Knights of the Crown

Dragonlance: Warriors, Book 1

By: Roland Green

Narrated by: Zach Villa

The Knights of Solamnia were the greatest order of chivalry in the history of Krynn.

All those who wish to become Solamnic Knights must first enter as squires of the Knights of the Crown, with whom they begin their training in the virtue of loyalty.

This is the story of Sir Pirvan the Wayward, whose reluctant and inauspicious beginnings as Pirvan the Spell Thief bore few clues to his potential as a Knight of the Crown.

Roland J. Green is the author of the Starcruiser Shennandoa and Wandor series and numerous Conan novels, and is coauthor (with Jerry Pournelle) of the Jannisaries series.

The Warriors series details the exploits of the heroes and villains of the War of the Lance.

©1995 TSR, Inc. (P)2013 Audible, Inc.

decent book overall

the story was pretty good but the author didn't seem to know many of the common concepts of Dragonlance and dungeons and dragons, which the world is built on. He had wizards casting healing magics while only clerics are able to perform healing and seem to justify this with the wizards of Dragonlance being tied to one of the 3 gods of magic while in reality the gods of magic didn't use the wizards under their sway as priests. The 3 gods of magic didn't really have any priests or clerics.
Inconsistencies like that are my only real issues with the book. would still recommend it to anyone who has an interest in knight style honor stories.

One of the best Dragonlance novels

Humorous, exciting, and interesting. Not quite epic, though. Best book in the series since the Legend of Huma.

An Okay story

What did you like best about Knights of the Crown? What did you like least?

It seemed like Roland Green was trying to create an interesting story with quick action but it didn't seem to really work out very well. Not sure if it was the audio editing/narration/or writing but I found that I lost track several times when the story was switching back and forth between separate groups of characters. The characters themselves were fairly interesting maybe not real polished. I felt like this kind of story should've been right up my alley but I ended up losing interest several times. Plus the fact that they keep bringing dragons back from their gods imposed banishment is over used in dragonlance novels.

Would you recommend Knights of the Crown to your friends? Why or why not?

I would only recommend this if you were just trying to read all the dragonlance novels through like myself.

What does Zach Villa bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?

Zach does a pretty good job - he has a nice range of voices although he seemed to read a little fast for my preference, it felt a little rushed, but that could be because the story was a little hard to follow without obvious transitions between characters.

A Favorite Dragonlance Series

I am rebuying my favorite Dragonlance series in audiobooks. Having collected and read the vast Dragonlance series since the 80’s this is on of my favorite. The story pulls you and Sir Pirvan is a great character. The narration is not wonderful,but very good. I have enjoyed reading your books over the years Mr. Green and it saddens me that there will not be any more. I wish you could have been part of the Dragonlance reboot in 2023. RIP Mr. Green.

For Dragonlance Completionist Only

I am a huge Dragonlance fan and this story is better left ignored unless you are on a mission like me to read the entire Dragonlance series. Avoid all Roland Green Dragonlance novels. Besides the poor writing, Roland Green does not understand the lore that surrounds Krynn. So many details are off. Steer clear my friends.

Writer has no clue

The writer clearly has no knowledge of Dragon Lance Lore. If you go in pretending it’s not Dragon Lance than the story is not bad, not good but not bad.

Red wizards are confused with clerics and cast healing spells.

The rogue main character talks about wanting to go to the wizard tower and take the test so he can learn more magic.

The whole setting is wrong in so many ways.