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Dragonlance: Meetings Sextet #1
Kindred Spirits
an alternate cover edition can be found here
Magic and Murder
When Flint Fireforge, dwarf and metalsmith, receives a wondrous summons from the Speaker of the Sun, he journeys to the fabled elven city of Qualinost. There he meets Tanis, a thoughtful youth born of a tragic union between elf and man. Tanis and Flint, each a misfit in his own way, find themselves unlikely friends.
But a pompous elf lord is mysteriously slain, and another elf soon meets the same fate. Tanis stands accused, and if his innocence cannot be proven, the half-elf will be banished forever. Solving the mystery will be a perilous task. Time is on the murder's side, and he is not finished yet.
Magic and Murder
When Flint Fireforge, dwarf and metalsmith, receives a wondrous summons from the Speaker of the Sun, he journeys to the fabled elven city of Qualinost. There he meets Tanis, a thoughtful youth born of a tragic union between elf and man. Tanis and Flint, each a misfit in his own way, find themselves unlikely friends.
But a pompous elf lord is mysteriously slain, and another elf soon meets the same fate. Tanis stands accused, and if his innocence cannot be proven, the half-elf will be banished forever. Solving the mystery will be a perilous task. Time is on the murder's side, and he is not finished yet.
310 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published April 1, 1991
51 people are currently reading
3521 people want to read
About the author
Mark Anthony
43 books190 followersLibrarian Note: There is more than one author in the GoodReads database with this name.
Mark Anthony learned to love both books and mountains during childhood summers spent in a Colorado ghost town.
Later he was trained as a paleoanthropologist but along the way grew interested in a different sort of human evolution—the symbolic progress reflected in myth and the literature of the fantastic. He undertook Beyond the Pale to explore the idea that reason and wonder need not exist in conflict.
Mark Anthony lives and writes in Colorado, where he is currently at work on his next writing project.
Also writes under Galen Beckett.
Mark Anthony learned to love both books and mountains during childhood summers spent in a Colorado ghost town.
Later he was trained as a paleoanthropologist but along the way grew interested in a different sort of human evolution—the symbolic progress reflected in myth and the literature of the fantastic. He undertook Beyond the Pale to explore the idea that reason and wonder need not exist in conflict.
Mark Anthony lives and writes in Colorado, where he is currently at work on his next writing project.
Also writes under Galen Beckett.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 81 reviews
July 11, 2023
Flint, Tanis, Laurana and a nice old lady hang out in the elven capital of Qualinost where nothing ever goes wrong...
...until it does.
Sadly no images of Fleetfoot the romantic mule were available at time of publication
This was a very average prequel that provides a little more "screen time" for some beloved characters while never really exploring any of the more intriguing story threads introduced. How did the Graystone factor into to everything, for example? One feels it was being led up to but the payoff never arrived in this book and I'm not certain it will in any of the others.
Yes, this book features Tanis in his pre-Chuck Norris era.
...until it does.
Sadly no images of Fleetfoot the romantic mule were available at time of publication
This was a very average prequel that provides a little more "screen time" for some beloved characters while never really exploring any of the more intriguing story threads introduced. How did the Graystone factor into to everything, for example? One feels it was being led up to but the payoff never arrived in this book and I'm not certain it will in any of the others.
Yes, this book features Tanis in his pre-Chuck Norris era.
March 11, 2015
This is a Dragonlance book. This takes place before the original trilogy. Flint is invited to the elven homeland and meets Tanis for the first time. Tanis is half elf and half human and is not accepted by his peers. Flint becomes a mentor to Tanis and when Tanis gets into trouble, Flint comes to his rescue.
I would describe this book as a mystery book set in a fantasy setting. The first part of the book details Tanis' life and Flint being an outsider in the elven kingdom. I really enjoyed the first half of the book as it played on my nostalgia. Fans of the original trilogy will enjoy the first part and people who haven't read the original trilogy will not be lost but will be missing some enjoyment. The second part of the book deals with the mystery and this part lowered my rating to three stars. During this part it felt like the storyline was going nowhere and I had no real connection to the mystery. When the truth was revealed it made sense as hints were dropped throughout the novel and I had one of those "Oh yeah!" moments.
If you are looking for a fantasy book with countless battles or epic journeys this isn't that book. This book is more of a person finding himself in the middle of a mystery novel.
I would describe this book as a mystery book set in a fantasy setting. The first part of the book details Tanis' life and Flint being an outsider in the elven kingdom. I really enjoyed the first half of the book as it played on my nostalgia. Fans of the original trilogy will enjoy the first part and people who haven't read the original trilogy will not be lost but will be missing some enjoyment. The second part of the book deals with the mystery and this part lowered my rating to three stars. During this part it felt like the storyline was going nowhere and I had no real connection to the mystery. When the truth was revealed it made sense as hints were dropped throughout the novel and I had one of those "Oh yeah!" moments.
If you are looking for a fantasy book with countless battles or epic journeys this isn't that book. This book is more of a person finding himself in the middle of a mystery novel.
August 22, 2017
I loooove this! FINALLY, A Dragonlance book that I like! I haven't liked any of them until now! (Wait, why are the ratings on this book so mixed...?)
...I really thought the book was good. The characters were well written, the murder mystery plot was cool... It didn't bore me with over described details about the world or the characters, didn't drag on as long as other books, and pretty much told what it needed to. ...for the most part.
It was a fun read. :)
...I really thought the book was good. The characters were well written, the murder mystery plot was cool... It didn't bore me with over described details about the world or the characters, didn't drag on as long as other books, and pretty much told what it needed to. ...for the most part.
It was a fun read. :)
February 2, 2022
In my painfully slow progress through the remaining DragonLance books in my personal library, I finally got to this prequel novel, and with determination I trudged through it. This book had a hard time keeping my interest, unfortunately. The beloved main characters, Tanis and Flint, later heroes of the Lance, take center stage in a slow paced, waiting for something significant to happen, and barely captivating story about elf royalty and bigotry.
The novel has some redeeming points: showing how Flint and Tanis became friends, filling in some elf kingdom history, introducing a few new endearing characters, but for the most part I was expecting something that I didn’t get. Maybe I’ve aged out of DragonLance. I read the originals as a teenager. Here I am 48 and stubbornly still reading them, one every few years, until my collection is all read and boxed up.
Prequels are hard to pull off, I think. They are boxed in by the books the precede. But I can compare this to Riverwind, The Plainsman, which I absolutely loved even as an adult, and which had my emotions grabbed and twisted. This one didn’t grab me.
I’ve come to expect from a DragonLance installment certain things. Fantastical creatures, impassioned characters, great action scenes, magic, sword play, and meddling “gods.” This one had some of those elements, but not enough for why I keep reading them. I kept saying out loud, “When is something going to happen?”
Perhaps I’m not giving it a fair shake and I certainly don’t mean to ruin the authors’ mood with this review. I definitely saw shades of detailed and intricate wordsmithery that any novelist should aspire to utilize. There was mystery and intrigue. There were truly good and empathetic characters. There were some clever Easter eggs knowing what happens to the main characters in their future. It just didn’t quite click for me.
I have a few more DL books in my collection. Not sure when I’ll get to the next one. Am I better off for having read this one? Yes. Would I recommend it as a must read for DragonLance fans? Hmmm. Probably not. But I still have that sense of accomplishment of having added another DL novel to my Finished pile.
The novel has some redeeming points: showing how Flint and Tanis became friends, filling in some elf kingdom history, introducing a few new endearing characters, but for the most part I was expecting something that I didn’t get. Maybe I’ve aged out of DragonLance. I read the originals as a teenager. Here I am 48 and stubbornly still reading them, one every few years, until my collection is all read and boxed up.
Prequels are hard to pull off, I think. They are boxed in by the books the precede. But I can compare this to Riverwind, The Plainsman, which I absolutely loved even as an adult, and which had my emotions grabbed and twisted. This one didn’t grab me.
I’ve come to expect from a DragonLance installment certain things. Fantastical creatures, impassioned characters, great action scenes, magic, sword play, and meddling “gods.” This one had some of those elements, but not enough for why I keep reading them. I kept saying out loud, “When is something going to happen?”
Perhaps I’m not giving it a fair shake and I certainly don’t mean to ruin the authors’ mood with this review. I definitely saw shades of detailed and intricate wordsmithery that any novelist should aspire to utilize. There was mystery and intrigue. There were truly good and empathetic characters. There were some clever Easter eggs knowing what happens to the main characters in their future. It just didn’t quite click for me.
I have a few more DL books in my collection. Not sure when I’ll get to the next one. Am I better off for having read this one? Yes. Would I recommend it as a must read for DragonLance fans? Hmmm. Probably not. But I still have that sense of accomplishment of having added another DL novel to my Finished pile.
September 10, 2023
It’s ok. It’s fun to read some of these old books that fill in character backgrounds. A quick read with a elementary plot and minor characters that really don’t leave that much of an impression. That’s ok, I knew when I was going into the book I would find myself thinking that way.
October 21, 2017
I remember days of reading sophisticated biographies, "literature," poetry, not so long ago. But recently it's been the fantasy novel that has captured my time, and held it hostage. Even these cheap paperbacks that Goodwill practically pays you to take away... Some of them are actually not terrible!
So enough talk about cheap paperbacks and how they're mediocre bait for D and D nerds! Enough talk about how they're a waste of time and a diversion from the real meat of literature and life! Enough talk about enjoying them with a slight twinge of sheepish shame! This was a fairly good book!
Kindred Spirits is written better than most books of its genre, and the characters and setting are decent, buyable. The plot gathers itself very slowly, and once it actually kicks in (halfway through the book), it proceeds in a rather formulaic way--a murder mystery, of all things--until the very end. It is quite well written, however, and succeeds in capturing the imagination.
Well, perhaps the book is a bit boring after all, but I did look forward each time to returning to its pages, and it held my interest. I plowed through it in a mere five days or so, despite being quite busy with other things.
Altogether, I say "Bravo" nonetheless. A book worth reading, if you're into the cheap paperback fantasy schtick. Good enough, good enough!
So enough talk about cheap paperbacks and how they're mediocre bait for D and D nerds! Enough talk about how they're a waste of time and a diversion from the real meat of literature and life! Enough talk about enjoying them with a slight twinge of sheepish shame! This was a fairly good book!
Kindred Spirits is written better than most books of its genre, and the characters and setting are decent, buyable. The plot gathers itself very slowly, and once it actually kicks in (halfway through the book), it proceeds in a rather formulaic way--a murder mystery, of all things--until the very end. It is quite well written, however, and succeeds in capturing the imagination.
Well, perhaps the book is a bit boring after all, but I did look forward each time to returning to its pages, and it held my interest. I plowed through it in a mere five days or so, despite being quite busy with other things.
Altogether, I say "Bravo" nonetheless. A book worth reading, if you're into the cheap paperback fantasy schtick. Good enough, good enough!
April 19, 2018
I'll admit I had never even heard of the Dragonlance series. On a lark because I love dragons,my sister bought me this at a library book sale. Now I must read them all. It will be my own little quest.
When I start reading books that I'm unsure of I give it about 12 pages to hook me. Show me that I care about the characters. I was hooked on page one.
There are a lot of characters in this story. I have to assume it was to hide who the murderer was. I kinda guessed all along. I did not guess however the wallop of a surprise that comes with that.
I adore Tanis, Flint, Fleetfoot, Laurana and Aliea. Every scene with two of them in it twinkled. There is just so much chemistry. Not just romantic but pure friendship.
Also I admit I looked up the synopsis of the rest of the series to see if Laurana and Tanis end up together. That did not help. I have to assume that eventually they do. That ring can't amount to nothing.
I'll probably never get over the sad death in the story. I cried so much and punched the book a few times. That really is a sign that I loved this book. A beloved character died and I still gave it 5 stars.
When I start reading books that I'm unsure of I give it about 12 pages to hook me. Show me that I care about the characters. I was hooked on page one.
There are a lot of characters in this story. I have to assume it was to hide who the murderer was. I kinda guessed all along. I did not guess however the wallop of a surprise that comes with that.
I adore Tanis, Flint, Fleetfoot, Laurana and Aliea. Every scene with two of them in it twinkled. There is just so much chemistry. Not just romantic but pure friendship.
Also I admit I looked up the synopsis of the rest of the series to see if Laurana and Tanis end up together. That did not help. I have to assume that eventually they do. That ring can't amount to nothing.
I'll probably never get over the sad death in the story. I cried so much and punched the book a few times. That really is a sign that I loved this book. A beloved character died and I still gave it 5 stars.
November 12, 2020
Fun fantasy whodunnit starring some of my favorite Dragonlance characters. Great for those who like fantasy and mystery. I had the general idea of what was going on about halfway through, but not the details. Feel like I want to read it over again and see if there were clues I missed. If you like Dragonlance, but aren't sure which of the many books you want to spend your time on, I recommend this one.
November 11, 2011
This was one of my first "Dragonlance" books, back when i was 12 or something. The descriptions on the book made me fell in love with the world of elves and that side of Krynn it showed me.
That being said, a while later i re-read it and was not so impressed...
Never the less this has high marks because it dorve me to keep reading. In it's time, i loved it.
That being said, a while later i re-read it and was not so impressed...
Never the less this has high marks because it dorve me to keep reading. In it's time, i loved it.
December 22, 2017
A guilty pleasure. This is not Tolkien, but should work fine for a child
April 17, 2024
Unlike R. A. Salvatore's Drizzt Do'urden books or The Lord of the Rings, Dragonlance is a series where every book is a self-contained adventure or short stories. You are picking a book with either new characters old and only the knowledge of historical events or characters in other books could help you navigate where the story takes place.
This book is probably one of the better ones for its great characterization, notable but infuriating thematic elements, and a fairly solid plot twist. It started out as a starting adventure that, to be honest, was a little boring for a while, but then turns into a mystery with a killer amidst an Elven community.
For anyone who wants any perspective, this book takes place before "Dragons of Autumn Twilight," and introduces the background to the friendship between the half-elf, Tanis, and the dwarf, Flint, and the circumstances behind the Tanis' banishment in that book. I look forward to finding how the two came to form their adventuring party.
This book is probably one of the better ones for its great characterization, notable but infuriating thematic elements, and a fairly solid plot twist. It started out as a starting adventure that, to be honest, was a little boring for a while, but then turns into a mystery with a killer amidst an Elven community.
For anyone who wants any perspective, this book takes place before "Dragons of Autumn Twilight," and introduces the background to the friendship between the half-elf, Tanis, and the dwarf, Flint, and the circumstances behind the Tanis' banishment in that book. I look forward to finding how the two came to form their adventuring party.
June 2, 2024
I am a big fan of the Dragonlance books, but this book was... Uhm... Boring.
It seemed as they have spun out a 100 page story to a 300 page one.
Flint and Tanis meeting eachother for the first time in this book. Half elf Tanis is not very loved amongst the elves and Flint, as outsider, understands that.
When Tanis gets a murder shoven in his shoes, things get complicated.
The lack of action, humor and speed in this book, makes it a struggle to read.
Sure it has some highlights, bur that doesn't save the book.
It seemed as they have spun out a 100 page story to a 300 page one.
Flint and Tanis meeting eachother for the first time in this book. Half elf Tanis is not very loved amongst the elves and Flint, as outsider, understands that.
When Tanis gets a murder shoven in his shoes, things get complicated.
The lack of action, humor and speed in this book, makes it a struggle to read.
Sure it has some highlights, bur that doesn't save the book.
February 8, 2022
Originally reviewed on Cyn's Workshop
Kindred Spirits takes readers and fans of the critically acclaimed Dragonlance Chronicles series to the beginning and shows us how Tanis Half-Elven and Flint Fireforge.
Amazing
Thanks to my mom, I have always been a tremendous man of Dragonlance. I can’t remember exactly how old I was when she first gave me Dragonlance Chronicles when it was adapted for young readers. After that, I was in love.
You would have thought I would have read all the Dragonlance books by now, but there are a few that I haven’t. Kindred Spirits is one of them. Honestly, I don’t know why it took me so long to read this novel; I think part of my hesitation is that I didn’t want to touch it because it is a first edition copy from 1991. It is in excellent condition but should something happen to it, I am positive my mother will kill me.
But thankfully, it was adapted into an audiobook that I was able to listen to with great pleasure.
Authors Mark Anthony and Ellen Porath did an incredible job presenting readers with a beautiful origin story of how these two met. Tanis Half-Elven has always been the outsider looking in on his people. Born of a tragic union between a human and an elf, he has often been the victim of ridicule, treated as an outsider among the elves, including those who would consider him family.
Anyone who has ever read Dragons of Autumn Twilight knows that he has often struggled to find his place. His place has always been with his friends, loved ones who respect him and love him above all else, most of them anyway. Fans know whom I am talking about.
But to see where it all came from gives new depth to the relationship between Flint and Tanis. The story is told through Flint’s perspective, an old dwarf who longed to see the Elven Kingdom of Qualinesti. When his craftsmanship catches the eye of the Speaker of the Sun, he is brought to the city of Qualinost.
In Qualinost, he meets Tanis first as a child, then continues to watch him become a strong, formidable, considerate, empathetic, and honorable young man. These traits are important because they make Tanis an incredible leader. The authors captured the heart of the character in such a brilliant. Tanis has always been a remarkable character because he has always felt out of place, and until the War of the Lance, he always felt as though he had to choose to be human or be elven. As Porthios says often enough, he’s both but neither.
Anytime I see a character straddle two worlds, it makes me think of how relatable that pain he is going through is so anyone who is part of two different cultures. And in Kindred Spirits, we as readers see just how poorly he is treated by the elves and their prejudices and racism. Of course, they think they’re better than everyone, but I think they are on equal footing to every other race.
Flint’s perspective highlights that. As a Dwarf, he is thought to be lesser-than, but he has a calm reserve. It makes him wise, and he is. As a wise man, he shrugs off those prejudices and instead uses his role as friend to the Speaker of the Sun to fight for his voice and Tanis’s voice to be heard. He constantly shows the reader and Tanis how wrong the elves are to believe they are better than everyone else.
Final Thoughts
Is this even a review anymore? I feel I have to stop now, but there were many good things about Kindred Spirits. Anthony and Porath did a fantastic job capturing the love between these two friends. There are also so many nods and references to events in the Chronicles trilogy that makes the reader appreciate the level of detail that went into the storytelling.
And while the storytelling captures the passage of time wonderfully and thoughtfully, the best part here is the characterization. These authors understood Tanis and Flint and the depths of their relationship established in Chronicles. They lace in the humor, the heart, and beauty of their friendship that will warm the heart of any reader out there, new fan or old.
See more reviews at Cyn's Workshop and follow me on Facebook | Instagram | Twitter | Tumblr | Spotify Podcast | YouTube | BookBub | Goodreads+ | LinkedIn
Kindred Spirits takes readers and fans of the critically acclaimed Dragonlance Chronicles series to the beginning and shows us how Tanis Half-Elven and Flint Fireforge.
Amazing
Thanks to my mom, I have always been a tremendous man of Dragonlance. I can’t remember exactly how old I was when she first gave me Dragonlance Chronicles when it was adapted for young readers. After that, I was in love.
You would have thought I would have read all the Dragonlance books by now, but there are a few that I haven’t. Kindred Spirits is one of them. Honestly, I don’t know why it took me so long to read this novel; I think part of my hesitation is that I didn’t want to touch it because it is a first edition copy from 1991. It is in excellent condition but should something happen to it, I am positive my mother will kill me.
But thankfully, it was adapted into an audiobook that I was able to listen to with great pleasure.
Authors Mark Anthony and Ellen Porath did an incredible job presenting readers with a beautiful origin story of how these two met. Tanis Half-Elven has always been the outsider looking in on his people. Born of a tragic union between a human and an elf, he has often been the victim of ridicule, treated as an outsider among the elves, including those who would consider him family.
Anyone who has ever read Dragons of Autumn Twilight knows that he has often struggled to find his place. His place has always been with his friends, loved ones who respect him and love him above all else, most of them anyway. Fans know whom I am talking about.
But to see where it all came from gives new depth to the relationship between Flint and Tanis. The story is told through Flint’s perspective, an old dwarf who longed to see the Elven Kingdom of Qualinesti. When his craftsmanship catches the eye of the Speaker of the Sun, he is brought to the city of Qualinost.
In Qualinost, he meets Tanis first as a child, then continues to watch him become a strong, formidable, considerate, empathetic, and honorable young man. These traits are important because they make Tanis an incredible leader. The authors captured the heart of the character in such a brilliant. Tanis has always been a remarkable character because he has always felt out of place, and until the War of the Lance, he always felt as though he had to choose to be human or be elven. As Porthios says often enough, he’s both but neither.
Anytime I see a character straddle two worlds, it makes me think of how relatable that pain he is going through is so anyone who is part of two different cultures. And in Kindred Spirits, we as readers see just how poorly he is treated by the elves and their prejudices and racism. Of course, they think they’re better than everyone, but I think they are on equal footing to every other race.
Flint’s perspective highlights that. As a Dwarf, he is thought to be lesser-than, but he has a calm reserve. It makes him wise, and he is. As a wise man, he shrugs off those prejudices and instead uses his role as friend to the Speaker of the Sun to fight for his voice and Tanis’s voice to be heard. He constantly shows the reader and Tanis how wrong the elves are to believe they are better than everyone else.
Final Thoughts
Is this even a review anymore? I feel I have to stop now, but there were many good things about Kindred Spirits. Anthony and Porath did a fantastic job capturing the love between these two friends. There are also so many nods and references to events in the Chronicles trilogy that makes the reader appreciate the level of detail that went into the storytelling.
And while the storytelling captures the passage of time wonderfully and thoughtfully, the best part here is the characterization. These authors understood Tanis and Flint and the depths of their relationship established in Chronicles. They lace in the humor, the heart, and beauty of their friendship that will warm the heart of any reader out there, new fan or old.
See more reviews at Cyn's Workshop and follow me on Facebook | Instagram | Twitter | Tumblr | Spotify Podcast | YouTube | BookBub | Goodreads+ | LinkedIn
June 30, 2024
Wie lernen sich eigentlich Flint und Tanis kennen? Die Antwort steckt im vorliegenden ersten Band des Meetings Sextett. Und ich muss sagen, mir hat das Buch gut gefallen. Manches ist vielleicht etwas zu dick aufgetragen (Solostarans Verrehrung von Flints Arbeiten, Lauranas Naivität) und manche Nebencharaktete wirken etwas blass (Portios, Gilthanas). Aber das sind kleine Mängel in meinen Augen.
Qualinesti und vor allem die Stadt Qualinost sind gut beschrieben. Und das Autorengespann nimmt sich die Zeit, die einzelnen Figuren darin zu platzieren. Tanis und Flint gewinnen hier sehr an Tiefe. Der auf dem Buchrücken angekündigte Kriminalfall um Mord und Verschwörung beginnt erst ca. ab der Mitte des Buches. Dabei wird vielleicht auch wieder etwas dick aufgetragen, ist aber spannend und gut zu lesen.
Hat Spaß gemacht über das erste große Abenteuer von Flint und Tanis zu lesen.
Qualinesti und vor allem die Stadt Qualinost sind gut beschrieben. Und das Autorengespann nimmt sich die Zeit, die einzelnen Figuren darin zu platzieren. Tanis und Flint gewinnen hier sehr an Tiefe. Der auf dem Buchrücken angekündigte Kriminalfall um Mord und Verschwörung beginnt erst ca. ab der Mitte des Buches. Dabei wird vielleicht auch wieder etwas dick aufgetragen, ist aber spannend und gut zu lesen.
Hat Spaß gemacht über das erste große Abenteuer von Flint und Tanis zu lesen.
January 20, 2022
Four Stars, that is, in Dragonlance money. This is very much a young adult fantasy adventure that's ultimately hampered by its own trappings and is most disappointing in that, in needing to be short and light, the conclusion we've been building up to wraps in 20 pages flat, the epilogue just nods at further adventures to come rather than really tying things up.
But up to then there's a surprising amount of subtlety and as the first 100 pages flew by I realised that we were actually getting to know the background of the two characters, Flint and Tanis in a suprisingly detailed manner; adventure took a back seat and introspection on why Flint spent so much time in Qualinost and bitter emotional disputes between Tanis and his brothers came to the fore. In the second third the scope of the story expanded nicely to as the characters hunt for a monster plaguing the lands, but again, the adventure is more a macguffin and the book never stops feeling like a "prelude" in a good way, and after the rather slapdash grandiose "Preludes" series, this was welcome indeed and much needed.
Everything does wrap well for the finale, though, and that's why i'm still going with 4 stars. The conclusion when it comes may be brief, but one realises that Anthony is a great crafter of narrative since he's been slipping in incidents and ideas throughout the story which not only pertain to the character's development but also create the ending twist/scenario in a satisfying way. The book never quite turns into a full fledged murder mystery - something I would like to see in the Dragonlance Universe but probably never will - but the style shifts towards it, and the ultimate reveal is ... perfect for a Young Adult reader although most keen older readers would probably work it out.
One of the stronger non-core Dragonlance books to this point. Though there have been a fair few good'uns. Hopefully the following meetings will be every bit as compelling.
But up to then there's a surprising amount of subtlety and as the first 100 pages flew by I realised that we were actually getting to know the background of the two characters, Flint and Tanis in a suprisingly detailed manner; adventure took a back seat and introspection on why Flint spent so much time in Qualinost and bitter emotional disputes between Tanis and his brothers came to the fore. In the second third the scope of the story expanded nicely to as the characters hunt for a monster plaguing the lands, but again, the adventure is more a macguffin and the book never stops feeling like a "prelude" in a good way, and after the rather slapdash grandiose "Preludes" series, this was welcome indeed and much needed.
Everything does wrap well for the finale, though, and that's why i'm still going with 4 stars. The conclusion when it comes may be brief, but one realises that Anthony is a great crafter of narrative since he's been slipping in incidents and ideas throughout the story which not only pertain to the character's development but also create the ending twist/scenario in a satisfying way. The book never quite turns into a full fledged murder mystery - something I would like to see in the Dragonlance Universe but probably never will - but the style shifts towards it, and the ultimate reveal is ... perfect for a Young Adult reader although most keen older readers would probably work it out.
One of the stronger non-core Dragonlance books to this point. Though there have been a fair few good'uns. Hopefully the following meetings will be every bit as compelling.
February 11, 2014
This is the first book in the Meetings Sextet and occurs prior to Dragons of Autumn Twilight. Flint Fireforge happily settled in the elven land of Qualinost - who would ever believe this? He meets the young half-elf Tanis, and this is where their life-long friendship begins. This is also the start of the collaborative work of the companions of the Chronicles series, and tells part of the story of Flint and Tanis' younger years. I would recommend this book to anyone who really enjoyed the main characters in the Chronicles. The story shares some insights into these two notorious characters.
June 24, 2016
Taking into account that these books are written for young adults, I gave this a reread. This is a mystery novel set in a fantasy world, and it occurs before the original series of books.
To me, this was no where as good as the original series, and I spent more time stumbling over the writing than I spent enjoying the book. Many times while I was reading, I found myself stopping because the authors either did not know the characters they were writing or they could not get a grasp on the language needed for the story. Many times, I felt like I was reading "slang English" instead of the language style needed for this book.
To me, this was no where as good as the original series, and I spent more time stumbling over the writing than I spent enjoying the book. Many times while I was reading, I found myself stopping because the authors either did not know the characters they were writing or they could not get a grasp on the language needed for the story. Many times, I felt like I was reading "slang English" instead of the language style needed for this book.
February 17, 2022
As a Dragonlance fan since childhood, it was a pleasure reading about how two of the main characters (Tanis and Flint) met. This is an enjoyable story and worth reading if you are a fan of the series, though there were a few errors: the authors made a mistake and once mentioned gold as currency (Dragonlance uses steel), and they also had Flint use a hammer for part of the story to facilitate it, though he never uses a hammer in any of the others (as far as I've read anyway). Then there is the use of the Grey gem in the story, which was retconed out by MW & TH in the main stories. Those points aside, still an enjoyable read.
June 27, 2022
For a dragonlance book its great. Ill be honest tho, Tanis is still a lame whiny character for me. Flint was the star in this book. Fleetfoot and Flint have the best love story in the entire series. Totally unexpected to see Fleetfoot and Flint’s origin story. But overall i liked it alot. Mild complaints, mainly Tanis being an idiot. The bad guy was pretty decent but i figured it out probably halfway through the book which tends to bring me out of the book a bit. And his motivations are mainly just like, “bah it made sense to him”.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
August 16, 2015
Hacía mucho tiempo que no leía un libro de Dragonlance, he vuelto a leer este libro principalmente para leerlo con mis hijos. Ha sido muy bonito descubrir los inicios de la amistad entre Tanis y Flint y pasear de la mano de los autores por Qualinost, un libro muy entretenido que me ha dejado con ganas de volver al mundo de Krynn.
June 25, 2017
Nada que ver tienen las sagas secundarias con la historia principal.
Conservan los nombres de los personajes, pero no tienen nada más en común con ellos.
Se desdibujan sus perfiles y las tramas de las historias son intrascendentes, superfluas y carentes de la intensidad que les imprimen Weiss y Hickman.
Lo dicho, nada que ver...
Conservan los nombres de los personajes, pero no tienen nada más en común con ellos.
Se desdibujan sus perfiles y las tramas de las historias son intrascendentes, superfluas y carentes de la intensidad que les imprimen Weiss y Hickman.
Lo dicho, nada que ver...
March 8, 2020
It was incredibly nice to get back into my favorite universe. I loved seeing Flint at his prime, and a few of the lines that were tossed out made me clutch at my heart. I feel like the creeping sense of doom in the back was done well, though the ending felt rather abrupt. All in all a fast-paced and well done entry.
August 8, 2011
Oddly enough, Tanis and Flint are two of my least favorite characters of the Dragonlance Saga, so this volume of the Meetings Sextet just didn't grab me. Couple that with an author who is not Weis or Hickman and I found this just so-so and with no desire to reread it.
July 14, 2017
Reading the Dragonlance series, somewhat out of order, it was good to get some backstory for characters like Tanis and Flint. It was not just the history that kept me reading, it was the tale, as well. A good little murder mystery in itself.
December 31, 2018
Picked up 32 dragonLance books for about £20 and thought I'd start with this one, enjoyed it and will look forward to reading the rest over the course of the next few years, all in all a fine start to getting to finally read the Holy six which were also included in my charity haul😃👍
February 22, 2018
The story meanders a bit and contradicts Canon a bit, but overall it's a good addition to the Dragonlance expanded universe.
April 23, 2021
Por la amistad
La sinopsis no le hace justicia al libro. Al leerla podemos pensar que este es más que nada un misterio a través del cual Flint y Tanis construyen su amistad, pero no es así.
Flint es un gran maestro herrero y artesano que vive tranquilamente en Solace. Un buen día, debido a la fama de sus bellos trabajos es convocado por Solostaran, el Orador de los Soles, para ir a Qualinesti una temporada y ejercer su oficio para beneficio de los elfos.
A pesar de ser un enano gruñón de mediana edad, Flint Fireforge disfruta de tallar juguetes de madera y regalarlos a los niños. Uno de los chiquillos que sobresale (por ser un poco mayor y diferente a los demás) es Tanis, el semielfo, que precisamente por esa razón -ser solamente medio elfo- es rechazado por ciertos elementos en la ciudad.
A lo largo de veinte años Flint vuelve cada primavera a Qualinost para trabajar y desenvuelve una amistad especial con el Orador de los Soles, el cual le abre no sólo las puertas de la ciudad sino de su casa, muy a pesar de tales elementos opuestos al contacto con fuereños. Esta circunstancia viene a tener un papel fundamental en la vida de nuestros amigos, los cuales se van volviendo cada vez más cercanos y más parecidos en sus diferencias.
Su relativa paz se ve opacada por conspiraciones de poder que resultan en ciertas muertes sospechosas en las que Tanis se ve envuelto y que los pondrán a prueba.
Lo mejor en esta historia es que conocemos la historia del origen de unos de nuestros personajes favoritos de la saga de la Dragonlance, desde su nacimiento hasta el momento que van a vivir juntos en Solace, a partir de lo cual se desarrollan las novelas principales de la serie.
La sinopsis no le hace justicia al libro. Al leerla podemos pensar que este es más que nada un misterio a través del cual Flint y Tanis construyen su amistad, pero no es así.
Flint es un gran maestro herrero y artesano que vive tranquilamente en Solace. Un buen día, debido a la fama de sus bellos trabajos es convocado por Solostaran, el Orador de los Soles, para ir a Qualinesti una temporada y ejercer su oficio para beneficio de los elfos.
A pesar de ser un enano gruñón de mediana edad, Flint Fireforge disfruta de tallar juguetes de madera y regalarlos a los niños. Uno de los chiquillos que sobresale (por ser un poco mayor y diferente a los demás) es Tanis, el semielfo, que precisamente por esa razón -ser solamente medio elfo- es rechazado por ciertos elementos en la ciudad.
A lo largo de veinte años Flint vuelve cada primavera a Qualinost para trabajar y desenvuelve una amistad especial con el Orador de los Soles, el cual le abre no sólo las puertas de la ciudad sino de su casa, muy a pesar de tales elementos opuestos al contacto con fuereños. Esta circunstancia viene a tener un papel fundamental en la vida de nuestros amigos, los cuales se van volviendo cada vez más cercanos y más parecidos en sus diferencias.
Su relativa paz se ve opacada por conspiraciones de poder que resultan en ciertas muertes sospechosas en las que Tanis se ve envuelto y que los pondrán a prueba.
Lo mejor en esta historia es que conocemos la historia del origen de unos de nuestros personajes favoritos de la saga de la Dragonlance, desde su nacimiento hasta el momento que van a vivir juntos en Solace, a partir de lo cual se desarrollan las novelas principales de la serie.
February 12, 2024
3 1/2 stars. I enjoyed it, but when writing a prequel there is little point in , so why make it a central plot point? Still, watching Flint and Tanis's relationship blossom was enjoyable. I was a little creeped out by , but maybe I'm just being overly sensitive.
October 6, 2024
The only slight I really have against this book is that there isn't a proper ending. We get a climax, it's resolved and then we get a "three weeks later" epilogue and don't really see the road between the two.
But this is a very fun book, arguably the best starting point for Dragonlance (probably a better place in the narrative compared to the original trilogy but too small a scope if you're after that epic story) and I definitely recommend it.
But this is a very fun book, arguably the best starting point for Dragonlance (probably a better place in the narrative compared to the original trilogy but too small a scope if you're after that epic story) and I definitely recommend it.
December 16, 2024
That was a surprisingly good book, considering the first thing they did was try to retcon the previous one, although that one sucked, so that's probably for the better
But the character who carried the story wasn't the main boy Tanis, who was just a sad teenager for most of the book. No, Flint was the most likeable character, thanks to this colorful personality and his interactions with the people around him; he's just great fun as a character and I hope he pops up in the sequels
But the character who carried the story wasn't the main boy Tanis, who was just a sad teenager for most of the book. No, Flint was the most likeable character, thanks to this colorful personality and his interactions with the people around him; he's just great fun as a character and I hope he pops up in the sequels
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