It is Fantasy, with just the slightest touch of Mechanical Sci-Fi (if that is even a term). I enjoyed it and will check out the sequels. Oh, and the cover art is pretty cool too. So, if you're into Dragonlance era Fantasy that is reminiscent of Dragonlance whilst still being something else entirely, you might want to check this out.
Anyway, I'll not go into plot details. This series has a large following, it seems, and most folk likely already know what it's about. It is Fantasy, with just the slightest touch of Mechanical Sci-Fi (if that is even a term). I enjoyed it and will check out the sequels. Oh, and the cover art is pretty cool too. So, if you're into Dragonlance era Fantasy that is reminiscent of Dragonlance whilst still being something else entirely, you might want to check this out.
August 26, 2020
Si eres fanático de la literatura fantástica al estilo Tolkien o G.R.R. Martin, entonces no deberías leer este libro, o ninguno escrito por estos 2 geniales autores, ya puestos.
Antes de que te enojes conmigo, déjame explicarte a qué me refiero. Los libros de los autores que mencioné no son malos, pero sí son muy lentos y contienen muuuucha paja, demasiada diría yo. Pero cuando has leído poca fantasía, esto no importa, por que casi ni te das cuenta de ello.
Pero cuando lees a las escritoras de Ala de Dragón y Dragonlance, todo es muy pero muy diferente. Ellas no se van por las ramas, son rudas y directas, van directo al meollo del asunto, la trama avanza desde que lees la primera frase y la acción no se detiene un solo segundo.
Dibujan mundos vastos y ricos en detalles, pero a diferencia de El Señor de los anillos o Juego de Tronos, ellas no se detienen en aburridas y monótonas descripciones para hacerlo, sino que lo hacen de una manera discreta y que fluye junto a la trama sin necesidad de tener que detenerla.
¿Por qué digo que no deberías leer este libro si te gusta la fantasía? La respuesta es sencilla, por que la serie de El Ciclo de la Puerta de la Muerte que inicia con este libro simplemente pondrá tus estándares demasiado altos, y cuando quieras regresar a leer a alguno de los referentes más populares de la fantasía épica, morirás de aburrimiento y no podrás más que ver lo lentas que son sus tramas y la poca acción que hay en cada libro.
Espero mi reseña les ayude y si ya han leído el libro ojalá puedan decirme qué les ha parecido y saber si estoy en lo cierto o si por el contrario he exagerado con mi evaluación.
Antes de que te enojes conmigo, déjame explicarte a qué me refiero. Los libros de los autores que mencioné no son malos, pero sí son muy lentos y contienen muuuucha paja, demasiada diría yo. Pero cuando has leído poca fantasía, esto no importa, por que casi ni te das cuenta de ello.
Pero cuando lees a las escritoras de Ala de Dragón y Dragonlance, todo es muy pero muy diferente. Ellas no se van por las ramas, son rudas y directas, van directo al meollo del asunto, la trama avanza desde que lees la primera frase y la acción no se detiene un solo segundo.
Dibujan mundos vastos y ricos en detalles, pero a diferencia de El Señor de los anillos o Juego de Tronos, ellas no se detienen en aburridas y monótonas descripciones para hacerlo, sino que lo hacen de una manera discreta y que fluye junto a la trama sin necesidad de tener que detenerla.
¿Por qué digo que no deberías leer este libro si te gusta la fantasía? La respuesta es sencilla, por que la serie de El Ciclo de la Puerta de la Muerte que inicia con este libro simplemente pondrá tus estándares demasiado altos, y cuando quieras regresar a leer a alguno de los referentes más populares de la fantasía épica, morirás de aburrimiento y no podrás más que ver lo lentas que son sus tramas y la poca acción que hay en cada libro.
Espero mi reseña les ayude y si ya han leído el libro ojalá puedan decirme qué les ha parecido y saber si estoy en lo cierto o si por el contrario he exagerado con mi evaluación.
May 19, 2024
A good start for the series. The characters are well-developed, the plot is engaging, but the ambitious worldbuilding is probably its greatest achievement.
4.25/5
4.25/5
December 29, 2024
4.5⭐️ absolutely excellent start to a series
June 24, 2019
5 stars for the phenomenally creative world building and all of the awesomeness this book sets up for lager in the series, 3 stars for the character development. Completely changed my thinking as an RPG player.
Read
October 3, 2019Si por algo se caracterizan los mundos que crea Margaret Weis, con cualquiera de sus múltiples colaboradores, es por el detalle con el que desarrolla las partes divina y ritualística de sus religiones. Así, varias de sus sagas se centran precisamente en esa dimensión como zona de conflicto, lo que no quita para que incluso en aquellas en que no sucede acabe teniendo bastante peso. Para que podáis verlo, voy a hacer un repaso sobre la religión y cómo se trata el tema en relación a la trama principal en sus obras menos conocidas.
Su cosmogonía más conocida es la de la Dragonlance, aunque cabe resaltar que se basaron en la existente en el juego de rol Dungeons and Dragons para, a partir de ahí, sugerir algo nuevo. Aunque hay muchas más deidades en el mundo, como Mishakal, el combate se centra en Takhisis y Paladine en un primer momento para, en la segunda trilogía, hablar de la hibris humana, encarnada en el personaje de Raistlin y su búsqueda de la deificación. Puede parecer poca cosa, ya que no trabajó sola, pero plantear un mundo sin clérigos o cuyos clérigos saben que sus deidades son falsas, así como el resentimiento completo de los seres inferiores hacia las divinidades debido al Cataclismo, fueron detalles que alejaron al mundo de la Dragonlance en sus inicios de otros mundos más clásicos, como pueden ser Reinos Olvidados o Greyhawk (Falcongrís, que se tradujo en España). Sin embargo, es un panteón “de encargo”, por decirlo de algún modo.
[...] En El ciclo de la Puerta de la Muerte tarda mucho en entrar en juego la verdadera divinidad, y no os quiero hablar de ella puesto que es spoiler. Sin embargo, sí os puedo decir que uno de los temas centrales es precisamente la forma en que los sartanes se creen casi dioses y, por tanto, consideran que tienen dominio y decisión sobre las vidas del resto de las especies, como una especie de padres que castigan a sus hijos revoltosos. Es cierto que se enfrentan contra los patryn, que consideran que esos poderes les dan derechos de dominio directo, pero los sartanes se muestran claramente incapaces de dejar en paz a los demás.
Continúa en... https://lanaveinvisible.com/2018/01/2...
Su cosmogonía más conocida es la de la Dragonlance, aunque cabe resaltar que se basaron en la existente en el juego de rol Dungeons and Dragons para, a partir de ahí, sugerir algo nuevo. Aunque hay muchas más deidades en el mundo, como Mishakal, el combate se centra en Takhisis y Paladine en un primer momento para, en la segunda trilogía, hablar de la hibris humana, encarnada en el personaje de Raistlin y su búsqueda de la deificación. Puede parecer poca cosa, ya que no trabajó sola, pero plantear un mundo sin clérigos o cuyos clérigos saben que sus deidades son falsas, así como el resentimiento completo de los seres inferiores hacia las divinidades debido al Cataclismo, fueron detalles que alejaron al mundo de la Dragonlance en sus inicios de otros mundos más clásicos, como pueden ser Reinos Olvidados o Greyhawk (Falcongrís, que se tradujo en España). Sin embargo, es un panteón “de encargo”, por decirlo de algún modo.
[...] En El ciclo de la Puerta de la Muerte tarda mucho en entrar en juego la verdadera divinidad, y no os quiero hablar de ella puesto que es spoiler. Sin embargo, sí os puedo decir que uno de los temas centrales es precisamente la forma en que los sartanes se creen casi dioses y, por tanto, consideran que tienen dominio y decisión sobre las vidas del resto de las especies, como una especie de padres que castigan a sus hijos revoltosos. Es cierto que se enfrentan contra los patryn, que consideran que esos poderes les dan derechos de dominio directo, pero los sartanes se muestran claramente incapaces de dejar en paz a los demás.
Continúa en... https://lanaveinvisible.com/2018/01/2...
October 22, 2017
This is the first book of a fantasy series from the authors who were responsible for the origins of Dragonlance. In this one, we are introduced to a land that has different realms. These realms could either be higher or lower than each other and they have their own story. Each realm is known but at the same time remains a mystery to the other realm's residents.
I would classify this as epic fantasy as there was so much going on but it never got bogged down in the details. There were aspects of subjugation of races, revolution, and idolatry. Immediately I was intrigued by this book as we were introduced into the character of Hugh the Hand. He is an assassin who is hired to kill a child. I was invested in the characters and the mystery of why a child was to be killed. I knew there was more than meets the eye and there was. There are several races of sentient beings in this book and I liked the conflict in between these races. This is an interesting world and is vast in its scope. With some fantasy novels trying this huge undertaking, the description can get stuck in a mire with its details. That never happens in this book as the pace is terrific throughout.
I was impressed by the huge undertaking of conceiving this world. With a little bit of humor thrown in the reader is intrigued by the characters and the mystery of where this book is heading towards. This is the first book so it left a lot on the table but I look forward to exploring these stories.
I would classify this as epic fantasy as there was so much going on but it never got bogged down in the details. There were aspects of subjugation of races, revolution, and idolatry. Immediately I was intrigued by this book as we were introduced into the character of Hugh the Hand. He is an assassin who is hired to kill a child. I was invested in the characters and the mystery of why a child was to be killed. I knew there was more than meets the eye and there was. There are several races of sentient beings in this book and I liked the conflict in between these races. This is an interesting world and is vast in its scope. With some fantasy novels trying this huge undertaking, the description can get stuck in a mire with its details. That never happens in this book as the pace is terrific throughout.
I was impressed by the huge undertaking of conceiving this world. With a little bit of humor thrown in the reader is intrigued by the characters and the mystery of where this book is heading towards. This is the first book so it left a lot on the table but I look forward to exploring these stories.
November 1, 2015
A good book, but with some noticeable flaws.
The world building is really great and unique, definitely the highlight of the book for me. Instead of seeing the usual fantasy world and culture that is in most novels, this one is very out-of-the-box thinking when it comes to that aspect. It seems everywhere you go, it's the usual: the elves are the magical hippies, the dwarves are the earth/mountain people, and the humans are everything else. Plus dragons. Dragon Wing is pretty good at avoiding all those cliches.
However, the characters are dull and forgettable. Writing this review, I can only think of three of them off the top of my head that really stand out. Characterization is weak in this novel. All the focus goes on into the setting with little to the development and changes in the characters. Some characters we get the focus on for a bit and some interesting changes (I won't spoil it), but for the most part, anything huge that happens to any of the people in the story is just shrugged off because there's no connection between the reader and the character, so there's no reason to care.
If you're really into fantasy worlds, definitely check this book out. If you're more into fantasy characters, you might want to skip this one.
The world building is really great and unique, definitely the highlight of the book for me. Instead of seeing the usual fantasy world and culture that is in most novels, this one is very out-of-the-box thinking when it comes to that aspect. It seems everywhere you go, it's the usual: the elves are the magical hippies, the dwarves are the earth/mountain people, and the humans are everything else. Plus dragons. Dragon Wing is pretty good at avoiding all those cliches.
However, the characters are dull and forgettable. Writing this review, I can only think of three of them off the top of my head that really stand out. Characterization is weak in this novel. All the focus goes on into the setting with little to the development and changes in the characters. Some characters we get the focus on for a bit and some interesting changes (I won't spoil it), but for the most part, anything huge that happens to any of the people in the story is just shrugged off because there's no connection between the reader and the character, so there's no reason to care.
If you're really into fantasy worlds, definitely check this book out. If you're more into fantasy characters, you might want to skip this one.
July 11, 2008
hands down, my all-time favorite series. it's starts a little slow... you have to make it to the point where haplo is introduced, the main character in the series. from that point on, the series is amazing. this isn't just some wierd fantasy series for dorks, like trekkies or something. there are a lot of philosophies and ideologies presented throughout the course of this series, plus the story is wildly creative and interesting. there's nothing like it.
January 7, 2018
Ha sido todo un acierto recuperar esta serie que leí por primera vez durante mi adolescencia. Como era de esperar, esta relectura la ha privado del barniz de obra maestra que le apliqué entonces, pero aún así ha pasado la prueba con creces. Se trata de una colección de libros en la que tiene cabida la reflexión sobre grandes temas pero que se sustenta, sobre todo, en unos personajes carismáticos, un universo rico y complejo y un ritmo narrativo adictivo que deja espacio suficiente a los detalles.
En mi opinión, esta serie llega al listón de joya del género fantástico (con permiso de Sapkowski) ya que, a pesar de apoyarse en muchos de los estereotipos tradicionales, crea un nuevo espacio totalmente genuino. Se aleja en gran medida del hilo narrativo habitual: si bien también contamos con la figura del héroe (varios, de hecho), en vez de seres humildes que descubren poco a poco su poder, los protagonistas surgen de entre los que hasta ahora se creían dioses. Su hazaña final no será luchar activamente por la salvación del universo, sino que dicha salvación depende en gran parte de su capacidad para aceptar lo limitado de su poder, saber retirarse a tiempo y aceptar que no tienen derecho a gobernar en la vida de nadie. Recorremos, por tanto, el camino contrario al que siguen muchas historias del género.
Reseña completa y mi versión de la portada en https://sidumbledorefueralibrero.com/...
En mi opinión, esta serie llega al listón de joya del género fantástico (con permiso de Sapkowski) ya que, a pesar de apoyarse en muchos de los estereotipos tradicionales, crea un nuevo espacio totalmente genuino. Se aleja en gran medida del hilo narrativo habitual: si bien también contamos con la figura del héroe (varios, de hecho), en vez de seres humildes que descubren poco a poco su poder, los protagonistas surgen de entre los que hasta ahora se creían dioses. Su hazaña final no será luchar activamente por la salvación del universo, sino que dicha salvación depende en gran parte de su capacidad para aceptar lo limitado de su poder, saber retirarse a tiempo y aceptar que no tienen derecho a gobernar en la vida de nadie. Recorremos, por tanto, el camino contrario al que siguen muchas historias del género.
Reseña completa y mi versión de la portada en https://sidumbledorefueralibrero.com/...
January 17, 2012
I am given this first volume a reluctant three stars, but I don't recommend the series.
In the mid 80's Weis and Hickman wrote the first Dragonlance novels which were very popular. I quite liked them as a teen (although after rereading this series, I'm afraid to revisit them). Since Dragonlance they have worked on a number of other series but never as successfully as the first. Perhaps the most ambitious is The Death Gate Cycle, seven books set across five worlds each with its unique ecology and politics. And it fails miserably.
I think the root cause of the failure might be too much world building, so much that all the other elements didn't receive enough attention. All of the many characters beyond the main two are invariably shallow. The prose frequently hits speed bumps as the authors force in explanations of their world building that aren't needed by the story. The "humor" is a one note act recycled from Dragonlance that would be booed out of open mic night. And the plot...the plot resolution after seven volumes is that we should choose love and friendship over hatred, delivered with the subtlety of a Saturday Afternoon Special.
In the mid 80's Weis and Hickman wrote the first Dragonlance novels which were very popular. I quite liked them as a teen (although after rereading this series, I'm afraid to revisit them). Since Dragonlance they have worked on a number of other series but never as successfully as the first. Perhaps the most ambitious is The Death Gate Cycle, seven books set across five worlds each with its unique ecology and politics. And it fails miserably.
I think the root cause of the failure might be too much world building, so much that all the other elements didn't receive enough attention. All of the many characters beyond the main two are invariably shallow. The prose frequently hits speed bumps as the authors force in explanations of their world building that aren't needed by the story. The "humor" is a one note act recycled from Dragonlance that would be booed out of open mic night. And the plot...the plot resolution after seven volumes is that we should choose love and friendship over hatred, delivered with the subtlety of a Saturday Afternoon Special.
April 3, 2015
This was the first epic fantasy book I ever read. This saga is the reason why I never enjoyed Harry Potter at a young age. I found it rather lame compared to this.
If you are into exploring new worlds, this is definitely my way to go. Margaret Weiss and Tracy Hickman are an amazing writing duo.
If you are into exploring new worlds, this is definitely my way to go. Margaret Weiss and Tracy Hickman are an amazing writing duo.
August 15, 2023
Might review later. Let's just say, for now, I was interested enough to finish it in 3ish months.
February 3, 2016
I split the review for this up... Too long = too lazy to read (admit it). I first read these as a teenager and I was completely and utterly hooked. It’s been roughly fifteen years since then, and of course, the reading experience changed.
This is sci-fi-fantasy at its hugest form. Tolkien has created a massive fantasy world, in all its glory. The Death Gate Cycle can rival Middle-earth in its magnitude, though I’m not sold on its ability to speak to people’s imagination. Weis and Hickman wrote something that entwines sci-fi and fantasy, and adds tons of physics, magic and very nonsensical moments to the mix.
This book is character-driven and it is hard not to get involved. From the unreadable Patryn, Haplo, to the lamentable Jonathan (book 3 Fire Sea), to the overconfident, proud Xar, and the very intriguing and one-of-a-kind (truly!) Zifnab; I always felt like W & H had done their utmost to create characters you wanted to read more about.
When you’ve grown used to Alfred, you can actually feel other characters' despair, most notably Haplo, when Alfred – once again – faints, in the face of danger. As their bond grows, I was often torn between “God no!” and “Hell yes!”: I love how in the end they interact like life-long friends. Dare I use the word "bromance"? Hell, yes.
It is impossible not to feel endearment and frustration at the interaction and evolution of the relationship between Jarre and Limbeck, the dwarven rebel couple in book 1, Dragon Wing.
One can only love the dog, who roughly goes by that name “dog!”, and who is ridiculously important for Haplo. Won’t say. Spoilers. He has personality and is written with endearing expression and emotion.
Bane, the extremely manipulative tyke of a child. I was happy to see how his fate turned, sorry-not-sorry. For someone so small, he caused a lot of trouble and truly got on my nerves.
I'll get to Hugh the Hand and Haplo elsewhere. These characters were the reason I got sucked into the stories. What, how, why, when? Take me on this adventure and show me all this world has to offer!
This is sci-fi-fantasy at its hugest form. Tolkien has created a massive fantasy world, in all its glory. The Death Gate Cycle can rival Middle-earth in its magnitude, though I’m not sold on its ability to speak to people’s imagination. Weis and Hickman wrote something that entwines sci-fi and fantasy, and adds tons of physics, magic and very nonsensical moments to the mix.
This book is character-driven and it is hard not to get involved. From the unreadable Patryn, Haplo, to the lamentable Jonathan (book 3 Fire Sea), to the overconfident, proud Xar, and the very intriguing and one-of-a-kind (truly!) Zifnab; I always felt like W & H had done their utmost to create characters you wanted to read more about.
When you’ve grown used to Alfred, you can actually feel other characters' despair, most notably Haplo, when Alfred – once again – faints, in the face of danger. As their bond grows, I was often torn between “God no!” and “Hell yes!”: I love how in the end they interact like life-long friends. Dare I use the word "bromance"? Hell, yes.
It is impossible not to feel endearment and frustration at the interaction and evolution of the relationship between Jarre and Limbeck, the dwarven rebel couple in book 1, Dragon Wing.
One can only love the dog, who roughly goes by that name “dog!”, and who is ridiculously important for Haplo. Won’t say. Spoilers. He has personality and is written with endearing expression and emotion.
Bane, the extremely manipulative tyke of a child. I was happy to see how his fate turned, sorry-not-sorry. For someone so small, he caused a lot of trouble and truly got on my nerves.
I'll get to Hugh the Hand and Haplo elsewhere. These characters were the reason I got sucked into the stories. What, how, why, when? Take me on this adventure and show me all this world has to offer!
February 9, 2017
Dragon Wing is book 1 of 7 in The Death Gate Cycle. The Death Gate Cycle is set in the far future, a post-apocalyptic world that looks a lot like traditional fantasy worlds—full of humans, elves, and dwarves. The difference are two races, Patryns and Sartans (demigods in their own minds). Their war led to the Sundering of the world. The Patryns were imprisoned in the hellish Labyrinth and the world was split into four—one for each of the old elements. The Death Gate Cycle follows a Patryn escapee from the Labyrinth, Haplo, as he explores the four worlds on behalf of his lord. It’s those four disparate worlds that make the Death Gate Cycle special. Weis and Hickman tread heavily on the well trodden ground of fantastic racism. But the four worlds allow them to examine it from four different perspectives in rapid succession as the first four books focus on a different world. The Death Gate Cycle is epic fantasy but the nature of the worlds allows the introduction of tropes from post-apocalyptic and science fiction, injecting much-needed originality into the genre. It makes for one of the more underrated epic fantasy series in my opinion.
Dragon Wing takes place on Arianus, the world of Air. Arianus is composed of “islands” of porous rock floating on bubbles of lighter-than-air gas. The elves travel by mechanical-magic airships and the humans travel by dragon. The dwarves are trapped on the lowest level of the world operating the Kicksey-winsey as virtual slaves of the elves. Haplo steps into the world of an assassin, a crown price, an evil wizard, a reluctant revolutionary, and a bumbling chamberlain. As good as the Death Cycle gets, a great small story is interwoven with Haplo’s larger story.
Dragon Wing takes place on Arianus, the world of Air. Arianus is composed of “islands” of porous rock floating on bubbles of lighter-than-air gas. The elves travel by mechanical-magic airships and the humans travel by dragon. The dwarves are trapped on the lowest level of the world operating the Kicksey-winsey as virtual slaves of the elves. Haplo steps into the world of an assassin, a crown price, an evil wizard, a reluctant revolutionary, and a bumbling chamberlain. As good as the Death Cycle gets, a great small story is interwoven with Haplo’s larger story.
July 10, 2012
I'm re-reading the Death Gate Cycle because it's been a long time and it seemed like a good summer series. The first book is amazingly spry in that they don't bog it down with endless details and make it carry the entire world-building burden. Plus they are pretty sneaky by starting the reader off with a main character (Hugh the Hand) who isn't really the main character at all, yet he makes a good entry point for the reader. You think you are getting some pretty standard fantasy/medieval realm story and then you realize that this will be something quite different. Enough details about the world and upcoming conflict are hinted at, but the world and story can be enjoyed as a stand alone effort in this volume. Especially engaging are the Gegs and their world involved in Kicksey-Wicksy, a giant machine that no one quite remembers what it's supposed to do, and yet the entire race of Dwarves lives to serve it (and actually worship it). Our main antagonists, Haplo and Alfred are introduced and by the end of the book I was sucked back in and ready to read the next one. A good start and I thought this held up surprisingly well after so many years away.
February 2, 2019
This is the first book of the Death Gate Cycle that I never got around to reading in the 1990s. I’m glad to catch up on the series as I’ve been meaning to read it for quite some time. The world-building is decent. The Sky Realm where this book is set has been split apart by a powerful race of magicians long ago. As such, the highest realm is too cold to sustain life without sever magic intervention. The middle realm which is the most resource-rich lacks access to water, and the lower realm is trapped below and drowned by an overabundance of water and storm. As political factions from each realm crash into each other as a consequence of their individual searches for power and better lives, the world’s long-held status quos are unheaved. This story didn’t blow me away, but I wasn’t expecting it to. It is a stereotypical fantasy tale with humans, dwarves, elves competing for power and of course dragons and magic.
June 1, 2015
La fantasía más clásica está desapareciendo. Estos autores la han cocinado muy bien con la clásica saga Dragonlance que muchos la consideran de usar y tirar.
Esta nueva saga que abrieron no es reversada, no es adulta, no hay presencia de sangre ni sexo, tramas políticas simplonas… Pero amigos: ¡COMO ENTRETIENE!
Esta nueva saga que abrieron no es reversada, no es adulta, no hay presencia de sangre ni sexo, tramas políticas simplonas… Pero amigos: ¡COMO ENTRETIENE!
April 28, 2008
This is the first Weis/Hickman novel I've read. I'll certainly keep
going with this seven-volume series because this one was a lot of fun.
Any time I pick out a Fantasy or Sci-Fi novel to read, it is imperative
that it has this one quality: Give me an interesting (the more
mind-blowing, the better) world or concept.
These authors obviously put a lot of thought into this world they've created, and described it in a manner that was not dull or over-wordy, but fun and adventurous.
Top marks here, and hey, a pretty darn good plot too. I also enjoyed the characterizations as well. Nothing quite John Irving-esque here, but
good enough to care about what was going to happen next to them.
The next volume is definitely on the near horizon for me!
going with this seven-volume series because this one was a lot of fun.
Any time I pick out a Fantasy or Sci-Fi novel to read, it is imperative
that it has this one quality: Give me an interesting (the more
mind-blowing, the better) world or concept.
These authors obviously put a lot of thought into this world they've created, and described it in a manner that was not dull or over-wordy, but fun and adventurous.
Top marks here, and hey, a pretty darn good plot too. I also enjoyed the characterizations as well. Nothing quite John Irving-esque here, but
good enough to care about what was going to happen next to them.
The next volume is definitely on the near horizon for me!
May 29, 2013
Gran comienzo de El Ciclo de la Puerta de la Muerte, de los creadores de Dragonlance (aunque a mí me gusta más esta saga que la de Dragonlance).
Este libro sitúa la historia en el mundo del aire, Ariano. Es fascinante la imaginación de los autores del libro para resolver cada pequeño detalle que pueden encontrar los personajes, sobre todo esa capacidad para imaginar distintos mundos.
Creo que una de las mejores sagas de fantasía, pero no mucha gente la conoce.
Este libro sitúa la historia en el mundo del aire, Ariano. Es fascinante la imaginación de los autores del libro para resolver cada pequeño detalle que pueden encontrar los personajes, sobre todo esa capacidad para imaginar distintos mundos.
Creo que una de las mejores sagas de fantasía, pero no mucha gente la conoce.
August 4, 2024
Mostly listened to the audiobook version.
Long time ago, I read The Death Gate Cycle in my earlier teen ages, and love it a lot. I was fascinated by the world building and characters, the survival god like races were descended in mortal realisms and was trying to amend the disorder world or manipulate those mortal races. The First book of the death Gates cycle is an exhilarating introduction of the grandeur world of the sky realism where the floating islands and dragons were existed. I was enamored with this series a lot when I was young, and thus I was afraid of rereading Dragon Wing. It may not be as excellent as I thought before. Especially recently I have been reading many fantasy books and got tired of reading them. Basically I have read several fantasy books which are epic fantasies, and they have the same things repeatedly appear in the story’s structures; and reading them on my crammed reading schedule that makes the reading experience exhausting to read the same things again. In general, reading fantasy books that make me tired sometimes, especially reading long fantasy series, they are too many pages and too many settings and characters that are needed to be memorized. I was hesitant to put Dragon Wing on my currently reading state just for the sake of the reason which I might not enjoy the series once I loved so much. Fortunately I did love it almost as the same as before! It definitely not a perfect fantasy book I have read, but I don’t need to read a perfect fantasy book to enjoy it. I just wanted a book which I can immerse myself in a world where I was familiar and revisit it again. I am glad that I had the wonderful experience again in second read! The Death gate cycle is a all time favorite fantasy series for me; I hope I could finish reading the series agin also with the dragon lance series.
The story is Haplo was seeking the perfect disciple in the lower realms for his lord; at the meantime, investigating what was happening to the realms and the races there( elves, dwarfs，humans). Haplo as a patryn who was the ancient nemesis of the powerful race, Sartan. He was looking for what his lord wanted him to do and found out he was intertwined with the conspiracy of the gegs (dwarfs), and a boy whose father is a powerful wizard and the boy Bane has been using the enchantment which his wizard father gave him to manipulate the people around him, a assassin who got paid to kill the boy Bane, and Alfred who seems always trip over something when he was walking. A seemingly docile, harmless bald head chamberlain, but his actual identity is a Sartan who was looking for his compatriots. Their fate would be interlock in the most perilous adventure not just in the sky realm but would had the impacts on the other realms through the death gate.
I really love the series and I am glad I reread it after 10 years first read. I think it is hard for me to reread a book or even a series now, and new epic fantasy series for me I felt less enthusiastic to read them now. I want to read some of my favorite fantasy series again in the future, but I am always afraid of it won’t be as good as the first read. However, the second read Dragon Wing is not the case!
Long time ago, I read The Death Gate Cycle in my earlier teen ages, and love it a lot. I was fascinated by the world building and characters, the survival god like races were descended in mortal realisms and was trying to amend the disorder world or manipulate those mortal races. The First book of the death Gates cycle is an exhilarating introduction of the grandeur world of the sky realism where the floating islands and dragons were existed. I was enamored with this series a lot when I was young, and thus I was afraid of rereading Dragon Wing. It may not be as excellent as I thought before. Especially recently I have been reading many fantasy books and got tired of reading them. Basically I have read several fantasy books which are epic fantasies, and they have the same things repeatedly appear in the story’s structures; and reading them on my crammed reading schedule that makes the reading experience exhausting to read the same things again. In general, reading fantasy books that make me tired sometimes, especially reading long fantasy series, they are too many pages and too many settings and characters that are needed to be memorized. I was hesitant to put Dragon Wing on my currently reading state just for the sake of the reason which I might not enjoy the series once I loved so much. Fortunately I did love it almost as the same as before! It definitely not a perfect fantasy book I have read, but I don’t need to read a perfect fantasy book to enjoy it. I just wanted a book which I can immerse myself in a world where I was familiar and revisit it again. I am glad that I had the wonderful experience again in second read! The Death gate cycle is a all time favorite fantasy series for me; I hope I could finish reading the series agin also with the dragon lance series.
The story is Haplo was seeking the perfect disciple in the lower realms for his lord; at the meantime, investigating what was happening to the realms and the races there( elves, dwarfs，humans). Haplo as a patryn who was the ancient nemesis of the powerful race, Sartan. He was looking for what his lord wanted him to do and found out he was intertwined with the conspiracy of the gegs (dwarfs), and a boy whose father is a powerful wizard and the boy Bane has been using the enchantment which his wizard father gave him to manipulate the people around him, a assassin who got paid to kill the boy Bane, and Alfred who seems always trip over something when he was walking. A seemingly docile, harmless bald head chamberlain, but his actual identity is a Sartan who was looking for his compatriots. Their fate would be interlock in the most perilous adventure not just in the sky realm but would had the impacts on the other realms through the death gate.
I really love the series and I am glad I reread it after 10 years first read. I think it is hard for me to reread a book or even a series now, and new epic fantasy series for me I felt less enthusiastic to read them now. I want to read some of my favorite fantasy series again in the future, but I am always afraid of it won’t be as good as the first read. However, the second read Dragon Wing is not the case!
February 6, 2016
The Margaret Weis/Tracy Hickman novels make up one of those corners of the Fantasy genre that you either enjoyed in your teens (and remember fondly)... or you didn’t. I have to admit that I’m of the latter camp, and while I strongly suspect that there was a time when I could have greatly enjoyed Dragon Wing, that time has passed me by. These days, I’m a little too jaded and I’ve read a few too many works in a very similar vein. Dragon Wing isn’t bad, necessarily, but I’d be lying if I said I particularly like it.
It starts well, mind you, as master assassin Hugh the Hand is employed by the king for that most politically... Read More: http://www.fantasyliterature.com/revi...
It starts well, mind you, as master assassin Hugh the Hand is employed by the king for that most politically... Read More: http://www.fantasyliterature.com/revi...
November 22, 2018
A slow start although I appreciate the work and diligence that went into the world building. Alas I didn't like any of the main characters: a cliched assassin, a bratty child who just wants to be loved, his bumbling servant, some useless women and a mysterious, overly powerful man. The only one I really liked was Limbeck the dwarf but he was far too easily manipulated. His gf Jarre has such wonderful potential but she fizzled to nothing. I think I'm curious to find out more but I am not in a hurry to seek out volume 2 just yet.
July 2, 2022
This has resolved many of the issues I had with the Dragonlance Chronicles.
April 17, 2024
Strange fantasy —a mix of the fanciful, the harsh, and a rather creaky D&D vibe…I can’t see reading the next one…
Displaying 1 - 30 of 869 reviews