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davidsandilands's review
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
disastrouspenguin's review
3.0
Good because you start to get some more development of the main characters... although I still wasn't quite sure what to make of the whole series at this point.
losgiraffee's review
5.0
Man oh man, where to start on this one. HOW ABOUT WITH THE MOTHER EFFING ZOMBIES!!! Thaaaaaat's right. The 3rd volume introduces zombies. Ok, maybe I'm exaggerating a bit. Buuuuuut after the slightly disappointing and mildly boring second volume, [b:Elven Star|28485|Elven Star (The Death Gate Cycle, #2)|Margaret Weis|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1324543424l/28485._SY75_.jpg|1919217], this one manages to recapture the imagination and throws you directly into the action. I can't think of anything that would make someone NOT like this world. It has freaken rocks. It has freaken lava. It has a freaken dragon that SWIMS in the freaken lava. I just totally nerded out The. Whole. Book. No shame.
We finally get the reintroduction of Alfred, which we haven't seen since the first book, and he and Haplo are forced to be travelling companions after Alfred accidentally passed through the death gate. I enjoy their interactions and the symbolism of good and evil between them. This volume delves into Haplo's inner struggle on everything he's ever known vs. everything that he's observed on the worlds he's visited. The continuation of character development was good and the world development was phenomenal.
Like the last two worlds, this one is also wrought with war, destruction, and dying. Same concept as the last two, just maybe done a little better. However it's the first world that has actually had Sartans present, although *whispers* zoooommmbbbiiieeesssssss
The concept is neat, the world is pure bad-assery as long as you like dark and claustrophobic spaces with friggen lava dragons, and the characters are mostly interesting with the exception of a couple that fell a little flat. *shrugs* Can't win them all. I was of course traumatized and literally yelled "noooooo" Literally traumatized me....for about 30 pages until
Overall it was an awesome read. If you trudge through the last novel, this is your reward. The pace is faster, there's less standing around and talking to each other, the development is good, the world is FRIGGEN AMAZE-BALLS (I hope I've gotten across how cool this world is by this point), and thus far the best book in the series. Immediately diving into volume 4.
We finally get the reintroduction of Alfred, which we haven't seen since the first book, and he and Haplo are forced to be travelling companions after Alfred accidentally passed through the death gate. I enjoy their interactions and the symbolism of good and evil between them. This volume delves into Haplo's inner struggle on everything he's ever known vs. everything that he's observed on the worlds he's visited. The continuation of character development was good and the world development was phenomenal.
Like the last two worlds, this one is also wrought with war, destruction, and dying. Same concept as the last two, just maybe done a little better. However it's the first world that has actually had Sartans present, although
Spoiler
they have evidently lost their way, forgotten most of the old magic, practiced necromancy, and accidentally killed off their own race with it.The concept is neat, the world is pure bad-assery as long as you like dark and claustrophobic spaces with friggen lava dragons, and the characters are mostly interesting with the exception of a couple that fell a little flat. *shrugs* Can't win them all. I was of course traumatized and literally yelled "noooooo"
Spoiler
when they threw Dog into the lava and he died.Spoiler
he shows back up with Alfred and you learn he's basically immortal as long as Haplo is alive. I have a current theory that he's Haplo's conscience or the split in his mind. It hints as much since book one but still hasn't let you completely in on what's going on there.Overall it was an awesome read. If you trudge through the last novel, this is your reward. The pace is faster, there's less standing around and talking to each other, the development is good, the world is FRIGGEN AMAZE-BALLS (I hope I've gotten across how cool this world is by this point), and thus far the best book in the series. Immediately diving into volume 4.
zeezeemama11's review
5.0
The authors' writings are growing on me, this is a chilling novel, great characters, and a gripping story plot. Death Gate Cycle is a must read for anyone into sci-fi fantasy. In this novel you truely start to see the struggle between Patryn and Sartan. And the descriptions are literally to - DIE FOR.
crono101's review
adventurous
challenging
dark
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
marindahey's review
5.0
I read this for the first time for a mythology class in high school years ago. While I remember it had been my favorite of the first three in the series, I'll admit that I didn't remember anything about it other than it was certainly the darkest of the ones I read. Upon rereading though, I now remember why it was my favorite. The way Abarrach is described is so immersive and intriguing. It's so easy to visualize the desolate land. This book gives me the heebie-jeebies, but in the best way; I didn't want to put it down the whole time. Not once did I feel like the story was dragging. The growth Alfred goes through in Fire Sea is one of my favorite examples of character development I've ever come across. He becomes stronger but still exhibits qualities that are familiar at the end. The same could be said for Haplo! The two of them develop this great friendship, and I can't wait to see where they go next. Definitely recommend this series to anyone looking for an epic fantasy!
rxh05d's review
4.0
I feel like something a lot of 80s sci fi and fantasy authors have in common is that they're really anvilicious about their characterization. Like the way the Patryns and Sartans have to be pure opposites in everything they do, or the way Alfred has to faint or trip every other page. Get it? He's weak and clumsy! Remember how he's weak and clumsy? I don't know if that's an actual trend or if it's just the authors I happen to have read.
Anyway, I'm enjoying the overall plot, the mystery and worldbuilding, and I can ignore the more annoying bits. I read fast enough that it's easy to skim over them.
Anyway, I'm enjoying the overall plot, the mystery and worldbuilding, and I can ignore the more annoying bits. I read fast enough that it's easy to skim over them.
nithou's review against another edition
5.0
Je n'ai pas réussi à lâcher ce troisième tome. On perd la légèreté des deux premiers pour entrer dans un monde beaucoup plus sombre et noir, la relation entre Happlo et Alfred commence à se creuser et se complexifier ainsi que le sort des Sartan et des Patryn. J'ai lu jusque dans les petites heures de la nuit rien que pour avoir la fin, cela faisait un petit temps qu'une série ne m'avait pas dérobé comme ça.
osboma's review
adventurous
dark
mysterious
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
faelynn's review
adventurous
dark
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0