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Dragonlance: Tales II #3
The War of the Lance
The War Years...
The world of Krynn is caught in the grips of a terrible war between the minions of Takhisis, Queen of Darkness, and the followers of Paladine and the gods of good. Dragons, both foul and fair, clash in the skies, and a small band of friends who will one day be known as the Heroes of the Lance, strive for freedom and honor.
The story of this mighty conflict was revealed in the internationally acclaimed Dragonlance Chronicles trilogy, and now many of the most famous scribes of the series return to tell other tales of Krynn's War Years.
The world of Krynn is caught in the grips of a terrible war between the minions of Takhisis, Queen of Darkness, and the followers of Paladine and the gods of good. Dragons, both foul and fair, clash in the skies, and a small band of friends who will one day be known as the Heroes of the Lance, strive for freedom and honor.
The story of this mighty conflict was revealed in the internationally acclaimed Dragonlance Chronicles trilogy, and now many of the most famous scribes of the series return to tell other tales of Krynn's War Years.
343 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 1992
12 people are currently reading
1826 people want to read
About the author
Margaret Weis
676 books5,829 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.
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Displaying 1 - 26 of 26 reviews
June 30, 2024
I only enjoyed a handful of stories in here.
Some of the authors were not for me.
The Promised Place by Dan Parinson was very entertaining!
Some of the authors were not for me.
The Promised Place by Dan Parinson was very entertaining!
September 25, 2025
★★★★ ⇨ 7
October 3, 2025
My favorite had to be the gully dwarves and the green dragon story!
August 24, 2016
And the final Tales novel is finished. Finally. Reading all the Tales novels (6) in a row feels like I've read several novels. As a result, I need some time off regarding Dragonlance. :P
In any case, The War Of The Lance seems to be, in my opinion, the best of the pack. It's got the most stories that appealed to me. An overview:
Good:
2) Raistlin And The Knight Of Solamnia
3) Dead On Target
5) The Promised Place
6) Clockwork Hero
9) The Hand That Feeds
10) The Vingaard Campaign
Not so good:
1) Lorac
4) War Machines
7) The Night Wolf
8) The Potion Sellers
11) The Story That Tasslehoff Promised He Would Never, Ever, Ever Tell
Some are good, especially when meeting up with old heroes again (brothers Majere). Others are just plain boring or maybe the story is good, but the ending is then very weak and flat.
These Tales are indeed just tales, nothing important, though a few do contribute to understanding certain things and circumstances a bit better. Tasslehoff's story was nice, but too much chatter about what made the Dragonlances so "special". Still, it's told by a kender, so what do you expect?
In any case, The War Of The Lance seems to be, in my opinion, the best of the pack. It's got the most stories that appealed to me. An overview:
Good:
2) Raistlin And The Knight Of Solamnia
3) Dead On Target
5) The Promised Place
6) Clockwork Hero
9) The Hand That Feeds
10) The Vingaard Campaign
Not so good:
1) Lorac
4) War Machines
7) The Night Wolf
8) The Potion Sellers
11) The Story That Tasslehoff Promised He Would Never, Ever, Ever Tell
Some are good, especially when meeting up with old heroes again (brothers Majere). Others are just plain boring or maybe the story is good, but the ending is then very weak and flat.
These Tales are indeed just tales, nothing important, though a few do contribute to understanding certain things and circumstances a bit better. Tasslehoff's story was nice, but too much chatter about what made the Dragonlances so "special". Still, it's told by a kender, so what do you expect?
September 10, 2021
Un bel libro, la cui collocazione è di molto antecedente alla guerra delle lance. Nonostante questo, tutte le quattro (5) storie che costituiscono questa raccolta sono legate alla guerra delle lance, per via di numerosi riferimenti o personaggi noti che compaiono sullo sfondo. Quattro tasselli indispensabili nella lettura delle storie ambientate su Krynn... (anche se l'ultima, il Migliore, mi ha lasciato l'amaro in bocca...)
August 24, 2017
.
This is definitely a worthwhile, fantasy, adventure that I enjoyed very much. Would considering rereading the entire series because it was that great! Sure wish I could afford to buy them on the Kindle.
Would recommend 8)
This is definitely a worthwhile, fantasy, adventure that I enjoyed very much. Would considering rereading the entire series because it was that great! Sure wish I could afford to buy them on the Kindle.
Would recommend 8)
September 16, 2019
Some good stories. Some boring stories. An excellent finishing story by Weis and Hickman that reminded me what sets the Dragonlance books apart from most other fantasy books: a sense of humor.
April 25, 2023
Unfortunately this volume of short stories opens up with the best offering, one of two from Weis and Hickman in which Caramon and Raistlin go to a castle with a Solamnic knight in order to break an ancient curse. There's a little comedy, excitement, and of course a twist and it makes for an entertaining 40 pages. W&Hs other offering is also amongst the best in the book (the story Tas promised he would never ever tell"), though it falls a little short through being narrated by Tas, a viewpoint which does allow for a little comedy but gets tiresome after awhile. Still, it's a nice mysterious interpretation of a key moment from Dragons of Winter Night and worth reading
Elsewhere this collection is a bit spottier, though I enjoyed quite a few of these stories well enough. Dead on Target is a nice palate cleanser about an undead chasing down the hobgoblins, which makes for a nice perspective. War Machines is a good little story about a treasure hunter who meets a gnome; and gnomes are usually pretty funny. Best of the rest though, is Dan Parkinson's Promised Place about some Gully Dwarves who meet and are tormented by a Dragon - these stories are at their best when they find places to go that conventional adventure stories can't.
Sadly Knaak, usually one of Dragonlance's dependables, fails to deliver much engaging with the Hand that Feeds, a lumbering and predictable story about a human sacrifice at sea. Douglas Niles is his usual laborious self, delivering an account of some battles and no story, being presented in a more historical manner, (I skipped half of this) and The Clockwork Hero, another gnomish story, doesn't quite manage to find its voice.
That leaves a pretty decent story from Berberick about a mage who changes into a werewolf and needs to be hunted by friends (not so fresh but perfectly good) and a story about charlatans who get caught by Draconians from Mark Anthony, which did give me a laugh.
The title of the collection is The War of the Lance , but most of these stories seem to take place just after the War is over (although Niles' recounts events during the campaign) which, casting my mind back to 1992 when this released, would have been a good indication that the series was destined to move forward into the second generation of heroes at some point Although not something that ever went down well with Dragonlance fans, personally I'm a sucker for finding out what happened afterwards, especially as in this read-through I'm a bit bored with the War of the Lance and its related characters now and keen to explore new storytelling avenues.
Elsewhere this collection is a bit spottier, though I enjoyed quite a few of these stories well enough. Dead on Target is a nice palate cleanser about an undead chasing down the hobgoblins, which makes for a nice perspective. War Machines is a good little story about a treasure hunter who meets a gnome; and gnomes are usually pretty funny. Best of the rest though, is Dan Parkinson's Promised Place about some Gully Dwarves who meet and are tormented by a Dragon - these stories are at their best when they find places to go that conventional adventure stories can't.
Sadly Knaak, usually one of Dragonlance's dependables, fails to deliver much engaging with the Hand that Feeds, a lumbering and predictable story about a human sacrifice at sea. Douglas Niles is his usual laborious self, delivering an account of some battles and no story, being presented in a more historical manner, (I skipped half of this) and The Clockwork Hero, another gnomish story, doesn't quite manage to find its voice.
That leaves a pretty decent story from Berberick about a mage who changes into a werewolf and needs to be hunted by friends (not so fresh but perfectly good) and a story about charlatans who get caught by Draconians from Mark Anthony, which did give me a laugh.
The title of the collection is The War of the Lance , but most of these stories seem to take place just after the War is over (although Niles' recounts events during the campaign) which, casting my mind back to 1992 when this released, would have been a good indication that the series was destined to move forward into the second generation of heroes at some point Although not something that ever went down well with Dragonlance fans, personally I'm a sucker for finding out what happened afterwards, especially as in this read-through I'm a bit bored with the War of the Lance and its related characters now and keen to explore new storytelling avenues.
October 1, 2025
The short story collections are usually average at worst and amazing at best, but the stories in this one were consistently mediocre; not a single good one
A few of the stories were asinine word salads where the author just gets off on hearing hisself, a few others were nonsensical, canon-unfriendly slop, but most of the stories were just.. boring
A few of the stories were asinine word salads where the author just gets off on hearing hisself, a few others were nonsensical, canon-unfriendly slop, but most of the stories were just.. boring
July 8, 2023
Some of the stories here are hit or miss. You can always count on a winner from Weis and Hickman though. It is really amazing how expansive the Dragonlance world is and how many stories there are in it.
June 21, 2024
De los mejores libros de relatos, junto con "El cataclismo". Completa la saga y añade elementos nuevos. La novela corta del final es muy recomendable para los fans de Tas.
January 27, 2011
Per chi non lo sapesse (sei appena arrivato da Marte, amico?) "Dragonlance" è un'ampia raccolta di romanzi fantasy, i principali dei quali scritti da Margaret Weis e Tracy Hickman ed editi dalla TSR, a cui è affiancata l'omonima ambientazione del gioco di ruolo Dungeons & Dragons.
L'immaginario mondo di Dragonlance ha nome di Krynn e contiene una variegata serie di razze tipicamente ispirata al modello fantastico di molte altre ambientazioni fantasy, tra le quali prima fra tutte quella del Signore degli Anelli di J.R.R.Tolkien, con protagonisti elfi, nani, uomini e draghi. La maggior parte dei romanzi si svolgono nelle varie regioni di Ansalon; esistono diverse divinità maggiori e minori nel mondo di Krynn: il dio buono Paladine, la divinità neutrale Gilean, e il male impersonato da Takhisis (chiamata anche Regina delle Tenebre). Agli dèi viene contrapposto Caos, che in alcune Ere appare con l'intento di distruggere Krynn. A seconda del periodo di tempo, i draghi sono presenti o assenti e anch'essi sono divisi in draghi buoni (detti metallici) e draghi malvagi (o cromatici). Gli esseri umani sono la razza più comune su Krynn, ma elfi, nani, kender, gnomi e minotauri sono anch'esse parti integranti del mondo. I chierici devono i loro poteri magici ai loro dèi, mentre i maghi traggono il loro potere dalle tre Lune: Solinari, Lunitari e Nuitari. Nel corso delle varie guerre di Krynn, appaiono negli schieramenti del male anche esseri detti Draconici. Quest'ultimi sono creazioni corrotte, generati da uova di draghi buoni con l'utilizzo di magia nera.
I personaggi principali, quelli appunto delle Cronache che compongono la prima trilogia sono una compagnia di amici e di avventurieri, sul classico modello di gioco D&D: Tanis Mezzelfo, Raistlin Majere, Sturm Brightblade, Caramon Majere, Laurana, Goldmoon, Flint Fireforge, Riverwind e Tasslehoff Burrfoot.
Questo volumetto che racchiude in se quattro storie è un degno completamento dei due più bei cicli di "Dragonlance", ossia le "Cronache" e le "Leggende"; a differenza di altri apparsi dopo, questo volumetto non cerca una semplice operazione commerciale per salire sul carro delle vendite ma bensì ad un'opera effettivamente ben scritta ed in linea con le cronache e le legende di Dragonlance. Certamente, le storie qui presentate sono di poco respiro rispetto ai due tomoni sopracitati, ma lo spirito rimane immutato.
Dunque quattro volumetti da leggere tutto d'un fiato per gli appassionati delle Dragonlance. Letti a parte, al di fuori dalla saga, non hanno molto senso.
Per chi invece conosce e ama Krynn sono da leggere assolutamente.
L'immaginario mondo di Dragonlance ha nome di Krynn e contiene una variegata serie di razze tipicamente ispirata al modello fantastico di molte altre ambientazioni fantasy, tra le quali prima fra tutte quella del Signore degli Anelli di J.R.R.Tolkien, con protagonisti elfi, nani, uomini e draghi. La maggior parte dei romanzi si svolgono nelle varie regioni di Ansalon; esistono diverse divinità maggiori e minori nel mondo di Krynn: il dio buono Paladine, la divinità neutrale Gilean, e il male impersonato da Takhisis (chiamata anche Regina delle Tenebre). Agli dèi viene contrapposto Caos, che in alcune Ere appare con l'intento di distruggere Krynn. A seconda del periodo di tempo, i draghi sono presenti o assenti e anch'essi sono divisi in draghi buoni (detti metallici) e draghi malvagi (o cromatici). Gli esseri umani sono la razza più comune su Krynn, ma elfi, nani, kender, gnomi e minotauri sono anch'esse parti integranti del mondo. I chierici devono i loro poteri magici ai loro dèi, mentre i maghi traggono il loro potere dalle tre Lune: Solinari, Lunitari e Nuitari. Nel corso delle varie guerre di Krynn, appaiono negli schieramenti del male anche esseri detti Draconici. Quest'ultimi sono creazioni corrotte, generati da uova di draghi buoni con l'utilizzo di magia nera.
I personaggi principali, quelli appunto delle Cronache che compongono la prima trilogia sono una compagnia di amici e di avventurieri, sul classico modello di gioco D&D: Tanis Mezzelfo, Raistlin Majere, Sturm Brightblade, Caramon Majere, Laurana, Goldmoon, Flint Fireforge, Riverwind e Tasslehoff Burrfoot.
Questo volumetto che racchiude in se quattro storie è un degno completamento dei due più bei cicli di "Dragonlance", ossia le "Cronache" e le "Leggende"; a differenza di altri apparsi dopo, questo volumetto non cerca una semplice operazione commerciale per salire sul carro delle vendite ma bensì ad un'opera effettivamente ben scritta ed in linea con le cronache e le legende di Dragonlance. Certamente, le storie qui presentate sono di poco respiro rispetto ai due tomoni sopracitati, ma lo spirito rimane immutato.
Dunque quattro volumetti da leggere tutto d'un fiato per gli appassionati delle Dragonlance. Letti a parte, al di fuori dalla saga, non hanno molto senso.
Per chi invece conosce e ama Krynn sono da leggere assolutamente.
May 24, 2013
There are a handful of talented authors contributing to this collection of short stories but, sadly, none of them are at their finest here. The ten tales presented in this volume (the 11th is a poem and I am neither qualified nor interested enough to comment on that) are your standard fantasy fare and stereotypical of the genre. I am not going to review this story by story; while there were some that I enjoyed more than others, and a handful that were rather cute, there were none that really stood out for me. If I had to choose a favorite, it might be The Promised Place by Dan Parkinson, because I do have a soft spot for stories where I can’t stand any of the main characters, particularly when they don’t have a happy ending (I suppose it depends on your definition of “happy”, though).
In general, I don’t have much to say other than that the anthology as a whole is nothing special and the stories within are not overly exciting. There are plenty of vivid, but drawn out, descriptions in this work and, while I usually enjoy these, they come off as wasted verbiage in a medium (the short story) that cannot afford it. I guess I should have mentioned earlier, as a caveat, that I am not really all that knowledgeable about the Dragonlance Saga, of which this work is a part, and that my enjoyment might have been heightened had I been more into the book’s “world”. In fact, certain aspects make the scenario as a whole seem interesting and make me want to get more involved in the series, but these tales are unable to really drag me in and leave me thirsty for more. I have rated the book 3 stars out of 5, although I would lower that to 2.5 if given the opportunity. At least I didn’t have to skim through anything. Overall, it might be worth reading if you’re into Dragonlance, but it cannot stand on its own and thus, if you are not already into the series, you won’t be missing much by skipping this one. The few decent stories within, however your subjective tastes might define them, are not worth wading through the rest.
In general, I don’t have much to say other than that the anthology as a whole is nothing special and the stories within are not overly exciting. There are plenty of vivid, but drawn out, descriptions in this work and, while I usually enjoy these, they come off as wasted verbiage in a medium (the short story) that cannot afford it. I guess I should have mentioned earlier, as a caveat, that I am not really all that knowledgeable about the Dragonlance Saga, of which this work is a part, and that my enjoyment might have been heightened had I been more into the book’s “world”. In fact, certain aspects make the scenario as a whole seem interesting and make me want to get more involved in the series, but these tales are unable to really drag me in and leave me thirsty for more. I have rated the book 3 stars out of 5, although I would lower that to 2.5 if given the opportunity. At least I didn’t have to skim through anything. Overall, it might be worth reading if you’re into Dragonlance, but it cannot stand on its own and thus, if you are not already into the series, you won’t be missing much by skipping this one. The few decent stories within, however your subjective tastes might define them, are not worth wading through the rest.
January 23, 2014
Una piccola antologia di racconti brevi e avvincenti che hanno per protagonisti il mago Raistlin e il fratello gemello di quest’ultimo, Caramon. Determinato, sotto l’aspetto gracile e malaticcio, il primo, forte e pragmatico, il secondo. I due, apparentemente così diversi, uniscono le loro forze, le tenebrose arti magiche di Raistlin e il valore guerriero di Caramon per combattere i loro nemici.
February 9, 2016
This is actually a collection of ten short stories and one poem written by different contributing authors, but Weis gets the main credit as author.
That being said, this collection is, for the most part, completely forgettable. I finished re-reading this book night before last, and I already cannot point out anything specific about the book that comes to mind without having to open the book and refresh my memory. A book should not be that way.
The collection cannot stand on its own, and if you choose to skip out on reading it, I really do not feel like you would be missing out on too much. If, however, you choose to read this collection, you will find one or two stories that shine, but the rest of the book is a bit of a hit or miss.
That being said, this collection is, for the most part, completely forgettable. I finished re-reading this book night before last, and I already cannot point out anything specific about the book that comes to mind without having to open the book and refresh my memory. A book should not be that way.
The collection cannot stand on its own, and if you choose to skip out on reading it, I really do not feel like you would be missing out on too much. If, however, you choose to read this collection, you will find one or two stories that shine, but the rest of the book is a bit of a hit or miss.
March 25, 2010
Wow. I have even less memories of these stories than I do for "The Cataclysm".
Interestingly enough, both of the ones I remember in detail, and liked, were gnome stories, another race that doesn't seem to bother me nearly as much as it does everyone else: "War Machines" is one of those stories that I kept thinking would work really well as a comic book, or at least an illustrated story. And "Clockwork Hero" had a happily-ever-after ending that I wasn't expecting, which is always nice.
The rest? Huh. Nothing's coming back.
Interestingly enough, both of the ones I remember in detail, and liked, were gnome stories, another race that doesn't seem to bother me nearly as much as it does everyone else: "War Machines" is one of those stories that I kept thinking would work really well as a comic book, or at least an illustrated story. And "Clockwork Hero" had a happily-ever-after ending that I wasn't expecting, which is always nice.
The rest? Huh. Nothing's coming back.
February 17, 2016
I loved reading once again about the heroes of the war of the lance, they seem like old friends by now and the beautiful golden, silver and bronze dragons for good are so awesome!! and the story that was never to be told by tas my very favourite character was of course told and had me in stitches at times, such a lovable character, miss him when he is not figuring in the later books!!
May 24, 2008
I was not impressed by this series of short stories from the world of Dragonlance, although their might be one redeeming tale the rest make it not worth the value to buy. If you want to read them try your local library.
October 17, 2014
There's a single short story in this collection that was so good I read the ending out loud to my parents when I went through it (umpteen years ago). Like all anthologies, some hit and miss, but if I can take away one gem then it's a successful anthology in my opinion.
February 8, 2022
As with probably all the Dragonlance books, I thoroughly enjoyed this addition to the series. This isn't like the main entries as it is a collection of short stories but that doesn't take away the value of these tales.
July 28, 2012
One of those books that it completly slip my mind. I can't remember the stories but I remember adding nothing to my knowledge of the world.
October 11, 2012
See book 1 review
November 1, 2013
This book has been great fun exactly what I had hoped for. Entertaining stories some heroic and some hilarious. It kept my mind off the exercise on many a morning run
December 27, 2013
Very good; great stories.
February 19, 2019
Some good tie in short stories of the Dragonlance world. Not a must read, but a decent read.
October 12, 2025
La mayoria de las historias poco tienen que ver con la guerra de la lanza realmente. La mejor es la que explica la campaña militar y de como derrotaron a los ejercitos de la reina de la oscuridad.
Displaying 1 - 26 of 26 reviews