Customer Reviews

The Brazen Gambit (Dark Sun Chronicles of Athas, Book 1)

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

 

 

I love this book. The main character, Pavek, is a memorable fellow right down to his snarly lip. The problems he faces are both interesting and entertaining. The book has that street sense theme to it as it smoothly leads you from the surface of the city into the frightening secrets of the underground world. Another bonus to this book is it doesn't have those grey areas that seem to take longer to read because of lack of interest. I think ... why not take a journey to Lynn's city of Urik. You won't regret it!

This book is without a doubt my favorite in all the Dark Sun books. Pavek is a memorable and very human character and deals very human-ly with everything he comes up against. The reader really feels for him and his companions throughout the entire book.

A chronicle of Athas. Well written gripping story. Lots of Adventure and a few twists. Any Reader of Dark Sun fiction will love it and others who read it will be hooked and looking for more adventures of Athas, desert home of the Dragon Kings

The best of the Dark Sun books to be published, though not the best of Abbey's own work. Possibly because of TSR guidelines, but who really knows? The book is still enjoyable, and with the exception of Abbey's sequals (of which The Rise and Fall of a Dragon King is the best, surpassing even this) the only Dark Sun book that captures the world it was set in.

The book features Pavek as its hero, and while a jaded, depressed, lost templar, he is a likable hero--a stark change from the farm boys who will be king, blah, blah, blah... You understand. And he has his good sides and bad, which is another change for books shot out of the cannon by TSR.

I won't go into details of the plot, since most are simplistic enough as they are, but I read the whole thing in one sitting: which says that I didn't want to put it down and turn on the TV instead. The style is Abbey's own, the characters are working well, and the dialogue is crisp--all a plus, and all making it a good read.

And Hamanu is excellent.

He alone is worth the price of admission (which is why the Rise and Fall of a Dragon King is better).

So, verdict: a pleasent book, with a good style, and likable characters that are not farm boys who will be kings and other such useless trash. I read it and I liked it.