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Dragonlance: Lost Histories #3
The Dargonesti
A Captive Elven Princess . . .
In a time of war, a princess of Qualinost and an elite band of warriors sail forth to rescue their contrymen from the collapsing Ergoth Empire. Their journey goes awry when a strange mist engulfs Princess Vixa's ship and transports them to a phantom island.
Who are the mysterious masters who imprison them in their undersea city?
No soul has encountered the fabled Dargonesti or visited the city of pearl marble that rises from the sea floor -- and lived to tell the tale. Princess Vixa and her companions meet the race of sea elves, experience a fantastical underwater world, face a foe counted among the legends of Krynn, and accept an impossible mission that will bring them back to the land they call home.
The Dargonesti
The Lost Histories Series probes the historical roots and epic struggles of the heretofore little-known peoples of Krynn.
In a time of war, a princess of Qualinost and an elite band of warriors sail forth to rescue their contrymen from the collapsing Ergoth Empire. Their journey goes awry when a strange mist engulfs Princess Vixa's ship and transports them to a phantom island.
Who are the mysterious masters who imprison them in their undersea city?
No soul has encountered the fabled Dargonesti or visited the city of pearl marble that rises from the sea floor -- and lived to tell the tale. Princess Vixa and her companions meet the race of sea elves, experience a fantastical underwater world, face a foe counted among the legends of Krynn, and accept an impossible mission that will bring them back to the land they call home.
The Dargonesti
The Lost Histories Series probes the historical roots and epic struggles of the heretofore little-known peoples of Krynn.
303 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published June 1, 1995
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Displaying 1 - 29 of 29 reviews
January 21, 2025
While not nearly as dank as the same author's Darkness and Light or as riveting as Riverwind the Plainsman this was still a fine, far-out fantasy adventure that takes place in the equally foreboding realms tof Urione under the waves of Krynn's southern ocean and the hermit kingdom of Silvanesti where, famously, the well-mannered (sometimes) Elven bigots who do not permit outsiders. Not much is done to contrast the two insular societies, though, as for the most part this is a classic story of Good versus Evil (or Right versus Wrong?) as the NBA-scale amphibious Dargonesti elves decide to launch an ill-prepared war of conquest against their land-dwelling brethren at the behest of an ambitious warlord and his megalomaniacal sorceress queen.
Rather than totally dank this one is relentlessly damp.
On the Heroic side of the equation we've got the shipwrecked and captured Princess Vixa Ambrodel of Qualinesti who is much more hands-on than your typical damsel in distress. For one thing she is a six-footer and a quarter human thanks to her Kith-Kanan ancestry and also a General in that Kingdom's armed forces. Her journey to first endure then escape the nefarious sea elves, alongside the engaging comic relief of a fellow captive Thorbardin dwarf, is well-worn Fantasy material but with some novel nautical features, such as and the morally dubious denouement at the court of the Speaker of the Stars was also a welcome one.
The might be warmongers but I reckon their sushi game is unequaled.
Final verdict is that this one is better than the regrettable The Irda but not quite as entertaining or intriguing as The Kagonesti. I will continue reading these Lost Histories and give a final rundown when I get to The Dragons.
Rather than totally dank this one is relentlessly damp.
On the Heroic side of the equation we've got the shipwrecked and captured Princess Vixa Ambrodel of Qualinesti who is much more hands-on than your typical damsel in distress. For one thing she is a six-footer and a quarter human thanks to her Kith-Kanan ancestry and also a General in that Kingdom's armed forces. Her journey to first endure then escape the nefarious sea elves, alongside the engaging comic relief of a fellow captive Thorbardin dwarf, is well-worn Fantasy material but with some novel nautical features, such as and the morally dubious denouement at the court of the Speaker of the Stars was also a welcome one.
The might be warmongers but I reckon their sushi game is unequaled.
Final verdict is that this one is better than the regrettable The Irda but not quite as entertaining or intriguing as The Kagonesti. I will continue reading these Lost Histories and give a final rundown when I get to The Dragons.
March 1, 2013
Classic Dragonlance goodness. Is there really anything better than Sea Elves and Were(kinda)- Dolphins?
nope.
nope.
March 16, 2015
This book is part of the Dragonlance world. While other books of this series have told the passage of time for a certain race this one is about one event. The Dargonesti are a group of elves that live underwater. They have designs to change their current status.
I liked the premise of this book that the author decided not to portray these elves as playful water nymphs but as a race on Krynn that desires more. The author does a terrific job with the underwater world as the reader develops a good sense of this world. The first third was terrific as these elves wage a battle with their underwater enemy before they can put their plans into motion. Then it starts to fall apart. There were minor plot holes that started to affect my enjoyment and I started to question some characters actions. The book did make a nice little rebound and I did start to enjoy it again but the ending was so wrong. Once again I questioned the motives of a character and it ruined this whole book for me. I think it was a case of an author getting too cute.
This book could have been so much better as my enjoyment level was like a roller coaster ride. The other books in this series provide much more information and enjoyment.
I liked the premise of this book that the author decided not to portray these elves as playful water nymphs but as a race on Krynn that desires more. The author does a terrific job with the underwater world as the reader develops a good sense of this world. The first third was terrific as these elves wage a battle with their underwater enemy before they can put their plans into motion. Then it starts to fall apart. There were minor plot holes that started to affect my enjoyment and I started to question some characters actions. The book did make a nice little rebound and I did start to enjoy it again but the ending was so wrong. Once again I questioned the motives of a character and it ruined this whole book for me. I think it was a case of an author getting too cute.
This book could have been so much better as my enjoyment level was like a roller coaster ride. The other books in this series provide much more information and enjoyment.
February 11, 2024
As a youth in the 90s I would see this in the book store and be curious about an underwater adventure. The fact that it was #3 in a series was a deterrent.
I haven't read anything in the Dragonlance world in eons, so I was glad to know this was largely self-contained. I don't think my lack of knowledge of the greater world was a detriment; it was sufficient to know there are different races and factions of elves.
Overall, this was pretty enjoyable. It's no great work of art, but it's actually better than what one might expect.
There is definitely a cheesiness factor to some aspects of this, but that's totally OK if it meets your expectations. 3.5*
I haven't read anything in the Dragonlance world in eons, so I was glad to know this was largely self-contained. I don't think my lack of knowledge of the greater world was a detriment; it was sufficient to know there are different races and factions of elves.
Overall, this was pretty enjoyable. It's no great work of art, but it's actually better than what one might expect.
There is definitely a cheesiness factor to some aspects of this, but that's totally OK if it meets your expectations. 3.5*
July 31, 2015
This book started off quite strong getting into the action right away. Fantasy and role-playing elements were quite strong as depicted in the battle of the warring factions along with the further battles against the other Eleven nations.
However, the ending was a bit of a disappointment via a flat conclusion and a setup for a sequel (maybe?).
Overall, I was aiming for a 3.5 (rounding up) but the end of the story brings it down to a solid 3.
However, the ending was a bit of a disappointment via a flat conclusion and a setup for a sequel (maybe?).
Overall, I was aiming for a 3.5 (rounding up) but the end of the story brings it down to a solid 3.
August 21, 2022
Because Firstborn, and the Elven Exiles just might be my favourite Dragonlance entries, I had high hopes for this one. I was disappointed. It’s a very simple story, and it didn’t bring me to that special place which other Dragonlance titles have brought me to.
The entire Lost Histories series is a bit misleading. Rather than getting stories that would contribute to our knowledge of these little-known-about races, we get…something less desirable or beneficial…
This one is told through the perspective of a Qualinesti elf, which doesn’t help much in immersing us into the Dargonesti culture. Furthermore, the Dargonesti are portrayed, for lack of a better word, as assholes. There isn’t a single likeable one in the book.
A big let-down. It took me forever to finish. I might be a bit harsher than usual in my review because I was reading this one at the same time as another well thought out, epic, high fantasy book of 1200 pages, so in comparison this one seemed very lack-luster.
The entire Lost Histories series is a bit misleading. Rather than getting stories that would contribute to our knowledge of these little-known-about races, we get…something less desirable or beneficial…
This one is told through the perspective of a Qualinesti elf, which doesn’t help much in immersing us into the Dargonesti culture. Furthermore, the Dargonesti are portrayed, for lack of a better word, as assholes. There isn’t a single likeable one in the book.
A big let-down. It took me forever to finish. I might be a bit harsher than usual in my review because I was reading this one at the same time as another well thought out, epic, high fantasy book of 1200 pages, so in comparison this one seemed very lack-luster.
October 26, 2019
This was one of the first introductions I had to Dungeons and Dragons, and Dragonlance, thanks to my school library. It's still a fun tale of sea elves and giant crustaceans and krakens and shapeshifting into dolphins now. Worth a read if you're into any of the above and don't want to think too hard about what you're reading.
July 7, 2021
A tight, fun bit of pulpy fantasy. Lots of interesting world building (using the bends to keep prisoners from escaping is genius), fast pace, and good action. It stars an elven warrior princess who turns into a dolphin! What else could a girl ask for? Definitely not the best fantasy book you've ever read, but one of my favorite Dragonlance books
December 1, 2021
Bastante entretenido, con una historia curiosa y un personaje principal moderadamente interesante.
Quizá el final un tanto apresurado (siempre me sorprende que todos los libros de la serie tengan casi un idéntico número de páginas).
Para aumentar el conocimiento sobre el universo Dragonlance sobre una facción que, por el momento, desconozco si tiene presencia en otras obras.
Quizá el final un tanto apresurado (siempre me sorprende que todos los libros de la serie tengan casi un idéntico número de páginas).
Para aumentar el conocimiento sobre el universo Dragonlance sobre una facción que, por el momento, desconozco si tiene presencia en otras obras.
May 5, 2022
Fantasy lovers can never go wrong with #DragonLance! And The Lost Histories Trilogy is no different! Pure adventure and magic! What made this trilogy different was that each is written by a different author.
The Dargonesti is my favorite, to the point I will reread it soon again. The MC is a arse kicking princess and the world building is perfect.
And sea elves? What could be better!
The Dargonesti is my favorite, to the point I will reread it soon again. The MC is a arse kicking princess and the world building is perfect.
And sea elves? What could be better!
May 28, 2023
After controlling for it being mid-90s D&D fiction, this novel is quite entertaining. I was mostly reading it as background for the D&D campaign I'm running, and it provides plenty of fun Dargonesti background and folder, so I am just pleased on the whole.
December 25, 2023
A fairly linear story, but enjoyable. The ending was a little bit of a surprise, which is nice. I really like - I wouldn't mind reading another book about their further adventures!
June 1, 2024
Inventive and action-packed, I was nevertheless disappointed by a book called Dargonesti to portray them so negatively. And somehow a dwarf being the best character. Felt like so much more could have been done with this concept.
October 3, 2020
Good enough story, just nothing spectacular. The ending is frustrating though.
October 5, 2022
Interesting, I always enjoy Dragonlance stories. It's got everything you want from a fantasy series, elves, dwarves, battles, magic and fantastic creatures. This time also some sea elves! Great! :)
December 30, 2022
enjoyable fantasy book filled with lots of adventure
June 12, 2024
The story is engaging enough and it's nice to see the Silvanesti finally starting to grow out of their racist teenager phase, but the copout ending completely undoes everything
June 10, 2024
This was a fun read - once again chronicling oft-ignored parts of the D&D world of the past. The book follows a group of travelers, including most prominently an elven Princess, as they find themselves entangled in the wars of a sea-farring race of elves. This had some very strong elements, including the inclusion of some low key Lovecraftian elements without beating the reader over the head. Overall I really enjoyed it.
August 10, 2015
It takes place of the coast of the mainland. Princess Vixa is waiting on board a ship to pick up refugees from a war. While waiting they get caught in a weird fog and end up in the middle of the ocean with no idea how they got there. They run aground on an island and Vixa and some of the crew go explore the island to see if there is anyone living there. They run into two people on the island who run away from them into what looks like a cave. Vixa and her team go into the cave and find out that the cave is not what they thought it was. It turns out they are inside a Kraken and that it is taking them deep into the ocean. They arrive to an underwater kingdom of a race that Vixa thought had long since died off. While there she meets a few prisoners that had been taken by the Kraken and now serve the queen as builders. Vixa soon learns that the queen is planning to attack the kingdoms on the surface to become the ruler of all of the elf races. Vixa befriends some elves that can change into dolphins to help her and some of the prisoners escape. While escaping she in turn is turned into a dolphin to help the prisoners escape. At the surface she is able to warn the surface kingdoms of what is going to happen and they prepare for war. The war comes and Vixa and the surface kingdoms win. But Vixa feels this pull month later to be in the sea and with one of the sea elves that helped her. So she ends up returning to him.
I really liked this book. I liked that it had action going through out the book and that it was nonstop suspense. I could not put this book down until I was done with it. If there are anyone that likes fantasy books this is a must read.
I really liked this book. I liked that it had action going through out the book and that it was nonstop suspense. I could not put this book down until I was done with it. If there are anyone that likes fantasy books this is a must read.
June 25, 2016
wow, had never heard of the sea elves better known as the dargonesti, so it was a great pleasure reading about them and their kingdom beneath the sea, loved the qualenisti elf, grand daughter to kith kanan who was a great warrior princess and who in the end saved the day for her cousins the silvanesti elves!! the dolphins in the book are awesome shapeshifters and the ending of the book is worth the read in itself!!
October 28, 2016
This book was great! Honestly one of my favorites from the Lost histories series.
Coming into this book I wasn't really to interested in the sea domain of Krynn. The Dargonesti blew my mind. Not only with such a rich aquatic world, but a great storyline as well. It had its history of the sea elves, but from an outsiders view. I think it worked great for this book.
Once again Paul B. Thomson and Tonya C. Cook deliver.
Coming into this book I wasn't really to interested in the sea domain of Krynn. The Dargonesti blew my mind. Not only with such a rich aquatic world, but a great storyline as well. It had its history of the sea elves, but from an outsiders view. I think it worked great for this book.
Once again Paul B. Thomson and Tonya C. Cook deliver.
August 29, 2013
Another great story in the Dragonlance saga - the underwater world is described brilliantly. I found myself hooked by the story almost straight away, although I wasn't as keen on the ending. Maybe the tale is picked up elswhere in the many books! Thanks again for sending this - it will move on once I've read the complete set.
August 14, 2015
Vixa, the grand daughter of Kith-Kanan is shipwrecked, taken beneath the surface and held captive in Urione by the Dargonesti, the deep sea elves of Krynn.
The captives plan to escape and return home and not get killed in the war that is brewing.
The captives plan to escape and return home and not get killed in the war that is brewing.
October 22, 2021
Finished this one today and was pleasantly surprised by how good it was! At first, I thought it would be just about the Dargonesti, who were quite interesting by the way, but it actually covered a bit of Silvanesti history as well. I highly recommend.
August 3, 2008
Elves do not just live in the trees. Pick up this very interesting history of elves to find out where else they live and go on a journey to a strange new world.
March 5, 2009
Deep Elves. Prideful and extreme isolationists. Another book into the world of elves.
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September 18, 2012Lo tengo en formato PDF, aún no lo leo. Me encantaría poder conseguirlo impreso. La pena es que no esté traducido al español!! :(
October 12, 2014
I liked this one. Good story.
August 9, 2016
Like all the Dragon Lance books, this reads ok but is unlikely to blow you away. You're frequently told people are brilliant or strong, but hardly ever shown with their actual feats.
Displaying 1 - 29 of 29 reviews