Unforgettable Autumn ****1/2

This is the umpteenth time I've reread this book - the first that launched an iconoclastic fantasy series, no, an entire new world of fantasy literature. I'm actually not much of a fan of the Dragonlance world itself, or of most of the other books in the series, but for me the Chronicles trilogy, Legends trilogy and The Legend of Huma are must-reads and my all-time fantasy favourites. I read them to my baby sister when she was still in primary school and she fell in love with the story and characters instantly (and I didn't skip the lengthy descriptions of the different places either, which I know some others who read bedtime stories to children do). I can still reread them and be overwhelmed by the magic woven into the pages.

Dragons of Autumn Twilight tells the story of the companions who would eventually become the Heroes of the Lance (some postmortem, and you'll cry with every death - and yes, the main characters DO die, unlike the invincible Frodo and his companions because Boromir doesn't count since you know he was going to die anyway). Not only do we have the standard fantasy folk like goblins, hobgoblins and elves, we get a whole menagerie of other beautifully exotic creatures like centaurs, pegasi, unicorns, giant slugs, draconians, and, of course, dragons. But the true magic lies in the skill of the characterisation - writers Margaret Weis and Tracy Hickman use fantasy archetypes like the pure and innocent elven princess, the grumpy and stubborn dwarven smith, the secretive and ambitious mage, the stoic and honour-bound knight and add such idiosyncratic depth and realism to them that they will remain bound to your memory and heart forever. My favourites are the mischievous and child-like kender Tasslehoff Burrfoot and the misunderstood and tormented Raistlin.

I've often wondered why this story has never been made into a movie, and still toy with the idea of writing a screenplay for it but then I consider the enormity of the project and am justly stupefied. Not even in an extended five-hour special edition will I be able to capture the wonder and exhilaration of the many adventures, the nuances of the characters that make them so unforgettable and the tragic poignancy and horror or the misfortunes that befall the companions. Forget Lord of the Rings. Forget Harry Potter. For fantasy at its very best and magic of the highest calibre, read the Dragonlance Chronicles & Legends trilogies.

The companions from left: Sturm Brightblade (knight), Raistlin Majere (mage), Tika Waylan (barmaid), Caramon Majere (warrior), Goldmoon (barbarian priest), Tanis Half-Elven (warrior), Kitiara uth Mistan (warrior), Laurana (elven princess), Tasslehoff Burrfoot (kender thief)

The companions fighting the black dragon Khisanth at the ruined city of Xak Tsaroth.

The companions enjoying a rare and brief respite in the woods before raiding the fortress of Pax Tharkas. Behind Goldmoon (with the blue crystal staff) is Riverwind.