Reviews

Dragons of Summer Flame by Margaret Weis, Tracy Hickman

todd_bissell's review against another edition

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4.0

I read the original three-book Dragonlance Chronicles when they first came out decades ago -- back when having a fantasy book series be published and tie directly to a series of AD&D modules was a whole new way of doing business. The books were pretty great when I was 15...., but have not aged very well in retrospect. Between that and the fact that there's a lot of material chronologically sandwiched in between the end of the "Dragons of Spring Dawning" and this book, I wasn't sure if this book would work for me.

Even with me being exposed to the Second Generation characters for the first time ever here, I was able to get into the flow of the book quick enough. Despite what other reviewers have said re: the pace, I thought this book flowed pretty well cover-to-cover.

Will this get me into diving into the seemingly endless pool of Dragonlance books out now? No. My to-read pile of books is too tall to have a slew of books on Ansalon get head-of-the-line privileges.

But if all you've read is the original trilogy and little-to-nothing else in the Dragonlance world, this is a very worthwhile read.

hannahcushing's review against another edition

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adventurous dark tense medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Plot
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.5

nickbaldassare's review

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adventurous dark emotional funny hopeful inspiring tense fast-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? It's complicated
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.25

semmons99's review against another edition

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adventurous medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Plot
  • Strong character development? No
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? No

4.0

lowlife121's review against another edition

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3.0

I read this book about 20 years ago and haven't since, but I've been re-reading all of the core Dragonlance books and this was next after the Chronicles, Legends and Lost Chronicles trilogies.

It's nice to continue the saga of the Dragonlance characters, even if this book is mostly fan service. Summer Flame was mainly written for a new D&D card system, so I don't know how narratively necessary this book was (then again, what sequel is?). It was mostly fun and unfortunately the characters are not as well-developed as the characters from the Chronicles & Legends trilogies.

Although if they were to make a movie, I think this book would be a great starting point simply because Usha is a character where the audience can see the eyes of the world through because everything is new to her as is the audience. But who am I kidding, they're never going to get a good movie or TV show from these books.

If you're like me, you'll want to read it regardless, but you might have a hard time getting into it.

ladyjedi's review against another edition

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3.0

Raistlin again!

He does not need magic to succeed. He is intelligent and can be charming, if he wants to. And this is where he appears, sent from the gods, and helps his loved ones. Dragonlance enters a new era, with this book.

Another 7/10. Always when Raistlin appears.

artfuldanni's review

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1.0

It's almost as if they wrote this book to punish us all for reading this far.

Oh? You liked that character for the previous 6 books? Well, now they're dead... in a completely bland and lackluster manner. They killed off Tanis with the phrase 'and he breathed no more' or something similarly matter of fact. WHAT?

And the kids? Well, they kill off most of them as well. The ones that they left living were wet blankets who I wasn't the least bit interested in - I'll be honest, one Usha left the tower of High Sorcery in Palanthas, I started skimming her chapters. I found I didn't miss anything. And Tas is back again, but they continue to write him like an annoying, sniveling child who is more irritating than helpful... but not in that loveable kender way.

And Raistlin... oh my dear, dear Raistlin... why couldn't they have just left you at peace, like your brother's dream said you were, instead of having you play wet nurse to a wet blanket?

moonlit_shelves's review

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adventurous medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? No
  • Loveable characters? It's complicated
  • Diverse cast of characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? No

2.0

artfuldanni's review against another edition

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1.0

It's almost as if they wrote this book to punish us all for reading this far.

Oh? You liked that character for the previous 6 books? Well, now they're dead... in a completely bland and lackluster manner. They killed off Tanis with the phrase 'and he breathed no more' or something similarly matter of fact. WHAT?

And the kids? Well, they kill off most of them as well. The ones that they left living were wet blankets who I wasn't the least bit interested in - I'll be honest, one Usha left the tower of High Sorcery in Palanthas, I started skimming her chapters. I found I didn't miss anything. And Tas is back again, but they continue to write him like an annoying, sniveling child who is more irritating than helpful... but not in that loveable kender way.

And Raistlin... oh my dear, dear Raistlin... why couldn't they have just left you at peace, like your brother's dream said you were, instead of having you play wet nurse to a wet blanket?

zoes_human's review against another edition

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adventurous

3.0