Book 3, Dragons of Spring Dawning - Chronicles

Truly 5 star writing? Probably not, but I've read this title easily 15 times between 1989 and now! Odds are pretty good that after you finish, you'll go on to the legends series about Raistlin and Caramon.

I thought there was more dragon punching in this book. Dragons are named twice and shown once on the cover, but they don’t really get to inhabit the world. The first dragon battle was gutted from any epic feel by making our POV characters Flint and Tasslehoff. Flint decided he hated flying almost as much as he hated sailing, and Tasslehoff’s narrative purpose is to provide humor to cut the tragedy. So what should have been epic was just somewhat silly. Since this was our only epic dragon battle in the trilogy, there was a lot of wasted potential.

This recent visit to the Chronicles has been least kind to Laurana. My recollections from the art portray her as strong, but the text makes her weak. The scene where she faces Kitiara at the High Clerist’s Tower is ineffective, instead of defiant as it could have been – look at the art for this scene where she stands over Sturm’s body. All of her actions in this book up to the Queen of Darkness’s throne are weak. Yes, conflict is necessary for depth of character, but we’re only shown when she buckles like a belt. Because we don’t get any examples of her serving as general and leading the Knights to victory (she’s off-screen in the one battle we get to see) we only get to see a portrayal of her as weak and emotional. This is a shame and a wasted opportunity, and at least the artists got the story right and lifted her up to where she should be. She gets to shine in the climax of the story, but that’s a little too late.

Flint is an under-utilized character, and he suffers from being a character without personal conflicts in too large a cast. He oscillates between curmudgeonly and empathetic, practical caregiver with bouts of honorable stubbornness. On this read through, I realized my affection for this character had less to do with the writing and more to do with his resemblance to my father. I’ve got some complicated feelings to unpack there.

A similar shot could be fired that the best parts of this book are the setup for the Legends trilogy (and those parts are excellent) and the epic fights in Neraka. The first two thirds of the book are soft.

Dragons of Spring Dawning is the intense conclusion to the Dragonlance Chronicles. It follows Dragons of Winter Night.

The characters grow, achieve new things, and reinstate balance into the world, locking out the evil goddess, Takhisis. Laurana becomes a Solamnic general, Tanis slays the Dragon Highlord Ariakas, and Raistlin thwarts Takhisis and establishes himself as a world power. As before, I am going to focus on characters. With the exception of Caramon, all the characters are dynamic.

Tanis deals with Kitiara, finding his true self with Laurana's love. The anguish he has experienced hitherto regarding his split identity (elven and human) paralleled by his love for two women has been laid to rest or, at least, greatly minimized. He plays a major heroic role in ending the depradations of Takhisis and her armies. He retains some selfishness, but acts in an altruistic manner most of the time. This duality (or multiplicity when combined with his other traits) serve to keep him interesting and dynamic.

Flint suffers a heart-attack as the group of protagonists with whom he is with approaches Neraka. He grows wiser and more compassionate and willing to face his fears as the story progresses. The change in his character is slight, but it is there.

Kas changes also. The quest results in the loss of life of some of his friends as well as many others, including a number of innocents. His grief over his friends (especially Flint) create a certain introspection and fear in the sense of being afraid for those he loves. This is uncommon among the kender.

Laurana finds out she can act on her own without tying her identity to another person (parents, originally, and Tanis later). She becomes rather an epic hero as she leads the good armies and dragons against the armies of darkness.

Caramon remains pretty much the same. He cannot deal with Raistlin's transition to evil. He is still a good man and valiant, but he was this before. Even his love for Tika seems to make no difference in his character.

Raistlin probably is the most dynamic character. He transitions in several ways. He becomes much more powerful, able to function on his own rather than being dependent upon Caramon. He makes the transition from neutral to evil. He remains an amalgam of good and evil, though, retaining a sort of twisted sense of honour, especially in the realm of paying debts. He is more selfish and even willing to kill his former friends or, at least, allow them to die without compunction. He makes a deal with a legendary wizard from the past, allowing the latter to work through himself. Thus, he transitions, in a very real sense, into two characters united in one body. This is strange, and it serves as the springboard to the following trilogy, Dragonlance Legends.

This is a grand finale to a grand set of books. I highly recommend it, though, of course, you should start out with the first book, Dragons of Autumn Twilight, if you haven't read it.

I read through the original three Chronicles when I was eleven or twelve years old. They immediately captured my imagination, and I found myself enraptured by the adventures of the strange fellowship of characters (with the goofy kender, Tas, being my favorite). The authors, Weiss and Hickman, did a fine job of crafting a vivid tale that was perfect for engaging the mind of a young boy, and I read the entire series several times through my teenage years.

Recently, at the age of 32, I listened to the entire trilogy on audio book. I was happy to find that the adventures of the companions were still enjoyable, although not nearly as much so as when I was a child. There were a few too many cliches for me to rate the series as "amazing" by contemporary standards (one of the villains is even named "Verminard"... ugh), but this by no means makes the series a poor one. By all measures, the Chronicles is still a staple of literary fantasy, and it packs more action than most of its brethren, with far less filler. This, in particular, is one of the things that I think makes this Dragonlance series so enjoyable for young readers (plus, they're only about 400 pages each, as opposed to some of the obscenely lengthy fantasy tomes). I would still strongly recommend the Chronicles for young readers who are interested in fantasy.

Bottom-Line: If you enjoyed Dragons of Autumn Twilight, and Dragons of Winter Night, you will enjoy "Dragons of Spring Dawning" equally as well.

"Dragons.

Creatures of legend. Stories told to children.

But now dragons have returned to Krynn. The darkness of war and destruction engulfs the land. Hope dawns with the coming of spring.

Armed at last with the dragonlances, the heroes lead the people in the final desperate battle against the dragons. Knight and barbarian, warrior and half-elf, dwarf and kinder and dark-souled mage; they must overcome their own doubts and resolve their won conflicts before they can hope to defeat--Takhsis, the Queen of Darkness."

And so my journey into the magical and now dragon filled world of Krynn continues in "Dragons of Spring Dawning" the third and final book in the (original) DragonLance Chronicles series written by Margaret Weis and Tracy Hickman and commissioned by TSR, the folks responsible for fantasy role playing game Dungeons & Dragons. The fourth book in this series the Dragons of Summer Flame was released in the winter of 2002 and is whopping 608 pages. I have not read it yet, but rest assured I shall.

As it was in the first and second installment of the Chronicles series, the story centers around a group of eight companions (plus minor supporting characters), who separated and have now come back together because evil is afoot in the land once more. The evil is personified in the guise of the Goddess Takhisis, known as the The Queen of Darkness, one of the three God's creators of the world. Takhisis has begun her unleashed her plans to incarcerate the world under her flag and dragon of blackness. Meanwhile, Paladine, the God of Light, attempts to hold her back and appears in many guises throughout the story, but his most noble persona is that of a gold dragon. The Third God, Gilean, remains neutral in all conflicts, using his powers to keep the pendulum that swings between darkness and light in check; his persona is a white dragon.

"Dragons of Spring Dawning" culminates in the main event: the Companions, out reluctant heroes against the evil dragons and the Queen of Darkness. The Companions--Tanis, twin brothers Raistlin and Caramon, Sturm Brightblade, Tasslehoff Burrfoot, Flint Fireforge, Goldmoon, Laurana, and Riverwind now armed with the magical dragon orbs and silver Dragonlance of old face down the evil Takhisis has unleashed upon Krynn at the iron works of Pax Tharkas. Having mastered the both the Orbs and the Dragonlance, our heroes are bolstered by the return of the good metallic dragons (Platinum, Gold, Silver and Copper). But before the band of old friends can face down the demon's from below, they have to face those with reside within each of their own souls and within the group.

What unfolds within the pages of "Dragons of Spring Dawning" is a inviting descriptive narrative, more solid character development (Tanis and Laurana are one again given a large role, and at times their interplay is very exasperating, but nonetheless necessary to tell the story), tons of great combat, and of course some humor courtesy once again of our resident kender, Tas. Did mention that Tas--Tasslehoff Burrfoot--is my favorite character? I have never run across a character quite like him before.

Add to this a smattering of betrayal, treachery (Kitiara), infirmity, and weakness that threatens to destroy all the companions have accomplished thus far, and you have the makings of an all too human adventure, one that captivates and enthralls.

One the cover of the original paperback (there has been a re-lease of the book and as well as a hard cover edition each with different cover art) artist Glen Angus, has beautifully rendered, Rastlin, the dark mage, Caramon, his warrior twin brother, and Luarana. And oh yes a pesky green dragon menaces in the background. His cover illustrations in which he wonderfully captures the characters that fill this great saga adorn every book in the series. And of the books in this series is graced throughout with beautiful poetry and songs by Michael Williams.

"Dragons of Spring Dawning" like the books that preceded it, is a beautifully written tome that continues in the rich tradition of the first two books of the series. Although I knew that good would triumph in the end--because it always does--I was nonetheless in it for the journey, to see how the Companions were going to win and what scarifies they would have to make along the way.

Weis and Hickman (not married by the way) who have weaved dozens of tales together, are a gifted writing team and they have crafted a series of books that take the reader to Krynn and make them part of that world.

The heroes, whom we get to know even better in this installment, are flawed and quintessentially human--well except for the Kender and Dwarf of course--and are vested with as much emotional baggage as any human would be; that is the familiar the hook. The unfamiliar is the world in which they reside. A world populated by color coded dragons (gold, white, silver, copper, bronze, red, blue, brown and black) that denote their nature, good or evil. Unfamiliar as well are the Elves of Silvanesti, Qualinesti, and Kagonesti, the mountain dwarves of Thorbardin (love that name), the hill dwarves, the gully dwarves, and the wizards, both good and evil.

If you enjoyed Dragons of Autumn Twilight, and Dragons of Winter Night, you will enjoy "Dragons of Spring Dawning" equally as well. I have of course only skimmed the surface of this seriously marvelous book; no review can do justice the sweeping vista that unfolds with the pages of the book, and indeed the series; it must be read, they must be read, again and again in order to fully appreciate the depth of its tale. Over the intervening years I have read each book not less than three times! That is a measure of how much I enjoy the series, and why I still tote them around with me every time I move.

Other Books in the Series:

Dragons of Autumn Twilight (DragonLance Chronicles, Vol. I)
Dragons of Winter Night (DragonLance Chronicles, Vol. II)
Dragons of Summer Flame (DragonLance Chronicles, Vol. IV)

An Excerpt from the novel:

"Insane, desperate rage twisted Tanis's face. Somehow he'd make Raistlin listen to reason! Somehow they would all use this strange magic to escape! Tanis started forward, then stopped. From nowhere - - - seemingly - - - had come a small silver dagger, long concealed, fastened to the mage's wrist by a cunningly designed leather thong.

`All right,' Tanis said, breathing heavily. "You'd kill me without a second thought. But what about your brother? Caramon, stop him!

Caramon took a step toward his twin. Raistlin raised the silver dagger warningly.

`Don't make him come near me, Tanis,' Raistlin said. `I assure you. I am capable of this, truly. What I have sought all my life is within my grasp. I will let nothing stop me. Look at Caramon's face, Tanis! He knows! I killed him once. I can do it again . . .'

The War of the Lance nears its end . . . for good . . . or for evil . . .

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

Long years of desperate warfare are now nearing an end; the eternal battle between good and evil has long been waged over the face of Krynn and now the tumultuous emotions of a lifetime are crashing around our beleaguered cast of characters. Some will be tempted to join the ranks of the dark side, others will loose their life warring against the forces of evil, and still others will continue to fight against the minions of Takhisis, goddess of destruction. Along the way, our characters must overcome treachery, despair, and one of the bleakest winters of their lives. Will the power of good overcome, or will the dragons inherit the eart?. For good or evil the dye is cast and all of Krynn must pay the eternal price.

Once again, the reader reunites with their favourite characters. Tanis, Raistlin, Strum, Caramon, Tas, Flint, Laurana, Riverwind, Goldmoon, and the delightfully doddery old mage, the enigmatic Fizban all meet once again to battle the forces of darkness and console each other along the way. However, there are many surprises in store for our careworn group of heroes. Tanis is torn between his love for Laurana, the gentle elf maiden and Kitiara, the ambitions dragon highlord and follower of Takhisis. Meanwhile, Raistlin has discovered a new magical talent that could be the key to his future, or the destruction of everything. Loyalties are stretched and breached, love is tried to the utmost, hatred is kindled, as the entire force of Krynn is rallied to fight the coming onslaught of dragons, our characters must not only confront these beasts of doom, but their own inner turmoils and disloyalties as well. The war is not only for the salvation of Krynn, but for the redemption of the soul. Nothing will ever be the same again.

Not only do we, the public of readers, become drawn into the story by the fast paced action and the stunning revelations, but the sheer emotional depth and the realistic nature of the cast of vivid characters is what truly makes this tale classic literature. While the war rages on the outside, we are allowed to not only witness its irrevocable destruction of Krynn, but to see first hand how this degeneration of the world effects the characters we have come to love as family. How can we not weep as Raistlin begins his long fall from grace? How can we not experience Tanis's emotional turmoil over his love life? How can we not respect and admire Laurana, the Golden General, who risks everything for a man who no longer loves her? All these things and more culminate to produce an astoundingly complex and highly emotional tale that will leave the reader crying during many segments. Unforeseen betrayals, love lost, hopes destroyed, magic discovered, all these things must have their toll on the characters that we have come to love and admire. While they may not all be human, they have distinctly human emotion and desires creating what can truly be called modern literature at its finest. It would be impossible for the reader to remain unaffected by the emotions of Dragonlance. It would also be equally impossible for the reader to even begin to guess what outcome, whether good or evil, would come from our characters' actions and reactions. Truly, Dragons of Spring Dawning is as emotional as it is unpredictable. This is one story that cannot fail to draw the reader in.

The sheer ingenuity of the plot and the extreme emotional depth displayed, is complemented by a rich and complex storyline, edge-of-the-seat action and suspense, and a terrifying cast of vitriolic villains. While the protagonists are deeply cherished by the reader, the villains make an equal, although opposite impression, truly engaging all of the reader's emotions, both love and hate. What could be more epic! Once again, we are treated to modern literature at its finest.

Also, Dragons of Spring Dawning, is complemented with a wonderful rich and descriptive writing style that brings the magical world of Krynn vividly to life. Yet another virtue that Dragonlance can boast.

In Conclusion: This is to be Krynn's bleakest hour. An hour when the decisions of a moment will affect a lifetime. An hour when sides must be chosen forever. An hour when love and hate, desire and despair, culminate into one heady brew to create an unforgettable epic that is just as emotionally demanding as it is imaginatively captivating. All of Krynn hangs in the balance and it is up to our beleaguered group of heroes to save their lost and dying world. Rich in characterization, writing, imagination, and epic in scope and storytelling, this is one tale not to be missed. Highly recommended.

- Ravenova Majere

In balance all purity is destroyed,
But in voluptuous darkness lies the truth.

- Raistlin's Farewell

The Dragonlance Chronicles Series:

(1.) Dragons of Autumn Twilight
(2.) Dragons of Winter Night
(3.) Dragons of Spring Dawning
(4.) Dragons of Summer Flame

The Raistlin Chronicles:

(1.) The Soulforge
(2.) Brothers in Arms

The Legends Series:

(1.) Time of the Twins
(2.) War of the Twins
(3.) Test of the Twins

The Lost Chronicles:

(1.) Dragons of Dwarven Depths
(2.) Dragons of a Highlord Sky

The Preludes:

(1.) Darkness and Light
(2.) Kendermore
(3.) Brothers Majere
(4.) Riverwind the Plainsman
(5.) Flint the King
(6.) Tanis the Shadow Years

SPOILER ALERT!!!!

Dragons of Spring Dawning is the final volume in the Chronicles Trilogy. At the beginning of the book the forces of good are in disarray and headed for defeat at the hands of the evil Dragonarmies. However, since this is the last book in the trilogy you just know that things are going to turn around. First Laurana is named commander of the Knights around Palanthas and then her brother, Gilthanas, returns with the good dragons. After the good dragons are equipped with the dragonlances they drive the dragonarmies south in disorder. However, the blue Dragon highlord Kitiara has a trick up her sleeve. She preys upon Laurana's love for Tanis Half-Elven to capture the elven general; Kit plans to sacrifice Laurana to the evil goddess, Takahsis, and then give her soul to her death knight Lord Soth. When Tanis learns of this dastardly plot he leads the other companions to Nereka to free Laurana. Tanis also has an ace in the hole as he has managed to find Berem the Everman, who has a strange jewel in his chest that is preventing the evil goddess from returning. In the end, Tanis manages to rescue Laurana, Berem returns his jewel and prevents the return of the evil goddess and Raistlin turns to the dark robes.

For the most part this book is a very satisfying conclusion to the series. We reach a measure of resolution with all of the major characters (some sadder then others) and we get a glimpse of what their future will be like. However, in some ways the ending is a bit too...neat. Why does Berem's jewel hold such power over a Goddess? How does his sister's death effect anything? Is it because of his sister's love that the entrance to the world is blocked? I don't get it and it is never completely explained. Also the fact that Fizban, the bumbling wizard who has been following them around for almost a year, turns out to be the god Paladine. That's a little too good to be true. And if he was a god, why not have some more powerful magic or something? Other then that this was a good book.

In conclusion, I am giving this book four stars. The one star that it lost is for the ending. A better ending would have put a better cap on a magnificent trilogy.

There is an expectation of a happy ending with every fantasy novel and series. Dragons Of Spring Dawning, the conclusion of the Dragonlance Chronicles trilogy, presents a more realistic ending which leaves much room for the saga and the heroes to roam.

With death, destruction, discovery and desperation looming and lurking at every turn The Everman, Tanis, Laurana, Tas, Flint, Caramon and Raistlin take centre stage to play their part in a drama which now actively includes Kitiara in a surprise twist. Wars rage and sorrows reign as Raistlin's prophecy regarding the death and separation of the fellows comes true.

Spring Dawning does have major flaws, as did its two prequels, in that coincidences flow illogically at every turn (the dismissal of the dragons by Fizban, the defeated magic of a Dragon Highlord at a crucial time or the appointment of Lauranathalasa) and the book still cannot rid itself of allusions and comparisons to The Lord Of The Rings (the metaphysical presence of The Dark Queen is just one instance) trilogy. Nevertheless, the ingredients for an exciting and satisfactory read are present here in more potent quantities than in volumes one and two.

The book does answer many nagging questions and puts to rest several mysteries, although there is much that still goes unexplained. Mystery, magic, myth and mages come together in an expansive and enchanting land and become sources for more fantasy trilogies to come.

If you like to read fantasy series, read the Dragonlance: Chronicles v.03 Dragons of Spring Dawning by Margret Weis and Tracy Hhickman.
But if you do, be sure to read the first two books, Dragons of Atumn Twilight and Dragons of Winters night. If you don't, you will miss a lot of important details, about the characters and the setting. You always want to read any series from the first book to the last one.
The plot in this book is very interesting and not the typical good vs bad story line. This one has a couple of interesting twists. For example, some of the main characters fight for good and have hearts and souls of evil. In this series, the characters are believable if you keep an open mind. There is a wide variety of charracters: A Dwarf, a Half--Elf, a Kender, a fighter, a magic user, a barmaid turned fighter, a cleric, a plainsman, and two Elves. There used to be a knight but he died in the second book. This keeps the series interesting to read.
The setting is very important in this book, it influences what the characters do and keeps the book interesting. The writing is very easy to follow and has great dialog. The fighter and magic user are twins, the fighter supplies the magic user physical stregth. But in the end the magic user saves his twin and then leaves, symbolozing that even the strongest bind can be broken, and the toughest obstacles can be over come.
I recommend this book only if you have read the first two. I really enjoy this book I keep rereading the entire series just to reread The Dragons of Spring Dawning.

Dragons of Spring Dawning as state above, is simply an outstanding conclusion to the Dragonlance Chronicles trilogy! As you will see from the first two novels, these two outstanding authors will have you thoroughly enthralled in this epic story from the very first page of Dragons of Autumn Twilight to the very last page of this exceptional conclusion! For myself, as I drew to within a hundred pages or so from completing this novel; I experienced a strange sense of sadness, knowing that I was almost done and strangely enough would miss the majority of these characters. I say a majority due to the fact that a few of them are in the follow up trilogy, Legends. Margaret Weis & Tracy Hickman have such a compelling writing style that will completely enthrall you into the lives of these fine characters.
The premise: MINOR SPOILER
Dragons of Spring Dawning picks up right where the dramatic conclusion to Dragons of Winter Night left off, where a major and beloved character is killed, leaving the reader and the other characters with a major sense of loss. The suspense for the Chronicles trilogy is brought to an even higher level than the first two novels, as it is all coming to the remarkable conclusion and the ultimate meeting of the beloved characters and the forces of darkness which have brought war to the magical world of Krynn.
The Dragonlance Chronicles is, simply stated, one of the finest fantasy trilogies ever written and these two authors deserve all the accolades they have received and will continue to receive. I highly recommend this to any and all fans who have either already read this trilogy or to any newcomers. Once you're finished with this book and the Chronicles trilogy as a whole, I highly recommend the Dragonlance "Legends" trilogy. {ssintrepid}

This trilogy was actually the very first set of books I ever purchased. It got me hooked immediately to the fantasy genre. I don't claim to be any expert especially during the time I first read this third volume, but I must say that it is one of the best out there. It is not your a-typical conclusion to a good vs. evil plot. It left me with a feeling of, the best word I can think of to describe it, contentment. It had a sense of closure, but at the same time it makes you excited for more.
Every page was/is a new twist, a new turn to the story. It never fails to grab your attention and make you want to get to the next page NOW! I believe I've read this book, and the previous two, at least 20 times throughout the years, and it just gets better every time.
From Raisltin's fate (or the beginning of it) to Tanis' realization of his true feelings at the end of this volume, it lets you feel like you're a part of what's going on and enables you to relate and feel for the characters. If you've never read this book or the Chronicles trilogy and you consider yourself a true fan of fantasy, then consider this an awakening.

I have just finished reading the "Chronicles" for the 100,000 time in my life (I'm reading it over and over again since I was in the 3rd grade. i'm 19 years old), and I still found myself wiping a tear. Visiting Krynn again, and meeting all my old friends: Tas, Raistlin, Caramon, Tanis and the rest of the gang is always great, and I love these books more and more as I get older.
"Dragons Of Spring Dawning" is in my opinion the darkest book in this 3 books series (I don't consider the 4th as a part of the chronicles, in my opinion it ruins the perfection of the other 3). All the conflicts that are only hinted in the other 2 books are floating into the surface, and creats one of the most facsinating plots ever written. We discover darker sides of the characters that we fell in love with, and in the end, it only makes, me at least, love them even more.
I ended this book, again, and I almost cried. For some reason, the goodbye was harder this time. I found myself wishing, in somewhat childish and naive way, that I was really there, in Krynn, not only visiting, peeping through the keyhole of a book, but actually there. This is, I believe, the sign of a truly great book (Or books, in this case, the Legends are also highly recommended) I know that it is not my last visit to Krynn and not the last time I meet my favorite party. I hope, if you've never been there, to meet you there too.

I recently re-read the entire Dragonlance Chronicles Trilogy. Even though I hadn't read them for more than ten years, ever since high school ended, I really fell back into these books and enjoyed them as much if not more than when I was a teen.

Dragons of Spring Dawning is a great conclusion to the trilogy and leads nicely into the next trilogy, Legends, which focuses on Caramon and Raistlin.

The highlight of this book for me was the characterizations, not so much the action. There isn't too much action on the grand scale involving armies of metallic and colored dragons fighting against each other, and to be honest the Dragonlances are not really even used at all in this book. Some characters, like Goldmoon and Riverwind, bow out early. I tend to think this was done because they didn't really have much more to do in these books. Their story was really told in book one, and halfway through book two it seems the story had left them behind.

The lack of major battles and the withdrawal of some major characters was fine with me, because they may not have advanced the story. There is still a lot of more intimate action sequences, including the climax that takes place inside the Dark Queen's temple at Neraka. The characters, like Tanis and Laurana, become even more textured and you can really see the good and bad in them. They are not shallow but come across as very genuine. Caramon, Tika and Tas also are written very well, and Raistlin's short storyline and the "Homecoming" at the end of the book are intriguing and lead perfectly into the next trilogy. The death of a major character was handled well, and did spark genuine emotion.

Fizban was better in this book. His true identity, while obvious to readers since book one, becomes known to the other characters and the ending was intersting. The overall theme of these books, that good and evil need to coexist in balance, was pulled off pretty well.

There are some inconsistencies that really didn't bother me, but I think that they should have been picked up on. Some of the characters are rescued during the course of the book and find themselves washed ashore near the city Kalaman. At first they act as if they can't remember how they were rescued or who rescued them. But later, they seem to remember just fine. I was a little confused by that but it is nitpicking and did not take away from the book at all.

All in all, I enjoyed it as much if not more than when I was younger. It is a great conclusion to a really well-written series.

Dragons of Spring Dawning is the final book in the Chronicles Trilogy. It ties up all the the loose ends that have been floating around, and creates some more that become the Legends Trilogy. This book sees the death of another of our friends, and the final epic battle of good and evil. Except, the good guys and the bad guys don't always do what we expect. Tanis is in love with two women, which one will he choose. What else is Raistlin willing to sacrifice for power? Will evil come into the world forever, or can goodness prevail? All these questions are answered. I loved this book, it is what all the other stories have built towards. And at the end, saying good-bye to our friends, some of them forever, it is hard. But we can alwasy start over at the begining, or read the other 200 books that are set in the Dragonlance world. There is something special, however, about the Chronicles. These books are worth the time you invest, and should be on any self-respecting fantasy lover's bookshelf.

Definitely a great fantasy epic and one of my personal favorites, The Chronicles Trilogy- Dragons of Autumn Twilight, Dragons of Winter Night, and Dragons of Spring Dawning, brings to life the ultimate battle between Good and Evil in the World of Krynn. The books are so incredibly well written that the reader feels that they have been transported to another plane of existence and are actually present among the characters, seeing what they see, feeling what they feel, sensing what they sense. The authors Margaret Weis and Tracy Hickman have truly outdone themselves and have presented us with a masterpiece of literature the likes of which we have seen only in JRR Tolkien's work and RA Salvatore's The Dark Elf and Icewind Dale trilogies. A GREAT trilogy indeed and a must read along with Margaret Weis' Legends trilogy! Duty, honor, bravery, magic, dragons and heroes are all about. One should seriously start thinking about maybe turning them into movies!

The battle of good versus evil with neutrality balancing the scale. This is one of the greatest triologies ever and it ends all right here. After building it up for two books, the story concludes or does it. The Companions are reunited and are in a sorry state. Tanis is a mess, Caramon distrut over Rais' betrayal, Flint is sick, Tas beginning to know what fear is and Laurana still selfishly loves Tanis. This story really deals with Tanis and him dealing with his issues that divide his love, body and soul. The book is a great read, easy but keeps you enthrawled the entire time. The descriptions of the world of Krynn and its creatures is so perfect that you feel as though you are in the world yourself. I say go read this book but make sure you read part I & II. I cannot say anymore about this book except that this triology has really changed my outlook in life even though I have read it about ten times or so.

First, let me say that this review is predicated on my [positive] review of the first two books, where I address the series as a whole. This one addresses this [the third] book only.
This book is the bittersweet conclusion to the story of the war of the lance. Continuing the trend of the first two, this volume gets darker as the companions struggles become more significant. We again find ourselves exploring new parts of the world with the characters and the death of Sturm in the second book has given us a hint that this isn't all going to end on a high note. At the end of this book you can sit back and think about all the characters you liked, and sure enough there is probably another entire novel or series (or more) on them, even the minor characters. Raistlin, the most complex character, doesn't really drive this story as he did the prior ones, and actually becomes a little simpler towards the end as things get wrapped up. Overall I thought this book was a great conclusion but was a little bit dry. A rating of 4 seems to be adequate, but if you've read the first two (which you should), then the rating of this one is fairly moot...

The final book in the Chronicles Trilogy. The epic battle of gods, dragons, and the humans whose choices will decide the outcome and fate of all. The characters will make their final choices of good or bad...each with their own personal reasons driving them. Some will suprise us, while others seem inevitable. We lose some friends, gain others, and are suprised by the identities of a few.

I cried, I laughed, and even though I knew the outcome from past readings, I held my breath and prayed the good guys would win.

After finishing this book, I remembered why it is one of my all time favorite series. There have been more stories written in this world, I plan on rereading those as well.

5/5

Books you should have already read : Dragons of Autumn Twilight and Dragons of Winter Night.
The companions are separated and even though they won an important battle against the evil armies of the Dark Queen, have silver, gold and brass dragons to help them and have mastered the art of using dragonorbs and dragonlances, the final battle has to be fought hand to hand(sometimes literally!).
The end is not as predictable as it sounds. Friends will die or worse, turn enemies!
Who will rule Krynn in the end is not obvious.
So my dear friends, read on. Take a plunge in this high adrenaline finale to the triology that keeps you on the edge and makes you a part of the victories and defeats of the valiant warriors fighting to save Krynn from eternal darkness.