The Crown and the Sword

Dragonlance: Rise of Solamnia #2

by Douglas Niles

During the dark years after the War of Souls, chaos threatens the once-mighty empire of Solamnia. Goblins raid even fortified cities, and bandits rule great sections of the countryside. The ruling dukes, lords, and knights bicker and backstab. Through this chaos, James Markham, aided by his steadfast dwarven companion and a beautiful white robed wizard, wields his flaming sword to uphold the principles on which Solamnia was founded.

Genres: Dragonlance, Fantasy, Fiction, Dungeons and Dragons, Dragons, High Fantasy

385 pages, Mass Market Paperback

First published January 1, 2006

About the author

Douglas Niles is a fantasy author and game designer. Niles was one of the creators of the Dragonlance world and the author of the first three Forgotten Realms novels, and the Top Secret S/I espionage role-playing game. He currently resides in Delavan, Wisconsin with his wife, Christine, and two Bouviets, Reggie and Stella. He enjoys playing his guitar, cooking, and visiting with family.

Reviews

[Jim C · Rating 3 out of 5]

Actual rating is 3.5 stars.

This is the second book of a trilogy and the first one must be read before this novel. The war rages on between Ankhar's army and the knights with James as their leader.

This was a vast improvement over the first book. My complaint from the first novel was the characters and how I did not like any of them. While we have the cast returning for this book I could get behind some of them. The main character is still a jerk and commits a deplorable act. I believe the author has done this on purpose to show how far the knighthood has fallen. In this book, I could get behind someone like the kender who had more prevalent part or the woman who leads a city that is directly attacked in this war. The selling point of this trilogy is the battle scenes. They are terrific and well detailed as the reader gets to see the progression of the battle and how each battle is won or lost.

This trilogy has improved because of this book. It still has some weak points but I did not feel like I was wasting my time like I did with the first book. This book has changed my opinion about this trilogy and I am looking forward to its finale.

[James · Rating 4 out of 5]

A king is not necessarily a good person. They do what they must to defend their people. Great battles and a great progression of primitive gunpowder technology. Contingency spells for wizards are the key to survival.

[Ashley · Rating 4 out of 5]

I liked this second outing about the same as the first one. I have a love hate relationship with the main character but I love the kender moptop and the white wizard coryn. Can't wait to find out what the Princess does now that she knows something is up.. Ready for #3!

[David W Bostick · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good second book

A very good continuation of the story with a lot of ups and downs. The characters become more defined and there is the cliff hanger at the end

[Konrad Joseph · Rating 1 out of 5]

This would be a good read if someone paid you $100 to read it.

[Katie · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was phenomenal! The second book in The Rise of Solamnia trilogy describes the exploits of Jaymes and the combined forces of Solamnia attempting to push out Ankhar’s dark forces. I would describe this as a war novel (obviously with magic and fantasy elements). The chapter of the Solamnics crossing the Vingaard river was so well done! Seriously, that single chapter is now up there with my favorite Dragonlance moments. I liked that Jaymes is a good leader but not necessarily a hero in the vein of Huma or Sturm. Although you don't get much view of the characters' internal thoughts and feelings, I would still recommend this for fans of Dragonlance and the fantasy genre.

[Aaron Pellegrini · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very good story, much in line with most of Niles stuff. The kender and gnomes annoy me a little, however they always do. Very good angle with the love triangle including James, Coryn, and Selinda. This book ended with a very interesting plot twist regarding Selinda. Interested in how that will play out. Stone Warriors and Elemental Kings? Never heard of them, but they were interesting. The intrigue with the dukes and Selinda's father, who's character is very underdeveloped are interesting as well. We will see what Volume III brings.

[Joshua Martin · Rating 5 out of 5]

For once it felt good to not end on a cliff hanger. (I am not saying I don't want to read the next book , in fact I am really exited.) I loved the massive battle at the end. It was very descriptive and very fun to picture and read. I recommend it for people who love action books with a very good story line and was very descriptive. Before reading this book read the first one.

[Elizabeth · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another great dragonlance novel. Ankhar's mother has a dream about finding the king of elementals and they go on a journey to find him and bind him to their will to try and defeat the knights of Solamnia. A lot of action, trickery, and explosions in this one. I can't wait to see what happens in the final installment of this little trilogy.

[Scott Block · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great story about the Knights and their ways.

[Debra collins]

couple small things bothered me but the appearance of the stone soldiers was cool.