As far as fantasy goes, I became a real fan with Dragonlance, specifically those authored by Margaret Weis and Tracy Hickman. Those books are forever and ever and evermore - this is my inner teenage speak! - the benchmark for all my fantasy reading. Which is not saying very much, or setting very high expectations when the minimum standard is pulp. I am certainly a slightly more discerning reader now, having read better works, but when it comes to feelings of nostalgia, no other fantasy series * have a better claim on mine.
More succinctly, Raistlin Chronicles #1 - The Soulforge is recommended for fans. For everyone else, this is probably a 2-star rating for mediocre writing, too much tell, and very little sentimental significance. Those who have enjoyed Chronicles* and Legends* will appreciate the beginnings of young Raistlin Majere in The Soulforge, and the precursors for his life’s dark path. Fundamental to the salvation of Raistlin’s soul is his lifelong friendships and how they come to be forged. The Companions, all of whom are featured here with the Majere twins - squabbles, comedy, adventures and all - to the pleasure of my memory.
Honestly, I was a tad disappointed to glean very little new information that was not already choice morsels in other Dragonlance books. Sure, there are biographical tidbits to be had like Raistlin's aversion to a certain herb and his adolescent crush but his internal development is static. Raistlin just becomes a more concentrated version of himself later. Already familiar to fans are his bouts of self-doubts and ambition, bitterness and cunning but by and large, older Raistlin in the future is rather like young Raistlin in the past… ooh, maybe? Never mind. The story is just not that clever, but there is a twisty bit at the end that was unexpected.
I had fun, and fun can forgive much. On to Raistlin Chronicles #2 - Brothers in Arms.
[* Dragonlance: Chronicles: Dragons of Autumn Twilight #1, Dragons of Winter Night #2, Dragons of Spring Dawning #3 & Dragonlance: Legends: Time of the Twins #1, War of the Twins #2, Test of the Twins #3.]