Need some Dragonlance advice...

**Crash-Man** · 03-18-2006, 04:55 PM

Hi there.

I need some advice regarding the best novels in the Dragonlance series, and, just as importantly, what order I should read them in. I recently found a bookstore with a decent selection of fantasy novels (rare where I live), including the Dragonlance line, and I want to give them a try.

They have a very large Annotated Chronicles Trilogy, and I'm assuming that that's where I should begin. Correct?

Just for some background: I've only read about 5 Dragonlance novels, including The Legend of Huma, Kaz the Minotaur (and another Kaz novel), and several short story books from the series. The Legend of Huma is my all-time favorite novel, and one inspired me deeply as a teenager...and to this day. That's the sort of adventure and heroism I look for in a fantasy novel.

Anyway, thanks in advance for the tips.

**thetechnocrat** · 03-18-2006, 06:56 PM

Ahh, Dragonlance. One of the few fantasy genre series i've ever read.
Definately start with the Chronicles thome.
Then move on to the Legends Trilogy & the two Preludes Trilogy for background info.

The Dragons of Krynn
The Dragons at War
The Dragons of Chaos

I recommend the individual ones:
Heroes Trilogy - Legend of Huma
Heroes Trilogy - Stormblade
Heroes Trilogy II - The Gates of Thorbardin
Heroes Trilogy II - Galen Beknighted
The Chaos War - The Doom Brigade

Here's a link with a listing of a lot of titles

**saintjon** · 03-18-2006, 07:45 PM

If you've read Huma then IMO you've already read the best DL has to offer, chronicles and legends trilogies are both good, as is the Soulforge (this might be the second best single novel in DL IMO) and it's follow-up, Brothers in Arms.

**Crash-Man** · 03-18-2006, 07:45 PM

Woo-hoo...thanks a lot. Think I'll re-read Legend of Huma to get myself ready.

**Starkicker** · 03-20-2006, 06:51 AM

I haven't read the Dragonlance stuff since I was a teen, but I've got the War of Souls sitting on my book shelf waiting to be read.

My all time favourite was the Defenders of Magic series. It was totally unrelated to the Weis/Hickman core books but really great. If you can find those I'd recommend it.

**UniqueFrequency** · 03-20-2006, 09:02 AM

what do you guys suggest to someone who's completely new?

how does Dragonlance stand up against stuff like Salvatore's books?

**Starkicker** · 03-22-2006, 06:55 AM

If you want to check out Dragonlance start with Chronicles Vol.1. Everything else in the Dragonlance Universe spins off of Weis and Hickman's series. So if you like Chronicles then spread out from there.

Salvatore is a little more about action/adventure. Weis/Hickman are trying to build more of an epic story. But if you like Forgotten Realms I'm sure you'll like Dragonlance.

**Shem the Penman** · 03-22-2006, 09:37 AM

My personal advice?

Read the very first trilogy (Weis/Hickman).
Read the second trilogy.

Forget any of the other books even exist.

I may be a bit out of touch, since I haven't read any DL stuff since the first flood of material, but what I remember after the first two series was just painfully bad.

**Expletive Deleted** · 03-22-2006, 10:24 AM

I agree with Shem. If you want to get into Dragonlance, read the "Chronicles" and "Legends" trilogies and then quit while you're ahead.

There are a few highlights here and there (like the Huma/Kaz books), but the vast majority ranges from mediocre to unreadable.

**saintjon** · 03-23-2006, 09:15 PM

Originally Posted by Expletive Deleted

I agree with Shem. If you want to get into Dragonlance, read the "Chronicles" and "Legends" trilogies and then quit while you're ahead.

There are a few highlights here and there (like the Huma/Kaz books), but the vast majority ranges from mediocre to unreadable.

that's pretty much what I felt, except I had to throw in the Soulforge and follow-up cuz I thought they lived up to that original stuff.

Edit: For those who are into Salvatore style goodness or just looking a serving of kickass book get Heroes Die by Matt Stover, or seriously I could sit here and recommend all day really lol.

**UniqueFrequency** · 03-23-2006, 09:36 PM

Originally Posted by saintjon

that's pretty much what I felt, except I had to throw in the Soulforge and follow-up cuz I thought they lived up to that original stuff.

Edit: For those who are into Salvatore style goodness or just looking a serving of kickass book get Heroes Die by Matt Stover, or seriously I could sit here and recommend all day really lol.

i just might. I liked Stover's Star Wars novels!

**saintjon** · 03-24-2006, 05:10 AM

All I've read of Stover's Star Wars stuff is the Shatterpoint one about Mace Windu and that one can't hold a candle to Heroes Die (although it was pretty good).

I've been wanting to read his Revenge of the Sith novelization because I heard it's some of his best and seriously improves the movie experience but I'm bogged down in the Earthsea books right now (they're good I've just lost my skill for making time).

Anyways check out Heroes Die then try telling me it wouldn't make one of the most kickass movies ever (especially as a solid piece of animation) then if you're really into it you can check out Blade of Tyshalle too.

**UniqueFrequency** · 03-24-2006, 06:11 AM

Originally Posted by saintjon

Anyways check out Heroes Die then try telling me it wouldn't make one of the most kickass movies ever (especially as a solid piece of animation) then if you're really into it you can check out Blade of Tyshalle too.

i will do just that. once my exams are over. heh.