Amber and Ashes [Paperback]

To be perfectly honest, I have mixed feelings about this book and if I were able would have given it 2  stars. It is by no means a bad book. Then again, it isn't exactly a good book either. I'll try to explain.

I've read all of Weis and Hickman's Dragonlance books, as well as Weis' independent Soulforge and Brothers in Arms and thoroughly enjoyed them all. I made the decision early on not to read the Dragonlance novels published by other authors and frankly my hip pocket thanks me (I believe bookstores ought to instigate a breeding program to put a stop to the uncontrolled proliferation of these books). Yet I've always been excited when Weis and Hickman collaborated on a Dragonlance novel and Krynn is a wonderful place that I've always loved to return to.

Apart from cameos by Gerard and Mina's minotaur friend, this book does not make use of any of the characters from the War of Souls trilogy except for Mina and this was initially disappointing. While I never grew attached to them as I did the Heroes of the Lance, I did become fond of the characters from the War of Souls and had hoped to see more of them (those that survived anyway) in this book. And I suppose we may yet, this being the first in a trilogy and all. But this series is a continuation of Mina's story only and it appears a number of the heroes from the War of Souls have simply retired (is Solace a registered retirement village now?).

The second thing I found jarring about this book was the nature of the monks of Majere who I'm guessing were modelled on the Shaolin monks. I'm not sure I ever grew comfortable with the introduction of this new culture into the fantasy/medieval world of Krynn. It just never seemed to fit in this well-established setting.

Thirdly I found the characters spoke very colloquially at times which dragged me out of the story, and a good deal of the humour was inappropriate in its fantasy/medieval context. I haven't noticed it before in Weis' work, but I noticed it here. It's a minor thing, but it did get to me after a while.

And finally, I'm not sure I ever really understood where the story was going. Don't get me wrong, it is fairly clear by the end of the book what the protagonists are seeking to accomplish... it's just that there isn't any real structure to the novel. Some might find this refreshing. I just found it a little distracting.

I don't mean to sound entirely negative. This is not a bad book. Certainly Weis tells a good story and it's not that I didn't enjoy the book. It's good. It's just unfortunately not great. It lacks the high drama and perilous stakes of past Dragonlance novels. While the threat to the peoples of Krynn is great and seems insurmountable by the conclusion, I never really experienced it through the principle characters. I don't believe Weis succeeds in engaging us to the depth she has in her past works. Ultimately it is clear that Weis and Hickman are greater than the sum of their parts.

Amber and Ashes is entertaining but not engrossing. Read it and enjoy returning to Krynn.

Just don't expect it to be as satisfying a visit as last time.

Firstly I must say I'm not an native English Speaker. I enjoy reading Fantasy Literature and read almost every book by MW and TH in the Dragonlance Setting (also some other books from the same setting). I enjoy the writing style of Margaret Weis because it is fluent and let you immerse yourself in the story.

I must say, I agree with the "Sex Zombies" review. This book is clearly not about the stories of heroism, valor, sacrifice and magic. It has more an Forgotten Realms feeling and the frequent interaction between characters and gods make the appereance of the gods an usual event.

Still I can recommend this a book as an nice Summer reading. You won't regret reading this book, if you don't expect much from it.

In response to the mixed reviews this book has received. I will capitulate that nothing, I mean nothing (except Tolkien, whose books are much heavier) can compare to the Legends and Chronicles series, nor can anything compare to such an intriguing character as Raistlin, whom in my opinion is the greatest character ever created and the Chronicles/Legends are the greatest books ever written. So, on that note, Amber and Ashes falls a little short, but in a different respect than what you have read in reviews thus far. First of all and most importantly, there's not enough magic. Where's Dalamar? Even Palin? Weis unfortunately does not bring in Valthonis/Paladine either, a grave mistake in my opinion. Otherwise the book is a good start and the trilogy has sirious potential.

To respond to those who think that the War of Souls should never have been written - I disagree. I loved the old characters, but how long can you write about the same people; things HAD to change, even if that change was contoversial. I thought the War of Souls was very good, and that its main flaw was Palin giving up the magic - too wishy washy that he did it for his wife. Not enough Raistlin in the kid if you ask me.

Anyway, any Dragonlance fan has to read the first installment of the Dark Disciple trilogy, Amber and Ashes. Newcomers to dragonlance, start at the begginning with the unbelievable Chronicles and Legends.

› Go to Amazon.com to see all 48 reviews  3.8 out of 5 stars