The Broken Sphere -- The Cloakmaster Cycle, Book Five 5 V -- First 1st Printing [Import] [Paperback]

Nigel Findley (Author), Michael (Cover) Scott (Illustrator)

Product Details

• Paperback: 314 pages
• Publisher: Spelljammer Books; TSR, Inc.; First Printing edition (1993)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0099316013
• ISBN-13: 978-0099316015
• Shipping Weight: 5.9 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)

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Most Helpful Customer Reviews

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Mostly rehash, but finally making progress, August 3, 2009

By 

Kurt A. Johnson (North-Central Illinois, USA) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: The Broken Sphere (Spelljammer : the Cloakmaster Cycle, Book 5) (Paperback)

Having left behind quite literally everyone he has ever known, Teldin Moore takes his one-man spelljammer to the aptly-named world of Crescent that he might consult the Great Archive, and learn more about the great Spelljammer. It's an enlightening visit, and soon Teldin is off with a new ship and crew (and one old friend) determined to finally locate the world of the Juna, the legendary race that created his magical cloak. But, he will find both less than he is looking for, and more...much more!

This is the fifth in the Cloakmaster Cycle (after Beyond The Moons, Into the Void, The Maelstrom's Eye, and The Radiant Dragon), the books that laid the groundwork for AD&D's most fascinating campaign - Spelljammer. This book has a lot of great action and adventure, with even more creatures and interesting places being introduced.

Now, it must be admitted that this book continues the feeling of drifting. Much of the book is a rehash of earlier stories - Teldin being pursued by people who want the cloak, he makes and loses more friends, gets betrayed yet again(!), and fights opponents. Its one saving grace is that at the end (no spoilers here!) you feel that the series is finally progressing towards an ultimate conclusion.

If you are interested in the fascinating Spelljammer campaign, then read this book, it is a worthwhile part of the series, and you will enjoy it.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars "Paranoia's the prize I have to pay to stay alive", September 13, 2004

By 

L Gontzes (Athens, Greece) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: The Broken Sphere (Spelljammer : the Cloakmaster Cycle, Book 5) (Paperback)

The Broken Sphere is the fifth book in the Cloakmaster Cycle series, which consists of six (6) books in total. Picking up from where The Radiant Dragon left off, the book continues to shed light on Teldin Moore and his ongoing quest to find out more about the magical cloak he carries a.k.a. "The Cloak of the First Pilot" and eventually be free of it.
Teldin continues to change both physically and mentally; new haircut-new beard, he is even more cynical etc
Ability-wise, he is further maturing, becoming more and more experienced and able as a fighter as well as in learning the secrets of the cloak and thus better able at controlling and handling its immense power. He is now able to detect magic, to cast the legends lore spell in regards to crystal spheres (!!!), and to read and understand books faster than it takes to get them off the shelves (literally).

The book starts off very slowly and the first 50 pages are rather painful. After page 80 though, it picks up.
The plot as a whole is excellent! The book is very well written so that the reader firmly believes that they are there with the characters. The feelings of anticipation grow as Teldin edges closer and closer to the Spelljammer.

On the negative side, The Broken Sphere is not as good as Nigel Findley's Into Void. There is less action and much more (too much!) of Teldin thinking to himself about everything and anything over and over and over...

Moreover, ENOUGH with the mole/spy thing, it's yet AGAIN the SAME story! It's gotten to the point that if there is no mole/saboteur in the next one, it will feel as if something is amiss...

In addition, why did Teldin not keep Hectate???
Firstly, the bionoid was the best navigator Teldin ever had!
Secondly, the chemistry/trust between the two was great (both went the extra mile)!
Thirdly, Hectate was also a great warrior!
Fourthly, the bionoid had stated that he would follow Teldin ANYWHERE!
Lastly, The Radiant Dragon ended with the two of them deciding TOGETHER what the next course of action will be, yet when The Broken Sphere begins, Hectate is gone!

In conclusion, Nigel Findley establishes a GREAT cliffhanger for The Ultimate Helm, the next and final book in the series.

4.0 out of 5 stars Spelljammer--Space Fantasy, November 25, 2004

By 

Jordan Knicely (Bethlehem, PA, United States) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: The Broken Sphere (Spelljammer : the Cloakmaster Cycle, Book 5) (Paperback)

Compared to any of the other books situated in the Dungeons and Dragons universes, I have enjoyed the Spelljammer stories quite thoroughly. I recommend this book highly to anyone that likes Dragonlance, Forgotten Realms, Darksun, Greyhawk, or Planescape.