A young mage and his devoted brother depart from the dread tower of High Sorcery in the mystical forest of Wayreth. Broken and dismayed, both leave the tower astonished, shocked, and permanently saddened by the events that spiraled out of control during the magical test that the ailing yet ambitions Raistlin eagerly partook in. Now seeking to make their way in a chaotic world, Raistlin and Caramon seek employment as mercenaries in the army of the Mad Baron. Thus begins one of their first adventures together. Begrudgingly taken under the wing of Horkin, an inept yet wise old mage, Raistlin begins his training as a war wizard. Simultaneously, Caramon makes new friends and learns how to perform as a well trained solider in the Baron’s impressive army. Soon, it comes time for the twins to participate in their first battle as their army is hired to further the siege of the rebellious town aptly named Hope’s End. However, it soon becomes evident that treachery, murder, and a dark goddess’ minions have something quite different planned for the unsuspecting Baron’s Army. Together Raistlin and Caramon must devotedly strive to further the goals of the forces of good as the forces of darkness endlessly conspire against them, darkening the horizon of the twin’s good intentions like the oppressive clouds of war - - - forever blotting out the sun and continuing to darken the soul of an already black hearted mage.

Meanwhile, the twin’s half sister the ambitious and self centered, Kitiara Uth Matar, struggles to worm her way into the good graces of Ariakas, future dragon highlord and leader of the dark goddess’ forces. Ambitious, not burdened by any pangs of conscious, and cynical toward the machinations of the world, Kitiara unwittingly thwarts the good intentions of her brothers as she carelessly tosses her soul onto the Dark Queen’s altar, willing to exchange all that is good and noble so that she might gain power and prestige. Her burning ambition and the centuries old vengeance of a wrathful crimson dragon combine to create a stunning and climatic drama that sets the stage for the future chronicles of the lance.

The first clouds of war are piling onto the horizon, dark and ominous, effectively foreshadowing the events that the reader is aware will lead to the destruction of many beloved characters and the corruption of others. The earliest machinations of the Dark Goddess and her cohorts in crime are revealed in full showcasing the ruthless conspiracy and secrecy that bubbled beneath the seemingly calm surface of Krynn years before the actual war began. Like an ever enlarging tumor, growing more deadly as time passes, the evil that infected the realm of Krynn and tempted many of those that were once noble to join the ranks of iniquity began as a small murmuring of tremors yet to come, a secret collaboration between mortals and the evil gods, a clandestine creation of a deadly army that was later to destroy Krynn, and the sorrowful life of the infamous archmage that would play such a momentous role in the ultimate drama all began as insignificant tremors that were soon to result in greatest tragedy. Thus, the stories of those characters who are held so dear to the reader’s heart begins, finally explaining the way in which it all started. Dramatic and intriguing, Brothers in Arms is a reveal all novel that leaves all the reader’s queries answered. Finally, the forces behind the War of the Lance, the forging of a black hearted, yet not entirely evil mage, and the creation of a future dragon highlord whose love for a certain half elf is the only cloud of compassion that drifts over the horizon of her ambitions are all revealed in stark clarity relentlessly baring the emotions of the participants and allowing the reader to finally enter the minds of cherished characters - - - both good and evil.

As can be expected from the entrancing realm of Dragonlance, the reader is instantly drawn into the tale due to the depth of the realistic personalities portrayed, the ingenuity of the drama, and the final revelations concerning how the war of the lance began. Each character was allowed a voice in the tale but the three main participants were Raistlin, his half sister Kitiara, and the vindictive dragon Immolatus. Together, the warring characters entertain and terrify the reader as their schemes threaten to destroy one another and their endless escapades into danger keep the reader glued to the edge of their seat desperately wondering what the eventual outcome will be. Each character was thoroughly developed and despite Raistlin’s often cruel and selfish nature, he was portrayed in a more round manner allowing the formerly malicious mage to acquire an aura of humanity and to actually display some compassion allowing him to became what can only be termed as a real character since his personality was so sympathetic and realistic that despite the more unbelievable elements of a fantasy novel, the situations he faced were incredibly real and relevant to the concerned reader. While Kitiara remains static, since she still revels in the continuation of her wicked ways and never displays a more humane or caring side, the authors strove to allow the reader an entrance into her mind and while continuing to be unable to condone her ways, the reader is finally able to understand her personality to such a depth that her true dangerousness is suddenly felt and our concern for the good characters is amplified. Truly, she proves an excellent, if unsympathetic, villainess.

The plot itself, as always, is complex, absorbing, and endlessly surprising. The action is heart stopping, continuous, and, as expected, places the characters in immanent peril more than once proving for an exciting fantasy adventure. As the tale continues, it soon becomes apparent how the Raistlin Chronicles (Soulforge and Brothers in Arms) tie into the original Chronicles (the Raistlin Chronicles being the prequel to the aforementioned Chronicles). Those who prefer to term themselves as Dragonlance fans will be overjoyed to be allowed unobstructed knowledge concerning how the Dragon Wars originally began, how the eggs of the good dragons were located, how Kitiara became a dragon highlord, and the previously undisclosed adventurous of the twins prior to the events in the Chronicles.

As always, the writing style was eloquent, attractive, and furthered the reader’s extreme delight. Even the dialogue was natural and flowing and it was certainly a delight to hear more from my favourite Dragonlance character, the complex mage, Raistlin.

For those considering entering the realm of Dragonlance, it is best to start with the Chronicles series (listed for the reader’s convenience below) and then return to indulge in the prequels. Since the series was originally published in this manner, with the prequels following the original drama, it is preferable to read it in this order; this way, none of the subtleties will be missed and the importance of Raistlin’s life as detailed in the prequels and the rise of the dragon armies will attain a greater degree of import with the new reader.

In conclusion, as usual the realm of Dragonlance captures the readers’ imagination and leads them on a wild journey of betrayal and trust, the endless schemes of the realm’s gods, and the story of the infamous Raistlin Majere and his struggle to discover which side he would eventually align himself with. Fraught with a dramatic plot, action packed sequences, heavy emotions and deep characters, Brothers in Arms proves to be yet another magnificent edition to the Dragonlance series. Unequivocally recommended.

Countess_Eva

The Raistlin Chronicles:

(1.) Soulforge
(2.) Brothers in Arms

The Chronicles Series:

(1.) Dragons of Autumn Twilight
(2.) Dragons of Winter Night
(3.) Dragons of Spring Dawning
(4.) Dragons of Summer Flame

The Twins Series:

(1.) Time of the Twins
(2.) War of the Twins
(3.) Test of the Twins

Recommended: Yes