The Dragons at War

Did You Know?

• The book features short stories by Michael Williams, Mark Anthony, Adam Lesh, Chris Pierson, Linda P. Baker, Janet Pack, Kevin T. Stein, Teri McLaren, J.
• Jeff Grubb's story involves gnomes who have developed cold fusion.

Reception

Jonathan Palmer reviewed The Dragons at War for Arcane magazine, giving it a 5 out of 10 overall. He describes the anthology as a new collection of tales following The Dragons of Krynn, featuring writers such as Mark Anthony, Douglas Niles, and a collaboration by Margaret Weis herself. The lead is taken by Michael Williams' poem Dream of the Namer, which calmly sets the tone, but Palmer notes that the edition is essentially a showcase for up-and-coming writers, and not all of them are particularly good. He observes that while they can write, they sometimes do not know what they should be writing about. Palmer highlights Jeff Grubb's tale about 'gnomite', a rock that when refined produces 'Plus-Gnomium', capable of creating a crater half a mile wide and a firestorm of four to six miles across, calling it an amusing story. However, he notes that some other tales wander articulately but tend to go nowhere for twenty pages and then end. Palmer remarks on a jarring distinction between writers comfortable in Krynn, such as Mark Anthony's use of first person for the magic user in People of the Dragon, and others who still have something to prove, leaving the impression of being produced by TSR's reserve team. He concludes by mentioning Janet Pack's Proper Tribute, about enmity between dragon and rider turning to friendship in battle, and Chris Pierson's first published Dragonlance story, which demonstrates affection for Krynn. Palmer suggests that some of the other bards at Margaret Weis' storytellers' gathering at the Inn of the Last Home may not be seen again.