Dragons of Autumn Twilight

I read this as a child and picked it back for a re-read. I think I loved it even more as an adult.

I fell in love with the characters and remember crying as a teenager through one of the scenes (I won’t give it away). There are wonderful monsters, epic creatures, dragons, and an adventure that changed and influenced my life.

The characters have a history but were separated for years until the rumors of war approached. This brought them together, and none of them were prepared for what was to come, including me. So good.

Once I began my reading journey in high school, I naturally gravitated to this book series.

It was recommended by a friend I played Dungeons and Dragons with from school. This was the mid to late 80s and Dungeons and Dragons was a bit controversial, but we knew it was harmless fun. My friend knew I loved magic, and he told me of Raistlin the magic user and his twin brother Caramon and how they were central to the plot. I was hooked.

This was another fantasy series I just couldn’t put down. I remember getting my younger brother hooked… show more.

And here is the book I wish I did read when I was 13. No single book series has affected me more. When I read Dragons of Autumn Twilight, it changed me from a casual reader to a voracious one. At the time I didn’t know it was a distillation (and more exciting one for my money) of the Lord of the Rings series when I first opened it up, and honestly, I couldn’t care less. I remember seeing the cover. These three people staring out at the reader, not with excitement, but with a look of, “Be careful if… show more.

What a classic! I have read the trilogy several times, and many other books in the Dragon Lance series. The story feels like a roleplaying quest right from the beginning, but it is very accessible for those that are unfamiliar with the concept. The traditional good vs. evil (or colored vs metallic) dragons sets the tone throughout the novel. However, in this story the leaders of the dragons, Tiamat and Bahamut, play vital roles in setting the stage for what is driving each of the dragon armies.

This was my first connection with the world of Dungeons & Dragons (other than the unfinished animation) and I adored everything about it. Of course I had no idea what D&D was until I went to University, but that didn’t stop me from jumping into TTRPG when I was invited into a group!

The story has the classic D&D questline and some wonderful characters that you can totally fall in love with (ahem… Tanis) and I spent a long time as a teen wishing that I could be Goldmoon. 

It was also an inspiration when I started writing my own… show more.

Dragonlance books have a fond place in my heart. I read most of this series while in elementary school at a swift clip. The first installment begins in autumn and Weis and Hickman masterfully paint their world of dragons, dwarves, and elves with the appropriate hues and textures that make the journey an experience in atmosphere, as well as character and story. The world of Krynn is in trouble. As an evil army prepares for its final slaughter, the populace braces in fear. Only a small band of friends can save the world. Yet, these friendships may fracture. If you… show more.