Drachir
Science fiction fantasy
The strongest aspect of Michael Stackpole's Dragoncrown War Cycle are its military aspects. Mr. Stackpole has an excellent grasp of strategy and tactics and the section of the trilogy in which he is describing battles are exceedingly well written. He is also quite adept at describing an interesting mix of magic and magical creatures. Where the books fall down are in his treatment of the central character. The protagonist is a young thief, who it is soon revealed, is much more than he seems. This is all well and good for the first two books. We follow the adventures of Will and his companions and the action is fast and furious. However, in the third book the author seems to lose interest in the central character and almost completely abandons him in favour of one of the subsidiary characters, a warrior princess and her lover. The books end on a down note for the hero with the focus of the novels shifting to the happily ever after ending for everyone else.
One other problem with the trilogy is the continual references to the past history of two of the main characters. Things keep popping up from their past in a most disconcerting way. So much of these characters is alluded to that Mr. Stackpole eventually wrote a prequel to the series. I suggest that anyone reading the series make sure and read that first. It will help avoid the annoying surprises of the trilogy. By the time I finished the series I was so annoyed with the author that I did not bother to read the prequel. Perhaps next time the author will think out his books more carefully. To tell the truth I did find the warrior princess (Alexia) more interesting than the thief. The books might have been much stronger if she had been featured as the central character in the first place.
One other problem with the trilogy is the continual references to the past history of two of the main characters. Things keep popping up from their past in a most disconcerting way. So much of these characters is alluded to that Mr. Stackpole eventually wrote a prequel to the series. I suggest that anyone reading the series make sure and read that first. It will help avoid the annoying surprises of the trilogy. By the time I finished the series I was so annoyed with the author that I did not bother to read the prequel. Perhaps next time the author will think out his books more carefully. To tell the truth I did find the warrior princess (Alexia) more interesting than the thief. The books might have been much stronger if she had been featured as the central character in the first place.
