Fergus Ryan (1)

The first Dragonlance novel I don't finish (and I'm about halfway into the story). Due to either one of these or a mix of them:
- writing style
- some details causing frustrations
- change in reading taste (or rather, a developed taste)
- me not being familiar enough with the gnomes (?)
- ...

It's been since 2009 that I felt like this. Back then, it was [b:Kendermore|92904|Kendermore (Dragonlance Preludes, #2)|Mary Kirchoff|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1388257307s/92904.jpg|580139] by [a:Mary Kirchoff|32354|Mary Kirchoff|https://s.gr-assets.com/assets/nophoto/user/u_50x66-632230dc9882b4352d753eedf9396530.png] that didn't convince me (see here), because, for example, Tas was too human and adding contemporary elements certainly didn't fit in the Dragonlance setting.

'The Siege of Mt. Nevermind' never caught my attention. There were some nice moments and ideas, but the whole plodded on. Also, was this written with teens in mind? I have the impression that other Dragonlance novels, prior to this one when you consider the Krynn timeline, were worked out better.

I agree with Jim's review (see here). This is indeed the weakest novel in the Chaos War series. Not only because of the writing itself and certain things not worked out. The Knights of Takhisis don't act like it; they don't come across as all evil and powerful and menacing. Commander Khargos is an adolescent, whose rise to fame came much too soon. Big mouth, not enough substance.

Among the gnomes, there are a few sympathetic characters, like Innova, the main character, Talos, and Lucretius Climenole.

Ryan tried to mix Fantasy and Thriller, which can be a nice combination, if done well. Sadly, this isn't the case here. Too many frustrations about the story plodding on, the Knights of Takhisis being pussies, and whatever more. Let's hope the rest of the pack is better written, but that'll be for another time. I'll have to apply the same tactic as with Pratchett's Discworld novels: not too many in a row, come back when needed to savour the stories more.… (more)