Knights of the Sword: The Warriors, Volume III [Mass Market Paperback]

Why is it so bad? How can you describe a bad meal? The best I can say is that the author takes a different approach this time by constantly giving you a peek at what's on the characters minds; I know this may sound interesting, but in this book, it simply doesn't work. Also, the story just keeps dragging along to the point where you wish the fiery mountain would divert itself from Istar and just fell on these caracters' heads for the good of Krynn.

Looking for good DragonLance? Please let me help:
1) AVOID THIS BOOK.
2) If you're a newbie, you must read Dragonlance Chronicles and Legends before anything else. Then follow it up with Dragons of Summer Flame and then start with the War of Souls.
3) If you've already been to Krynn before, then may I suggest the Soulforge and Brothers in Arms... Done that? Then pick up The Doom Brigade and Draconian Measures (all 4 of these are brilliant!).
4) But if you're a REAL DL nut, then find Elven Nations Trilogy and Dwarven Nations Trilogy. Those books, although rare, are excellent!

I hope this helps...

Ace

Waydol, an exiled minotaur, went among the humans to learn of their strengths and weaknesses. In the course of his mission, he created a highly organised group of bandits that roamed the countryside of Karthay. Ever alert to the potential of expanding its power, the Istarian court despatched an army to Karthay to eradicate the bandits, threatening to take direct control of the distant region. Anxious to prevent a war between the Istarians and the Karthayians, Sir Pirvan the Wayward, along with his wife and old friends, embarked on a race against time to evacuate the bandits if the outlaws are willing, or to eliminate them before the Istarian army entrenches itself in Karthay. To meet Waydol, Pirvan had to travel over hostile countryside riddled with various outlaws, some in tacit support of Waydol, others finding the bounty on the minotaur too tempting. Meanwhile, his friend Jemar the Fair led a convoy of ships, braving the rough seas and stormy weather and above all, his pregnant wife who insisted on tagging along.

Against them, besides the outlaws, is the highly disciplined Istarian army, locally raised militias of Karthayians anxious not to give Istar any excuse against Karthay, and the Istarian fleet complemented with the mysterious priests of Zeboim who were acting under orders from the PriestKing, or was it really Zeboim?

Pirvan was counting on the help from his wife Haimya, Jemar the Fair, his old friend the mage Tarothin, the mage's love interest the Black-Robed Rubina and Epron the mercenary captain.

Roland Green did a good job in fleshing out little know aspects of the Dragonlance world. His characters are interesting in their virtues, weaknesses and motivations.

Unfortunately, he left out parts which could have been interesting undeveloped - the schemes of the priestking, his silent servants etc.