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Margaret
Weis and Tracy Hickman have struck gold yet again with their latest
novel, DRAGONS OF A LOST STAR, book two in THE WAR OF THE SOULS
trilogy. Following on the heels of 1996's DRAGONS OF SUMMER FLAME,
the WAR OF THE SOULS trilogy continues the arc begun with their
phenomenally popular CHRONICLES series. The first installment, DRAGONS
OF A FALLEN SUN, set up an epic conflict for the war-torn, dragon-beset
populace of Krynn, 40 years after the close of the Chaos War (and
even longer since the triumph of the Companions in the War of the
Lance).
A LOST STAR picks up where the first book ends. Faith, belief in
the old gods and spirituality are ideas that Krynn has not seen
since the Chaos War. Yet now belief and hope are seeping back into
lives of the people of Krynn. A new age is dawning as the people
look to someone who begins to unite the world behind one nameless,
miracle-performing god.
Mina has taken Silvanesti, and sets her sights on the North, on
Solamnia. It is there where the titular war of the souls will occur.
An ally from times long past is desperately following Mina to find
answers, perhaps even to find the nameless god. This friend is youthful
once more, the result of ungodly magic and has given up hiding in
his tower deep in Nightlund, along the river of souls. The final
battle of the souls, long dead, who rise up to fight the Knights
of Solamnia is one that will never be for gotten and will inexorably
change the lives of both the living and the mythic.
The book doesn't just concentrate on old friends and dead souls.
The invasion of Qualinesti by the Dragon Overlord Beryl is given
some exposition as well. The knights of Nereka, once sworn enemies
of the elves have risen up to defend their homes, and in the process
aid the elves themselves.
DRAGONS OF A LOST STAR can be counted amongst the best works in
the Dragonlance saga. The plot is atypical for Weiss and Hickman,
including many twists that will change fans' perceptions of certain
old favorite characters. The idea of the one nameless god is also
quite an intriguing one. For so long, the peoples of the land have
lived in a hopeless world, an Age of Mortals, and yet now they are
faced with the news of godly magic and mystery. What will the denouement
be for the people of Krynn?
This book is a must for the Dragonlance die-hard. However, if you
are new to this or the multiple interlaced series of Weiss and Hickman,
this book and its cast of characters (almost all of whom come from
other books) will be quite confusing and ultimately not that satisfying.
Go to http://www.dragonlance.com/
for all the info you could ever need on all the characters and books
of the many serieses. Then try out a book from one of the earlier
series, either DRAGONLANCE CHRONICLES or LEGENDS, before you read
this engrossing, but complex book.
--- Reviewed by Josh Fink
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