I read this series as a young teenager and reread it as an older teenager... I'm thinking of reading it a third time now, ten years later. it stuck in my memory as a very original and interesting world they created
I read this series as a child in middle school because I hated the books they offered for my class. I had to get my teachers permission and begged my mother to get the dragon wing book. I read it and loved it so much that I had to continue the story. So I continued on. I am 32 now and about to re read this series because I am doing it as an inspiration project for my school now. I still use Haplo and Samah as my character aliases in video games to this day. The Death Gate Cycle was the iconic series that first interested me in fantasy and later science fiction. Love it. Great video for the plot. I skipped the spoilers because I wanted to read it again. I would agree with your rating, I probably would have rated it more of an 8 - 9. When I was younger I remeber that I didn't much care for the ending, probably because it was so good I didn't want it to end. (My original youtube account I made is Xarx. It was supposed to be Xar, but I needed more letters in the name)
Thank you so much for sharing. I'll be interested to hear how you find the series now, though I'm sure you'll still enjoy it. I did. I'm a notoriously tough marker, though this is definitely a favourite series. My feelings on endings of great series are always ambivalent. I never want them to end.
It's so hard to say which are my favorite Weis & Hickman novels. Death Gate Cycle, Rose of the Prophet Trilogy, Darksword Trilogy, Dragonlance Saga. They're all amazing.
@@NerdyKathi When I read the Rose of the Prophet Trilogy somehow I read the books out of order and read 3 before 2. Really confused me when I started reading 2. But I'll always remember that series fondly, I think I'll reread it next. I'm on an audiobook reread kick, just finished The Wheel of Time and almost done with the Death Gate Cycle. It's a new experience listening to them for the first time.
Hi Kathi Thank you for such a good review of my favourite book of all times. This was my fist fantasy novel and to this day it’s my favourite. Lots of people say the ending was to sudden or rushed but so thought it was perfect. I don’t know if you remember the scene where Haplo and Alfred are standing on the wall at the city inside the Labyrinth and they are looking at the hordes of monsters and evil about to attack them and Haplo finally calls Alfred his friend. To this day thinking about that moment makes me cry and you can’t ask for more when a book you have read countless times still moves you to tears.
No, thank you for taking the time to share your experience. I liked the ending, it was fitting, though a part of me would have liked to see just how they coped together. I know exactly which scene you mean. It always chokes me up too.
The ideas behind the Deathgate Cyle and Darksword were brilliant. And to a lesser extent, Rose of the Prophet. In hindsight, it's a bit of a shame they had elves and dwarves in the DG cycle, and more so Zifnab! Probably related to the era, and their previous work's relationship to D and D,. And by extension Tolkien. As well as the need to appeal to kids. (I loved Fizban/Zifnab at the time). I remember being so dissapointed by the first DG book, and unengaged by Hugh the Hannd, but it got so much better as it went along. However, I still love the idea of the Patryns and Sartans, the Gates, and most of all - the Labrynth. The way magic worked, and that they made this part of our existing reality. I have also been influenced my whole life by their idea of the balance - seen also in Star Wars, redemption through the union of opposites. I'd argue this was a product of the 60's influenced by Jung and Eastern philosophy, and I think far more powerful and true than the modern idea of competing either/or ideologies. To go back to their earlier work. I loved their treatment of Kingpriest of Istar in Dragonlance Legends. And I think Raistlin is a character I will put up their with any character I''ve read in 30 years since. I don't know if I could appreciate any of their books now, for their writing - particularly Chronicles , but they were full of such brilliant ideas. Weis and Hickman are absolute legends in my book. And most of the sci fi greats writing at this time and before, were also more ideas people than writers of great prose. Whatever you say about their earlier books, they had great characters, or at least ones that made you feel something.And scenes heavy with psychological imagery, like Raistlin doomed to follow his own foosteps (if I recall rightly) after going back in time and possessing the wizard who had traumatised him. Great review, particularly you insight into redeeming characters. Spot on about Firesea, that's where I really got into it. Love your endearing sincerity. And also the ambient backing, check out some Constance Derby!
My apologies for the late reply but I have been away. I still love Zifnab, he and the Dragon were hilarious. And whilst having dwarves and elves takes a little away from their books, they had so many great concepts that made up for it. Balance, yes, you hit on precisely what I find so appealing in their books, perhaps because it reflects my own views. Together with the shades of grey they often deal with. It has been many years since I read of Raistlin, but I recall that I too liked his character. I might have to revisit it at some point. Whilst I can see your point that their writing may not be some of the best I've read, in my view, the writing is only one aspect of a great book. The ideas, characters and story are just as important. Thank you very much for the kind words and taking the time to comment. I'll have to check out Constance Darby.
This was a wonderful review. I read this story in my mid 20s on a suggestion from a friend and I should re-read it myself. My only question is: How could you never mention the Dog? 😭
I kind of liked the titans in the second book I remember them having weird descriptions like they were almost more of a force of nature than anything else but I admit it has been awhile since I read it
I understand, it has been a few years since I read it so I don't really remember it very well. I remember it didn't feel like it advanced the plot much after the first book, though.@@NerdyKathi
The whole old-fashioned thing is not an issue for me. In fact, I have been looking for some more classic high fantasy lately wanting something different from the grim cynicism of modern fantasy.
@@NerdyKathi I most certainly will. Discovered them as we were purging some old books at the library I work in, and as purged books are free for the taking, I took and nabbed them for myself so I have a lot to read in the coming months. Sadly, only the first four books have been translated into my language, so the last 3 I would have to read in English.
I read the novels as a kid in the 90’s and loved them. Until book seven, which really disappointed me. That’s the reason why I’ve never re-read them. Disliked how they tossed away interesting ideas that came up in the previous novels. Giving me such a weak sense of closure & I never wanted to visit the Death Gate worlds again. Until now. Now that they’ve been newly released on audible in unabridged format.
I know what you mean about sometimes wondering why a good idea wasn't followed through, but I felt satisfied the way the series ended. I'd be interested to hear what you think of it on a re-read or listen.
I read this series as a young teenager and reread it as an older teenager... I'm thinking of reading it a third time now, ten years later. it stuck in my memory as a very original and interesting world they created
It will be interesting to see if your view of it has changed. It is still a favourite of mine.
All the books are on UA-cam as Audiobooks. I'm currently listening to them for the first time but I have read them several times before.
@@Mortismors Thank you for sharing that!
I was 14 when Dragon Wing came out; I think I read it not long after. To this day it remains my favourite novel series ever.
I think it would have been an absolute joy to read as a teenager. As well as an adult. 😊
i love your channel! i appreciate that you cover less covered series!
Thank you so much. This was a good reminder to do a few more reviews on older series.
I read this series as a child in middle school because I hated the books they offered for my class. I had to get my teachers permission and begged my mother to get the dragon wing book. I read it and loved it so much that I had to continue the story. So I continued on. I am 32 now and about to re read this series because I am doing it as an inspiration project for my school now. I still use Haplo and Samah as my character aliases in video games to this day. The Death Gate Cycle was the iconic series that first interested me in fantasy and later science fiction. Love it. Great video for the plot. I skipped the spoilers because I wanted to read it again. I would agree with your rating, I probably would have rated it more of an 8 - 9. When I was younger I remeber that I didn't much care for the ending, probably because it was so good I didn't want it to end. (My original youtube account I made is Xarx. It was supposed to be Xar, but I needed more letters in the name)
Thank you so much for sharing. I'll be interested to hear how you find the series now, though I'm sure you'll still enjoy it. I did.
I'm a notoriously tough marker, though this is definitely a favourite series. My feelings on endings of great series are always ambivalent. I never want them to end.
It's so hard to say which are my favorite Weis & Hickman novels.
Death Gate Cycle, Rose of the Prophet Trilogy, Darksword Trilogy, Dragonlance Saga. They're all amazing.
Perhaps it depends on what you like in fantasy. For me, the Death Gate Cycle is outstanding. Thank you for sharing!
@@NerdyKathi When I read the Rose of the Prophet Trilogy somehow I read the books out of order and read 3 before 2. Really confused me when I started reading 2. But I'll always remember that series fondly, I think I'll reread it next. I'm on an audiobook reread kick, just finished The Wheel of Time and almost done with the Death Gate Cycle. It's a new experience listening to them for the first time.
This series is on my library list and look forward to reading it. I am thrilled to have another series waiting!
I think it's well worth reading. I'm looking forward to hearing your thoughts on it.
Hi Kathi
Thank you for such a good review of my favourite book of all times. This was my fist fantasy novel and to this day it’s my favourite. Lots of people say the ending was to sudden or rushed but so thought it was perfect. I don’t know if you remember the scene where Haplo and Alfred are standing on the wall at the city inside the Labyrinth and they are looking at the hordes of monsters and evil about to attack them and Haplo finally calls Alfred his friend. To this day thinking about that moment makes me cry and you can’t ask for more when a book you have read countless times still moves you to tears.
No, thank you for taking the time to share your experience. I liked the ending, it was fitting, though a part of me would have liked to see just how they coped together.
I know exactly which scene you mean. It always chokes me up too.
The ideas behind the Deathgate Cyle and Darksword were brilliant. And to a lesser extent, Rose of the Prophet. In hindsight, it's a bit of a shame they had elves and dwarves in the DG cycle, and more so Zifnab! Probably related to the era, and their previous work's relationship to D and D,. And by extension Tolkien. As well as the need to appeal to kids. (I loved Fizban/Zifnab at the time). I remember being so dissapointed by the first DG book, and unengaged by Hugh the Hannd, but it got so much better as it went along.
However, I still love the idea of the Patryns and Sartans, the Gates, and most of all - the Labrynth. The way magic worked, and that they made this part of our existing reality. I have also been influenced my whole life by their idea of the balance - seen also in Star Wars, redemption through the union of opposites. I'd argue this was a product of the 60's influenced by Jung and Eastern philosophy, and I think far more powerful and true than the modern idea of competing either/or ideologies. To go back to their earlier work. I loved their treatment of Kingpriest of Istar in Dragonlance Legends. And I think Raistlin is a character I will put up their with any character I''ve read in 30 years since.
I don't know if I could appreciate any of their books now, for their writing - particularly Chronicles , but they were full of such brilliant ideas. Weis and Hickman are absolute legends in my book. And most of the sci fi greats writing at this time and before, were also more ideas people than writers of great prose. Whatever you say about their earlier books, they had great characters, or at least ones that made you feel something.And scenes heavy with psychological imagery, like Raistlin doomed to follow his own foosteps (if I recall rightly) after going back in time and possessing the wizard who had traumatised him. Great review, particularly you insight into redeeming characters. Spot on about Firesea, that's where I really got into it. Love your endearing sincerity. And also the ambient backing, check out some Constance Derby!
My apologies for the late reply but I have been away.
I still love Zifnab, he and the Dragon were hilarious. And whilst having dwarves and elves takes a little away from their books, they had so many great concepts that made up for it.
Balance, yes, you hit on precisely what I find so appealing in their books, perhaps because it reflects my own views. Together with the shades of grey they often deal with.
It has been many years since I read of Raistlin, but I recall that I too liked his character. I might have to revisit it at some point.
Whilst I can see your point that their writing may not be some of the best I've read, in my view, the writing is only one aspect of a great book. The ideas, characters and story are just as important.
Thank you very much for the kind words and taking the time to comment. I'll have to check out Constance Darby.
This was a wonderful review. I read this story in my mid 20s on a suggestion from a friend and I should re-read it myself. My only question is: How could you never mention the Dog? 😭
Oh how did I forget Dog?! I should have mentioned him, and I'm very glad you enjoyed the review.
I think most people miss what the world in Elven Star is. It is a Dyson's Sphere. A very sci-fi element in this fantasy series.
Wow I definitely missed that. Thank you!
My second favorite fantasy series after Wheel of Time
It's a wonderful and underrated series.
I kind of liked the titans in the second book I remember them having weird descriptions like they were almost more of a force of nature than anything else but I admit it has been awhile since I read it
The titans seemed mindless to me, but the truth is I just didn't enjoy Elven Star, which colours my view of it.
I understand, it has been a few years since I read it so I don't really remember it very well. I remember it didn't feel like it advanced the plot much after the first book, though.@@NerdyKathi
Hi Lucian here keep up your great work and say hi to your pets please
Hi Lucian! ❤
The whole old-fashioned thing is not an issue for me. In fact, I have been looking for some more classic high fantasy lately wanting something different from the grim cynicism of modern fantasy.
I meant more that it is a different style of fantasy to today's. I hope you enjoy it. 😊
@@NerdyKathi I most certainly will. Discovered them as we were purging some old books at the library I work in, and as purged books are free for the taking, I took and nabbed them for myself so I have a lot to read in the coming months. Sadly, only the first four books have been translated into my language, so the last 3 I would have to read in English.
Like your hair and keep up the good work and say hi to your cat and remey from lucian
Thank you Lucian! ❤ I will.
Ive read so many times. I wonder which book have received your highest score?
Hmm that's a tough question. Fire Sea and Hand of Chaos were some of my favourites.
I read the novels as a kid in the 90’s and loved them. Until book seven, which really disappointed me. That’s the reason why I’ve never re-read them.
Disliked how they tossed away interesting ideas that came up in the previous novels. Giving me such a weak sense of closure & I never wanted to visit the Death Gate worlds again.
Until now. Now that they’ve been newly released on audible in unabridged format.
I know what you mean about sometimes wondering why a good idea wasn't followed through, but I felt satisfied the way the series ended. I'd be interested to hear what you think of it on a re-read or listen.
You’re so lovely❤
Did you feel some references to Jesus of Nazareth in Fire Sea?
Thank you so much,. and hmm, I actually didn't think of it. Some resemblance to a messiah figure perhaps.
Definitely agree the 2nd book of the series was the weakest.
Thank you for sharing.