The beginning of the magical journey of the awesome companions and characters of Krynn. Still my favorite fantasy novel of all time. ( )

I was introduced to the world of fantasy novels at an absurdly late age, and it wasn't until my junior year of high school that I was introduced to the Dragonlance series. This was the second novel I read (after The Legend of Huma, which gave me some idea of what the companions were fighting for), and I remember savoring every moment. I was so scared of reading it too quickly so I forced myself to only read one measly chapter a night, but it made the journey that much more delicious.

I reread the same copy I was given as a 16-year-old (tattered even then) every two years or so, and I still love it. It's a great series. I only wish I could have momentary amnesia so I could experience everything for the first time again.

Great book! ( )

The story of a group of friends reunited after 5 years. Hoping for a peaceful homecoming and reunion they are shocked to find trouble literally on their doorstep. Enter some entrancing new friends to add plenty of extra story and crazy magician to liven things up. Throw a few dragons, and plenty of icky baddies into the mix for an epic tale of good vs evil, where the difference isn't always so easy to see.

The characters all take turns being your favorite, they are not just fictional names, they are brought to life in full color. The good, the bad, and the parts we just aren't sure about yet. They interact with each other and people outside the group in ways that only enhance their personalities. Characters are dynamic, constantly changing, but doing it slowly enough that the reader is able to follow and understand every new trait that emerges. Even the dragons, while each is only shown for a short period of time, scream into the story larger than life (which they should be).

This is a series I come back to every couple years and each time I read it I find myself locked to the pages in suspense, devouring words to see what is going to happen next.

This is a must read for any fan of high fantasy and epic tales. I'll be starting book 2, Dragons of Winter Night, as soon as I can find my copy!!!! ( )

A classic of the High Fantasy/RPG genre. A fun read. ( )

Dragons of Autumn Twilight is one of many novels written by co-authors Tracy Hickman and Margaret Weis. It is set in the mystical world of Krynn, where the true gods of ancient times are lost and evil beings walk the lands promoting new religions.
The story begins with the reunion of some friends. Five years before they had left their home of Solace and gone on separate quests to find proof of the true gods. The companions are Tanis Half-Elven- the wisest and the leader, Flint Fireforge- a dwarf that is over one hundred but a great warrior, Tasslehoff Burrfoot- a well meaning kender that never gets scared, Sturm Brightblade- a disgraced knight who has been searching for his father, and finally the twins Cameron and Raistlin Majere. Cameron is a great warrior, Raist is a mage.
They are all very discouraged when they see that none of them have found what they searched for. Their hopes rise, however, by the appearance of a barbarian woman and her companion who carry a blue crystal staff with true healing powers. The evil that has corrupted the land force them to flee, however, when people begin chasing after the staff. The companions travel to where one of the barbarians found the staff, and there they uncover what they thought had been a myth- dragons.
At the end of this installment in the Dragonlance Chronicles, the companions realize that the return of the dragons means the return of the ancient goddess known as the Dark Queen. Together they prepare for the longest fight of their lives.
The cover art for my copy of this book is very descriptive. It has a lot of color and is a picture of the sleepy town of Solace where the companions meet. In front of Solace stand Flint, Tanis, and the barbarian woman Goldmoon. There is not a part of the cover that I do not like. I recommend this book for people who like fantasy novels, as well as those who like stories about dragons like Eragon. The Dragonlance Chronicles are a good read for science fiction lovers as well. ( )

I read this book in my early teens and absolutely loved it. I read the next in the series as well and the third book became the first book I ever waited for to be published because it hadn't come out yet which very much confused me at the time...

Obviously a fantasy novel, loosely based on the Dungeons and Dragons universe. If you don't like swords and magic, this is so not for you. If you like a fun romp with interesting characters fighting goblins and ogres and dragons in an attempt to save the world, then welcome home. ( )

Takes me back to high school... I loved these stories and will likely read them again some day. ( )

Review at http://silverpenpub.net/books/dragons... ( )

This is the book that launched the Dragonlance series of fantasy novel. Being a longtime veteran of the genre, I found it quite lackluster. The characters were horribly one-dimensional and the plot was as straight forward as The Lord of the Rings. It was well written, however, and enjoyable for what it was. I doubt I will continue with the series, though. ( )

I asked too many questions while watching the animated movie based on this book, so my husband went out and bought it for me. While entertaining enough, it is little more than a watered-down “Lord of the Rings,” from the make-up of the companions to the human/elf love story. Not bad if you’re looking for something light and fluffy, though. ( )

I had a friend say he could hear the dice rolling in the background of this novel. To an extent, he's right. You can tell this is coming from the game.

But the part that is really wonderful does not come from the game at all: the characters. Even in the first pages of this three-volume novel, you fall in love with the characters. That's what keeps me coming back to these books. I want to follow each one as far as I can. Merely mentioning their names (especially Tasslehoff) puts a smile on my face. It is for them that you should read this book.

The plot is good and interesting. I enjoyed it very much. But the action is weak at times, and too dependent on the D&D dice systems. But it doesn't matter. A few weaker scenes cannot diminish my love for the novel. ( )

I had fairly low expectations of this book as a franchise fantasy, but I was pleasantly surprised. It's a fun adventure with interesting characters after all. It was also neat to see some D&D mechanics, like spell casting, treated in a fairly organic way. I didn't like the "OMG, there's a traitor, but who?" part of the plot -- that felt rather contrived and could have been left out altogether. The whole is good though, and it finishes with just enough to keep you interested, so I will definitely be reading the rest of this trilogy. ( )

Margaret Weis and Tracy Hickman's masterpiece that started the DragonLance Chronicles epic. I thoroughly enjoyed this first novel. The interactions between the 5 friends, Tanis, Flint, Raistlin, Caramon and Tasslehoff Burrfoot are well written. Throw in the strangers Goodmoon and Riverwind with a great plot and you have an unforgettable story. I highly recommend this book. ( )

One of the very first AD&D novels and one of the best. This is not classic fiction, it is classic AD&D fiction. If you are a fan of the game or just adventure fantasy, this is an excellent book. The characters in this book are strong archetypes, but not tremendously detailed. You won't get bogged down with long monologues or romance scenes, but this isn't non-stop action either. The later 2 books are worth continuing. ( )

Ah, Dragonlance, I remember reading this series when I was younger. I also remember playing the game. Although this does get extra points for nostalgia, really it isn't the best fantasy read every. It reads like a role-playing game written down but it really lacks a certain flow that I would expect from a novel.

The story of the group, Knight and Barbarian, warrior and half-elf, dwarf and kender and dark-mage, is a classic one and the characters are quite interesting, however it fails to impress me on second go. When I originally read it I was playing the game so I had something invested in it but now I wonder about re-reading the rest of the series.

Raistlin is an interesting character but like many of the others doesn't seem to have much self-control, just a set of pre-determined responses. ( )

One of the first grown up books I read that was not something I had to do for school. Standard dragons, elves and dwarf story, resembling Lord of the Rings, although I did not know it at the time. The book definitely made you feel as if you were there at the Inn eating a stuffed pig and washing it down with Ale. ( )

Fantasy does not get more standard than this.

This is the bright beginning to a series that I loved and enslaved myself with on a webpage. I really enjoyed it- it's classic fantasy done well. If you like traditional D&D type fantasy, you'll enjoy this. ( )

Fun, youthful read. I enjoyed going back to it after 20+ years. ( )

They never expected to become heroes, never desired the war that brought them together, only to shape their lives forevermore, destroying some, elevating others, but nevertheless, mercilessly changing all. It is autumn in the city of Solace. A time when old friends seek to reunite, a time for love and joy, tenderness and care, a time to celebrate the future and ignore the regrets of the past. Only, these typical pleasantries are remiss from the formerly cheerful town of Solace for war is in the air. There is talk of strong and dangerous armies amassing in the north, talk of monsters and ancient beasts arising from their centuries long sleep ready for destruction and vengeance. And, trapped within these turbulent times, are our confused heroes striving to the very last moment to save their beleaguered realm from the evil that is to come; the evil that will usher in the legendary War of the Lance. Strum, a noble Solamnic Knight; Tanis, a dejected half-elf; Tasslehoff, a happy go lucky kender; Flint, a grumpy old dwarf; Caramon, a strong and valiant warrior; Raistlin, a frail yet powerful mage with hidden depths that will one day erupt; Goldmoon, bearer of a healing staff, daughter of Chieftain; Riverwind, Goldmoon's devoted paramour: this is our band of unlikely heroes. Together, these valiant warriors must struggle in a world gone awry, must fight not only the ensuing mayhem but their all too human frailties as well. This then is there story.

Easily acclaimed as one of the greatest modern fantasy epics, Dragon's of Autumn Twilight is well worth the title. Few books there are that can rival it in style, eloquence, depth of characters, and good old fashioned story telling. This is the kind of tale to share with friends and family around the cozy glow of a camp fire, the kind of drama suitable to pass on to one's children and one's children's children. Indeed, the realm of Krynn itself seems to truly exist as if for no other reason than the reader's devoted belief. Whether you, the avid bibliophile, are drawn to fantasy literature or not, Dragon's of Autumn Twilight cannot but captivate and enthrall leading the reader on an adventure that not only spans the narrow gulf of reality, but that of time and space as well taking the reader on delightful adventures filled with lovable characters that soon initiate themselves as one of the family.

Complimented with an imaginative setting filled with myriad fantasy creatures both expected and original, the tale starts as it means to go on allowing the action to take place almost immediately. The reader is never once bored or distracted rather the story works like one of Raistlin's elusive spells, enthralling and captivating the reader to the exclusion of all else. So addictive is the tale, so unique is the drama, and so effecting are the characters that the reader soon forgets all other aspects of life and fully enters into the realm of Krynn battling beside the valiant warriors, suffering when they suffer, rejoicing when they rejoice, and never once forgetting the stakes of the battle for all Krynn hangs in the balance. Will evil triumph or will good conquer?

Provided with a likable cast, the reader soon finds it amazing that half elves, kender, and dwarves, are equally sympathetic as the human characters. Also, the "good" protagonists are never burdened with that sickeningly perfect aura usually subscribed to fantasy warriors. Rather, each character is fleshed out as it they were real allowing that with their strengths weakness also follow making a cast of un-human characters bear the burdens of human emotions. Likewise, the villains are also fulfilled with realistic personalities effectively imbuing them with a more chilling aura. Classic characterization at its finest.

As with all truly good tales, the writing style employed also boasts of perfection. Each sentence is erudite yet easy to understand neither speaking down to the reader nor becoming burdened with unnecessary simplicity but instead choosing to fall in the middle where perfection lies.

The conclusion was shocking, dramatic and intriguing instantly leading the addicted reader onto the second Dragonlance drama, Dragons of Winter Night where the Chronicles series continues to build in suspense and complexity leading the reader on a wondrous journey into the fantastic realm of Krynn where anything is possible.

Final Thoughts: Dragons of Autumn Twilight is a novel not to be missed. Filled with fantastic wonders, epic battles, shattering sorrow and insurmountable joy, it contains everything that makes a novel truly perfect. And, when finished, the joy is further enhanced by even more epic dramas from the realm of Krynn. Highly recommended!

- Crysania ( )

One of the best novels in this series. Teling the story of Mina, and a world wrapped in chaos. As Mina sweeps across the world with an army that worships her, others work to right the balance, and restore magic to the world. ( )

I loved this series when I first read it as a young adult. I was just getting into D&D, and fantasy literature, and I thought these were FANTASTIC!

Unfortunately, I made the mistake of trying to re-read it a few years ago, and discovered that they read like poorly edited transcripts from someone's gaming session. (Which, really, is how they started out, IIRC). So, I'll try and remember them the first time around. I won't be re-reading them, though. ( )

http://www.die-subkultur.net/Roman.ph... ( )

Crap #1. ( )

Interesting place to begin. Book feels like it was picked up in the middle of overall story. Great otherwise. ( )