What do you think?
Rate this book
Legends of the Dragonrealm #2
Legends of the Dragonrealm, Vol. II
Experience New York Times bestselling author Richard A. Knaak’s classic Dragonrealm series in this exciting omnibus—three unforgettable tales, plus an original bonus novella in print for the first time ever!
SHADOW STEED
Betrothed to the disfigured King Melicard of Talak, Princess Erini begins to fear her burgeoning magical powers. She soon discovers that an obsessive vendetta has led the king to cast a sinister spell that conjures the shadow creature Darkhorse . . . and worse, the mad sorcerer Shade.
THE SHROUDED REALM
Long before the Dragonrealm, a race of master wizards ruled Nimth with little regard for the laws of nature. Forced into desperate escape to a mysterious world, the Vraad soon discover their new home is unyielding. Only Dru Zeree, with the aid of the shadowy creature who will become Darkhorse, may be able to save them.
CHILDREN OF THE DRAKE
Bitterness between factions is tarnishing the Vraad’s new home. As Lord Barakas attempts to rule all, the wizard Dru Zeree’s daughter discovers their adopted world has another plan. Worse, her only hope is himself transforming into the enigma that will someday call itself Shade.
SKINS
Morgis, son of the Blue Dragon and comrade-in-arms to the legendary Gryphon, has lingered in the land of the Wolf Raiders to help fight the remnants of the dark empire. However, with the Aramites’ fall from power, he is about to discover that other ancient, dread forces have risen again.
SHADOW STEED
Betrothed to the disfigured King Melicard of Talak, Princess Erini begins to fear her burgeoning magical powers. She soon discovers that an obsessive vendetta has led the king to cast a sinister spell that conjures the shadow creature Darkhorse . . . and worse, the mad sorcerer Shade.
THE SHROUDED REALM
Long before the Dragonrealm, a race of master wizards ruled Nimth with little regard for the laws of nature. Forced into desperate escape to a mysterious world, the Vraad soon discover their new home is unyielding. Only Dru Zeree, with the aid of the shadowy creature who will become Darkhorse, may be able to save them.
CHILDREN OF THE DRAKE
Bitterness between factions is tarnishing the Vraad’s new home. As Lord Barakas attempts to rule all, the wizard Dru Zeree’s daughter discovers their adopted world has another plan. Worse, her only hope is himself transforming into the enigma that will someday call itself Shade.
SKINS
Morgis, son of the Blue Dragon and comrade-in-arms to the legendary Gryphon, has lingered in the land of the Wolf Raiders to help fight the remnants of the dark empire. However, with the Aramites’ fall from power, he is about to discover that other ancient, dread forces have risen again.
752 pages, Paperback
First published October 7, 2010
28 people are currently reading
631 people want to read
About the author
Richard A. Knaak
283 books1,483 followersRichard A. Knaak is the bestselling author of Dragonlance novels, the Dragonrealm and Black City Saint series (his own creations), six novels for Blizzard Entertainment's Diablo series, and six works in the Warcraft universe. He has also written several non-series fantasy books.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 19 of 19 reviews
January 29, 2013
Legends of Dragonrealm II is a collection of novels and a novella: Shadow Steed, The Shrouded Realm, Children of the Drake, and finally Skins. To do the piece as whole justice I will try to touch on each story, but in reality, it is such an impossible task. If you are unfamiliar with Richard Knaak’s Dragonrealm series, I will heed you to start with Dragonrealm, working your way forward from there. If not then you may find yourself confused.
Shadow Steed
This tale brings us to one of Shade’s end as we pay witness to the downfall and uncover who he truly is, or err was. Whether or not it is the final end is unknown. This is due to not having finished the series. It brings us the heart of adventure, impending battles, and of course love. Intertwined are deception, friendship, magic, and of course the beloved Darkhorse of the Void.
The Shrouded Realm
This tale whisks us back in time to the Vraad world of Nimth. Here we meet Dru Zeree, and the foundation for the story that follows. In this story, we get to throw ourselves into the chaos as the Vraad and the dragon race Tezrenee try to cross over to the Shrouded Realm, also known as Dragonrealm.
Children of the Drake
The Tezrenee clan is at it again. Lord Barakas cooks up his most devious plan yet 15 years after the final crossing of the Vraad people. He had a vision once of ruling all of Dragonrealm, and with Darkhorse’s return, he can finally see the fruitfulness of his people. Devising a plan, the elder kidnaps the daughter of Dru Zeree and Darkhorse, using them against one another to do his bidding…But much is a miss as sickness begins to claim the Tezrenee clan, one by one, they begin to twist into a new race.
Skins
This is a novella, and the final book included in this volume of Dragonrealm II. It introduces us to a new character, a blue drake, who is attempting to hunt the wolf raiders. He and his comrades embark on something else altogether, it is a terrifying and gruesome battle for both survival and wits. Who will win in the end, and will they do so with their skins still attached?
I loved each tale as it brings you closer and more intimate with Dragonrealm itself along with the characters that grace each page. The writing style is one I have come to love, and it should surprise no one that I am a huge fan of Richard Knaak. It is more than a story when he writes. Instead he makes you a bystander in the story, you feel as the characters feel.
I always say that this is epic fantasy at its best. I say the same for Dragonrealm II. You get tossed into the fray, and live out the story as the characters do. That is just beyond awesome.
Shadow Steed
This tale brings us to one of Shade’s end as we pay witness to the downfall and uncover who he truly is, or err was. Whether or not it is the final end is unknown. This is due to not having finished the series. It brings us the heart of adventure, impending battles, and of course love. Intertwined are deception, friendship, magic, and of course the beloved Darkhorse of the Void.
The Shrouded Realm
This tale whisks us back in time to the Vraad world of Nimth. Here we meet Dru Zeree, and the foundation for the story that follows. In this story, we get to throw ourselves into the chaos as the Vraad and the dragon race Tezrenee try to cross over to the Shrouded Realm, also known as Dragonrealm.
Children of the Drake
The Tezrenee clan is at it again. Lord Barakas cooks up his most devious plan yet 15 years after the final crossing of the Vraad people. He had a vision once of ruling all of Dragonrealm, and with Darkhorse’s return, he can finally see the fruitfulness of his people. Devising a plan, the elder kidnaps the daughter of Dru Zeree and Darkhorse, using them against one another to do his bidding…But much is a miss as sickness begins to claim the Tezrenee clan, one by one, they begin to twist into a new race.
Skins
This is a novella, and the final book included in this volume of Dragonrealm II. It introduces us to a new character, a blue drake, who is attempting to hunt the wolf raiders. He and his comrades embark on something else altogether, it is a terrifying and gruesome battle for both survival and wits. Who will win in the end, and will they do so with their skins still attached?
I loved each tale as it brings you closer and more intimate with Dragonrealm itself along with the characters that grace each page. The writing style is one I have come to love, and it should surprise no one that I am a huge fan of Richard Knaak. It is more than a story when he writes. Instead he makes you a bystander in the story, you feel as the characters feel.
I always say that this is epic fantasy at its best. I say the same for Dragonrealm II. You get tossed into the fray, and live out the story as the characters do. That is just beyond awesome.
January 11, 2024
I enjoyed this entire series and several memorable characters. I used to own the individual titles but a move forced cutbacks. I am now returning this series to my library, but in omnibus form.
May 22, 2012
4 in 1, omnibus. The first three stories are full length books, and the 4th is a short story.
Shadow Steed picks up about 15 years after Firedrake and Icedragon from the first omnibus book.
The Shrouded Realm backs WAY up and tells the story of how the Vraad came in to the Dragonrealm World.
Children of the Drake picks up about 15 years after The Shrouded Realm, and how the shapeshifting dragons came to be.
The back story of Darkhorse and the beginnings of Shade flow through the whole book.
Skins jumps to after Wolfhelm, from the first omnibus and follows Morgis the Blue Dragon on a creepy short story.
Have I mentioned how much I enjoy omnibus books. It's so nice being able to pick up older stories like this in clusters. Another great fantasy book, diving into the 3rd Dragonrealm omnibus shortly!
Shadow Steed picks up about 15 years after Firedrake and Icedragon from the first omnibus book.
The Shrouded Realm backs WAY up and tells the story of how the Vraad came in to the Dragonrealm World.
Children of the Drake picks up about 15 years after The Shrouded Realm, and how the shapeshifting dragons came to be.
The back story of Darkhorse and the beginnings of Shade flow through the whole book.
Skins jumps to after Wolfhelm, from the first omnibus and follows Morgis the Blue Dragon on a creepy short story.
Have I mentioned how much I enjoy omnibus books. It's so nice being able to pick up older stories like this in clusters. Another great fantasy book, diving into the 3rd Dragonrealm omnibus shortly!
December 25, 2011
I'm enjoyed this book thoroughly. It was great to hear about the history of the Vraad race touched on in the previous volume. I began to form an idea of what was going to happen to the Vraad (and I am pleased that I was right, although it can be pleasing to be wrong, too, when the outcome is differently better). I didn't enjoy the short story (Skins) at the back, though. I found its content a bit disturbing and it didn't quite fit in with the rest of the book. Aside from that, it was amazing.
January 24, 2014
Another great read, the worlds the author presents rival those of Weiss and Salvatore. Brilliantly written and one you just can't put down until you finish. Fantasy at its fundamental glory.
July 27, 2017
Amazing book! Not feeling well has some advantages.
February 15, 2019
If you ever want to get swept away to a distant land and connect with seemingly regular character with extrodinary abilities unbeknownst to even themselves, then buy this book!!!
November 9, 2010
I graciously received this book from the author through first reads.
I did not read the first volume, so I came into the story a little lost and confused on plot. However, throughout the tale I began to understand what was going on and could follow the current storyline. Tale kept my interest throughout, but I do recommend reading the first volume beforehand. The second story was much better and gave the beginning of the history of the first story. I became addicted toward the end of the book and could not put it down, but I feel left with too many questions that I wish would have been answered. Maybe in a next book?
I did not read the first volume, so I came into the story a little lost and confused on plot. However, throughout the tale I began to understand what was going on and could follow the current storyline. Tale kept my interest throughout, but I do recommend reading the first volume beforehand. The second story was much better and gave the beginning of the history of the first story. I became addicted toward the end of the book and could not put it down, but I feel left with too many questions that I wish would have been answered. Maybe in a next book?
January 16, 2016
As much as I appreciate the world Mr. Knaak has built, and as much as I admire his world's history, I cannot bring myself to really like his style. While the books in this volume were relatively entertaining, they are not stories that particularly captivated me, not to the degree other fantasy series have, anyway. I found the plot-lines somewhat predictable, the characters often falling flat, and the romances/relationships feeling a little shallow. Will I read further into the series? Eh. Maybe. For now, other books beckon.
October 2, 2015
This book compliments the first book very well. It defines the characters more while adding more adventure and mystery along the way. With all great sci-fi fantasy series it leaves you wanting more. I would recommend buying the third book when you buy the second because you will want to pick up right where you left off.
The legend of the dragonrealm books are addicting, suspenseful, and very exciting. It feels as if everything you read is important information to pay attention to. They are definitely "can't put down" material.
February 22, 2012
Not finishing this one. I am totally lost. I thought it was a collection of three books. Then I thought they were out of order, but evidently, this is the second book...I'm so annoyed at this point that I am putting it down. Perhaps if I find Vol I, I will start from there. I rarely not finish a book, but this one I must.
June 29, 2011
哀，同時讀好幾本書真是壞習慣。但是，因為已經讀過第一輯。好不容易終於買到第二輯，不先讀一些有點對不起Richard A. Knaak。這是一本文字很順暢、有點幽默、又有機鋒及人生智慧的奇幻小說。有點商業或大眾(甚至可以改成角色扮演遊戲)，但是讀起來很輕鬆又有趣。雖然一本有七百多頁，卻有點嫌短。奇幻文學就是要寫的永遠寫不完才能永遠做夢下去，讀者消費就是要買一個可以神遊的世界。就像出國觀光一樣，這讀這書比去度假更能令人著迷。
May 22, 2015
This is a collection of stories that continue the saga of Dragonrealm. The demonic Shade and Darkhose and the human and part human characters return in a series of battles over Dragonrealm that covers generations. Magic, demons, and elves are mainstay characters.
November 9, 2010
love it..
July 6, 2011
I was even more impressed with the prequel novels than the first novel. The novella was pretty good, too.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
August 8, 2012
I don't have a lot to say about this second collection of stories other than I'm happy to move onto something different. They were fine; I'm just not a fan of Knaak's story telling style.
August 2, 2014
love this fantasy series.
November 19, 2014
I wish I had read the first volume,but I still greatly enjoyed it and will read anything else by this Author.
May 14, 2016
i love this series! Cabe and Darkhorse are my favorites, although Shade is also very intriguing.
Displaying 1 - 19 of 19 reviews