War of the Twins

I could not have loved these books more when I was in junior high. I think it was because I was in love with Raistlin Majere. God knows why. God also probably knows that I grew up to love his real-world equivalent, in many different guises – the common theme being the misunderstood, smart guy. Together, it was us against the world. What I didn’t see then, that only two decades has taught me, is that Raistlin didn’t just need someone to love him for him – Caramon already did that, and it wasn’t enough – Raistlin already loved himself. So, I think I am afraid that if you let your young girls read Dragonlance, they’ll date bad men. It makes me wonder, is the characterization in the book inherently flawed, skewed to somehow show more glorify the misanthropic?

I don’t think so. Ultimately, what I think was going on is that the Dragonlance series created a vast series of characters with varying personalities, and that Margaret Weis and Tracy Hickman managed to make all of them, from the uptight Knight of Solamnia, to the bouncy kender, to the mage discussed above, real people with real motivations, who could be loved, and understood, and cared about. If they are somewhat archetypal (stereotypical?), they are none the worse for it. Even in the real world, often artists do not act like bankers, and so forth, finding similarities among their own kind.

The Twins series is probably my favorite of all the Dragonlance books, involving time travel, Caramon and Raistlin Majere, and Raistlin’s attempt to answer the age old question, what does it profit a man to gain the whole world, if he loses his own soul? show less

You know, for a novel with an evil time-traveling master magician so full of himself that he wants to kill a god to become a god, a twin brother who alternately wants to kill him and protect him, and being dumped in a strange time to just "happen" to lead a huge army to defeat a bunch of dwarves...

This book's best feature is its LOVE STORY.

Huh!!?

Look. It's true. I'm totally on board with the whole evil machinations of Raistlin, how he manipulates everyone and takes on the title of another evil magician in the past and is forced to relive a seemingly unbreakable time-loop. The war stuff is certainly a lot more fun than the previous book's gladiator schtick. Even the brotherly love and the nasty betrayal is pretty awesome.

But what really show more makes the book is the epic romance. A magician of absolute evil and a cleric of absolute good, an undeniable romance for the ages. Hell, even his most bald-face lies have a germ of truth to them and while he's trying to turn her away from him, she just wants to trust him more. And more. It's a weird thing, this honesty. She KNOWS what he is, and yet she still wants to help him. It doesn't hurt that he wants to kill the Goddess of Darkness and that's kind of her calling. But still. He's DOING it to REPLACE the grand evil. :)

LoL, I'm all getting into a fanboy mode here. These two are a trip. I totally get why these books are classics. show less

I wanted to scream when I finished this book. I realize that there's another book in this series, but at this point....NNNNOOOO!

I'm so mad at Raistlin right now. I realize there is good in him, but he needs to get over wanting to become a God. He's putting everyone in jeopardy. He's betraying his brother and what couple friends he has. Such a self centered ass!

Then there is Caramon. He knows his brother is stabbing him in the back. But in his mind, his live for his brother will prevail. We will see how that works out.

Poor Tas. He's so mistreated. I can't believe Raistlin did what he did. It tore at my heart when he called Caramon his best friend.

I'm getting way to emotionally attached to a bunch of fictional characters. OMG, I'm a huge show more dork. Anyway, I can't wait to see what ends up happening..,so excited! show less

This review is also featured on Behind the Pages: War of the Twins

Narrowly escaping the cataclysm, Raistlin, Caramon and Crysania find themselves one hundred years in the future. Faith in the old Gods has declined and any who dare to openly worship Paladine may just find themselves labeled a witch. With no other choice, Crysania and Caramon must aid Raistlin in his quest to conquer the Dark Queen. But history is not so easily swayed, and Raistlin soon finds he is walking in the exact footsteps of Fistandantilus.

Margaret Weis and Tracy Hickman are masters at creating complex characters. As the story progresses Raistlin, Caramon and Crysania will all undergo tests of faith. They will be pulled to the edge of what they can handle, fighting show more against the despair and darkness that lurks in each of them. The road is never easy, and some will find themselves thinking and doing things they never imagined.

War of the Twins also explores the complexities of love. Be it the love of a sibling, a friend, or a more intimate relationship. Most novels paint love as an emotion that is easily identified and fought for, even if there are some pitfalls along the way. However, War of the Twins shows how love can be buried within actions and dragged to the surface due to certain situations. It shows all the messy angles of love, and how other emotions and situations can weave together to paint an illusion of love that is confusing to the characters.

And true to style, Margaret Weis and Tracy Hickman weave in the lore of Krynn throughout the story. As the characters relive history, readers will experience firsthand the actions that lead up to pivotal points in Krynn’s past.

Action, adventure, magic, expert worldbuilding, and extraordinary characters, make War of the Twins a must read for high fantasy fans. show less

I wanted to scream when I finished this book. I realize that there's another book in this series, but at this point....NNNNOOOO!

I'm so mad at Raistlin right now. I realize there is good in him, but he needs to get over wanting to become a God. He's putting everyone in jeopardy. He's betraying his brother and what couple friends he has. Such a self centered ass!

Then there is Caramon. He knows his brother is stabbing him in the back. But in his mind, his live for his brother will prevail. We will see how that works out.

Poor Tas. He's so mistreated. I can't believe Raistlin did what he did. It tore at my heart when he called Caramon his best friend.

I'm getting way to emotionally attached to a bunch of fictional characters. OMG, I'm a huge show more dork. Anyway, I can't wait to see what ends up happening..,so excited! show less

I need to not wait multiple years between reading these books, but luckily I was able to find my place fairly quickly. We rejoin all the characters from the previous book - Raistlin the crabby dark mage, his twin brother Caramon the somewhat dimwitted fighter, Crysania the beautiful and rather misguided cleric, and Tasslehoff the entertainingly amoral Kender - now one hundred years in the future from where they were (and still two hundred years before their own time). This time they find themselves re-enacting the Dwarfgate Wars, seemingly without any choice in the matter. And you know, as terrible as Raistlin is, I really like him. Well, perhaps “like” is the wrong word. I’m fascinated by him. He’s evil and cruel and selfish show more and yet still oddly sympathetic. I look forward to the final installment in this trilogy, mostly to find out if he ever gets over himself and lets himself love Crysania. It’s not a complicated story, but it goes quickly and I’m enjoying it very much. show less

For those who have read this series we can imagine what it must take to melt the ice around Raistlin's Heart. Well that is what we have in this excellent addition to the Dragonlance series. Well written it tugs on the heart strings a little and sheds some light on our characters and their struggles. Caramon's love and fear of his brother is deep etched in stone. Sadly this three part installment to the series would really be the last good stories in the series. After the next book they become generic, overwritten and just blah.