The second in the series that followed the massively popular Chronicles series of Dragonlance novels, The War of the Twins continues the more intimist story of what happened to Raistlin and Caramon (the twins of the title) and Crysania, a cleric of Paladin and a very inappropriate paramour for the black magician Raistlin.

This volume confirms the role of Raistlin as one of the more interesting villains in D&D lore, as he can at the same time demonstrate love and even tenderness as well as commit completely inexcusable actions, from murder of innocents to betrayal of his own flesh and blood. For Raistlin everyone is a means to an end but he is not completely soulless.

The book follows the events from the first volume, which ended with the central trio escaping the Cataclysm and being propelled 100 years into the future, with Raistlin taking on the role of legendary magician Fistandantilus and Caramon becoming his reluctant general as they attempt to conquer the dwarven stronghold of Thorbardin. As with most middle sections of the story this isn’t the strongest in the series, but it is still a very strong book ending in a cliffhanger that demands you start reading the third volume immediately. Fortunately there wasn’t much time to wait, as by August of this same year the last of the Dragonlance Legends series would hit the shelves.