This review is also featured on Behind the Pages: Kender, Gully Dwarves, and Gnomes

Kender, Gully Dwarves, and Gnomes is a compilation of short stories featuring each of the three mentioned races. Though I would have loved to see more stories with gully dwarves. Out of the three I feel as though they are not visited as often in the Dragonlance series. Looked down on as lesser beings, I had hoped to see them receive more recognition in this short story anthology. There were also tales centered around dwarves, and if you know Dragonlance, you would know they would have preferred being part of the title. 🙂

Once again the companions make an appearance in a few of the short stories. But this time each one centers around Tas. From his adventures of being turned into a squirrel by an evil wizard, to his fascination with a magical flute, the stories featuring Tas were a delight to read. However, my favorite of them was Snowsong. It brought back memories of Flint and Tas’ antics from The Chronicles. Tas continued to wear down Flint’s patience by playing off-key tunes on a newly acquired flute. And if you’re familiar with Flint, the grumbly old dwarf made sure Tas knew his opinion on the matter. Tas’ innocence and good nature mesh so well with Flint’s irritable fussing.

The companions’ stories seem to always win my favor in these anthologies, but there was another story that equally captured my attention. The Storyteller. A storyteller by the name of Spinner inspires the hearts of Kenders, Dwarves, and Gnomes in a town occupied by the evil queen’s forces. As he spins tales of wonder, he brings joy to an otherwise bleak town. His impact is so profound he catches the eye of a Dragon Highlord who views his inspiring tales as a threat. The Storyteller explores the power behind creativity and imaginary worlds. There are also surprise twists along the way that will leave readers contemplating the story long after it is over.

I would advise reading Dragons of Summer Flame prior to reading Kender, Gully Dwarves, and Gnomes which means you will also have to read The Chronicles. There will be a bit of character confusion and light spoilers if you have not read them. However, this is a wonderful companion novel once you have. It will give background stories on characters readers are not allowed to spend much time with prior to these short stories. I look forward to continuing my adventure through the Tales anthologies. ( )

Part 2 of the Tales series. This one was better than Magic Of Krynn, I found more stories fun or entertaining. These are of course light, in-between stories. Some, as I saw it, even with lessons to be used in real life (e.g. never think revenge is a solution - "A Shaggy Dog's Tail"; a lesson about truth, integrity, values - "Definitions Of Honor"). The novella "Wanna Bet" was nice, though Dougan did annoy the hell out of me at some point. But it got a nice twist later on. Here too, a lesson in being cautious and aware of deception. The last two stories I didn't quite like. Sure, Michael Williams is the poet of DL, but his gnome story was annoying to read, the way it was written. The dagger story was mediocre. ( )

Another series of short stories involving the world of Krynn, of which I have many of the series. A perfectly fine stand alone series, the stories are full of humor and adventure. The story Hearth Cat and Winter Wren is my favorite from this selection. Exploring the lives of adventurers as they are turned into animals while trying to save people from an evil wizard.

4/5 ( )

This second book of the Dragonlance Tales series has some good stories and some awful stories. Not quite as good as the first book because of the awful stories are really bad and I skipped over those as quickly as I could. The good stories leave you wanting more Dragonlance, so I will be reading the 3rd tales book. More comedic than anything, check out the story of Lord Toede and also the story with the Majere brothers. ( )

This volume is an anthology of short stories as could be discerned by the name of the series: Tales. In the name of completeness, I'll give micro-reviews of the individual short stories here.

1) The Pied Kender
Tanis and Sturm are lost in a blinding blizzard, slowly freezing to death. Flint and Tas are waiting for them in a cabin. The only hope that Sturm and Tanis have resides in Tas' magical flute... If only he could get it to play...

2) Dalamar's Dwarven Buddy
Dalamar, chased by the Seekers, gets aided by a Dwarven hermit. In return for his aid, Dalamar leaves him some magical trinkets. Unfortunately, the dwarf's lust for magic isn't sated...

3) The Viral Storyteller
A common storyteller is captured by Kit's troops and she sentences him to death. He tells a story about the united forces of kender, gnomes and dwarves that rescue him. Or not. But his tales inspire another to tell more tales... and they tell friends, and they tell their friends...

4) Revenge
A very angry dragonarmy officer goes in search of an escaped barbarian slave only to find himself in the clutches of an old woman. An old woman that wants him to never leave.

5) Lord Toede's Wild Ride
Toede has two kender dead to rights... only one of them is the kender leader. So he chains them to a deer carcass and gives them a head start into the woods. What could go wrong?

6. Honor and Fish
A young Solamnic knight and a minotaur strike up a conversation about honor. But then a boat full of minotaurs arrive...

7. The Menagerie
A couple of evil wizards have change several inhabitants of Solace into animals. Where will the insanity stop?

8. By Reorx, I'll bet!
Palin, Talin, and Dwalin (err... Sturm) are off on a merry adventure when they get catch the short end of a bad wager with a dwarf. A very garish dwarf. Who leads them on a quest. Of sorts. Gnomes and barbarians and harem girl, oh my!

9. Gnomish Revisionist History
A gnomish version of several events in the Chronicles. Blah. Kinda funny, but terrible boring.

10. Feeder, Feeder, Heartsblood Eater...
A sentient (just barely) dagger (but not really) has a slightly different perspective on some of the early events of the Chronicles. If it wasn't so stupid, it could have had a serious effect on the War of the Lance.

Read 9/2007 ( )