A review by lundos
Dragons of Winter Night by Margaret Weis

3.0

It's been a long while sine I've read this and I've skipped the first one for a buddy read.

Still, I remembered most of the characters, and why wouldn't I? This series was the first fantasy series I read in English, so it has a strong sentimental factor. Raistlin is still - after all these years - one of my favorite characters.

The writing isn't pretty. At least not after just finishing Gardens of the Moon by Steven Erikson, but the story still flows very fast. I believe this was played as a D&D game back then, so we have a lot flashing forward to the important parts and not much (uselesss) filling. That sometimes leaves us with the issues that sometimes the authors feel they need to explain the situation and/or history from one sentence to the next. It can be annoying at times.

If we look beyond the main struggle between good and evil - yes, this one isn't gray - this book is a lot about friendship, overcoming ordeals and sacrificing yourself for the better good. If this is sacrificing your love
SpoilerSilvara by betraying her race
, yourself (huge spoiler)
SpoilerSturm for his friends after the Measure failed him
, friendship
SpoilerLaurana staying at the Tower of the High Clerist for Sturm (and Tanis)
or just the greater good
SpoilerTas smashing the dragon orb
or even
Spoilerthe entire dream sequence in Silvanost, where most of the dreams are about not being able to help the others
the themes is running through the entire book.

The best parts - besides the above - are the development of Laurana, the shenanigans of Tas and the nobility of Sturm.

And of course Raistlin.
SpoilerNice to see you in red. And a nice joke for them to put white on you to hide in the snow.