What do you think?
Rate this book
The Great White Wyrm
A terrifying and powerful white dragon becomes the object of obsession for one courageous man who pursues his quarry no matter who or what gets in his way. Original.
312 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published March 13, 2007
380 people want to read
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews
August 14, 2016
Actual rating is 3.5 stars.
This is part of the Dragonlance world. In this one a ship crew has been pursuing a great white dragon that appears every now and then to destroy. This might sound familiar since this sounds like Moby Dick. In fact, this is this universe's version of that classical tale and the author is a descendant of Herman Melville.
I was pleasantly surprised by this novel. I tried the audio book of Moby Dick and it is one of the few books I quit in the middle of it. Obviously, this book doesn't go into depth like the classic but I thought it did a great job with the obsession of a quest at any cost and the blind faith of loyalty that could cause harm to those loyal followers. This book isn't exactly vital to the arc of Dragonlance as this novel could have worked in most fantasy settings. It had mages, dwarves, and elves but no characteristics that defined it truly Dragonlance.
I liked this novel and I thought the author did a good job adapting the material. It never became overbearing like the original and I was interested in the whole ride. It doesn't have the character development like other books but this was more about the quest. This was a nice adaptation of a classic novel.
This is part of the Dragonlance world. In this one a ship crew has been pursuing a great white dragon that appears every now and then to destroy. This might sound familiar since this sounds like Moby Dick. In fact, this is this universe's version of that classical tale and the author is a descendant of Herman Melville.
I was pleasantly surprised by this novel. I tried the audio book of Moby Dick and it is one of the few books I quit in the middle of it. Obviously, this book doesn't go into depth like the classic but I thought it did a great job with the obsession of a quest at any cost and the blind faith of loyalty that could cause harm to those loyal followers. This book isn't exactly vital to the arc of Dragonlance as this novel could have worked in most fantasy settings. It had mages, dwarves, and elves but no characteristics that defined it truly Dragonlance.
I liked this novel and I thought the author did a good job adapting the material. It never became overbearing like the original and I was interested in the whole ride. It doesn't have the character development like other books but this was more about the quest. This was a nice adaptation of a classic novel.
November 5, 2008
The dwarf Ayshe is taken aboard the ship Starfinder and becomes a part of the crew, a band of elves and one human know as the Dragonsbane, dedicated to kill dragons. The crew is only focused on one dragon now, a big white beast breathing ice and able to control the sky and the weather and so they pursue this animal without thought for anything else.
I actually didn't like this book all that much. I didn't care a lot about the characters and most of them was just part of the group and didn't stand out so I couldn't remember their names and didn't care if they died... And I felt the ending was rushed and very unsatisfying. It didn't feel like a Dragonlance novel to me - it could be set in almost any low fantasy setting. I think this was an attempt to place Moby Dick by Melville in the Dragonlance world - and it really didn't work.
I actually didn't like this book all that much. I didn't care a lot about the characters and most of them was just part of the group and didn't stand out so I couldn't remember their names and didn't care if they died... And I felt the ending was rushed and very unsatisfying. It didn't feel like a Dragonlance novel to me - it could be set in almost any low fantasy setting. I think this was an attempt to place Moby Dick by Melville in the Dragonlance world - and it really didn't work.
May 5, 2020
The Great White Wyrm is, quite simply, the tale of Moby Dick as if it happened in the world of Dragonlance. Typically, I don't rate books that are modeled after other stories as high due to lack of originality. Yet I find myself forgiving this point. You see, in the introduction, Peter Archer explains his own real-world link to Moby Dick, which helps to enhance the story. Furthermore, the story is an enjoyable one about a unique villain for the Dragonlance setting. So I not only forgive the use of the age-old tale, I actually enjoyed it.
The Great White Wyrm centers around the character of Ayshe, a dwarf who is a victim of the White Wyrm and who finds himself amongst the ranks of Dragonsbane, a group of elves (and one human!) who are dragon-hunters. I think this is one of the first times we have seen such a group in Dragonlance, save for the characters in Margaret Weis' short story "The Best" (Dragons in the Archive).
With recent Dragonlance stories, we've seen a lot of nation-building. It's really good to see a good-old Dragonlance tale in the midst of it. I should probably mention that The Great White Wyrm is book three in the Champions series, which also adds to this. With former Wizards of the Coast editor Peter Archer at the writing reins, this book is, quite simply, a breath of fresh air. It's good to have some new blood.
The characters are all fairly good, though I found it a bit tough keeping track of so many elves. Still, Peter Archer does a great job at presenting them with different personalities. Ayshe was a joy to have aboard the Starfinder, the ship of the Dragonsbane. He doesn't act like a stereotypical dwarf, though he has some dwarf qualities to him. Harfang was one of my favorites, having to decide between his loyalty to Captain Tashara and avoiding his inevitable fate. Captain Tashara herself is a fascinating character, and I find myself wondering about her background. This tells me that Peter Archer did a fantastic job of developing her enough while still leaving a hint of mystery. Still, I would have liked to have seen more development with her. The wizard Malshaunt proves to be an interesting mystery. While not likeable, he is eternally loyal. One questions whether he is a Red Robe or a Black Robe, though I think the end of the book pretty much sums that up.
I should also say that the equipment of the Dragonsbane, particularly the wyrmbarb, was quite fascinating. Peter did a great job with atmosphere on this novel.
This isn't to say that the story is without fault. A few times, there are continuity issues, such as when the blind captain Tashara looks through a spyglass (on three different occasions, no less!) and a dwarf without hands holds a finger up to his mouth. Furthermore, the draconians in the story did not display their death throes. Draconian death throes are a pretty basic tenet of Dragonlance, so I found it a bit annoying, but one can overlook it.
What also frustrates me about this book is that we don't see the very iconic weapon for which the setting is named – the dragonlance. To this day, I am shocked at how little we see the dragonlance used in the setting. I understand that you don't want to overuse the weapon, but this novel is a natural for its inclusion. A quest to find a unique dragonlance from the days of Huma would have made a great addition to this book, and would not have made the final battle against The Great White Wyrm too easy at all. A dragon is still a dangerous beast, after all!
As for the dragon itself, I liked its portrayal. The dragon is a unique breed, a storm dragon. Presumably, this is a crossbreed of a white and blue dragon, or at least somehow related to a white. While I was a bit disappointed that the dragon's intelligence wasn't looked into more, I liked the theme carried over from Moby Dick of mortals vs. nature. In this case, it is the very nature spawned from the world of Krynn, and the most devastating dragon ever.
To this, I will add only that I was glad the dragon was described as mightier than the dragon overlords, including Malys. I never liked the idea of the overlords nor do I think they should be Krynn's ultimate draconic power. To see another dragon supersede Malys' throne as the mightiest of dragons is a treat.
While this book has a couple of minor errors and perhaps too much time is spent describing the travel, I found The Great White Wyrm to be an enjoyable read. I recommend it for all fans of dragon stories and find it a breath of fresh air in the midst of the current series of novels.
The Great White Wyrm centers around the character of Ayshe, a dwarf who is a victim of the White Wyrm and who finds himself amongst the ranks of Dragonsbane, a group of elves (and one human!) who are dragon-hunters. I think this is one of the first times we have seen such a group in Dragonlance, save for the characters in Margaret Weis' short story "The Best" (Dragons in the Archive).
With recent Dragonlance stories, we've seen a lot of nation-building. It's really good to see a good-old Dragonlance tale in the midst of it. I should probably mention that The Great White Wyrm is book three in the Champions series, which also adds to this. With former Wizards of the Coast editor Peter Archer at the writing reins, this book is, quite simply, a breath of fresh air. It's good to have some new blood.
The characters are all fairly good, though I found it a bit tough keeping track of so many elves. Still, Peter Archer does a great job at presenting them with different personalities. Ayshe was a joy to have aboard the Starfinder, the ship of the Dragonsbane. He doesn't act like a stereotypical dwarf, though he has some dwarf qualities to him. Harfang was one of my favorites, having to decide between his loyalty to Captain Tashara and avoiding his inevitable fate. Captain Tashara herself is a fascinating character, and I find myself wondering about her background. This tells me that Peter Archer did a fantastic job of developing her enough while still leaving a hint of mystery. Still, I would have liked to have seen more development with her. The wizard Malshaunt proves to be an interesting mystery. While not likeable, he is eternally loyal. One questions whether he is a Red Robe or a Black Robe, though I think the end of the book pretty much sums that up.
I should also say that the equipment of the Dragonsbane, particularly the wyrmbarb, was quite fascinating. Peter did a great job with atmosphere on this novel.
This isn't to say that the story is without fault. A few times, there are continuity issues, such as when the blind captain Tashara looks through a spyglass (on three different occasions, no less!) and a dwarf without hands holds a finger up to his mouth. Furthermore, the draconians in the story did not display their death throes. Draconian death throes are a pretty basic tenet of Dragonlance, so I found it a bit annoying, but one can overlook it.
What also frustrates me about this book is that we don't see the very iconic weapon for which the setting is named – the dragonlance. To this day, I am shocked at how little we see the dragonlance used in the setting. I understand that you don't want to overuse the weapon, but this novel is a natural for its inclusion. A quest to find a unique dragonlance from the days of Huma would have made a great addition to this book, and would not have made the final battle against The Great White Wyrm too easy at all. A dragon is still a dangerous beast, after all!
As for the dragon itself, I liked its portrayal. The dragon is a unique breed, a storm dragon. Presumably, this is a crossbreed of a white and blue dragon, or at least somehow related to a white. While I was a bit disappointed that the dragon's intelligence wasn't looked into more, I liked the theme carried over from Moby Dick of mortals vs. nature. In this case, it is the very nature spawned from the world of Krynn, and the most devastating dragon ever.
To this, I will add only that I was glad the dragon was described as mightier than the dragon overlords, including Malys. I never liked the idea of the overlords nor do I think they should be Krynn's ultimate draconic power. To see another dragon supersede Malys' throne as the mightiest of dragons is a treat.
While this book has a couple of minor errors and perhaps too much time is spent describing the travel, I found The Great White Wyrm to be an enjoyable read. I recommend it for all fans of dragon stories and find it a breath of fresh air in the midst of the current series of novels.
December 31, 2017
So much suspense until the end and didn't get any clear picture in the end....
November 22, 2008
Michael Roberts
The Great White Wrym
By: Peter Archer
The Great White Wrym is an exhilarating book of action, emotions, and sacrifice.
This book is about a dwarf named Ayshe. His life, for a dwarf, is good. Until the attack. A clear day turns to clouds and gloom with a chill. Suddenly, a bolt of lightning struck the ground and kept striking. The winds picked up and a low growl came from the clouds. A giant winged beast bursts from the clouds and reins terror on the town. Ayshe hides in a shed near by. The dragon spews an icy blast from its mouth.
After the attack, an Elvin ship arrives at the scene. They ask about the attack and leave. Ayshe is sent aboard to gather more information. He is caught and shanghaied into service. Everything goes wrong until, the beasts chamber is.
This fantasy is an amazing book. The best I’ve ever read. This book is for myth loving, dragon liking fantasy people.
The Great White Wrym
By: Peter Archer
The Great White Wrym is an exhilarating book of action, emotions, and sacrifice.
This book is about a dwarf named Ayshe. His life, for a dwarf, is good. Until the attack. A clear day turns to clouds and gloom with a chill. Suddenly, a bolt of lightning struck the ground and kept striking. The winds picked up and a low growl came from the clouds. A giant winged beast bursts from the clouds and reins terror on the town. Ayshe hides in a shed near by. The dragon spews an icy blast from its mouth.
After the attack, an Elvin ship arrives at the scene. They ask about the attack and leave. Ayshe is sent aboard to gather more information. He is caught and shanghaied into service. Everything goes wrong until, the beasts chamber is.
This fantasy is an amazing book. The best I’ve ever read. This book is for myth loving, dragon liking fantasy people.
December 22, 2007
Well, upon picking up this book and looking at the blurb I thought Moby Dick rip-off. Then I read introduction by the author who pretty much said it was. So I must say I was worried the book was going to suck. Namely, because I hate Moby Dick. Much to my surprise I found it quite enjoyable. And while there are elements of "homage" to Meleville's epic, it also reminded me of Coleridge's Rhyme o' the Ancient Mariner. It was well paced, and the characters were enjoyable and believable.
November 7, 2011
It was pretty good, but rather "perfunctory" in it's plot and characters. We didn't really get to know them, and I don't think there was ever a full list of characters. Like Tolkien, this work is designed to be an epic story but leaves one feeling like this world is a little one-densional.
August 19, 2012
Great book.....until the end. Characters were well developed and the storyline was good. Content was canon, which surprised me. The ending was very disappointing.
Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews