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A review by horizon_brave
The Soulforge by Margaret Weis
3.0
So I’m going to try very hard to not let the narration get in the way of the book.. And likewise I have had a hard time getting into this book as it’s a prequel to the Chronicles and Legends series... Given how that series ends and that we know the fates, I’m not too thrilled honestly to jump back. I like the character of Raistlin but I feel like I should have read these books in chronological order... It would have made the pay off that much better for me. The problem with the Chronicles and Legends books is that they give us great characters but it’s at the end of their road. All of the great stories, and character building is done after..So as an aside, I highly recommend Chronological vs publication order during a read thru.
Anyway the book starts with Raist, Caramon and their now more present sister Kitiara’s relationship. Their father killed in an accident leaves them with their mother who’s a seer, also not long for this world.
Raistlin is co-opted in a murder of a woman who was taking advantage of locals and basically performing fake communing with the dead to get money. Well this is also the same woman who years prior may have had a helping hand in their father’s death. She wanted him moved to a temple of her god which may have put more strain on him. Jury’s still out on that..but either way the twins look for revenge. She ends up dead but not at their hands.
What I do enjoy about the book is that it sets the stage for the brutal rupture that the twins will eventually fall into. Like I said...seriously recommend reading the series in chronological order. Seeing Raistlin’s younger life, being passed over by girls, teased and mocked and Caramon the loveable and charismatic young lad really builds up the relationship. Caramon’s earnest and love for his brother despite his constant jabs is well written to a fault maybe. It becomes so frequent and predictable, it’s almost unbelievable how one young boy can take that much verbal abuse and still be so attached to his brother... It is however well written and I buy it.
It’s also at this point where we probably should know that Raistlin is the center and focus of the books. Despite the story trying to keep them both in the centerfold, it’s clear (from the name of the Chronicles...) that this is Raistlin’s story.
It’s a good origins story, and involves some of the main cast. Not mandatory reading but very much needed if you want the emotional payoff by the end of the Chronicles books.
Anyway the book starts with Raist, Caramon and their now more present sister Kitiara’s relationship. Their father killed in an accident leaves them with their mother who’s a seer, also not long for this world.
Raistlin is co-opted in a murder of a woman who was taking advantage of locals and basically performing fake communing with the dead to get money. Well this is also the same woman who years prior may have had a helping hand in their father’s death. She wanted him moved to a temple of her god which may have put more strain on him. Jury’s still out on that..but either way the twins look for revenge. She ends up dead but not at their hands.
What I do enjoy about the book is that it sets the stage for the brutal rupture that the twins will eventually fall into. Like I said...seriously recommend reading the series in chronological order. Seeing Raistlin’s younger life, being passed over by girls, teased and mocked and Caramon the loveable and charismatic young lad really builds up the relationship. Caramon’s earnest and love for his brother despite his constant jabs is well written to a fault maybe. It becomes so frequent and predictable, it’s almost unbelievable how one young boy can take that much verbal abuse and still be so attached to his brother... It is however well written and I buy it.
It’s also at this point where we probably should know that Raistlin is the center and focus of the books. Despite the story trying to keep them both in the centerfold, it’s clear (from the name of the Chronicles...) that this is Raistlin’s story.
It’s a good origins story, and involves some of the main cast. Not mandatory reading but very much needed if you want the emotional payoff by the end of the Chronicles books.