Fire Sea: The Death Gate Cycle, Volume 3

In all probability, people who read the first of the Death Gate Cycle books and like it, are going to want to read all of the books in the series (regardless of any flucutation in the individual books' ratings). Ditto for the reverse: if people don't like the first book, then they're probably not going to want to read any of the other books in the series. Thus, instead of individual book ratings, I've rated the whole series and given a short blurb on any specifics for each book.Overall, this is a very good series. The authors were amazingly creative in coming up with this concept and the books are well-written, extremely interesting, and internally consistent (mostly -- see below for some exceptions). I highly recommend this series of books for everyone. My comments for the indidual books follow:Vol. 1 -- Dragon Wing: This book covers the exploration of Arianus: the realm of Air. It introduces us to the two main characters (Haplo and Alfred) and many of the recurring characters throughout the series. It's a well-paced, well-written book that's an excellent reresentation of what to expect in most of the rest of the series. Essentially, if you like this book, you'll like the other six books. If you don't like this book, then there's no sense in reading any of the others.Vol. 2 -- Elven Star: This book covers the exploration of Pryan: the realm of Fire. Alfred is entirely missing from this book, and Haplo isn't really the centerpiece. Instead, the book is mostly written from the perspective of the mensch and of the newly introduced (and recurring) Zifnab. The one possible weakness in the book is that Weis/Hickman wrote it such that the structure of Pryan itself is more of a mystery than Arianus was in the first book.Vol. 3 -- Fire Sea: This book covers the exploration of Abarrach: the realm of Stone. Once again, both Haplo and Alfred are present. The characters and areas presented in this book are key elements for the entire series. An interesting book, but not a very happy one at all.Vol. 4 -- Serpent Mage: This book covers the exploration of Chelestra: the realm of Water. Both Alfred and Haplo are on this world. But, for the most part, they follow separate plot lines. There's a lot of action taking place throughout the book and Weis/Hickman introduce some actual Sartan (besides Alfred). They also bring in an ancient evil to balance the ancient good introduced in the previous book. The most irritating thing about this book is that it ends in a cliff-hanger. The previous books tied up their worlds' activities fairly nicely. Not so in this book. It ends at a very inconvenient spot.Vol. 5 -- Hand of Chaos: This book returns Haplo to Arianus and the people he met there earlier. Whereas the first four books of the series cover the exploration of the four realms, this book starts the synthesis of the various threads from those books into a movement towards closure. It's a good book, but, unfortunately, it doesn't do anything with Alfred. The previous book left Alfred heading towards a bad end. This book doesn't do anything with that. So, while reading the book, you constantly have this little voice in the back of your mind going "what's happening with Alfred?" Irritating.Vol. 6 -- Into the Labyrinth: This book ranges across just about all of the worlds of the Death Gate. It brings all of the various threads from the other books to a head. Most importantly, it finally does something with Alfred. The unfortunate thing about this book is that it contains a lot of technical errors (or, more specifically, contradictions). For instance, in Dragon Wing, we're told that a person needs to be familiar with an area to use a transportation spell to get to that area. Yet, very close to the beginning of the book, one of the characters uses such a spell without ever having been to her target location. There are also several instances where the characters COULD have used such a spell, but don't. Likewise, there are problems with replication spells. In Fire Sea, Haplo and Alfred use such a spell to replicate enough food for a large group of people. Yet, in this book, no one seems to consider using a replication spell to produce more of some food. But, later on, those same people are using that same spell to replicate weapons. Plus, at one point, Xar uses a spell to just materialize both food and drink for a party. But, if such a thing is possible, why do the Patryns hunt and, apparently, farm in the Labyrinth? Also, the size of the Labyrinth seems wrong. From the previous books, it's taken hundreds (if not thousands) of years for various Patryns to traverse the hundreds of Gates in the Labryrinth. Yet, in this book, from the very beginning of the Labyrinth they can see the results of things happening at the Final Gate. There's also the problem of how people at the center of the Labyrinth would know anything about the Final Gate.Vol. 7 -- Seventh Gate: This is the conclusion of the Death Gate series. Unforunately, I didn't much care for it. Basically, it comes across as being pretty sappy. All of a sudden, Haplo and Alfred are best buds and want to teach the world to sing in perfect harmony. Most of the various threads are tied up adequately (if not very satifyingly). But, the sudden push towards liberal "peace, love, and harmony" is trite. Of the seven books in this series, this one is the least good. Once again, I didn't much care for the tone of this book. But, since it adequatly ties up most everything that needed tying up, I'm not going to downgrade the whole series because of that.

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.

The third book in the series is so different, but so entertaining and thoughtful. The story deepens and enlarges. A must read.

This is my favorite book in the series so far there however there is the same issue with it one as the previous. For the price tag the books should be longer then they are, that's not to say they are not great fantasy novels because they are however if I can read it in a day or two it should not be almost 8$ I am not a super speed reader just a average reader at best. Other then that this is a great series and worth reading but you may want to pass if you're on a tight budget look elsewhere because in a couple of days you'll be needing to shell out another 8$ then another then another...because they are good and you will want to read the next short story lol for 8$

I strive to not give much away in my reviews - I personally hate reading reviews that give away the story - unfortunately the story is so good that there's really not much I can say that wouldn't massively spoil things.Out of the first three books of the series this is hands down the best. The pacing of this book is like a work of art. This book is a page turner from the very first page you read, and things only get better as you keep reading. Lots of plot twists as well. When you think you've got it figured out, surprise, things aren't as they seem.There's also some really great character development in this book for our protagonists. Haplo finds himself in a moral dilemma, one that could possibly change him forever.5 stars. Amazing work from Weis and Hickman!

I really, really am enjoying this series, immensely. I can not wait to get to the next book, and I am saddened that its only seven books in all. I highly recommend this series to anyone who enjoys a good fantasy series. The characters really come alive, and you will find yourself feeling every emotion that the main characters feel. The authors did an excellent job of bringing the reader to each of the four, unique world's that they designed. I simply love this series, and I highly recommend it!! So stop wasting time on these reviews and READ these BOOKS!!! You will not be sorry.

I really enjoy the fantasy genre, and after finishing all of the RA Salvatore series with Drizzt and the Forgotten Realms, have been searching for a comparable type of fantasy series. Although I do not put this series in the same lofty esteemed category of The Forgotten Realms, it is very good and keeps your interest. It jumps around a bit from book to book, and the characters (except for Alfred and Haplo) come and go, but otherwise it is well written and a series I would suggest to my friends.

This series is captivating and well written.I found it hard to stop reading this book after I got about a third of the way through and finished it in two days. Another very good book from my favorite fantasy authors.

I read this series over 25 years ago and it was a pleasure to reacquaint myself with the story. Fire Sea is the second book of the Death Gate Cycle. The story follows the adventure of mortal enemies and companions of circumstance Haplo the Patryn and Alfred the bumbling Sartan. As the duo explore Abarrach a world of magma and stone they discover descendants of the Sartan who have been practicing the forbidden art of necromancy. What follows is civil war between warring tribes of Sartan and a brewing conflict between the living and dead.

great writer great read

3rd Book in the series. Gets better and better. Highly recommend.London Books have provided and excellent service - check them out - you won’t be disappointed

As described, would buy from seller again.

i have a tendency to re-read these books ever 5 years and i still enjoy them