Dragonlance Chronicles discussion

I like the idea of books that set in RPG worlds, because its a way to read stories set in big, complex worlds with endless characters and plots, without having to commit to an endless, door-stopper books epic series. But having never played RPGs or really had much inclination to, I tend to feel a disconnect that I have a hard time getting past.
Who reads RPG based books, and are you gamers? If you aren't, do you feel that same disconnect?

I actually do play RPGS-Pokemon counts! REALLY! My childhood insists-Anyways, I understand that you would feel disconnected. I thought so too. But you are missing out on so much! I recently had the opportunity to play (and purchase lol) the Fire Emblem Awakening for the 3ds and let me say that it is AMAZING. Regardless of if you have the system or not, just play it please! You'll regret it one day. I promise.
Especially if you like shipping, gorgeous action cut scenes, and superb voice acting in both English and Japanese.
Enough of that haha. What I guess I am trying to say is, it doesn't matter your gender, age or opinion of a particular genre. A book can offer so much more than what it is categorized as. I thought fantasy and all that stuff was for nerds. Albeit for a girl I was quite the nerd with Pokemon and the Warrior cats, but when I decided to venture out into other genres, my eyes opened. A lot of the doubts you might have will go fly away. Find a great book you have read that you really love-maybe Harry Potter?-so much so, that you wished you could be a part of it. If not, I urge you to find it! If so, bear in mind that you can again find it:) You don't have to just find some fantasy RPGish looking book and snag it, hoping that enormous thing will be the stars. Because maybe it will be so filled with setting up the novel for more books that you become bored. Eragon did this to me. Now rereading it, I love it.
Now, if you do read these books and feel disconnected, then I suggest you try and think deeply when reading. Or, let me steer you to the WONDERFUL Unwind by Neal Shusterman. It's YA, not too long, and gripping. And you come to really care about the characters.

If you want to become immersed with the story and characters in these RPG-like books that you wish you could be a part of that world, I would advise starting off again with lighter ones. Ones that really do grip you and make you wonder what will happen next. Sometimes, you won't feel that at all. It's common. Don't think this means that this isn't your genre. That book is out there for you. And once you have found it, you will find more!

Best of luck! :D And I apologize profusely for my rant.

I completely get that reading an RPG based book would be confusing perhaps even disconnected like you said and I was surprised that when I recently read Dragonlance despite feeling worried I wouldn't understand or enjoy it because I had never played D&D or really gotten into RPG's I loved this book and barely put it down for a week and having read it I still do not feel like playing D&D or RPG's and really want to read Dragonlance Legends.

Not sure if that entirely was what I was meant to post but...there we are my first post on a discussion of GoodReads.

It's exactly what the point of the post is Kain. I really don't have a desire to play RPG's but their worlds are just so well thought out and complex.

Oh good thanks. The world of Krynn was well detailed and the handy map's in the front of the book show's you straight away how much land you'll be reading about.

I've read a few Warhammer and Warhammer 40K books. They are pretty good especially just the Warhammer books. But I sometimes I get a strange feeling when I read RPG based books, like I just don't belong there or something

I have heard of Warhammer though never read it, is it similar to Dragonlance at all or am I being hopeful? Hm you kind of feel like you should go RPG or something don't you? It's like peer pressure.

I am also a big fan of reading well written fiction even though I do not play RPGs (well I do play them on computer/gaming system). That being said Dragonlance, White Wolf and Warhammer 40K are some examples of very good fiction in a well fleshed out world that I really enjoyed.

I dig the Warhammer and WH40K books too. But I'm not familiar with White Wolf
What's it like?

Kidgreg wrote: "I dig the Warhammer and WH40K books too. But I'm not familiar with White Wolf
What's it like?"

If you are interested in supernatural things such as Vampires and such. If you have ever heard of a RPG called Vampire the masquerade, the books (some of which are very well written) make for some good reading. There are also books written by different authors about the Werewolf clans, Mages, etc. A quick google search for World Of Darkness novels should give you some good ideas. The Warhammer 40K series benefits from having Dan Abnett as an author and he is quite talented.

Kain wrote: "I completely get that reading an RPG based book would be confusing perhaps even disconnected like you said and I was surprised that when I recently read Dragonlance despite feeling worried I wouldn..."

Legends! Please do - these are by far the salient 3 books of the series. If you liked Chronicles - Legends is 10x better.

As for feeling a disconnect - not really. The idea of wars and dragons and elves are much older the RPGs. I love the fantasy of the worlds, but don't really have the time or care for these kinds of games. I tried. Lost interest. Books though - very cool to get lost in if they are good ones. The Legend of Drizzt is another fairly good series, in Forgotten Realms.... fyi.

Lunar wrote: "Kain wrote: "I completely get that reading an RPG based book would be confusing perhaps even disconnected like you said and I was surprised that when I recently read Dragonlance despite feeling wor..."

Absolutely agree, though Raistlin's choices and his development make more sense if one has the background of the War of the Lance as a backdrop. Especially in regards to the prophecy of the Master of the Past and Present and his gradual change from a Red Robe to Black Robe. But the tone and story behind the Legends is far darker and complex than that of the Chronicles. Truly one of the best trilogies I've ever read and ranks as my favorite fantasy series.

I've been meaning to read Legends myself for a long time. So far the only Dragonlance books I've read was Chronicles which I couldn't resist picking up the awesome illstrated cover box set, years ago.
So you say Legends is better?

Kidgreg wrote: "I've been meaning to read Legends myself for a long time. So far the only Dragonlance books I've read was Chronicles which I couldn't resist picking up the awesome illstrated cover box set, years a..."

In my opinion-yes. But, I am biased since I always enjoyed Raistlin the most of all the Companions. The post-War of the Lance setting of the Legends and his quest to become a god is superb. It also shows truly how powerful he is and the machinations of his that propel him to becoming the most powerful Archmage in the history of Krynn and his battle against Fistandantilius and the Queen of Darkness for control of his soul and ultimate power is a great moral tale. It is a series that introduced me to the Dragonlance series and one that I have reread at different times in my life and always come back to after several years. I too would like to pick up the illustrated versions that I have seen at the stores.

Sud666 wrote: "Kidgreg wrote: "I've been meaning to read Legends myself for a long time. So far the only Dragonlance books I've read was Chronicles which I couldn't resist picking up the awesome illstrated cover ..."

sold me. Legends is added to me TBR list

Kidgreg wrote: "Sud666 wrote: "Kidgreg wrote: "I've been meaning to read Legends myself for a long time. So far the only Dragonlance books I've read was Chronicles which I couldn't resist picking up the awesome il..."

You will not regret it. If you like the setting and series I would also suggest the Kinslayer Wars a trilogy about the Elven nations. Also a very good series in the Krynn setting.

Thanks Sudd666, I got several books lined up, but I'll definitely check those out too.

Yes - Legends was an amazing story line. Probably my favorite trilogy of all time. I could go on and on about it.. but spoilers!!! Won't do it. Let us know what you think once done :)

WOW! Favorite of all time. I definitely need to check it out. I have a long TBR -sure ya'll can relate. But it's moved up a notch or two.

I've never played D&D, mainly because I don't know any people nerdy enough to play it with me, but Dragonlance is one of my favorite series. I like RA Salvatore's books as well.