Dragons of a Fallen Sun
Overview
Dragons of a Fallen Sun is the opening volume of the War of Souls trilogy in the Dragonlance saga, written by Margaret Weis and Tracy Hickman. Set nearly a generation after the events of the Dragons of Summer Flame, this novel plunges the world of Krynn into a new era of uncertainty and upheaval. The gods are gone, the magical orders have fractured, and dragons now rule much of the land as tyrants.
This first installment is a powerful reentry into Krynn’s turbulent history, rich in political intrigue, divine mystery, and the haunting emergence of a mysterious new prophet.
Main Character: Mina
A young girl who appears out of nowhere, claiming to speak for a divine power that has returned.
Charismatic, enigmatic, and eerily mature beyond her years, Mina inspires devotion and fear in equal measure.
Her rise throughout the novel serves as the story’s spiritual and military backbone, as she leads armies with miraculous powers.
Mina is not just a protagonist—she is a living mystery, and her connection to the vanished gods becomes a central theme.
Supporting Characters
Goldmoon – The aging priestess of Mishakal, now burdened by the gods’ silence. She becomes an emotional counterpoint to Mina’s faith.
Dalamar the Dark – Once a feared dark elf and wizard of high standing, Dalamar finds himself exiled and hunting for answers to the gods’ disappearance.
Silvanoshei – A young elven prince struggling with love, honor, and impossible choices as his people face political disintegration.
Alhana Starbreeze – Silvanoshei’s mother, a noble yet desperate leader trying to hold her fractured people together.
Dragons of Krynn – No longer distant powers, dragons have become active rulers. Some hoard cities instead of treasure, while others seek alliances and domination.
Setting
The novel spans multiple regions of Krynn, particularly the elven lands of Silvanesti and Qualinesti, now suffering under draconic occupation.
The tone of the setting is one of despair and decay—ruined cities, shattered kingdoms, and faith in decline. Even the skies seem dimmer, echoing the gods’ absence.
In this post-divine Krynn, old symbols have lost meaning, and power flows from new, uncertain sources.
Plot Summary
Following the Cataclysm and the Chaos War, the gods have vanished, and the world has been left without divine guidance. Magic has changed. Entire civilizations are in decline.
Into this void steps Mina, a radiant young prophet with the power to perform miracles. She rallies the disheartened Knights of Neraka (formerly the Knights of Takhisis), uniting them into a divine crusade.
Meanwhile, the elves of Qualinesti and Silvanesti are scattered and endangered, their homelands occupied by powerful dragons who rule as god-kings. Silvanoshei, a crown prince, attempts to rally a broken people but becomes entangled in Mina’s growing mythos.
Dalamar seeks the Tower of High Sorcery in hopes of unraveling the mystery behind the gods’ departure. His arc reveals a world where arcane power is unstable, and ancient alliances are lost.
As Mina’s army advances, her miracles grow in scale. Her deity remains unnamed but claims ultimate power. The book ends with shocking revelations that shift the balance of power and prepare Krynn for a new, divine war.
Themes
Faith in a Godless World – The novel asks what happens to belief when divine presence disappears and whether new faith can be born from desperation.
Mystery of Identity – Mina’s origins, power, and purpose remain hidden, creating tension around the cost of following a charismatic leader.
Tyranny and Rebirth – Dragons now rule cities, and mortals seek meaning in a power vacuum. From ashes, new orders rise.
The Weight of Legacy – Characters are burdened by the past—of gods, wars, and glory. They struggle to redefine themselves in a changing world.
Tone & Style
Dragons of a Fallen Sun is dark, reflective, and epic in scope. It’s a story of decline and possible rebirth, told with moral ambiguity and spiritual depth.
The prose is rich and descriptive, alternating between action and introspection. It blends politics, prophecy, and personal struggle seamlessly.
Reception
The novel is praised for:
Introducing a compelling new protagonist in Mina.
Capturing the sense of a world in spiritual and political limbo.
Reinvigorating Dragonlance with deeper philosophical themes.
Some critiques:
The fragmented narrative may feel overwhelming.
Longtime fans may miss the original Companions’ presence.
Final Thoughts
Dragons of a Fallen Sun is a bold reimagining of Krynn for a new era. It doesn’t rely on nostalgia but builds something profound from the ruins of the world we once knew.
Mina’s emergence as a divine herald poses thrilling questions about faith, control, and destiny. The War of Souls has begun—and nothing in Krynn will ever be the same.
Recommended for:
Readers who enjoy dark, evolving fantasy worlds.
Fans of spiritual conflict and morally complex leaders.
Dragonlance followers eager for a dramatic new chapter after the gods have vanished.