Mark Anthony (1) (1966–)

As much as I liked the premise of this book (and I really, really did - it reminded me a little of War Of The Flowers, which is one of my favorite fantasy novels), I struggled with Beyond The Pale. I found the writing interesting in parts, but too flowery and description heavy to hold my interest for long, so I ended up taking frequent breaks as I read. I also thought the dialogue was stilted and unbelievable, not at all like "real" people speak. I found the main characters irritating, particularly Travis who was so passive and frightened of everything that I just couldn't take him seriously as a supposed hero. The author had some interesting ideas, and the book is fluffy and light...but even so I didn't find this to be a fast read at all. I will not be continuing with this series.… (meer)

Leuk om te lezen hoe Tanis opgroeit tussen de Elfen, vaardigheden leert ontwikkelen, onderdrukt wordt door Porthios en Gilthanas, hoe Laurana als klein meisje en later verliefd op 'm wordt, hoe hij valselijk beschuldigd wordt van diverse dingen, enz...

Ook de avonturen met Flint Fireforge, die Tanis helpt om open te bloeien, zijn goed geschreven en geven een goed beeld weer van hoe het eraan toeging.

Wanneer Eld Ailea dan vermoord wordt, wordt het helemaal spannend om de moordenaar te vinden. Mark Anthony en Ellen Porath zijn er in geslaagd ook mij op het verkeerde spoor - Lord Tyresian - te zetten, hoewel de connectie Eld Ailea - Tyresian mij niet echt duidelijk was. Eigenlijk had ik het moeten doorhebben toen Miral Laurana probeerde te overtuigen van z'n liefde. Nuja, 'liefde'.

Toen op het laatste, tijdens de Kentommen-viering van Porthios, wanneer Tanis Gilthanas verving om de moord te verhinderen, ontmaskerde Miral zichzelf en stormde Flint op het juiste moment binnen om hem volledig te ontmaskeren: Arelas, de doodgewaande broer van Solostaran (Speaker Of The Suns).

Kortom, m.i.: Zeer aangenaam en spanned om lezen.… (meer)

Reading this was like seeing old friends again after a long absence. The Dragonlance Chronicles started my adventures into the world of Krynn back in high school. I felt that returning years later to read how the companions met one another was fitting.
In this first book we meet Flint Fireforge and Tanis Half Elven. Flint is a guest metalsmith for the Speaker of the Sun and Tanis as many know, if your familiar with the series, is the product of tragedy after the Cataclysm. An orphaned boy of half royal blood, taken in to be raised among the Speaker's children. We see the hardships that fall on Tanis as he is ridiculed for being half human, and my heart breaks for him.
As the story progresses we see the bond between Flint and Tanis grow, from a simple act of kindness when Flint gives him a handmade toy into a steadfast friendship. But trouble waits for Tanis, as he grows older and is accused of murder. The only thing standing between his exile from Qualinost is Flint's determination to prove him innocent.
This was a slow building book, as the reader is shown Tanis' whole childhood, but it serves to show the basis of his personality we see in later novels. I also never tire learning about the different elven races in Krynn, so the ability to read more about Qualinost's culture and coming of age traditions interested me. Flint's humor does break up the long stretches and his faithful donkey causing laughable mayhem. A definite read for fans of the original trilogy that started the Dragonlance World.… (meer)