Alliances

Dragonlance: Elven Exiles #2

by Paul B. Thompson, Tonya C. Cook

While the Elven Exiles struggle for survival in the distant kingdom of Khur, the elves remaining in Qualinesti face persecution, enslavement, and extermination. Amid great suffering and unrelieved evil, a rebel leader–masked, anonymous, and with strange powers–appears, determined to cleanse the land of invaders.

Meanwhile, Kerianseray, the Lioness, Kagonesti general and wife of Speaker Gilthas, finds herself magically transported from certain death in Khur to equally dire straits in her former homeland. As Gilthas leads the elves across the trackless desert in search of a new home, the Lioness fights ruthless slavers and crosses paths with the mysterious masked revolutionary of Qualinesti.

Genres: Dragonlance, Fantasy, Fiction, Epic, Elves, Dungeons and Dragons, Adventure

320 pages, Kindle Edition

First published October 10, 2006

Reviews

[E J · Rating 2 out of 5]

Planchet is possibly dead, which is a shame. Alhana's appearance feels like fan service.

A decent start, a ferociously dull middle, and a somewhat OK last chapter.

What do I mean by dull?
1. A section of the story detailing how elves, a universally noble, magical, mystical fantasy race died by being bitten by swamp bugs... or mosquitoes or whatever mundane bullshit. Couldn't the authors thought up of something better?
2. A book where two groups of elves are basically doing the same thing; marching to location.
3. What is even the point of having fantasy races like elves when the magic in the Dragonlance world is so low?
4. Characters and creatures are frequently exhausted. The word means absolutely nothing when time and time again they're able to engage in intense physical and psychological feats of strength and skill after being so called "exhausted". It was even detailed how the griffons would be exhausted from their flight to rescue Gilthas' group. When they arrive, no mention of exertion was made, despite the fact they flew through a storm that killed a handful of them and journeyed hundreds of miles non-stop. Exactly how much disbelief are we supposed to suspend reading this tripe?
5. What the fuck is Breetan's thread all about? It was going absolutely nowhere.
6. Thompson and Cook's writing style is AGAIN dryer than a parched packet of cous cous with desiccants inside. In the Khurish desert. Under the sun.

[Jim C · Rating 4 out of 5]

Actual rating is 3.5 stars.

This is the second book of a trilogy and the first novel must be read before this one. The elves are still looking for a place to call home. This book has two story lines. One is Gilthas leading his people to a land where no one resides. The other story is of the elves who stayed behind in their ruined homeland and their struggle to take it back.

I believe this book was a slight step back from the first book but was still an enjoyable read. I liked the contrast of the two different stories. The reader gets to see both sides struggle with totally different ways of trying to achieve the same goal. We get to see the return of an important character from this universe. While I am not a fan of this character his interactions with his wife was terrific and gave me the "feels". This book is a strong character driven book for major and minor characters.

The authors have set up their characters for what I am hoping to be an amazing conclusion. This book has many characters in place for this and I am looking forward to its finale. This trilogy has been strong from the beginning and in my opinion one of the better ones in this universe.

[Cassie · Rating 3 out of 5]

Enjoyed more than the first. Many may feel like this is too slow, too much of a step down from the large mystical and political events of the first novel. However, the first book felt very overcrowded. this was absolutely a transition. However I don't find myself being drawn to any of the characters, even those I have a previous familiarity with. Honestly? At this point I'm reading as I want to finish and I purchased these. I love this universe, and I'm happy to see a world expanded. This is a space to explore new venues. But when other books have shown upsets in the world with elements we already were aware of, the ones in this trilogy at this time just feel a little discordant with the rest of the world.

[Jo Ann · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Elven Exiles trilogy remains true to the Dragonlance saga. These novels focus on the struggle of the elven nation after the defeat of the evil dragons but while still under persecution by the Nights of Nereka, the minotaurs, and others. I will not go in to any detail as to not spoil any surprise, but the novel has romantic elements, a strong story line, and engaging story telling.

[Katie · Rating 5 out of 5]

This trilogy continues to impress! At first, I thought I might be annoyed that the story shifts focus from the plight of the elves in Khur, but I was absolutely wrong. There is so much detail and depth in this series. I highly recommend the trilogy.
Edit: Alhana never impressed me before as that interesting of a character, but here she finally holds her own (in my opinion).

[Snowcover6 · Rating 4 out of 5]

2nd Book starts off very strong. Kept pace with the 1st volumes story line. This book made me want to get the 3rd and last of the Elven Exiles Series. Porthios is truly someone I want to read more about.

[Elyse Cabrera · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the second book to the elven exiles and clues you into what happened with Kerianseray and her husband Gilthas and the people of Khur. Also a new character who is very mysterious appears upon the scene and helps guide a group of escapes, including Kerianseray

[Keith Hannigan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good second entry in the series

This is a good series in the dragonlance world. The plight of the elves is terrible and you really feel for them. The interactions between alhanna and porthios are heartbreaking.

[Tabitha Tomala]

I love how they brought Porthios into the plot line. I had thought he had just perished with the dragonfire. Amazing, his stability, and will power.