Dragon Wing (Weis/Hickman) Death Gate Cycle: Volume 1

Okay. So over beers, I suggested to a good friend, Rich, that he should invest time in the Hyperion Cantos (Dan Simmons). I swear, Rich got a twinkle of evil in his eye, and he made a devilish deal. If I wanted him to read The Hyperion Cantos, I would have to agree to read The Death Gate Cycles, a series by Margaret Weis and Tracy Hickman. I generally trust Rich's perspective, so the fact he was exchanging a 7 book series for my suggested 4 book series never read false to me.

Book one of seven: Dragon Wing, where to start.


Well, let it be known that I am not a reader of DragonLance novels. The fantasy genre just isn't my cup of tea, there are some authors I have enjoyed, but fantasy tends to be more miss than hit when I am concerned.

My reading experience:

• It took me two months+ to slog through through three hundred and forty pages
• Even with access to appendices, I wanted to strangle Margaret Weis and Tracy Hickman. The number of concepts and words that were unexplained drove me bonkers.
• I very nearly lit this book on fire and peed on it's ashes. My deal with Rich was the only thing that pushed me to completion.
• I still do not know what the root words for 'Kicksey-Winsey' are, even though Managers, etc all became clear.
• The big protagonist (cheekily named the Sinistrad) and culmination of plot were a huge let down, approx four pages all wrapped in a bow? Exaggeration, yes, but not much of one.
• The Gegs (Dwarves). They are as annoying as Jar Jar Binks.

With all that said, it turned out pretty good... What's that? Well, yeah, my reviews are always honest and in this case the first three quarters made my soul bleed, where the last hundred pages were quite good. I sailed through them pretty quickly. Most of my questions were answered. Characters solidified, story became understandable, and it clicked. After all that pain it clicked. I would never read this book twice (you couldn't pay me), but I do feel confident that my frame of reference is now large enough to enjoy book two. I will read the remainder of the Death Gate Cycle series, much to my own surprise.

Reblurb - this novel undoubtably required a new blurb as the Publisher's description is a waste, an absolute waste in all aspects. Are they selling this purely off the fact that the authors are apparent novel writing machines?

"The Sartans are well intentioned meddlers, attempting to help those on earth by imposing their will on the planet as a whole, each time they meddle, something gets worse. Before they disappeared completely, the Earth was shattered into several crippled pieces.

Hugh the Hand, an assassin, has been hired by the king of the mid-realm. The war between the Elves and Humans is in a lull, and the King is cleaning house, starting with the death of his own son. Hugh is hired to murder the Prince and blame it on the elves.

Unfortunately for everyone involved, nothing in the realms is simple, leading Hugh, the prince, and various others into the world of the Gegs, a revolution, and a battle for their own survival.

Readers of the DragonLance series pay special attention as preeminent storytellers Margaret Weis and Tracy Hickman continue to redefine epic fantasy."

Publisher's Description:

"Preeminent storytellers Margaret Weis and Tracy Hickman have redefined epic fantasy. Since the publication of their Dragonlance series, millions of readers have enjoyed their imaginative world-building, rich characterization, and intricate storylines. Now these bestselling authors bring their talents to one of the most innovative fantasy creations ever in Dragon Wing, the first volume in The Death Gate Cycle."

Pages: 448
Publisher: Spectra (1990)
ISBN-10: 0553286390
ISBN-13: 978-0553286397