The Dragons Vol. 4 : The Lost Histories Book

So it's been over 20 years since I last read a Dragonlance novel. Well, that's not entirely true, but it's close. I'd read the "Holy Six," Chronicles and Legends. I didn't just enjoy those novels, they somewhat shaped my youth along with all 13 of the (original) Dark Sun novels. I'm not sure why I never ventured into the scores of other Dragonlance novels. Nor am I sure why I never even attempted any of the popular (and more mainstream?) Forgotten Realms series. Maybe, in my mind, I couldn't imagine them being as good and didn't want to feel disappointed. To prove this point, I picked up Dragons of Summer Flame a while back and WAS disappointed. It felt like a rehash to me, an excuse to parade out some of the old favorite characters and sell some books. Don't insult my intelligence. Just give me a decent story.

The Dragons is a decent story. Where Summer Flame hits you over the head with old characters saying, "Hear they are! Isn't this great? Your favorite character is back! And if he isn't your favorite... you'll see yours soon enough because the whole gang's here!" Dragons touches on them lightly, occasionally not even naming them, almost like Easter Eggs. They become small, almost insignificant parts of a much greater history, that of the dragons. Which makes sense due to the enormous life-span of these great beings.

I really enjoyed the novel and look forward to examining some of the other histories of Dragonlance I haven't experienced yet.

First Sentence: Crematia awakened to yearning, am awareness of a deep and fundamental need.