Customer Reviews

Apocalypse (Magic: The Gathering - Invasion Cycle Book III)

5 star:		(7)
4 star:		(3)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Full of intense action and plenty of drama, this one will please fans of MTG fluff. All of the familiar characters that we've followed so long are back for this fast-paced climax for this LONG series. APOCALYPSE is the 12th book in this series, so requires a strong commitment to reach, but it delivers a more than adequate conclusion to the sweeping epic of Gerrard, Urza, and Yawgmoth. While much of the series was fun and rewarding to read, some of it was not, and I have to admit to being very happy that it is finally over. At least I hope that the next books of MTG fluff aren't just continuations of this one.

J Robert King actually did a very impressive job of wrapping this series up in a pleasing way. Nearly all of the loose ends were neatly tied up (with the notable exception of Darigaaz and the dragon lords questing to resurrect trapped Primevals) and the ending feels final. I also like the way King was not afraid to (and was not prevented from) changing the world of Dominaria in drastic, indeed cataclysmic, ways. Unlike most shared-universe fantasy settings, the worlds of MTG are open to major change. Dominaria and Phyrexia will never be the same after the events of this book.

All in all, there is very little to complain about with this one. Highly recommended for fans of MTG fluff.

To read all of the books in this series, here's your list:
Rath and Storm______(Peter Archer)
The Brothers' War____(Jeff Grubb)
Planeswalker_________(Lynn Abbey)
Timestreams_________(J Robert King)
Bloodlines___________(Loren L. Coleman)
Mercadian Masques___(Francis Lebaron)
Nemesis_____________(Paul B. Thompson)
Prophecy____________(Vance Moore)
The Thran___________(J. Robert King)
Invasion____________(J. Robert King)
Planeshift__________(J. Robert King)

Good luck, if you're just starting!

Once again, King does a superb job. Easily one of the best books ever released, Apocalypse is a good buy. As a Magic player, I can see where the flavour text from the cards is incorporated into the book. Whether or not you play Magic, or whether or nor you like fantasy stories, the Invasion cycle will definitely sate your appetite for books.

I have read this whole series from the begining of the brothers war. I have followed these characters through thousands of years of story and development, and although this book is amazing on its own, put together with the rest, it really does lack- it doesnt do justice to the epic story before it.

Things are rushed and the story goes by and ends rather quickly. It ruined the flow of the whole series and easily dissapoints with its hollow ending. At the same time, the characters and situations have flow from previous books and yet dont. It is very confusing- and at the same time everything comes together. Actually a lot come together, but i fee like they have smushed 2 books into one, it would have been better to have this the 3rd book - and then end it all in a final fourth book, a first 4th book in the whole series. That is how epic this story truely is!

I have read this whole series from the begining of the brothers war. I have followed these characters through thousands of years of story and development, and although this book is amazing on its own, put together with the rest, it really does lack- it doesnt do justice to the epic story before it.

Things are rushed and the story goes by and ends rather quickly. It ruined the flow of the whole series and easily dissapoints with its hollow ending. At the same time, the characters and situations have flow from previous books and yet dont. It is very confusing- and at the same time everything comes together. Actually a lot come together, but i fee like they have smushed 2 books into one, it would have been better to have this the 3rd book - and then end it all in a final fourth book, a first 4th book in the whole series. That is how epic this story truely is!

Hi. I am an 11 year old from California and a great fan of Magic. Apocalypse is a great book with an interesting plot and recognizable characters from the Magic universe. In this book you follow the battles of the skyship Weatherlight with its crew (Sisay, Tahngarth, Karn, etc.) and the rebels (Eladamri, Lin Sivvi, and Grizzlegom) as the Dominarian Apocalypse nears.
Gerrard and Urza are in Yawgmoth¡¯s lair and are fighting to the death for survival. In the end a horrible evil dawns upon the rebels and threatens to destroy everything that they have fought for¡­
This book is a great buy with its twisting plot and sharp imagery. Your eyes will be glued to this book until the end (or maybe longer). I applaud J. Robert King for this dazzling piece of literature.
The end is near¡­

I've seen many reviews here on Amazon, all of which I truley respect, but most of them either deter people way from the book, or don't give enough information about it in the first place. I hope the review may satify anyone who has a disire in reading this particular series.
First off, Apocalypse, I believe, is one of the best books in whole series of Magic: The Gathering. The sheer twists and turns in the plot would dazzle anyone who reads it. But I must admit, some aspects of this book are confusing.But these are only minor defects, and as you read on you will adapt to them.Andplus you won't wonder to yourself about why the event happened for they don't really affect the plot. (By "event" I mean the minor defects in the storyline)
The story continues in a very suspensefull arora. With the battle scenes wavering as each side tries to overcome each other. The different subjects occurring at the same time are written very well. But at times battle subjectsmay get a little repetitve. And I must give praise to King, for the climax of this story will not let you drop the book until you are done.
Overall this book is written very well, and I believe it is a fine ending to the Invastion Cycle. With so many twists and turns in the plot, you'll be sitting at the edge of your seat and the abrut end of the story will make you wanting to read the next series. (Odyssey) I'd like to remind you, I reviwed this book from the perpestive of myself, and thateachperson has their very on view on the quality of books. All I can do is hope that you enjoy this book. Thank you.

If you are interested in this kind of subject you are no doubt a fan of Magic-The Gathering. This book is a direct spin off from that game, and as such it is perfect if you are already a fan. You can read about the adventures of Gerrard, Weatherlight, Squee and of course Urza in this book, as they battle the evil of Crovax and the demon god Yawgamoth.
The story moves from location to location as the heros fight their battles, and moves towards a perhaps rather obvious ending- although I'm not going to let on what it is here!

This book has not been well written, however. The theme is the last big do or die battle, but the writer totally fails to give that impression. The battles are stupidly one sided, and always favour the heros- the enemies are crushed like so many paper dolls, whilst the goodies don't take a scratch. Lin Sivvis " Totten Vec " Is perhaps the most annoying feature of the book- read it and find out why!

Also a side plot features a climatic duel between Urza and Gerrard. This could have been excellent, but again the book fails to understand that a duel to the death needs suspense. Here we have the bizarre situation of when one man dies he just comes back to life again, several times- the emotion generated is not excitment but boredom.

It is worth reading if you are a big Magic fan, because it will bring the " Magic " world to life. But on the whole it is not a well written book.

Action packed from cover to cover. As good as if not better than Planshift, easly a 5 star book.

I thought apocalypse was a great book. It was exciting the whole way through. Based on the Magic the Gathering game. This is one of the greatest books he has ever written.

This book was awsome. It was an exallent conclusion to the invasion cycle. The only complaint i had with it was that Urza (a main character) was overshadowed by Gerrard (another main character) and is without a powerful voice. But other than that this book made a good end to an epoch in this series.