Conundrum

A crew of gnomes aboard their ship the Indestructible embarks on an ambitious voyage to circumnavigate the world of Krynn. The expedition includes a peculiar mix of characters - from the cartographer Conundrum to a kender acquisitions officer and a human wizard knight. What begins as a bold sailing venture takes an unexpected turn when the crew discovers a mysterious doorway that appears to lead to the bottom of their world. Their scientific mission transforms into something far more complex as they face choices that will test their courage and ingenuity. The book features classic elements of the Dragonlance setting while charting new territory through its focus on gnomish culture and technology. As the first novel in the Age of Mortals series, it establishes a foundation for stories set in this era of Krynn's history. This nautical fantasy explores themes of discovery, the relationship between magic and science, and the universal drive to push beyond known boundaries. The novel's unconventional perspective through gnomish eyes offers a fresh view of the Dragonlance world.

Readers found this Memphis-based mystery noir offers a gritty atmosphere but suffers from pacing issues and convoluted plotting. Readers appreciated: - The depiction of Memphis and its darker underbelly - The flawed, complex protagonist Jackie Lyons - Integration of supernatural elements with crime noir - Photography themes and technical details Common criticisms: - Too many characters and subplots to follow - Slow start that takes time to engage - Confusing timeline and scene transitions - Supernatural aspects feel disconnected from main plot Ratings: Goodreads: 3.5/5 (165 ratings) Amazon: 3.7/5 (42 ratings) Notable reader comments: "The Memphis setting feels authentic but the story gets lost in too many directions" - Goodreads reviewer "Interesting premise about a photographer who captures ghosts, but execution is messy" - Amazon reviewer "Takes a while to get going but worth sticking with for the atmosphere" - LibraryThing review

The Aeronaut's Windlass by Jim Butcher Follows the crew of an airship in a world where society exists in towering spires, featuring similar themes of nautical adventure and unusual technology.

Retribution Falls by Chris Wooding Chronicles a ragtag airship crew's misadventures in a world of sky pirates and strange magic, matching the blend of fantasy and exploration.

The Rats and the Ruling Sea by Robert V.S. Redick Centers on a complex naval expedition carrying a mysterious cargo, echoing the mix of maritime adventure and hidden mysteries.

The Star-Crossed Seaways by Rebecca Mickley Presents a seafaring journey with non-human protagonists discovering ancient portals, mirroring the exploration and discovery elements.

The Glass Books of the Dream Eaters by Gordon Dahlquist Features an unlikely team investigating strange phenomena in a world where science meets supernatural, reflecting similar themes of technology and magic.

🔮 The gnomes of Dragonlance are known for their complex inventions that often malfunction spectacularly, making them both endearing and notorious within the fantasy genre. 🚢 "The Indestructible" follows a tradition of famous fantasy ships in literature, joining the ranks of vessels like Narnia's Dawn Treader and the Flying Dutchman. 📚 The Dragonlance universe was created by Margaret Weis and Tracy Hickman in 1984 as a series of adventure modules for Dungeons & Dragons before expanding into novels. 🎲 Jeff Crook has written multiple novels in the Dragonlance setting, contributing to a universe that spans over 190 published books. 🌍 The world of Krynn is unique among fantasy settings for featuring three moons that influence the power of magic - Solinari (white), Lunitari (red), and Nuitari (black).