Upcoming Book Reviews - 'Dragonlance Chronicles' by Margaret Weis and Tracy Hickman

‘Dragonlance Chronicles’ trilogy

The ‘Dragonlance Chronicles’ is a trilogy of fantasy novels written by Tracy Hickman and Margaret Weis and published in 1984-85.

The Dragonlance universe began as part of the role-playing game, ‘Dungeons & Dragons’, and is set in the fictional world of Krynn and is peopled by races usually associated with fantasy – humans, elves, dwarves – and new ones, like kender and draconians.

According to the authors’ note at the back of my copy, ‘it began… with a proposal for Advanced Dungeons & Dragons role-playing game adventure modules featuring dragons. Then it was proposed that these dragons needed a world to live in, heroes to fight, gods to serve. Thus began the creation of Krynn.
‘… many ideas used in the development of the novel came when the authors role-played the game… during one such session… some of the most interesting and fun parts of the book had their birth.’

Back in the 1980s, my sister and her friends were really into D&D, and I’d join in whenever I went to stay with her in the holidays.

I was very much an amateur compared to them, but I loved the many jewel-like dice, and the different characters.

When the Dragonlance books were published, I eagerly bought and read them… repeatedly.

I remember once, while reading on the bus home from college, I almost missed my stop, I was so into the story.

Then, as the years went by, the books sat untouched on my bookshelf.

During our homeschooling years, while looking through my books for suitable ones to read to the boys, I came across the Dragonlance trilogy, and asked if they’d like me to read it to them.

So, after years, I began reading the books again, this time out loud to the boys, and they thoroughly enjoyed it, getting quite invested in the story.

That was about 13 years ago and, to be honest, I haven’t thought of the books for ages.

A couple of weeks ago, while dithering about what book to read next and having a proper look through the bookshelves – which involved not being lazy and actually removing the books in the front row to see all the books on each shelf – I spied the Dragonlance books tucked in the back and thought, why not?

Despite the nostalgic feelings, I did wonder if I would still enjoy the story as much as I did back in the day.

As I’ve become such a fussy reader, I admit to some apprehension when I started the first book.

How would I feel about the characters, whose company I remember enjoying a lot; the plot; the writing style?

Only one way to find out…

In the upcoming weeks, I’ll be reviewing each book in turn while endeavouring to steer clear of spoilers.