Dragons of the Hourglass Mage

"Krynn's future has been written. People think they know how the story ends. But one night and one fateful decision by Raistlin Majere may change it all."

Dragons of Autumn Twilight, the first volume of the Chronicles, was published all the way back in 1984 (a year before I was born!). It started a wonderful series of fantasy novels written by Margaret Weis and Tracy Hickman duo.

Dragons of Autumn Twilight was followed by Dragons of Winter Night and Dragons of Spring Dawning. The trilogy had huge gaps between the books; the story jumped mysteriously forward leaving much untold. Until in 2006 - 22 years later - the first part of The Lost Chronicles, Dragons of the Dwarven Depths, was published. Dragons of the Highlord Skies (2007) continued filling the gaps, and then - 25 years later (in 2009) since the first book - the story of the War of the Lance is finally complete.

Dragons of the Hourglass Mage covers what happened to the wizard, Raistlin Majere, during the events of Dragons of Spring Dawning after he departed the Companions, leaving them to get sucked into the Maelstrom. And believe me when I say this book is awesome. Dragons of Summer Flame used to be my favorite Dragonlance novel but I think I now have to reconsider.

One weird thing I must point out, though, and that is the citation on page 45 (of the paperback version): "2 The story of Berem and Jasla can be found at the beginning of this book in the Prologue." I think most people start reading books from the start, and I don't quite understand how one could miss the story...

Dragons of the Hourglass Mage flows smoothly forward with twists and bends, and is incredibly epic in the word's true meaning. Raistlin is great as ever, and the kender character, Mari, lightens the mood. It's funny how there always must be a kender, and if Tasslehoff isn't around, a new one will be made. Then again, the kender are unique to Dragonlance it would be kinda mean to leave them out.

Very touching is how Raistlin is present, invisible, without the Companions knowing, when Flint passes away at Godshome. This, like his part in the final showdown where the evil goddess Takhisis is stopped from entering Krynn, was previously unknown.

In addition to fighting Fistandantilus taking over him, Raistlin tries to overcome the loss of his twin brother, Caramon, who he presumes dead. He can no longer rely on his brother to protect him. He has to become whole, a single person. As we all know, he succeeds in both, literally mastering his past and his present; becoming his own lord, depending on no one, while absorbing Fistandantilus' knowledge.

The novel changes into first-person perspective for the short last chapter, the ultimate ending - The End of a Journey - and finishes in confident and satisfied, almost relieved, three lines:

They bow to me.
Raistlin Majere. Master of Past and Present.
I, Magus.