Time of the Twins

It's interesting how strange the whimsical and overtly silly elements of Dragonlance read today. Gully Dwarves, who speak in a pidgin English, Kender, who are a race of basically thieves but who are actually just really curious, and a lot of fat jokes at Caramon's expense are all in this novel. And much of those elements are the weakest; they're not really funny or charming, and they wear out their welcome very quickly in the narrative.

Yet, strangely, it's a compelling read. The characters go for things they want, they try to overcome obstacles, and there is some truly epic scope here even if the execution falters at the prose level.

I feel kinda bad that it has taken me thirty years to finally get around to reading this second main Dragonlance trilogy. I mean, sure, it took me fifteen years to read the first Dragonlance trilogy and that was AFTER I had been playing D&D for years. Oops? Ah, but never mind that.

I discovered something awesome. This reads BETTER than the first trilogy. A lot more fun, more interesting, better characters (and not just Tolkien ripoffs), and a much more twisted story.

No, this isn't a classic fantasy in most cases... but then... maybe it IS. Raistlin has that VIBE. Originally a dark hero master magician, like Elric from Moorcock's series, Raistlin is, in some ways, a lot more interesting, evil, and sympathetic than Elric. Awesomely show more powerful by the end of the original Trilogy, he's insufferably cocky and sure he could take over the world in a single day in this one. So he gets more ambitious. As in taking out the Dark Goddess to become a God, himself.

In the meantime, his twin brother, a brawny, broken oaf of a warrior and pretty much Raistlin's opposite, has his own redemption arc going on because he let himself go to seed. Big time. And then we get a full corruption of a good cleric, time travel, Kinder mischief, and a big return to the awesomely big cataclysm from the Dragonlance's ancient past. And we get to see it from the ringside seats.

Awesome? I think so.

Let me be clear, however. I have only a little patience for money-grubbing franchises and the D&D series as a whole definitely qualifies. I had some issues with the original trilogy, but somehow this book kinda pushes all my reservations aside.

I had FUN. A lot of fun. And the writing is not bad at all. :) I can't wait to see the big, big events I've already been spoiled on by old friends back years ago. :) show less

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

Raistlin Majere has become Master of the Tower of High Sorcery in Palanthas. He longs for the power of the gods and his ambition may plunge Krynn into a new age of darkness. Crysania, a true cleric of Paladin, embarks on a quest to turn him from his path of evil. Meanwhile, Raistlin’s twin brother Caramon has hit rock bottom. For years he was by Raistlin’s side, supporting his frail twin and without Raistlin, Caramon has no purpose in life. That is until he is swept up into Crysania’s plan to save his brother’s soul. Together Caramon, Crysania, and Tas will try to save Raistlin’s soul, her faith will be put to the test, and Caramon will discover the bitter show more taste of betrayal.

Margaret Weis and Tracy Hickman have yet again done brilliant world-building with Time of the Twins. The characters will be taken back to the days preceding the Cataclysm. This is a major historic event mentioned in the Chronicles. And while there was not a great amount of time spent explaining it, the readers were able to understand that it was the reason Krynn lost touch with the Gods and their magic. And as you immerse yourself in the world of Krynn, you’ll also enjoy skillful character development.

Redemption arcs are one of my favorite tropes, and Caramon has his work cut out for him in Time of the Twins. He’s gone from a codependent relationship with his brother to suddenly no longer being needed. And even though he throws himself into anything where he can feel useful, it’s not the same. The downward spiral he becomes locked in is heartbreaking to see, especially knowing how helpful and loving his character can be. But as with most characters, the harder they fall, the more worthwhile their redemption will be.

And while Caramon is finding himself, Raistlin is weaving his complex web of a plan. Raistlin strings characters along and is a master of manipulation. But there is a heart buried beneath his black robes, one that sympathizes with those who were persecuted and ridiculed for who they were. Even as he puts characters in compromising situations and forces them to make tough choices, there are moments Raistlin begins to feel emotions that seemed lost to him.

For fans of the Chronicles, this will be a sure fire read for you. I absolutely love the conflict surrounding the Majere brothers and it’s always a joy to see Tasslehoff. Crysania may take a while to grow on readers, but she stays true to her character as a cleric of Paladin. And she causes some interesting conflicts within Raistlin. Definitely a worthwhile read! show less

What a gem this series is. I remember being 12 years old and begging people to let me cut their grass, wash their windows etc. to get enough money to buy this series. It is an excellent addition to the orginal chronicles. Though these stories are attached to the Dungeons and Dragons world they are far from fluff. These are seriously good stories. In this book the relationship between Raistlin and Caramon has taken a nose dive. Caramon's love and fear for his brother has proven to have a rather adverse effect on the once proud warrior. The changing of Raistlin's robes says it all.

The first in the twins trilogy, my favorite of the Dragonlance stories. We get a picture of how Raistlen and Caramon survivve on their own. The Lady Crysania is both an image of good, but her ego shows the pride that will eventually lead to her own fall.

A superb sequel to the Chronicles and much more a novel rather than what reads like a D&D campaign. The development of characters and plot arc is much more complex and even the peripheral characters is much deeper. A great start to a deeper and more involving trilogy

I found a copy of this book one Thursday — it was a Bookcrossing release — and had an amusing browse through it. The best I can say is that the book reads as if three different people were writing alternating paragraphs, and each of the three had a different plot in mind. In other words, the writing is so bad it's engrossing.

Consider the following, from the book's first two paragraphs:

…his footfalls were sucked into the vast darkness all around him…

"It's like being sucked into time," he thought…

He wished, briefly, that he were being sucked away somewhere, so that he did not have to face the difficult task ahead of him.

I guess it takes a certain gumption, or something, to use the word sucked three times in the middle of two show more appalling paragraphs. It made me laugh. What was our author thinking? Not much, apparently. show less