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Dragonrealm #5
The Crystal Dragon
Dreams lead Cabe Bedlam, a wizard, to the peninsula of Legar, where he becomes a slave to the enigmatic Crystal Dragon in order to prevent an ancient, powerful evil from causing mass destruction. Original.
299 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published January 1, 1992
217 people want to read
About the author
Richard A. Knaak
284 books1,486 followersRichard A. Knaak is the bestselling author of Dragonlance novels, the Dragonrealm and Black City Saint series (his own creations), six novels for Blizzard Entertainment's Diablo series, and six works in the Warcraft universe. He has also written several non-series fantasy books.
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Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews
November 11, 2024
I enjoyed this book well enough, it does exactly what it says it will. Which you will find happens a lot with these obviously early books by R. A. Knaak.
It's good to see the spotlight flip back to Cabe, as he is the more interesting character of the lot usually. I do also enjoy just how many moving parts there tends to be in these books. However, I've noticed a trend with how these are written. For about 50% of the length, we drag through a lot of set up, then at about 75% we get a taste of conflict with the actual 'villains', then it's a combination run-stop to the finish line. At least one deus ex machina reveals itself.
Does this make the book bad? No, not at all. It was a good solid 90's era fantasy read. Definitely good for those who like the feel of that type. Is it getting a bit dry for me? Yes.
How can I get rid of that dryness? Well how about I take a shot for every time a Quel, Dragon or Darkhorse (?!) were described as a 'leviathan'? What? Like half way through the main descriptor for any of the three is leviathan and it's used WAY too often. Also, isn't a leviathan meant to be some kind of term for a massive aquatic thing? The writing is not the best... but I've definitely read worse.
It's good to see the spotlight flip back to Cabe, as he is the more interesting character of the lot usually. I do also enjoy just how many moving parts there tends to be in these books. However, I've noticed a trend with how these are written. For about 50% of the length, we drag through a lot of set up, then at about 75% we get a taste of conflict with the actual 'villains', then it's a combination run-stop to the finish line. At least one deus ex machina reveals itself.
Does this make the book bad? No, not at all. It was a good solid 90's era fantasy read. Definitely good for those who like the feel of that type. Is it getting a bit dry for me? Yes.
How can I get rid of that dryness? Well how about I take a shot for every time a Quel, Dragon or Darkhorse (?!) were described as a 'leviathan'? What? Like half way through the main descriptor for any of the three is leviathan and it's used WAY too often. Also, isn't a leviathan meant to be some kind of term for a massive aquatic thing? The writing is not the best... but I've definitely read worse.
May 26, 2018
I am doing these reviews. In the order I read the books.
That being in order of when released, published first time.
So actually read this, after Shadow Steed and Origins 3 story arc.
That said, was pleased several elements of this one.
First we are back to the modern storyline.
After detour in to origins of, and past events.
A new dragon king to become familiar with.
Briefly seen before.
Now more of his story is told.
Wolf raiders invading.
Change and growth different areas of the kingdom.
Updates on previous characters. Their lives further on, from Shadow Steed.
A dangerous, sleeping race. Now awakened and threatening all.
The Gryphon returns.
Nice, well paced, and plotted read
That being in order of when released, published first time.
So actually read this, after Shadow Steed and Origins 3 story arc.
That said, was pleased several elements of this one.
First we are back to the modern storyline.
After detour in to origins of, and past events.
A new dragon king to become familiar with.
Briefly seen before.
Now more of his story is told.
Wolf raiders invading.
Change and growth different areas of the kingdom.
Updates on previous characters. Their lives further on, from Shadow Steed.
A dangerous, sleeping race. Now awakened and threatening all.
The Gryphon returns.
Nice, well paced, and plotted read
March 1, 2020
Book 5 in the Dragonrealm series.
Another solid read. Cabe Bedlam, the main character in the series, is again drawn into a power struggle. The wolf raiders try to regain a strong position in another part of the realm. They gain access to a powerful tool, owned by an ancient race.
Cabe, the Gryphon, and Darkhorse need to go all the way in order to prevent the end of the realm.
Enjoyed it a lot.
Another solid read. Cabe Bedlam, the main character in the series, is again drawn into a power struggle. The wolf raiders try to regain a strong position in another part of the realm. They gain access to a powerful tool, owned by an ancient race.
Cabe, the Gryphon, and Darkhorse need to go all the way in order to prevent the end of the realm.
Enjoyed it a lot.
October 10, 2020
De las pocas sagas que he leído y que me ha parecido fantástica. Cada personaje tiene un valor en las historias, sus acciones determinan el rumbo bueno o malo de la historia, y a pesar de que cada libro parece autoconclusivo, te quedas con ganas de saber que pasará en su futuro.
January 11, 2021
La primera obra de fantasía épica que leí en mi vida, con 8 años fue una gran revelación. Y con los años y otras obras Richard A. Knaak me ha demostrado ser un maestro dentro del mundo de la fantasía. Recordar que esta obra se escribió antes de que internet fuera lo que es hoy día.
December 4, 2023
Jeden z povedenějších dílů, kdy má vyprávění velmi dobrou dynamiku. Na hrdinskou fantasy se dá považovat za relativně nepředvídatelné a místy správně temné. Napojení se na osobní příběhy je pouze u Gryfa a temný kůň byl opět v polovině odstaven. Každopádně dobré tempo i dobrá čtivost.
December 18, 2020
Loved it because of the whole series.
October 13, 2020
Jeden z těch zdařilejších románů z Dragonrealm ságy, který těží především proto, že se protagonisté de facto dílem náhody dostávají do soukolí konfliktu hned čtyřech sil, z nichž sice jen jedna (Vlčí jezdci) je prezentovaná jako zákonně zlá, ale i ty ostatní (quelové, pošahaný Křišťálový drak, Plool a chaos vraadské magie jako takový) rozhodně nejsou kladné, a díky tomu má vyprávění velmi dobrou dynamiku, je na hrdinskou fantasy relativně nepředvídatelné a místy správně temné. Bohužel nějaké napojení se na osobní příběhy hlavních hrdinů opět není moc reálné, krom Gryfa. Temný kůň opět funguje jen jako přerostlé děcko, které neví, co s mocí, a musí být půlku příběhu odstavený, aby nebylo vidět, že autor neví, co s ním; a vůbec nechápu, proč bych měl jako čtenář sympatizovat s Cabeem Bedlamem coby nezajímavým prosťáčkem, kterému spadla do klína moc a s ní i všechno ostatní. Hrdinská fantasy s nezajímavými hrdiny nikdy nebude tak dobrá, jak by mohla být.
January 9, 2014
Awesome, best book in the series.
March 13, 2014
I totally forgot how I love this series. It was great to see Gryf and Cabe again, and I hope to catch up with the rest that's available in Czech soon ^^
June 15, 2021
Interesting book with quite "stunning" information about dragons.
Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews