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Dragonlance: The Lost Chronicles #3
Dragons of the Hourglass Mage
Between Chronicles and Legends, what made Raistlin aspire to godhood?
Raistlin Majere has become a Black Robe wizard and travels to Neraka, the lord city of the Dark Queen, ostensibly to work for her, though in reality he means to further his own quest for power. But Takhisis finds out that the dragon orb has entered her city and sends her draconians to find and destroy the wizard who has it in his possession. Before her agents can strike, though, Raistlin finds out that Takhisis means to take control of all wizardly magic. She has ordered Kitiara to set a trap for the Gods of Magic on the Night of the Eye, when all the high-ranking wizards will be in Neraka to celebrate.
As the forces of light, with help from the good dragons, are turning the tide of battle, Raistlin is forced to flee, for his foes are closing in on him. As the Dragon Highlords vie for the Crown of Power in the Temple of the Dark Queen, Raistlin Majere wages his own desperate battle against Takhisis in the dungeons below and meets again the brother he betrayed. The fate of the world hangs in the balance.
Raistlin Majere has become a Black Robe wizard and travels to Neraka, the lord city of the Dark Queen, ostensibly to work for her, though in reality he means to further his own quest for power. But Takhisis finds out that the dragon orb has entered her city and sends her draconians to find and destroy the wizard who has it in his possession. Before her agents can strike, though, Raistlin finds out that Takhisis means to take control of all wizardly magic. She has ordered Kitiara to set a trap for the Gods of Magic on the Night of the Eye, when all the high-ranking wizards will be in Neraka to celebrate.
As the forces of light, with help from the good dragons, are turning the tide of battle, Raistlin is forced to flee, for his foes are closing in on him. As the Dragon Highlords vie for the Crown of Power in the Temple of the Dark Queen, Raistlin Majere wages his own desperate battle against Takhisis in the dungeons below and meets again the brother he betrayed. The fate of the world hangs in the balance.
386 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 1, 2009
145 people are currently reading
2863 people want to read
About the author
Margaret Weis
678 books5,840 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 - 30 of 212 reviews
June 8, 2021
This is part of a series but can be read as a stand alone. Actually, I recommend reading the original trilogy before this one to get a better understanding of the main character. In this one, we get to see what Raistlin was doing in the time between his desertion of his brother and friends and his reappearance at the end of the original trilogy.
Going into this series I would say that this is the book that I was looking forward to. Come on. It is Raistlin! Unfortunately, it did not live up to its hype. It is a decent book. I am glad that it answered the time of Raistlin's disappearance as I always thought that was one of the biggest questions from the original trilogy. We get to see Raistlin plot and maneuver his way in Neraka and to see if he will accept or deny the Queen of Darkness as his master. There are some terrific parts to this book and some not so much. The problem with the parts that were not so terrific is that they seemed a little off. At times, Raistlin seemed to act out of character or there were subplots that seemed rushed through. I think this book would have benefited by being a little longer.
I liked this book but I wasn't blown away by it. It is my least favorite of this series which I would have never imagined. It was just a bunch of minor things that affected by overall enjoyment. I didn't think the authors totally encapsulated the main character correctly, there seemed to be contradictory statements to previous books, and rushed ideas. Let's face it though. It is Raistlin and one is going to read this and be interested in it anyways if you are a fan of this universe.
Going into this series I would say that this is the book that I was looking forward to. Come on. It is Raistlin! Unfortunately, it did not live up to its hype. It is a decent book. I am glad that it answered the time of Raistlin's disappearance as I always thought that was one of the biggest questions from the original trilogy. We get to see Raistlin plot and maneuver his way in Neraka and to see if he will accept or deny the Queen of Darkness as his master. There are some terrific parts to this book and some not so much. The problem with the parts that were not so terrific is that they seemed a little off. At times, Raistlin seemed to act out of character or there were subplots that seemed rushed through. I think this book would have benefited by being a little longer.
I liked this book but I wasn't blown away by it. It is my least favorite of this series which I would have never imagined. It was just a bunch of minor things that affected by overall enjoyment. I didn't think the authors totally encapsulated the main character correctly, there seemed to be contradictory statements to previous books, and rushed ideas. Let's face it though. It is Raistlin and one is going to read this and be interested in it anyways if you are a fan of this universe.
November 17, 2023
Reread 2023:
This was even better the second time round!!!
Original Review 2019:
This is my favourite of The Lost Chronicles series.
I love so much Raistlin in one place!
Looking forward to re-reading the Legends books next.
This was even better the second time round!!!
Original Review 2019:
This is my favourite of The Lost Chronicles series.
I love so much Raistlin in one place!
Looking forward to re-reading the Legends books next.
July 28, 2011
copy-pasted from my Librarything account: third part and final regarding the classic Dragonlance era. Focused on Raistlin, his destiny, his way of becoming the master of past and present (w/ thanks to Fistandantilus). Absolutely great story about Raistlin's rise to power, to be the Master Of Past And Present. Especially the last few chapters were enticing, hard to put the book away. It's indeed a nice way to end a very entertaining series, from Weis & Hickman's point of view, since they started it all. Highly recommended!
January 21, 2016
I was passing through the library when I saw this book. Since I had grown up with the Dragonlance Chronicles and Legends trilogies, in fact both sets of stories had introduced me to my love of fantasy, I was surprised to see the names of Weis and Hickman. Then I assumed this was some new storyline like the horrid New generation or the stories where huge dragons came from Lord knows where and took over Krynn. I guess what I am saying was the past several years of books had not been kind to the Dragonlance storyline that I truly enjoyed (including books like The Legend of Huma, The SoulForge, The Brother's Majere, etc). Much to my surprise I looked at the cover and saw Raistlin!
This book takes place in between the 3rd book of the Chronicles (Dragons of Spring Dawning) and tells the story from the viewpoint of Raistlin Majere. Those who have read the third book (and I highly recommend that you do first-it will help to put things in a better frame of reference) know that momentous events were detailed in that book and Raistlin disappears from the boat during the maelstrom and doesn't appear again until near the end of the book at Neraka. Well this is what happened in between. From his standpoint only. I enjoyed this book quite a bit, as it filled in many of the holes in the story. It tells of his conversion from a Red Robe to a Black Robe, his struggles with Fistandantilius, his attempts to join the Queen of Darkness's Army, and of the events that led to the end of the 3rd book where Raistlin becomes the Master of the Past and the Present, rides off on Cyan Bloodbane and enters the cursed tower at Palanthas- leading to the events of the 2nd trilogy (The Legends-where he goes on to challenge the Goddess Takhisis for rulerership of the Abyss). I shall not spoil the rest of the story, but I shall say if you like Raistlin or this time period of the Dragonlance storyline-this is a must read. So why not 5 stars?
The answer lies in certain subtle things that only someone very familiar with the previous storyline would notice. I find that sometimes famous and beloved characters, when their creators approach them at a later time- often years afterwards, the creators forget WHAT made them great characters and assume that any changes they make will be accepted by the fans since..well..it's Raistlin. If this means nothing..please think about the Prequel trilogy for Star Wars and what Lucas did (Jar Jar Binks, etc). In much the same way- Raistlin's popularity stems from him being the ultimate anti-hero. The fact that in the final book of the final trilogy (and technically in the 1st trilogy as well) he ends up saving the world is a byproduct not of his good intentions, unlike the other Companions who are good characters, but rather that it served his purpose. NO more, NO less. He is cold, calculating, manipulative, arrogant, supremely talented, ruthless and ambitious. That being said, he is not unduly evil (like Dragon HighLords or even his half-sister Kitiara) but if you get in his way, he will kill you without a thought. The fact that such a person could end up saving the world showed the value of the balance of good and evil. In this story he is made to be far more emotionally vulnerable that he EVER was in the original stories. The fact that at one point he is sitting there feeling bad about the events of the Maelstrom and says to himself "...stop being maudlin, Raistlin"... really stretches the imagination. This is the most powerful wizard to have EVER existed (hence the Master of the Past and the Present), who challenged the Goddess of Evil in her own plane of the Abyss, outsmarted the entire conclave of wizards, outsmarted and defeated Fistandantilius (who at that point had been the most powerful mage to have ever existed), gained control of the Dragon Orbs, had shown the propensity to sacrifice EVERYONE (his twin brother, his close companions, the woman he loved)and EVERYTHING (his health, companionship, his very soul) for his quest for magical power..is sitting around like a 20 something hipster d-bag "in touch with his feelings"..is reprehensible. Also some of the writing is downright lazy like " punch him in the gut"..really? I do not expect Tolkienesque writing but please you can do better than that- you did it in the first two trilogies. Also don't change (retcon) the continuity. In the story Raistlin claims to have been a White Robe when he started. UM...when? I've read the Brother's Majere and the Soulforge...he was always a Red Robe. Neutrality. Not a good two shoes White Robe. EVER. Also somehow according to Iolanthe the Master of the Past and Present was to have worn all three colors at some point. Um yeah? You sure about that? None of the trilogies or the two "prequel" stories (Soulforge and Brother's Majere) stipulate this. In fact the Master of the P&P is because Raistlin in the current timeline is Archmagus, and then he goes back pre-Cataclysm and kills Fistandantilius and BECOMES him..which makes him Archmagus of the Past..thus the prophecy is fulfilled. At the end of the third book since he and Fistandantilius merged, if you will, he was both at once. But nowhere does it EVER say anything about the wearing of white robes.
So I guess for the fact they tried (in the beginning) to makes Raistlin more sympathetic, the retconning of the prophecy and some parts of lazy writing is why it gets only 4 stars. But the last part of the book-where he is truly becoming the Raistlin we know and love is great. (Oh yeah- if he and Lord Soth had met in this storyline, why does Soth not recognize him in the 2nd trilogy when he meet him at the tower of High Sorcery in Palanthas, with Kitiara?). But all complaints aside...this was a great book. If you are a Dragonlance fan, or enjoyed the War of the Lance or just plain liked Raistlin. I highly recommend this book.
This book takes place in between the 3rd book of the Chronicles (Dragons of Spring Dawning) and tells the story from the viewpoint of Raistlin Majere. Those who have read the third book (and I highly recommend that you do first-it will help to put things in a better frame of reference) know that momentous events were detailed in that book and Raistlin disappears from the boat during the maelstrom and doesn't appear again until near the end of the book at Neraka. Well this is what happened in between. From his standpoint only. I enjoyed this book quite a bit, as it filled in many of the holes in the story. It tells of his conversion from a Red Robe to a Black Robe, his struggles with Fistandantilius, his attempts to join the Queen of Darkness's Army, and of the events that led to the end of the 3rd book where Raistlin becomes the Master of the Past and the Present, rides off on Cyan Bloodbane and enters the cursed tower at Palanthas- leading to the events of the 2nd trilogy (The Legends-where he goes on to challenge the Goddess Takhisis for rulerership of the Abyss). I shall not spoil the rest of the story, but I shall say if you like Raistlin or this time period of the Dragonlance storyline-this is a must read. So why not 5 stars?
The answer lies in certain subtle things that only someone very familiar with the previous storyline would notice. I find that sometimes famous and beloved characters, when their creators approach them at a later time- often years afterwards, the creators forget WHAT made them great characters and assume that any changes they make will be accepted by the fans since..well..it's Raistlin. If this means nothing..please think about the Prequel trilogy for Star Wars and what Lucas did (Jar Jar Binks, etc). In much the same way- Raistlin's popularity stems from him being the ultimate anti-hero. The fact that in the final book of the final trilogy (and technically in the 1st trilogy as well) he ends up saving the world is a byproduct not of his good intentions, unlike the other Companions who are good characters, but rather that it served his purpose. NO more, NO less. He is cold, calculating, manipulative, arrogant, supremely talented, ruthless and ambitious. That being said, he is not unduly evil (like Dragon HighLords or even his half-sister Kitiara) but if you get in his way, he will kill you without a thought. The fact that such a person could end up saving the world showed the value of the balance of good and evil. In this story he is made to be far more emotionally vulnerable that he EVER was in the original stories. The fact that at one point he is sitting there feeling bad about the events of the Maelstrom and says to himself "...stop being maudlin, Raistlin"... really stretches the imagination. This is the most powerful wizard to have EVER existed (hence the Master of the Past and the Present), who challenged the Goddess of Evil in her own plane of the Abyss, outsmarted the entire conclave of wizards, outsmarted and defeated Fistandantilius (who at that point had been the most powerful mage to have ever existed), gained control of the Dragon Orbs, had shown the propensity to sacrifice EVERYONE (his twin brother, his close companions, the woman he loved)and EVERYTHING (his health, companionship, his very soul) for his quest for magical power..is sitting around like a 20 something hipster d-bag "in touch with his feelings"..is reprehensible. Also some of the writing is downright lazy like " punch him in the gut"..really? I do not expect Tolkienesque writing but please you can do better than that- you did it in the first two trilogies. Also don't change (retcon) the continuity. In the story Raistlin claims to have been a White Robe when he started. UM...when? I've read the Brother's Majere and the Soulforge...he was always a Red Robe. Neutrality. Not a good two shoes White Robe. EVER. Also somehow according to Iolanthe the Master of the Past and Present was to have worn all three colors at some point. Um yeah? You sure about that? None of the trilogies or the two "prequel" stories (Soulforge and Brother's Majere) stipulate this. In fact the Master of the P&P is because Raistlin in the current timeline is Archmagus, and then he goes back pre-Cataclysm and kills Fistandantilius and BECOMES him..which makes him Archmagus of the Past..thus the prophecy is fulfilled. At the end of the third book since he and Fistandantilius merged, if you will, he was both at once. But nowhere does it EVER say anything about the wearing of white robes.
So I guess for the fact they tried (in the beginning) to makes Raistlin more sympathetic, the retconning of the prophecy and some parts of lazy writing is why it gets only 4 stars. But the last part of the book-where he is truly becoming the Raistlin we know and love is great. (Oh yeah- if he and Lord Soth had met in this storyline, why does Soth not recognize him in the 2nd trilogy when he meet him at the tower of High Sorcery in Palanthas, with Kitiara?). But all complaints aside...this was a great book. If you are a Dragonlance fan, or enjoyed the War of the Lance or just plain liked Raistlin. I highly recommend this book.
June 12, 2017
I’m giving this book three stars, but before we get into the review proper, I must ask; what happened to Weis and Hickman? Looking at this book and comparing it to the original Chronicles or the Legends trilogy, it is like reading completely different authors. The language is much more simplistic, as if there is a fear of using too difficult of a vocabulary. I know I read their earlier books as a kid, but it is not just nostalgia talking here, I pulled out my copies of the older books and there is a significant change in the vocabulary level. I can't help but wonder what happened. Has their writing quality gone down with age, or have they realized that many people (such as myself) discovered Dragonlance at a young age (It does serve as a solid introduction to the fantasy genre) and as such they have embraced this as a philosophy towards the series and are now writing it geared towards a younger audience? Perhaps I’m too cynical, but this series as a whole feels a bit of a cash grab, perhaps they just don't care anymore...
Okay, enough of the depressing guesswork, let's focus on the book.
Unlike the first two novels in this trilogy, this one is a story that I think actually adds to the original series… to a certain extent. Raistlin was mysteriously absent throughout the third book of the Chronicles and many readers wondered what all he was up to. Well, here is our chance to find out… and though it is obviously a fill in the gap sort of story, it is much better done than the previous two outings. Perhaps Weis’ well-known regard for the Raistlin character made her care more (again with the cynicism… I promise I will stop). Here we find out exactly what Raistlin was up to in Neraka during Spring Dawning, we get to see his inner struggle over choosing sides in this conflict and we get a bit of a mystery over a mysterious assassin.
Overall I preferred this book to the other two. On the plus side, the story is far more interesting. It focuses almost entirely on Raistlin, which keeps the story more focused as a whole and far less rambling than the previous two outings (it’s also a bit shorter, which may also account for the focus).
There are cons though. As I focused on above, the writing quality is still down. Also, a good portion of the story does seem like they are trying to add to Raistlin’s importance in the final novel of the Chronicles trilogy (including him in scenes that he was absent from) and making some of companions of the lance luckier moments in the last book become his achievements. I don’t particularly this as it takes away from the other companions' accomplishments.
On a more spoiler-ish note,
My final problem with this book is that it is, while the most interesting in this trilogy, the least contained novel. The first two, despite their many flaws, told their own story. This is a fragment of one, borrowing scenes and repeating events from Spring Dawning, in order to tell what are essentially the deleted scenes of that other book. That’s what this entire book felt like to me, like bonus features on a DVD where you look at what was cut to save on time and tell a more focused story. Yes, there is a story here, but it relies so heavily upon the original that it feels like it never has a chance to be anything other than an experiment in filling in the blanks.
Overall, I stand by my assessment of this series as a whole that I mentioned in my review of book 2. It is an interesting experiment, and one I enjoyed mostly from a nostalgia standpoint… that said, it doesn’t completely work. This book, by far the best in this trilogy, is so boggled down by its structure and writing that it never gets a chance to really shine. I will no doubt at some point go back and read the original Chronicles and Legends trilogy; and while I will accept that nostalgia is the main reason I love them, I will still get a satisfying tale as a whole. These lost Chronicle books, sadly, I will likely never bother to reread.
Okay, enough of the depressing guesswork, let's focus on the book.
Unlike the first two novels in this trilogy, this one is a story that I think actually adds to the original series… to a certain extent. Raistlin was mysteriously absent throughout the third book of the Chronicles and many readers wondered what all he was up to. Well, here is our chance to find out… and though it is obviously a fill in the gap sort of story, it is much better done than the previous two outings. Perhaps Weis’ well-known regard for the Raistlin character made her care more (again with the cynicism… I promise I will stop). Here we find out exactly what Raistlin was up to in Neraka during Spring Dawning, we get to see his inner struggle over choosing sides in this conflict and we get a bit of a mystery over a mysterious assassin.
Overall I preferred this book to the other two. On the plus side, the story is far more interesting. It focuses almost entirely on Raistlin, which keeps the story more focused as a whole and far less rambling than the previous two outings (it’s also a bit shorter, which may also account for the focus).
There are cons though. As I focused on above, the writing quality is still down. Also, a good portion of the story does seem like they are trying to add to Raistlin’s importance in the final novel of the Chronicles trilogy (including him in scenes that he was absent from) and making some of companions of the lance luckier moments in the last book become his achievements. I don’t particularly this as it takes away from the other companions' accomplishments.
On a more spoiler-ish note,
My final problem with this book is that it is, while the most interesting in this trilogy, the least contained novel. The first two, despite their many flaws, told their own story. This is a fragment of one, borrowing scenes and repeating events from Spring Dawning, in order to tell what are essentially the deleted scenes of that other book. That’s what this entire book felt like to me, like bonus features on a DVD where you look at what was cut to save on time and tell a more focused story. Yes, there is a story here, but it relies so heavily upon the original that it feels like it never has a chance to be anything other than an experiment in filling in the blanks.
Overall, I stand by my assessment of this series as a whole that I mentioned in my review of book 2. It is an interesting experiment, and one I enjoyed mostly from a nostalgia standpoint… that said, it doesn’t completely work. This book, by far the best in this trilogy, is so boggled down by its structure and writing that it never gets a chance to really shine. I will no doubt at some point go back and read the original Chronicles and Legends trilogy; and while I will accept that nostalgia is the main reason I love them, I will still get a satisfying tale as a whole. These lost Chronicle books, sadly, I will likely never bother to reread.
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August 28, 2023I’ve been going back and rereading what I affectionately term “the side quests” of Dragonlance; books that aren’t a part of the main original storyline but add to the lore and history of Krynn. The Lost Chronicles trilogy takes place between events in the Dragonlance Chronicles. DO NOT read these books before reading both the Dragonlance Chronicles and the Dragonlance Legends. Trust me on this. Without understanding what happens in those two trilogies, much of The Lost Chronicles will either be a little confusing or will lack the emotional resonance they have for those of us who have already enjoyed the Chronicles and Legends.
Since I’ve ranted about how you should read the Chronicles and Legends first, I’m not going to worry about giving spoilers for those books when I review thing one. Anway, here we go!
Dragons of the Hourglass Mage is the third in The Lost Chronicles trilogy, but “trilogy” is a loose term in this case. Each book is a standalone. This novel focuses on my favorite morally complicated character of all time, Raistlin Majere. Here the reader is treated to a look at what happened between Raistlin’s abrupt self-removal from a precarious situation in the Blood Sea of Istar (aka “messing over of his friends and family”) and his reunion with his brother, in which he has switched sides and is rocking the black robes of darkness.
Dragons of the Hourglass Mage is the best book in The Lost Chronicles, in my opinion. It fits in well with where Raistlin’s personality was at the timeframe right before the events in the novel. As a character, he is so self-aware. He sees both his strengths and his flaws. Raistlin makes no apologies or excuses for his choices, even if he does feel bitterness toward certain truths at different times. Because he is an introspective character, much of the book is spent on character development with the goings on in the War of the Lance forming a backdrop.
Queen Takhisis, is working up toward her final blow. True, there have been surprising developments. Instead of being annihilated, the Knights of Paladine have united behind their Golden General. Good dragons have finally taken to the skies and the dragonlances- reviled by evil dragons- have once again been found. Morale is low for the troops (in every army except for Kitiara’s, of course). Still, Takhisis and her forces have only to finish the job.
Raistlin, searching for power and for an end to the evil undead mage which has long plagued him, learns that Takhisis plans to seize all magic from the gods of magic themselves. Everything Raistlin has and is comes solely from the magic that courses through his veins. Naturally, he finds himself at odds with Takhisis.
Raistlin is an interesting character in that he works just as well when written alone as he does when with a cast of characters. It doesn’t matter whether he has many others to play off of, each interaction matters. It adds something to the world of Krynn and, just as importantly, to Raistlin’s development. Even “throwaway” scenes pack an emotional punch. There’s a scene in which Raistlin warns a certain dwarf of things to come that just guts me.
These little moments show that Raistlin, while prickly (to say the least), is far from the cold and detached person he is seen as. He prioritizes his magic, definitely, but he still cares. It is his character development that makes me enjoy this book, much more than the events. That being said, things do ramp up and the last bit of the story is of the edge-of-your-seat variety.
While The Lost Chronicles aren’t integral to the main Dragonlance storyline, they’re great if you want to get to know the Companions of the Lance better. I enjoyed The Hourglass Mage as much this time around as I did the first time, although it is nowhere near as good as the Chronicles and Legends. Give it a read if you want to know more about the War of the Lance and what the friends did when they were separated.
https://wittyandsarcasticbookclub.hom...
Since I’ve ranted about how you should read the Chronicles and Legends first, I’m not going to worry about giving spoilers for those books when I review thing one. Anway, here we go!
Dragons of the Hourglass Mage is the third in The Lost Chronicles trilogy, but “trilogy” is a loose term in this case. Each book is a standalone. This novel focuses on my favorite morally complicated character of all time, Raistlin Majere. Here the reader is treated to a look at what happened between Raistlin’s abrupt self-removal from a precarious situation in the Blood Sea of Istar (aka “messing over of his friends and family”) and his reunion with his brother, in which he has switched sides and is rocking the black robes of darkness.
Dragons of the Hourglass Mage is the best book in The Lost Chronicles, in my opinion. It fits in well with where Raistlin’s personality was at the timeframe right before the events in the novel. As a character, he is so self-aware. He sees both his strengths and his flaws. Raistlin makes no apologies or excuses for his choices, even if he does feel bitterness toward certain truths at different times. Because he is an introspective character, much of the book is spent on character development with the goings on in the War of the Lance forming a backdrop.
Queen Takhisis, is working up toward her final blow. True, there have been surprising developments. Instead of being annihilated, the Knights of Paladine have united behind their Golden General. Good dragons have finally taken to the skies and the dragonlances- reviled by evil dragons- have once again been found. Morale is low for the troops (in every army except for Kitiara’s, of course). Still, Takhisis and her forces have only to finish the job.
Raistlin, searching for power and for an end to the evil undead mage which has long plagued him, learns that Takhisis plans to seize all magic from the gods of magic themselves. Everything Raistlin has and is comes solely from the magic that courses through his veins. Naturally, he finds himself at odds with Takhisis.
Raistlin is an interesting character in that he works just as well when written alone as he does when with a cast of characters. It doesn’t matter whether he has many others to play off of, each interaction matters. It adds something to the world of Krynn and, just as importantly, to Raistlin’s development. Even “throwaway” scenes pack an emotional punch. There’s a scene in which Raistlin warns a certain dwarf of things to come that just guts me.
These little moments show that Raistlin, while prickly (to say the least), is far from the cold and detached person he is seen as. He prioritizes his magic, definitely, but he still cares. It is his character development that makes me enjoy this book, much more than the events. That being said, things do ramp up and the last bit of the story is of the edge-of-your-seat variety.
While The Lost Chronicles aren’t integral to the main Dragonlance storyline, they’re great if you want to get to know the Companions of the Lance better. I enjoyed The Hourglass Mage as much this time around as I did the first time, although it is nowhere near as good as the Chronicles and Legends. Give it a read if you want to know more about the War of the Lance and what the friends did when they were separated.
https://wittyandsarcasticbookclub.hom...
July 25, 2017
This was a decent book, but like the other two in the series, it took half to two-thirds of the book before it got interesting. It was nice to know what happened to Raislen when he left the group in the original trilogy. However, I wish there would have been more of a reconciliation ending. 3/5 stars.
September 16, 2009
Dragonlance was what introduced me to fantasy as an adult. I was charmed by the world and the creatures in it - especially the kender, a race unique to this setting. Over the years, I've read a lot of these novels and it is always enjoyable to enter this world. These books are a kind of comfort reads to me.
Margaret Weis and Tracy Hickman are the two authors who have written the core books in this series. From the amazing Chronicles, over Legends and Dragons of Summer Flame and finally The War of Souls, they have guided many readers through this, their world. When they decided to write The Lost Chronicles, I was ecstatic. The Chronicles are my favourite books in the Dragonlance series and to get a new trilogy that goes back and fill out the gaps in those books, are just amazing. But then something happened. Something happened between the authors and the publisher and suddenly the third book was postponed or maybe even cancelled. But luckily it's here and I've been looking forward to it - especially since it unfortunately seems to be the last book from Weis & Hickman in the Dragonlance world. Fittingly, this is a book about Raistlin.
In this book, we join up with Raistlin after he used his magic to leave his friends and brother on a ship going down in the Maelstrom. He shows up on the steps to the library in Palanthas and we follow him on his road to evil. Or do we? Because even though he dons the black robes, he isn't evil through and through. We follow Raistlin on his stay in Neraka, visiting Kitiara at Dargaard Keep and figuring out whether he is a follower of Takhisis or Nuitari. And maybe most important of all, we witness his struggle with Fistandantilus, the old wizard who helped Raistlin through the test at the Tower of High Sorcery, but at a price. Some questions are answered, some gaps are filled - and maybe it's clearer than ever where Raistlin's loyalties lie.
The book had some great scenes in it - my favourite involves Flint at Godshome. But overall, it didn't really do it for me. The story was interesting - but it didn't have that same old feeling. Now I know, Raistlin has never been my favourite character and this book is about him and not really any of the other old companions but that's not it really because I loved Margaret Weis' two books about Raistlin and his brother. It just didn't have enough of the Dragonlance feeling - maybe because Weis & Hickman has spent a lot of time working on books in other worlds.
I can quite put my finger on what it was - I just didn't enjoy this book as much as the other books in this trilogy or as a lot of the other books in the setting.
Margaret Weis and Tracy Hickman are the two authors who have written the core books in this series. From the amazing Chronicles, over Legends and Dragons of Summer Flame and finally The War of Souls, they have guided many readers through this, their world. When they decided to write The Lost Chronicles, I was ecstatic. The Chronicles are my favourite books in the Dragonlance series and to get a new trilogy that goes back and fill out the gaps in those books, are just amazing. But then something happened. Something happened between the authors and the publisher and suddenly the third book was postponed or maybe even cancelled. But luckily it's here and I've been looking forward to it - especially since it unfortunately seems to be the last book from Weis & Hickman in the Dragonlance world. Fittingly, this is a book about Raistlin.
In this book, we join up with Raistlin after he used his magic to leave his friends and brother on a ship going down in the Maelstrom. He shows up on the steps to the library in Palanthas and we follow him on his road to evil. Or do we? Because even though he dons the black robes, he isn't evil through and through. We follow Raistlin on his stay in Neraka, visiting Kitiara at Dargaard Keep and figuring out whether he is a follower of Takhisis or Nuitari. And maybe most important of all, we witness his struggle with Fistandantilus, the old wizard who helped Raistlin through the test at the Tower of High Sorcery, but at a price. Some questions are answered, some gaps are filled - and maybe it's clearer than ever where Raistlin's loyalties lie.
The book had some great scenes in it - my favourite involves Flint at Godshome. But overall, it didn't really do it for me. The story was interesting - but it didn't have that same old feeling. Now I know, Raistlin has never been my favourite character and this book is about him and not really any of the other old companions but that's not it really because I loved Margaret Weis' two books about Raistlin and his brother. It just didn't have enough of the Dragonlance feeling - maybe because Weis & Hickman has spent a lot of time working on books in other worlds.
I can quite put my finger on what it was - I just didn't enjoy this book as much as the other books in this trilogy or as a lot of the other books in the setting.
March 16, 2016
I have a soft spot in my heart for Dragonlance - the first two trilogies are among my favorite and I've read them each 5-10 times. Don't know why I never read the Lost Chronicles but I'm reading them now and my anticipation for this one was pretty high (so high in fact that I skipped volume 2 to be read at a later time) since it's main character was Raistlin. I'm a huge Raistlin fan (my first tattoo was of Raistlin back in 1989) so I'm a little biased.
This was a fine novel but nothing great. It had great characters. The plot was average at best (should Raistlin help the Dark Queen but be her servant OR oppose the Dark Queen and risk everything). Not much adventure or magic. The finale was a complete letdown. Meh
I'll give it 3 stars for nostalgia sake but probably the weakest Dragonlance book I've ever read.
This was a fine novel but nothing great. It had great characters. The plot was average at best (should Raistlin help the Dark Queen but be her servant OR oppose the Dark Queen and risk everything). Not much adventure or magic. The finale was a complete letdown. Meh
I'll give it 3 stars for nostalgia sake but probably the weakest Dragonlance book I've ever read.
February 25, 2013
This one was my favourite of the "Lost Chronicles" books- particularly the end, it was great seeing how this storyline fit in with the end of the original Spring Dawning.
Overall, with the Lost Chronicles I think I'd give Dwarven Depths a 3.5, Highlord Skies a 4, and Hourglass Mage a 4.5. But since Goodreads doesn't let us be so precise, they're all getting 4s.
I think in general I would lump the Lost Chronicles in with perhaps the Tales subseries of books - not epic storytelling in the wider arc of the original Chronicles, Legends, Summer Flame, and so forth, but rather smaller stories that fill in the gaps.
All in all very enjoyable, and it was great reading these!
Overall, with the Lost Chronicles I think I'd give Dwarven Depths a 3.5, Highlord Skies a 4, and Hourglass Mage a 4.5. But since Goodreads doesn't let us be so precise, they're all getting 4s.
I think in general I would lump the Lost Chronicles in with perhaps the Tales subseries of books - not epic storytelling in the wider arc of the original Chronicles, Legends, Summer Flame, and so forth, but rather smaller stories that fill in the gaps.
All in all very enjoyable, and it was great reading these!
June 18, 2018
Məncə, "Kayıp Tarihçeler" daxilində ən maraqlı olanı bu kitab idi. Raistlin' in klasik seriyanın son kitabında etdikləri haqqında bir xeyli məlumat verir.
February 6, 2017
This is by far the best book in The Lost Chronicles trilogy. The first two, especially Dragons of the Dwarven Depths, feel like "filler" books, written to flesh out the gaps between novels. This book, however, feels more like its own story, and it truly adds depth to an already complex character.
Raistlin Majere is the protagonist of this novel. In the Chronicles series, Raistlin isn't one of those characters that you either like or don't like. More typically, you like and dislike him at the same time. Appropriately, he wears the red robes... But in Dragons of Spring Dawning, Raistlin disappears, only to come back at the right moment to help his friends (well, mostly to help himself) but is now wearing the black robes, to his twin brother Caramon's dismay.
In this novel, the last of The Lost Chronicles, the reader follows Raistlin after the maelstrom, after he uses the dragon orb to escape, leaving his brother and his friends to die (or so he thinks). We finally get a clear understanding of why Raisltin does what he does, which adds depth to his character in The Chronicles but also in the Legends trilogy, where we get more backstory about Raistlin and Fistandantilus. Raistlin generally comes off cold-hearted and callous, especially towards Caramon. In this book, we get to see Raisltin's inner turmoil, the true love that he has (and hides) for his brother, and even the fondness he still holds for his childhood friends. Flint's death is particularly moving in this book, as we see that Raisltin really was there to say good-bye, whereas in Dragons of Spring Dawning, there is no indication of Raistlin's presence. The fact that Raistlin keeps his presence hidden even from his brother and friends (cloaked in his invisibility spell) makes his good-bye more moving since it is unnecessary and therefore more personal.
Finally, the book is interesting. It flows from one action to the next, adding more detail about Neraka, The Towers of High Sorcery, and, in one of my favorite scenes, the moon gods. It adds more to all of the major series about the original heroes.
I highly recommend this book, but I do recommend that you read The Chronicles and The Legends first. You could read these between The Chronicles to get the full picture, but there are references to events in The Legends that may spoil that series for you if you read it later. If you do read it between, it would go: Dragons of Autumn Twilight (Chronicles I), Dragons of the Dwarven Depths (The Lost Chronicles I), Dragons of Winter Night (Chronicles II), Dragons of the Highlord Skies (The Lost Chronicles II), Dragons of Spring Dawning (Chronicles III), and then Dragons of the Hourglass Mage (The Lost Chronicles III). Hopefully, this helps someone as I know the reading order can be confusing!
Raistlin Majere is the protagonist of this novel. In the Chronicles series, Raistlin isn't one of those characters that you either like or don't like. More typically, you like and dislike him at the same time. Appropriately, he wears the red robes... But in Dragons of Spring Dawning, Raistlin disappears, only to come back at the right moment to help his friends (well, mostly to help himself) but is now wearing the black robes, to his twin brother Caramon's dismay.
In this novel, the last of The Lost Chronicles, the reader follows Raistlin after the maelstrom, after he uses the dragon orb to escape, leaving his brother and his friends to die (or so he thinks). We finally get a clear understanding of why Raisltin does what he does, which adds depth to his character in The Chronicles but also in the Legends trilogy, where we get more backstory about Raistlin and Fistandantilus. Raistlin generally comes off cold-hearted and callous, especially towards Caramon. In this book, we get to see Raisltin's inner turmoil, the true love that he has (and hides) for his brother, and even the fondness he still holds for his childhood friends. Flint's death is particularly moving in this book, as we see that Raisltin really was there to say good-bye, whereas in Dragons of Spring Dawning, there is no indication of Raistlin's presence. The fact that Raistlin keeps his presence hidden even from his brother and friends (cloaked in his invisibility spell) makes his good-bye more moving since it is unnecessary and therefore more personal.
Finally, the book is interesting. It flows from one action to the next, adding more detail about Neraka, The Towers of High Sorcery, and, in one of my favorite scenes, the moon gods. It adds more to all of the major series about the original heroes.
I highly recommend this book, but I do recommend that you read The Chronicles and The Legends first. You could read these between The Chronicles to get the full picture, but there are references to events in The Legends that may spoil that series for you if you read it later. If you do read it between, it would go: Dragons of Autumn Twilight (Chronicles I), Dragons of the Dwarven Depths (The Lost Chronicles I), Dragons of Winter Night (Chronicles II), Dragons of the Highlord Skies (The Lost Chronicles II), Dragons of Spring Dawning (Chronicles III), and then Dragons of the Hourglass Mage (The Lost Chronicles III). Hopefully, this helps someone as I know the reading order can be confusing!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 6, 2015
As disappointed as I was with the other two books in the Lost Chronicles series (especially the first one), part of me actually dreaded reading Dragons of the Hourglass Mage. However, Raistlin is on the cover, and he's such a great character that I did have some small glimmer of hope that maybe, perhaps, this would be a tale worth reading. And oh how it was. This book renewed my interest in the Dragonlance world, doing what the other two in this series of prequels just could not do: it made me want to re-read the originals.
Spoilers aside, this book manages to tell a missing piece of the original story that actually did need to be told. Weis and Hickman recapture a lot of their original magic, weaving a story that--despite the fact I know the ending--still managed to be exciting and make me worry about the characters. It really was a page turner; I was reading fifty to eighty pages a night, staying up until 2am several days in a row. Maybe it's just the nature of Raistlin and who he is, but the end chapters were written so well I was even doubting that he was going to survive.
As painful as the first book in this series was, and as mediocre as the second one was, I was prepared to write off the whole series. Now that I've read the third one, I see that would have been a mistake. This book renewed my interest in the Dragonlance world, and makes me want to start reading the Chronicles all over again. Next time I do, I'll read the original trilogy, then this book, then proceed to the Legends.
Spoilers aside, this book manages to tell a missing piece of the original story that actually did need to be told. Weis and Hickman recapture a lot of their original magic, weaving a story that--despite the fact I know the ending--still managed to be exciting and make me worry about the characters. It really was a page turner; I was reading fifty to eighty pages a night, staying up until 2am several days in a row. Maybe it's just the nature of Raistlin and who he is, but the end chapters were written so well I was even doubting that he was going to survive.
As painful as the first book in this series was, and as mediocre as the second one was, I was prepared to write off the whole series. Now that I've read the third one, I see that would have been a mistake. This book renewed my interest in the Dragonlance world, and makes me want to start reading the Chronicles all over again. Next time I do, I'll read the original trilogy, then this book, then proceed to the Legends.
March 1, 2020
The final book in the Lost Chronicles series, this story focuses on Raistlin, and what happened to him after he appeared on the steps of the Great Library in Palanthas using the dragon orb. It shows us not only how he ended up in Neraka at the end of Dragons of Spring Dawning, but also why he chose to do what he did in the end.
Being a book from one of my favorite fantasy series as a kid, and about my favorite character from that series, I thought that I would have enjoyed this one more than I actually did. Don't get me wrong, it's not a bad book by any means, but something just seemed a little bit off to me. In fact, there were times when Raistlin himself seemed to be a little off, and that really pulled me out of the story on a couple of occasions.
Having said that, there are several scenes in this story that I liked a lot, such as the scenes with Flint, and others that gave some insight into how things later played out in the original Chronicles. There were also moments where Raistlin's eternal struggle with himself gave a bit more insight into the character, and they make reading the book well worth it in the end, especially if, like me, you like this character for just that reason.
Favorite quotes/passages:
"You will regret this," Fistandantilus said.
"I will add it to my list," Raistlin said, and he placed his hands upon the cold crystal of the dragon orb.
Laurana had been a little in awe of him, a little afraid of him. She had trusted him, however. He had not known why, except that she had seemed to see something in him others could not, something even he could not see. He had appreciated her trust, been touched by it. He had loved her...no, not loved her, cherished her, as a man parched with thirst and lost in the desert cherishes a sip of cool water.
"She is everything you are, my sister, and all that you are not," Raistlin said softly.
"I have to change the darkness," he said.
Being a book from one of my favorite fantasy series as a kid, and about my favorite character from that series, I thought that I would have enjoyed this one more than I actually did. Don't get me wrong, it's not a bad book by any means, but something just seemed a little bit off to me. In fact, there were times when Raistlin himself seemed to be a little off, and that really pulled me out of the story on a couple of occasions.
Having said that, there are several scenes in this story that I liked a lot, such as the scenes with Flint, and others that gave some insight into how things later played out in the original Chronicles. There were also moments where Raistlin's eternal struggle with himself gave a bit more insight into the character, and they make reading the book well worth it in the end, especially if, like me, you like this character for just that reason.
Favorite quotes/passages:
"You will regret this," Fistandantilus said.
"I will add it to my list," Raistlin said, and he placed his hands upon the cold crystal of the dragon orb.
Laurana had been a little in awe of him, a little afraid of him. She had trusted him, however. He had not known why, except that she had seemed to see something in him others could not, something even he could not see. He had appreciated her trust, been touched by it. He had loved her...no, not loved her, cherished her, as a man parched with thirst and lost in the desert cherishes a sip of cool water.
"She is everything you are, my sister, and all that you are not," Raistlin said softly.
"I have to change the darkness," he said.
November 18, 2011
This is a book worthy of Five Stars.
Since July, I had reread the following DragonLance titles (in this order)
Dragons of Autumn Twilight
Dragons of Winter Night
Dragons of Spring Dawning
Time of the Twins
War of the Twins
Test of the Twins
Soulforge
Brothers in Arms
Dragons of Dwarven Depths
Dragons of Highlord Skies
Dragons of the Hourglass Mage
Well, I didn't "reread" the last three, I read them for the first time. I reread all the other ones because DragonLance Nexus said that they go better after reading the Chronicles and Legends. The first 6 books are classics, no doubt. Soulforge and Brothers in Arms were messy, and lacked the detailed, twisty plot that I craved (and had) in the first 6. Dwarven Depths was "good" but fell out of touch with the original spirit of the first 3, and dwarves honestly bore me. Highlord Skies was a complete disaster. It was rudendant and had a TERRIBLE ending. I was bored the whole time I read it.
But Dragons of the Hourglass Mage was perfect. The tone, the twists in the plot, the depth, the emotions, the descriptions, the players, ahhh. It was beautiful. It is such a perfect ending to this series. I had everything after Dragons of Summer Flame. I was contemplating rereading Summer Flame as well, but I don't want to now. Nothing can touch how perfect this was.
If it's your first book in the DL series, you'll be massively confused. Highlord Skies and Hourglass Mage are both not meant for novices. For one, the Maelstorm that is constantly talked about is never explained. You need to read Spring Dawning to understand that.
I don't want to post spoilers, you need to read this for yourself. It all the interesting, detailed stuff about Raistlin that you get in Soulforge, but with the classic storytelling and excitement that you get in the first Chronicles. It's simply wonderful.
And it's a really quick read. It earns my award of "could literally not put down." I was up at 3am with this last night.
Since July, I had reread the following DragonLance titles (in this order)
Dragons of Autumn Twilight
Dragons of Winter Night
Dragons of Spring Dawning
Time of the Twins
War of the Twins
Test of the Twins
Soulforge
Brothers in Arms
Dragons of Dwarven Depths
Dragons of Highlord Skies
Dragons of the Hourglass Mage
Well, I didn't "reread" the last three, I read them for the first time. I reread all the other ones because DragonLance Nexus said that they go better after reading the Chronicles and Legends. The first 6 books are classics, no doubt. Soulforge and Brothers in Arms were messy, and lacked the detailed, twisty plot that I craved (and had) in the first 6. Dwarven Depths was "good" but fell out of touch with the original spirit of the first 3, and dwarves honestly bore me. Highlord Skies was a complete disaster. It was rudendant and had a TERRIBLE ending. I was bored the whole time I read it.
But Dragons of the Hourglass Mage was perfect. The tone, the twists in the plot, the depth, the emotions, the descriptions, the players, ahhh. It was beautiful. It is such a perfect ending to this series. I had everything after Dragons of Summer Flame. I was contemplating rereading Summer Flame as well, but I don't want to now. Nothing can touch how perfect this was.
If it's your first book in the DL series, you'll be massively confused. Highlord Skies and Hourglass Mage are both not meant for novices. For one, the Maelstorm that is constantly talked about is never explained. You need to read Spring Dawning to understand that.
I don't want to post spoilers, you need to read this for yourself. It all the interesting, detailed stuff about Raistlin that you get in Soulforge, but with the classic storytelling and excitement that you get in the first Chronicles. It's simply wonderful.
And it's a really quick read. It earns my award of "could literally not put down." I was up at 3am with this last night.
January 12, 2011
As a Raistlin fan, I have been waiting so long to read this. I finally got my chance and find myself disappointed. Even though the authors mention that it's best to read other dragonlance books before this, you really don't need to. There is so much repetition and information given that any dragonlance reader already knows. Many of the races and places, and the magic system and characters are described in too much depth for someone familiar with the series. I don't remember the previous two Lost Chronicles going over so much background information before getting to the story. Oh well, this is about Raistlin after all, so readers can rejoice a little bit.
The plot in Dragons of the Hourglass Mage is very simple, and if all of the filler is taken out, it's very short. Raistlin does some tasks around Neraka makes a "friend" with a female black robe, then goes through the events mentioned in other dragonlance novels. The events in the novel take place over a small period of time, and I have gained no new information from reading this. It's basically a few of the events in Spring Dawning from Raistlin's point of view. I didn't like some of the pieces with Raistlin being scared, whiny, and helpless. It feels out of character to me. However, I did eat this book up very quickly and enjoyed it overall, but I was expecting so much more.
The plot in Dragons of the Hourglass Mage is very simple, and if all of the filler is taken out, it's very short. Raistlin does some tasks around Neraka makes a "friend" with a female black robe, then goes through the events mentioned in other dragonlance novels. The events in the novel take place over a small period of time, and I have gained no new information from reading this. It's basically a few of the events in Spring Dawning from Raistlin's point of view. I didn't like some of the pieces with Raistlin being scared, whiny, and helpless. It feels out of character to me. However, I did eat this book up very quickly and enjoyed it overall, but I was expecting so much more.
May 12, 2011
Raistlin, yes. Also -- Iolanthe.
Raistlin is much more likable in this than in the Twins trilogy. I think it's the absence of Caramon. He brings out the worst in Raistlin. When he's around Raistlin feels free to act weak, selfish and cruel, because he knows that Caramon will accept his behavior and forgive him for everything. This proves to Raistlin that Caramon loves him -- no matter what. But being who he is, he has to test that love, to push Caramon and keep pushing until something breaks. Another part of this is also the fact that Raistlin sees Caramon's willingness to forgive all his sins as weakness (which it is). He keeps pushing Caramon to stand up for himself, to show some backbone, he wants Caramon to push back, prove himself Raistlin's equal, but his twin never does. Until the very end. After the end their relationship gets better, more even. Before the Abyss and Raistlins' godhood and the end of the world, Raistlin loved Caramon but also despised him, looked down on him. Real love, a real relationship cannot exist when one person thinks of the other as being inferior, can feel no respect him. After the end Caramon finally gave Raistlin a reason to respect him and so their love for each other was finally balanced, no longer carried by only one of them.
Raistlin is much more likable in this than in the Twins trilogy. I think it's the absence of Caramon. He brings out the worst in Raistlin. When he's around Raistlin feels free to act weak, selfish and cruel, because he knows that Caramon will accept his behavior and forgive him for everything. This proves to Raistlin that Caramon loves him -- no matter what. But being who he is, he has to test that love, to push Caramon and keep pushing until something breaks. Another part of this is also the fact that Raistlin sees Caramon's willingness to forgive all his sins as weakness (which it is). He keeps pushing Caramon to stand up for himself, to show some backbone, he wants Caramon to push back, prove himself Raistlin's equal, but his twin never does. Until the very end. After the end their relationship gets better, more even. Before the Abyss and Raistlins' godhood and the end of the world, Raistlin loved Caramon but also despised him, looked down on him. Real love, a real relationship cannot exist when one person thinks of the other as being inferior, can feel no respect him. After the end Caramon finally gave Raistlin a reason to respect him and so their love for each other was finally balanced, no longer carried by only one of them.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
July 15, 2017
More trials and tribulations for Raistlin, possibly my favourite character apart from Tas. I'm still thinking about the ending and not quite sure if I understood it fully - but regardless of that I loved this book - pure reading pleasure for me! Next one please :).
August 15, 2020
Y con este tercer volumen termino la trilogía de Las Crónicas Perdidas, un intento relativamente reciente por parte de los autores de completar los vacíos argumentales que tenía la original trilogía de las Crónicas o, también, de mostrarnos los eventos que ya conocemos desde otro punto de vista.
Este volumen es el más corto de los tres y para empezar, eso ya en sí es una decepción para mí, porque el protagonista absoluto es Raistlin Majere - y, como seguramente te habrás dado cuenta ya si lees mis reviews, Raistlin es mi personaje favorito -. El objetivo de este libro es contar la historia de qué hizo Raistlin y dónde estuvo desde que logró escapar del Perechon, la nave que se fue a pique en El Mar Sangriento con su hermano y sus amigos a bordo; hasta que hace su reaparición espectacular al final del tercer volumen de las Crónicas originales - La Reina de la Oscuridad - ya como archimago de los Túnicas Negras, revestido con un gran poder, para traicionar a la diosa Takhisis y ayudar a derrotar al Mal, siendo él mismo también parte de ese mal. Este momento es otro de los clímax de la saga original y por eso, ni yo ni los mismos autores en el Prólogo recomiendan leer este libro si no has leído las Crónicas, porque se pierde mucho con ello. Es preciso que ya conozcas la historia original, para poder disfrutar de ésta.
Con Raistlin no hay margen de error posible, leer sobre él siempre es un éxito garantizado. Es el mejor personaje del universo Dragonlance, el mejor escrito, los autores lo quieren y se nota muchísimo. Por eso me sabe a poco que su parte sea la más corta de la presente trilogía, aunque seguramente estoy siendo injusta puesto que se le han dedicado muchas otras historias, libros y cuentos cortos, y a estas alturas, ya nos queda realmente poco más que saber sobre él.
La mejor parte de Raistlin es su complejidad y versatilidad. Pocas veces se nos permite ver las cosas desde su punto de vista, y esto es lo que este volumen te ofrece, en un modo muy similar a como lo hizo La Forja de un Túnica Negra. Visto desde el punto de vista de los otros personajes, en particular sus compañeros - con excepción de su gemelo Caramon, claro está - Raistlin es un auténtico monstruo, egoísta, cruel, sociópata e impresentable. Sin embargo, cuando ves las cosas desde su punto de vista, no puedes evitar empatizar con él, sentir lástima de su condición - criatura abusada, brutalizada, crónicamente enferma y discapacitada, y en fin, sedienta de amor aunque le cueste admitirlo -. Lo mejor es que ambos puntos de vista son totalmente ciertos y se combinan en la misma persona.
Inteligente, resolutivo, audaz y valiente hasta las trancas, aunque la salud no lo acompaña, Raistlin se las apaña bien solo, primero, para librarse de esa larva que le succiona el alma - Fistandantilus, mal rayo lo parta - y luego para abrirse camino en su ascenso al poder. Al contrario de lo que puede parecer cuando lees las Crónicas, o las Leyendas, Raistlin no lo tiene todo planeado - eso es lo que le gusta aparentar - sino que va cambiando planes o improvisando según convenga. Tiene una gran capacidad de adaptación y ningún miedo, ni a morir ni a sufrir, sólo a fracasar. Por eso le sobran arrestos para cambiar sus lealtades de la neutralidad al mal, para arriesgarse a hacer cosas que le suelen salir mal a menudo, más que bien; para reponerse de sus errores y aprovecharlos para salir adelante de nuevo... en principio, su plan es ponerse al servicio de los Túnicas Negras y de la Reina Oscura porque parece que van a ganar la guerra; pero es una treta, quienes le conocemos sabemos que, como él mismo dice, no viene a servir, sino a mandar. Y despliega una brillante trayectoria de ascenso, control, dominio y adaptación a las circunstancias que ni los mejores agentes dobles. Y sin apenas hacer daño a nadie, cosa que por desgracia, pronto se invertirá, en las Leyendas.
Momentos estelares a destacar, son aquellos que lo hacen más humano, más tangible; el recurrente recuerdo de su gemelo Caramon y la certeza, dolorosa, de que lo echa de menos y a veces se siente perdido sin él; la dulzura y ternura con la que trata a los que son más desvalidos que él - en este volumen se trata de una kender llamada Marigold -; su momentánea compasión con los que sufren, aunque lo traten mal - su preocupación por el dolor físico de Flint, que se muere por una dolencia cardíaca - o el recuerdo honesto y leal por las virtudes de los que han partido - su respeto ante la muerte de Sturm, que ciertamente, tampoco había hecho nada para ganarse su aprecio -. Incluso cierto afecto o reconocimiento de las virtudes de su hermanastra Kitiara, sin la cual, y él es perfectamente consciente, ni siquiera habría llegado vivo a la etapa adulta. Estos pequeños momentos - que no me cabe duda, salieron de la pluma de Weis - son joyas a atesorar y a recordar cuando leas las atrocidades que será capaz de cometer en las Leyendas. Porque así es Raistlin, un cúmulo de contradicciones, todas ellas reales.
Pero al final, no le he dado las cinco estrellas a este volumen, cuando hubiese querido de todo corazón hacerlo. Primero, porque es demasiado corto, Raistlin merece más (venga ya, dirás, pero qué le voy a hacer, es lo que siento); segundo, porque hay partes de la trama que no me acaban de convencer, particularmente relacionadas con el uso de la magia, que no queda suficientemente claro. Tercero, por las memeces que me tengo que tragar - apuesto a que son tuyas, Hickman - sobre el amor redentor de Tanis por Laurana, y lo bella que es Laurana, y lo buena que es Laurana, y lo mala y pervertida y corrupta que es Kitiara. Venga ya, por favor. No más de esto. No más.
Y con esto cierro la trilogía de las Crónicas Perdidas y destaco, al menos, tres avances generales que han conseguido los autores desde sus obras originales de los 80: más realismo. Más darle espacio y tiempo al bando de los "malos" y entender cómo funcionan, se organizan, sus valores y defecto, excelente. Más tacos y lenguaje profano, sin caer en lo excesivamente desagradable. Más violencia. Más oscuridad. Sé que eres tú, Weis. Bien hecho, colega.
Hickman, vete a mirarte los niveles de azúcar. Y déjanos ya en paz con Laurana, por Dios. Haces que desee que llegaran a sacrificarla ese día en que Raistlin ganó la Guerra de la Lanza, porque al final, sin él, ni Tanis ni Caramon hubiesen logrado nada.
Como siempre, muy, MUY recomendado para fans de la Dragonlance. Y para fans de Raistlin, aún más.
Este volumen es el más corto de los tres y para empezar, eso ya en sí es una decepción para mí, porque el protagonista absoluto es Raistlin Majere - y, como seguramente te habrás dado cuenta ya si lees mis reviews, Raistlin es mi personaje favorito -. El objetivo de este libro es contar la historia de qué hizo Raistlin y dónde estuvo desde que logró escapar del Perechon, la nave que se fue a pique en El Mar Sangriento con su hermano y sus amigos a bordo; hasta que hace su reaparición espectacular al final del tercer volumen de las Crónicas originales - La Reina de la Oscuridad - ya como archimago de los Túnicas Negras, revestido con un gran poder, para traicionar a la diosa Takhisis y ayudar a derrotar al Mal, siendo él mismo también parte de ese mal. Este momento es otro de los clímax de la saga original y por eso, ni yo ni los mismos autores en el Prólogo recomiendan leer este libro si no has leído las Crónicas, porque se pierde mucho con ello. Es preciso que ya conozcas la historia original, para poder disfrutar de ésta.
Con Raistlin no hay margen de error posible, leer sobre él siempre es un éxito garantizado. Es el mejor personaje del universo Dragonlance, el mejor escrito, los autores lo quieren y se nota muchísimo. Por eso me sabe a poco que su parte sea la más corta de la presente trilogía, aunque seguramente estoy siendo injusta puesto que se le han dedicado muchas otras historias, libros y cuentos cortos, y a estas alturas, ya nos queda realmente poco más que saber sobre él.
La mejor parte de Raistlin es su complejidad y versatilidad. Pocas veces se nos permite ver las cosas desde su punto de vista, y esto es lo que este volumen te ofrece, en un modo muy similar a como lo hizo La Forja de un Túnica Negra. Visto desde el punto de vista de los otros personajes, en particular sus compañeros - con excepción de su gemelo Caramon, claro está - Raistlin es un auténtico monstruo, egoísta, cruel, sociópata e impresentable. Sin embargo, cuando ves las cosas desde su punto de vista, no puedes evitar empatizar con él, sentir lástima de su condición - criatura abusada, brutalizada, crónicamente enferma y discapacitada, y en fin, sedienta de amor aunque le cueste admitirlo -. Lo mejor es que ambos puntos de vista son totalmente ciertos y se combinan en la misma persona.
Inteligente, resolutivo, audaz y valiente hasta las trancas, aunque la salud no lo acompaña, Raistlin se las apaña bien solo, primero, para librarse de esa larva que le succiona el alma - Fistandantilus, mal rayo lo parta - y luego para abrirse camino en su ascenso al poder. Al contrario de lo que puede parecer cuando lees las Crónicas, o las Leyendas, Raistlin no lo tiene todo planeado - eso es lo que le gusta aparentar - sino que va cambiando planes o improvisando según convenga. Tiene una gran capacidad de adaptación y ningún miedo, ni a morir ni a sufrir, sólo a fracasar. Por eso le sobran arrestos para cambiar sus lealtades de la neutralidad al mal, para arriesgarse a hacer cosas que le suelen salir mal a menudo, más que bien; para reponerse de sus errores y aprovecharlos para salir adelante de nuevo... en principio, su plan es ponerse al servicio de los Túnicas Negras y de la Reina Oscura porque parece que van a ganar la guerra; pero es una treta, quienes le conocemos sabemos que, como él mismo dice, no viene a servir, sino a mandar. Y despliega una brillante trayectoria de ascenso, control, dominio y adaptación a las circunstancias que ni los mejores agentes dobles. Y sin apenas hacer daño a nadie, cosa que por desgracia, pronto se invertirá, en las Leyendas.
Momentos estelares a destacar, son aquellos que lo hacen más humano, más tangible; el recurrente recuerdo de su gemelo Caramon y la certeza, dolorosa, de que lo echa de menos y a veces se siente perdido sin él; la dulzura y ternura con la que trata a los que son más desvalidos que él - en este volumen se trata de una kender llamada Marigold -; su momentánea compasión con los que sufren, aunque lo traten mal - su preocupación por el dolor físico de Flint, que se muere por una dolencia cardíaca - o el recuerdo honesto y leal por las virtudes de los que han partido - su respeto ante la muerte de Sturm, que ciertamente, tampoco había hecho nada para ganarse su aprecio -. Incluso cierto afecto o reconocimiento de las virtudes de su hermanastra Kitiara, sin la cual, y él es perfectamente consciente, ni siquiera habría llegado vivo a la etapa adulta. Estos pequeños momentos - que no me cabe duda, salieron de la pluma de Weis - son joyas a atesorar y a recordar cuando leas las atrocidades que será capaz de cometer en las Leyendas. Porque así es Raistlin, un cúmulo de contradicciones, todas ellas reales.
Pero al final, no le he dado las cinco estrellas a este volumen, cuando hubiese querido de todo corazón hacerlo. Primero, porque es demasiado corto, Raistlin merece más (venga ya, dirás, pero qué le voy a hacer, es lo que siento); segundo, porque hay partes de la trama que no me acaban de convencer, particularmente relacionadas con el uso de la magia, que no queda suficientemente claro. Tercero, por las memeces que me tengo que tragar - apuesto a que son tuyas, Hickman - sobre el amor redentor de Tanis por Laurana, y lo bella que es Laurana, y lo buena que es Laurana, y lo mala y pervertida y corrupta que es Kitiara. Venga ya, por favor. No más de esto. No más.
Y con esto cierro la trilogía de las Crónicas Perdidas y destaco, al menos, tres avances generales que han conseguido los autores desde sus obras originales de los 80: más realismo. Más darle espacio y tiempo al bando de los "malos" y entender cómo funcionan, se organizan, sus valores y defecto, excelente. Más tacos y lenguaje profano, sin caer en lo excesivamente desagradable. Más violencia. Más oscuridad. Sé que eres tú, Weis. Bien hecho, colega.
Hickman, vete a mirarte los niveles de azúcar. Y déjanos ya en paz con Laurana, por Dios. Haces que desee que llegaran a sacrificarla ese día en que Raistlin ganó la Guerra de la Lanza, porque al final, sin él, ni Tanis ni Caramon hubiesen logrado nada.
Como siempre, muy, MUY recomendado para fans de la Dragonlance. Y para fans de Raistlin, aún más.
September 9, 2015
And so, the Lost Chronicles come to an end.
This was the year of revisiting the Dragonlance World. A world I fondly remember from my teen years, and the people that inhabit it are close in my memory and my heart. But as for most of the people I know are familiar with the setting, it is Raistlin the one you remember most vividly...
Raistlin / Fistandantilus: The duality. The eternal question. The doubt.
Having finished the book, I think I can safely place Raistlin as one of the most memorable characters in fantasy literature. Sure, he can be dismissed as "just another troubled soul" archetype, but if you really care about him, if you really can appreciate his motivations and his inner conflict, and if you care about him the way Ms. Weis cares about him you will come to look at him in a complete manner. You will appreciate his depth and his humanity.
The real success of Raistlin is that most people can (and will) identify with his persona. Even after years of reading the original "Sacred Trilogies", you will find yourself thinking: "that is the way I think". Even as a middle aged adult, some of you will agree with the young mage: Living by YOUR rules / principles is of OUTMOST importance; Sure, you CAN compromise, but only if the whole Multiverse is at stake.
I honestly think that Raistlin should be studied in literary class. Or perhaps even in Ethics. He is without a doubt, Ms. Weis’ greatest contribution to the Literary Arts.
I really liked the book. I'll have to re-read the Chronicles again to truly appreciate the continuity given by this new trilogy, but the fact that it is a Raistlin focused story, is more than enough to pick it up if you like the setting. Plus, you get a bit of Lord Soth as a bonus!
Fully recommended if you are a fan of Dragonlance. And if you are not, pick it up and begin to know and love the Master of Past and Present.
This was the year of revisiting the Dragonlance World. A world I fondly remember from my teen years, and the people that inhabit it are close in my memory and my heart. But as for most of the people I know are familiar with the setting, it is Raistlin the one you remember most vividly...
Raistlin / Fistandantilus: The duality. The eternal question. The doubt.
Having finished the book, I think I can safely place Raistlin as one of the most memorable characters in fantasy literature. Sure, he can be dismissed as "just another troubled soul" archetype, but if you really care about him, if you really can appreciate his motivations and his inner conflict, and if you care about him the way Ms. Weis cares about him you will come to look at him in a complete manner. You will appreciate his depth and his humanity.
The real success of Raistlin is that most people can (and will) identify with his persona. Even after years of reading the original "Sacred Trilogies", you will find yourself thinking: "that is the way I think". Even as a middle aged adult, some of you will agree with the young mage: Living by YOUR rules / principles is of OUTMOST importance; Sure, you CAN compromise, but only if the whole Multiverse is at stake.
I honestly think that Raistlin should be studied in literary class. Or perhaps even in Ethics. He is without a doubt, Ms. Weis’ greatest contribution to the Literary Arts.
I really liked the book. I'll have to re-read the Chronicles again to truly appreciate the continuity given by this new trilogy, but the fact that it is a Raistlin focused story, is more than enough to pick it up if you like the setting. Plus, you get a bit of Lord Soth as a bonus!
Fully recommended if you are a fan of Dragonlance. And if you are not, pick it up and begin to know and love the Master of Past and Present.
August 30, 2009
You'd think I'd have some bad associations with Dragonlance, since it was my ex who first introduced me to it. But I don't - most of the lasting friendships I've made in the last ten years were based on a common interest in this series. So it will always have a special place in my heart.
Most fans have become disenchanted and disappointed in the direction DL has gone in the last few years. But I was really delighted with the chance to go back to the beginning with the Lost Chronicles and relive the magic, so to speak. There were, of course, things I didn't like about all three books (like the huge role Kit seemed to play - seriously, does anyone but Tanis even like this woman?) but on the whole, I enjoyed reading them all.
Dragons of the Hourglass Mage is about my favorite character, Raistlin Majere, and his journey into darkness - the events and decisions that led up to his taking the black robes, yet working still to defeat the Queen of Darkness. And we finally find out the identity of the person who aided Silvara and Gilthanas on their nightmarish escape from Neraka.
When I closed Dragons of the Hourglass Mage, I closed the book on Dragonlance for good. It slid neatly into the space I'd saved for it, completing my personal collection. It is fitting for me, personally, to end where I began - with the original companions, and the end of their original journey.
Most fans have become disenchanted and disappointed in the direction DL has gone in the last few years. But I was really delighted with the chance to go back to the beginning with the Lost Chronicles and relive the magic, so to speak. There were, of course, things I didn't like about all three books (like the huge role Kit seemed to play - seriously, does anyone but Tanis even like this woman?) but on the whole, I enjoyed reading them all.
Dragons of the Hourglass Mage is about my favorite character, Raistlin Majere, and his journey into darkness - the events and decisions that led up to his taking the black robes, yet working still to defeat the Queen of Darkness. And we finally find out the identity of the person who aided Silvara and Gilthanas on their nightmarish escape from Neraka.
When I closed Dragons of the Hourglass Mage, I closed the book on Dragonlance for good. It slid neatly into the space I'd saved for it, completing my personal collection. It is fitting for me, personally, to end where I began - with the original companions, and the end of their original journey.
October 21, 2012
The Dragonlance books will always have a special place in my heart. I used to read them when I was a kid. I still remember many summer days spent outdoors, protected by the hot sun rays by an old silk tree, with my nose in one of the book of the series. I would spend hour after hour lost in those pages, until it was too dark to read or it was time for dinner. Reading this book was like falling back in time. I was no longer in my San Francisco apartment, but I was back again in that field in Italy, under that Silk tree, caressed by the hot Italian sun, surrounded by green walls of flowers. It did not really matter that the story is actually not that great, or that some of the plot twists are forced and do not really make sense. What it matters is to find again those characters that I loved so much and I grew up with, to witness again their adventures. This book is certainly one of the least original of the whole saga, but it is at the same time one of the most touching and powerful. Even if the plot is simple and does not flow smoothly, it manages to bring back the kid that so avidly read all those books in his youth many years ago. It brought me the joy and the happiness of that time, and the bitter realization that those times are over. Reading the last pages was saying goodbye to the characters that saw me grew up, and to that kid that spent so many days with his nose in those books.
August 16, 2014
I wanted so desperately to love this book because the Dragonlance novels were my favorite books when I was a teenager, and Raistlin was by far my favorite character. I was excited when I found this book so long after I first fell in love with Krynn, so I worked it into my re-read of the original series.
Maybe that was the problem. I read it immediately after Dragons of Spring Dawning so it was perfect chronologically, but the differences were clear. The authors' writing has changed drastically in the years between these books. I'm not saying it's better or worse -- it's just very different. Their writing style and language was much more poetic, and their character development was deep. In this book, the style was much more casual and used word choices that I couldn't hear the characters ever saying.
I was also disappointed by the look into Raistlin's inner being. After immersing myself in a lot of Dragonlance books in the past, I had a hard time imagining Raistlin thinking or doing some of the things they wrote. He was portrayed very differently in this book than he was in any of the other novels, even the second generation tales.
While it was interesting to read a theory of how the last few weeks of the war happened from Raistlin's perspective, I still can't imagine him this way. I'm headed on to the Dragonlance: Legends now to re-read the twins' saga because I know they're written in the way I fell in love with.
Maybe that was the problem. I read it immediately after Dragons of Spring Dawning so it was perfect chronologically, but the differences were clear. The authors' writing has changed drastically in the years between these books. I'm not saying it's better or worse -- it's just very different. Their writing style and language was much more poetic, and their character development was deep. In this book, the style was much more casual and used word choices that I couldn't hear the characters ever saying.
I was also disappointed by the look into Raistlin's inner being. After immersing myself in a lot of Dragonlance books in the past, I had a hard time imagining Raistlin thinking or doing some of the things they wrote. He was portrayed very differently in this book than he was in any of the other novels, even the second generation tales.
While it was interesting to read a theory of how the last few weeks of the war happened from Raistlin's perspective, I still can't imagine him this way. I'm headed on to the Dragonlance: Legends now to re-read the twins' saga because I know they're written in the way I fell in love with.
Read
January 21, 2014I'll start by saying I'm completely biased because I've had a love for the Heroes of the Lance since reading the Chronicles trilogy as a teen. This takes you right back to the War of the Lance, and covers Raistlin's journey, starting from that fated day aboard the Perechon in the maelstrom of the Blood Sea of Istar.
Hourglass Mage doesn't just provide a fun adventure and heaps of nostalgia (it provides those in spades), it also provides greater insight into the character of Raistlin Majere--his motives and feelings towards his companions.
If you haven't yet read the Dragonlance Chronicles, do yourself a favor and start from the beginning with Dragons of Autumn Twilight. It's an epic tale you won't forget.
Hourglass Mage doesn't just provide a fun adventure and heaps of nostalgia (it provides those in spades), it also provides greater insight into the character of Raistlin Majere--his motives and feelings towards his companions.
If you haven't yet read the Dragonlance Chronicles, do yourself a favor and start from the beginning with Dragons of Autumn Twilight. It's an epic tale you won't forget.
August 15, 2009
Okay, it was Raistlin Majere, my very favorite Dragonlance character. I can't dis him too much, but! I thought that a lot of the plot was author-driven and not character or plot driven. The author seemed to be telling the characters what to do and what to say. BUT! Again, it's Raistlin. And he rocks. The story picks up after Caramon, Tanis, Flint, Tass, and the others aboard the ship are thought to be lost to the Malestrom. Raistlin has whisked himself away via his dragon orb to Palanthas. It's here that he makes the decision to go black robes and dyes it. He journeys to Neraka where the meat of the story really takes place.
August 8, 2017
My least favourite of the Lost Chronicles. Felt more of a solo side adventure than a "missing" chapter like the others. That being said it was still a fun read and capped a wonderful return to Krynn.
January 14, 2010
What can I say but that I reall enjoyed the book.
March 21, 2014
Best one of the lost chronicles
March 22, 2022
Prequels are a mixed bag. There's a strong urge when encountering a story that winds its way to a conclusion to want to know what came before, what led to this -- this beginning?
Star Wars fans know how this kind of gap-filling can lead to confusion, disappointment, anger, even hatred -- the very Dark Side itself. The Star Wars prequels told a story of What Came Before, but in so doing shoe-horned in more exposition that anyone was really asking for (between midichlorians and C3PO's dubious origin story, Episode One really went off the rails).
Prequels are no stranger to the Dragonlance shared-world universe. Nominally written in support of a new Dungeons & Dragons campaign world, Dragonlance was first published as a trilogy of novels that told the story of the War of the Lance, and the Heroes of the Lance who arose from anonymity to fight and die for the triumph of Good over Evil. The success of this story, this world, these characters, was such that the publishers went all-in on Dragonlance and produced at least four prequel trilogies that I can think of: Preludes and Preludes II, each volume of which follow one or more of the Heroes on their adventures prior to the original trilogy, and the Meetings Sextet (count as two trilogies, please) which follow their adventures even before that! Mix in any number of short stories and novels telling additional tales set before or during the War of the Lance, and the backstories of the core Heroes and any number of minor characters are more than detailed. That most of this work is the literary equivalent of shovelware is beside the point.
Enter this, the "Lost Chronicles": a "new" trilogy of the War of the Lance that fills in the blanks left in the original Chronicles. As a matter of necessity, the entire story told by the adventure game modules could not fit within the confines of the original trilogy outline, so some of the action took place "offscreen" or between books. In this trilogy of "Lost Chronicles" those stories are finally told -- in novel form, at least. What "happened" was always a matter of record, not only in the game books but through exposition in the original novels.
This third volume, however, Dragons of an Hourglass Mage, differs in that its story was never told. It fills in a real gap with not only a new novel, but all-new plot. Midichlorians and all.
In the third volume of the original Chronicles, Dragons of Spring Dawning, red-robed (morally neutral) wizard Raistlin Majere magicked himself out of the story at a climactic moment in which he saved his own life while leaving his companions, including twin brother Caramon, to their fate/doom. We know that he appeared on the doorstep of the Great Library of Palanthus, where he nearly succumbed to injury before having a vague epiphany, and from there he leaves the story, returning only at the end to assist in the climax and denouement of the War of the Lance, wearing the black robes of the morally evil wizards.
This Lost Chronicle tells us what happened in between. Spoiler alert: it's not that interesting.
What we know about Raistlin when he leaves: he is powerful in magic but weak in body, wracked with a chronic cough; he is selfish and self-interested, actively disdainful and spooky towards his "friends". What we know about Raistlin when he returns: he is more powerful in magic and his illness seemingly gone; and is otherwise unchanged.
What was the epiphany he had at death's doorstep? How did he acquire his black robes? How did he come to be cured of his mysterious chronic illness? Where did all his new power come from? Why did he undertake the actions he did at the end of Spring Dawning to prevent the Dark Queen Takhisis from taking form in the world and ending All Things?
Most fans of Dragonlance, to whom this book is geared, effectively know the answers to all these questions without having the specific plot of this book available to spell it out. Actually reading it, if I may make another Star Wars allusion, is like watching Solo and being underwhelmed at how seemingly every interesting thing to ever happen to Han Solo happened within like a two-week period. It cheapens the character, somehow, and not in an abstract "the mystery is gone" way; we mostly see Raistlin failing upwards as he plays against his apparent type and bows, scrapes, and cajoles virtually everyone he meets as he blunders from encounter to encounter, not unlike Dragonlance's other favorite character, the irrepressible kender Tasslehoff Burrfoot.
Ultimately, the all-new story of Raistlin Majere's solo adventure falls flat. He improbably appears (cloaked in invisibility or anonymity) in a few scenes recycled from Spring Dawning, as this book occurs simultaneously to that earlier one. This seems to be more about causing the other Heroes to appear, albeit briefly, for fan service, but they don't get to do anything new, and Raistlin doesn't get to participate in a meaningful way.
I had hoped for more pathos in this new time spent with Raistlin Majere, but it was mostly time spent in "meh."
Star Wars fans know how this kind of gap-filling can lead to confusion, disappointment, anger, even hatred -- the very Dark Side itself. The Star Wars prequels told a story of What Came Before, but in so doing shoe-horned in more exposition that anyone was really asking for (between midichlorians and C3PO's dubious origin story, Episode One really went off the rails).
Prequels are no stranger to the Dragonlance shared-world universe. Nominally written in support of a new Dungeons & Dragons campaign world, Dragonlance was first published as a trilogy of novels that told the story of the War of the Lance, and the Heroes of the Lance who arose from anonymity to fight and die for the triumph of Good over Evil. The success of this story, this world, these characters, was such that the publishers went all-in on Dragonlance and produced at least four prequel trilogies that I can think of: Preludes and Preludes II, each volume of which follow one or more of the Heroes on their adventures prior to the original trilogy, and the Meetings Sextet (count as two trilogies, please) which follow their adventures even before that! Mix in any number of short stories and novels telling additional tales set before or during the War of the Lance, and the backstories of the core Heroes and any number of minor characters are more than detailed. That most of this work is the literary equivalent of shovelware is beside the point.
Enter this, the "Lost Chronicles": a "new" trilogy of the War of the Lance that fills in the blanks left in the original Chronicles. As a matter of necessity, the entire story told by the adventure game modules could not fit within the confines of the original trilogy outline, so some of the action took place "offscreen" or between books. In this trilogy of "Lost Chronicles" those stories are finally told -- in novel form, at least. What "happened" was always a matter of record, not only in the game books but through exposition in the original novels.
This third volume, however, Dragons of an Hourglass Mage, differs in that its story was never told. It fills in a real gap with not only a new novel, but all-new plot. Midichlorians and all.
In the third volume of the original Chronicles, Dragons of Spring Dawning, red-robed (morally neutral) wizard Raistlin Majere magicked himself out of the story at a climactic moment in which he saved his own life while leaving his companions, including twin brother Caramon, to their fate/doom. We know that he appeared on the doorstep of the Great Library of Palanthus, where he nearly succumbed to injury before having a vague epiphany, and from there he leaves the story, returning only at the end to assist in the climax and denouement of the War of the Lance, wearing the black robes of the morally evil wizards.
This Lost Chronicle tells us what happened in between. Spoiler alert: it's not that interesting.
What we know about Raistlin when he leaves: he is powerful in magic but weak in body, wracked with a chronic cough; he is selfish and self-interested, actively disdainful and spooky towards his "friends". What we know about Raistlin when he returns: he is more powerful in magic and his illness seemingly gone; and is otherwise unchanged.
What was the epiphany he had at death's doorstep? How did he acquire his black robes? How did he come to be cured of his mysterious chronic illness? Where did all his new power come from? Why did he undertake the actions he did at the end of Spring Dawning to prevent the Dark Queen Takhisis from taking form in the world and ending All Things?
Most fans of Dragonlance, to whom this book is geared, effectively know the answers to all these questions without having the specific plot of this book available to spell it out. Actually reading it, if I may make another Star Wars allusion, is like watching Solo and being underwhelmed at how seemingly every interesting thing to ever happen to Han Solo happened within like a two-week period. It cheapens the character, somehow, and not in an abstract "the mystery is gone" way; we mostly see Raistlin failing upwards as he plays against his apparent type and bows, scrapes, and cajoles virtually everyone he meets as he blunders from encounter to encounter, not unlike Dragonlance's other favorite character, the irrepressible kender Tasslehoff Burrfoot.
Ultimately, the all-new story of Raistlin Majere's solo adventure falls flat. He improbably appears (cloaked in invisibility or anonymity) in a few scenes recycled from Spring Dawning, as this book occurs simultaneously to that earlier one. This seems to be more about causing the other Heroes to appear, albeit briefly, for fan service, but they don't get to do anything new, and Raistlin doesn't get to participate in a meaningful way.
I had hoped for more pathos in this new time spent with Raistlin Majere, but it was mostly time spent in "meh."
August 3, 2008
Originally posted by Wizards of the Coast:
DRAGONS OF THE HOURGLASS MAGE SCHEDULED FOR SUMMER 2009
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
CONTACT:
Tolena Thorburn
Wizards of the Coast
425.204.8011
Tolena.Thorburn@wizards.com
DRAGONS OF THE HOURGLASS MAGE SCHEDULED FOR SUMMER 2009
RENTON, Wash.—July 21, 2008 — Wizards of the Coast Inc., and New York Times Best-selling authors Margaret Weis and Tracy Hickman today announced that Dragons of the Hourglass Mage is scheduled for a Summer 2009 publication.
Dragons of the Hourglass Mage is the concluding novel in the Lost Chronicles trilogy by Weis and Hickman and features many of the most popular characters from their extensive line of Dragonlance® books.
“Raistlin has always been my favorite character, yet even I didn’t foresee what would happen to him in Neraka until Tracy and I talked about it,” said Margaret Weis. “What he does is utterly true to his nature and absolutely right! I can’t wait to tell the story.”
“We are so pleased that we’ve reached agreement on the publishing schedule for this book,” said Casey Reeter, Vice President of Marketing for Wizards of the Coast. “We know how important this book is to the fans.”
“This is the book the fans have been waiting for,” added Tracy Hickman. “We’re delighted that we will be able to share it with them.”
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
A word from Margaret Weiss:
06-19-2008, 06:40 AM
An official statement will be released shortly.
Patience, my children.
Margaret
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Well, the information below was more than a little disappointing to me. I was very much looking forward to reading the account of Raistlin's activities between Winter Night and Spring Dawning.
I cannot imagine that a story this important to the canon of Dragonlance would be told by anyone other than the actual canon authors. Raistlin Majere is one of the most loved/hated characters in the DL universe, and no one understands him better than Margaret Weis.
Margaret and Tracy wrote the stories that pulled us in and have held us captivated for almost twenty five years. Only Weis and Hickman will be able to do this story justice.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Discussion from http://www.enworld.org/showthread.php...
Books - WotC cancel publication of Dragonlance: Dragons of an Hourglass Mage
03-04-08, 01:40 AM Post #1
Dragons of an Hourglass Mage, which is believed to be the last Dragonlance novel to be written by Margaret Weis and Tracy Hickman was due out in a few months, but has now been cancelled.
Different accounts have been made by the authors and Wizards of the Coast. Tracy Hickman had this to say on the Dragonlance Forums:
Quote:
Originally Posted by Tracy Hickman
Well, we wish truth were happier...
Margaret and I have talked about this and are both deeply hurt and concerned. We don’t want our fans or book buyers to be mislead. To be clear, the book has not been turned in as yet by us.
Further, we were just informed that Wizards of the Coast is not allowing us to turn in the manuscript -- in other words they don’t even want to read it. We have seen the book being pre-sold as coming out in July with our names on it, but the plot described is not ours. If we haven’t turned it in and they are refusing now to accept or even look at the manuscript from us ... we are at a complete loss as to what to think.
It certainly both puzzling and upsetting.
Tracy Hickman for both myself and Margaret Weis
Margaret Weis posted, to make sure that people knew she agreed with this:
Quote:
Originally Posted by Margaret Weis
I want to emphasize that Tracy speaks for both us.
Margaret
Needless to say there is a lot of speculation about this among Dragonlance fans. A representative of Wizards of the Coast responded on their own forums:
Quote:
Originally Posted by Mike Lescault
Hi All. I received the following information to pass along. I apologize for not posting it earlier, but I am still out of the office from D&D Experience:
Wizards of the Coast planned to release Dragons of the Hourglass Mage in July 2008, as published in our catalog and posted on Amazon and other sites for pre-order. Despite our efforts, a manuscript was not forthcoming. Plans for the book are on hold; we have not recommissioned it. Today, we communicated this news to our distributor, and we expect that within the coming week retailers taking pre-orders for this book will cancel those orders.
We are always disappointed when our business partners don’t honor their obligations to us, but we must move forward to ensure the continued success of our publishing business.
__________________
Mike Lescault
Online Communities Manager
Wizards of the Coast
Co-host of Gamer Radio Zer0
GRZ on Youtube
GRZ on Myspace
So Tracy Hickman (and Margaret Weis) seem to be saying that they have been prevented from turning in the manuscript, while Wizards of the Coast seem to be saying that it wasn't given to them.
Either way, anyone waiting for this book is going to be disapointed, and anyone who has ordered the book on Amazon isn't going to get it.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Quote:
Originally Posted by Alzrius
When he mentions the "plot described," was a synopsis of the book published someplace? If so, does anyone have it and can post it here?
03-06-08, 02:59 AM Post #18
Vocenoctum
I think they just meant the Back Cover Blurb
From Amazon:
Between Chronicles and Legends, what made Raistlin aspire to godhood?
In the concluding volume of this trilogy, the reader finds out what, exactly, Raistlin did after he abandoned the Companions to their deaths in the War of the Lance. Dragons of Spring Dawning shows Raistlin concluding a deal with the mysterious Fistandantilus, and the Legends trilogy shows what he did with that alliance, but until now there has been no explanation of what came between the War of the Lance and the Dwarfgate Wars. What power made Raistlin the Master of the Past and Present and allowed him into the Tower of High Sorcery - and a place in history as he pursued a place in the cosmos as a god.
DRAGONS OF THE HOURGLASS MAGE SCHEDULED FOR SUMMER 2009
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
CONTACT:
Tolena Thorburn
Wizards of the Coast
425.204.8011
Tolena.Thorburn@wizards.com
DRAGONS OF THE HOURGLASS MAGE SCHEDULED FOR SUMMER 2009
RENTON, Wash.—July 21, 2008 — Wizards of the Coast Inc., and New York Times Best-selling authors Margaret Weis and Tracy Hickman today announced that Dragons of the Hourglass Mage is scheduled for a Summer 2009 publication.
Dragons of the Hourglass Mage is the concluding novel in the Lost Chronicles trilogy by Weis and Hickman and features many of the most popular characters from their extensive line of Dragonlance® books.
“Raistlin has always been my favorite character, yet even I didn’t foresee what would happen to him in Neraka until Tracy and I talked about it,” said Margaret Weis. “What he does is utterly true to his nature and absolutely right! I can’t wait to tell the story.”
“We are so pleased that we’ve reached agreement on the publishing schedule for this book,” said Casey Reeter, Vice President of Marketing for Wizards of the Coast. “We know how important this book is to the fans.”
“This is the book the fans have been waiting for,” added Tracy Hickman. “We’re delighted that we will be able to share it with them.”
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
A word from Margaret Weiss:
06-19-2008, 06:40 AM
An official statement will be released shortly.
Patience, my children.
Margaret
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Well, the information below was more than a little disappointing to me. I was very much looking forward to reading the account of Raistlin's activities between Winter Night and Spring Dawning.
I cannot imagine that a story this important to the canon of Dragonlance would be told by anyone other than the actual canon authors. Raistlin Majere is one of the most loved/hated characters in the DL universe, and no one understands him better than Margaret Weis.
Margaret and Tracy wrote the stories that pulled us in and have held us captivated for almost twenty five years. Only Weis and Hickman will be able to do this story justice.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Discussion from http://www.enworld.org/showthread.php...
Books - WotC cancel publication of Dragonlance: Dragons of an Hourglass Mage
03-04-08, 01:40 AM Post #1
Dragons of an Hourglass Mage, which is believed to be the last Dragonlance novel to be written by Margaret Weis and Tracy Hickman was due out in a few months, but has now been cancelled.
Different accounts have been made by the authors and Wizards of the Coast. Tracy Hickman had this to say on the Dragonlance Forums:
Quote:
Originally Posted by Tracy Hickman
Well, we wish truth were happier...
Margaret and I have talked about this and are both deeply hurt and concerned. We don’t want our fans or book buyers to be mislead. To be clear, the book has not been turned in as yet by us.
Further, we were just informed that Wizards of the Coast is not allowing us to turn in the manuscript -- in other words they don’t even want to read it. We have seen the book being pre-sold as coming out in July with our names on it, but the plot described is not ours. If we haven’t turned it in and they are refusing now to accept or even look at the manuscript from us ... we are at a complete loss as to what to think.
It certainly both puzzling and upsetting.
Tracy Hickman for both myself and Margaret Weis
Margaret Weis posted, to make sure that people knew she agreed with this:
Quote:
Originally Posted by Margaret Weis
I want to emphasize that Tracy speaks for both us.
Margaret
Needless to say there is a lot of speculation about this among Dragonlance fans. A representative of Wizards of the Coast responded on their own forums:
Quote:
Originally Posted by Mike Lescault
Hi All. I received the following information to pass along. I apologize for not posting it earlier, but I am still out of the office from D&D Experience:
Wizards of the Coast planned to release Dragons of the Hourglass Mage in July 2008, as published in our catalog and posted on Amazon and other sites for pre-order. Despite our efforts, a manuscript was not forthcoming. Plans for the book are on hold; we have not recommissioned it. Today, we communicated this news to our distributor, and we expect that within the coming week retailers taking pre-orders for this book will cancel those orders.
We are always disappointed when our business partners don’t honor their obligations to us, but we must move forward to ensure the continued success of our publishing business.
__________________
Mike Lescault
Online Communities Manager
Wizards of the Coast
Co-host of Gamer Radio Zer0
GRZ on Youtube
GRZ on Myspace
So Tracy Hickman (and Margaret Weis) seem to be saying that they have been prevented from turning in the manuscript, while Wizards of the Coast seem to be saying that it wasn't given to them.
Either way, anyone waiting for this book is going to be disapointed, and anyone who has ordered the book on Amazon isn't going to get it.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Quote:
Originally Posted by Alzrius
When he mentions the "plot described," was a synopsis of the book published someplace? If so, does anyone have it and can post it here?
03-06-08, 02:59 AM Post #18
Vocenoctum
I think they just meant the Back Cover Blurb
From Amazon:
Between Chronicles and Legends, what made Raistlin aspire to godhood?
In the concluding volume of this trilogy, the reader finds out what, exactly, Raistlin did after he abandoned the Companions to their deaths in the War of the Lance. Dragons of Spring Dawning shows Raistlin concluding a deal with the mysterious Fistandantilus, and the Legends trilogy shows what he did with that alliance, but until now there has been no explanation of what came between the War of the Lance and the Dwarfgate Wars. What power made Raistlin the Master of the Past and Present and allowed him into the Tower of High Sorcery - and a place in history as he pursued a place in the cosmos as a god.
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