Interesting and Improving Book in the Series

I know plenty of people who LOVE The Death Gate Cycle. I haven’t read far enough to get that yet. The first two books were stories mostly unto their own, with teases of a meta narrative on display. Here in the third book, the tension and drama were more dramatic from page one, and the meta narrative grew significantly in its development - but I still had to work a little to keep reading. I’m not gripped yet. Still, the flaw might be just my preference - I don’t really have issue with the novel, and thus the 4-star rating.

Por mucho la mejor novela de lo que llevo de esta serie.

Una historia redonda, cocinada a fuego lento, repleta de intrigas políticas, mágicas e incluso fuerzas sobrenaturales.

Uno de mis más favoritos :,)

After the disaster that was book two "Elven Star", I was rather skeptical of continuing with the series. But then I remembered the excellent first book "Dragon Wing" and I decided to give this series another try, especially after hearing how good it becomes later on. After reading the third installment, "Fire Sea", I have to say I'm glad I continued!

Even thought the Fire Sea isn't so good as Dragon Wing, it still holds very very well. It has an unique setting, a bleak and dark atmosphere, and it continues to unravel some of the mysteries we encountered before. I found the world to be fascinating, with the rivers of lava flowing through endless caves, armies of dead marching through the tunnels and giant stone colossus providing life for its inhabitants. I also liked the characters, especially the bickering between Haplo and Alfred. Seeing two enemies working side by side and helping each other was really enjoyable and I hope the authors expand on this relationship. There were also some great lines in this one. I especially liked this one, where Alfred says to a phantasm he has nothing to offer instead of these three things:

"Pity, mercy, compassion. That's all, I'm afraid," said Alfred.
"That is everything," said the phantasm.

Unfortunately, the strengths of this book are also its weaknesses. Even though the bickering between Haplo and Alfred is entertaining, it becomes tedious after a while. Haplo is always pissed off and Alfred is always a mumbling buffoon. It seems that they never change, despite everything they go through. The setting of the world also becomes tiresome. In Dragon Wing, the world was different, there were several floating islands and several different races. Here, everything is pretty much the same. Undead here, undead there. It is because of these things that I can't give this one more than four stars.

The series definitely holds my interest and I will continue on, to see how things evolve. Let's just hope there won't be any more "Elven Stars". :P

Better than Elven Star, with unsettling aspects of the world and story that drove it forward. I still hate Haplo and his weird blind loyalty and denial, but the continued development of the larger world and story is very interesting

This series hasn't been my cup of tea in general, but I am making my way through it all the same. I am, however, enjoying the dynamic between Haplo and Alfred that has gradually become a larger part of these books. There is a lot of sinister insights we learn in this installment and I have a growing dread that this is going to come back later in the Death Gate Cycle. One thing I have trouble connecting with, though, is that characters besides Haplo and Alfred seem abandoned into the void in each of these books. It makes it difficult to become invested in their welfare.

In Fire Sea, the third novel of the seven-book DEATHGATE CYCLE, authors Margaret Weis and Tracy Hickman finally seem to find their footing. Where the plots of the first two novels often felt haphazard and clunky, Fire Sea has a relatively streamlined sequence of events that not only makes sense but takes care to involve its setting and characters. What's more, the clichéd fantasy archetypes from the first two are largely set by the wayside. In fact, there aren't any elves or dwarves at all in this one, and Haplo — the only truly interesting character from the first two books — at long last takes over as formal protagonist.

Read More: http://www.fantasyliterature.com/revi...

Well, that was one heck of an adventure. This series keeps getting better after every book. Haplo and his unlikely companion learn a lot about themselves and their limitations in this one.
Necromancy was introduced and explained for the first time in the series. The execution was interesting. The phantasms and how the undead are treated make it sad. I can understand bringing back adults for labor or whatever skills they might have, but what's the point of raising the children? Unfortunately, the book never explains the purpose of undead children. I get the feeling they think it would be cruel not to raise them, whether they have a purpose or not.
I don't know what else to say without spoiling anything. I'm giving it a 4.5/5 because I feel like there's a something small missing that could push it to a 5, but i'm not sure what it is.

With the third book in the series, things are definitely starting to ramp up, and more secrets are being revealed. This book definitely picked things up several notches higher than the second volume. Part of this is due to an even more fascinating world, and a darker, more intricate plot. The world of stone is much of what you'd expect for a completely underground realm. Also the plot, without giving too much away, focuses on the powers of necromancy and the twisting of the original Sartan ways, and is definitely presented in a rather spooky feel. As this book wraps up, it definitely makes you want to immediately pick up and start book four.

One thing that stands out to me is that this is an incredibly creative series. Each world is realized with detail, and it's obvious much planning has gone into the worldbuilding. Not only that, but the slow revelation of the plot is well-planned out, and pulls you along in the attempt to discover more and more of the answers, and the unveiling of the mystery of these worlds. I am starting to understand a little bit about what is going on, and so that is definitely increasing my enjoyment as well.

This is a solid read that will have you diving into the rest of the series to find out what happens next.

As the Death Gate Cycle books progress they get better and better! I loved the character development of Haplo and Alfred. Both are drastically different from when the series started. They are learning that the worlds are not so black and white. Can't wait to see where their paths lead.
I am very curious about the dog after certain events in this book and hope that the later novels provide answers to many questions I have about the creature now.

Easily the best—so far—of the Death Gate Cycle. Weiss and Hickman’s world building is top-notch like usual, but they soar to new heights with the unexpected but logical and satisfying directions they take their characters, and with the intricate weaving of the ever more complex plot: Things are getting much more interesting now! Excited for the fourth book!

I remembered this to be the least favorite of mine in the series and it's probably going to be true again. It wasn't bad, but it was darker and tragic. The characters developed in important ways, but it is a classic middle book that does more to set up the other books.