Customer Reviews

Machinations (Ultima: The Technocrat War, Book 1)

5 star:		(14)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Austen Andrews wrote the prequel fiction to what was to be an incredible online game called Ultima Worlds Online: Origin. The bad news is Electronic Arts cancelled the game. The good news is the book does not need the game. This is a compelling story of a world in flux from the perspective of three races in conflict. The world is a combination of magic and technology in the finest traditions of man versus man and man versus nature adversity. This book kept me up way too late on successive nights. It can be risky to try new authors, but Austen Andrews will be a name followed for years to come.

If your intent is to find a book based on the popular single player Ultima series of computer games, seek elsewhere. The book is based on the history designed for the cancelled online MMRPG Worlds of Ultima: Origin, which diverges from the history of the single player Ultima games just after Ultima 1, originally released back in 1980. While some names will be familiar to fans of the original series, there is little to no connection with the history of the popular series other than names of people and places which have little resemblance to their original depictions. 'Based on the bestselling computer game series' is stretching the truth to a noticable degree. The fact that the marketing seems targetted at fans of the original series without actually fulfilling that promise is a major reason for rating the book with 4 instead of 5 stars.

That being said, the book itself is well worth reading. Fascinating characters, and hints at a longterm history, even if it isn't the one many purchasers might expect from the front cover. The interactions between the characters are believable and definitely not some stereotypical types stuck into a generic world. People and places are described well, and fit together. All in all, while this book isn't quite in the league of the classics such as the works of Tolkien, I have no hesitation in recommending that people buy and read the book, bearing in mind that it is not set in the original Ultima world of Sosaria/Britannia, but rather one that is more a 'what if' world where events went differently from a point in the deep past.

I just finished 'The Technocrat War' and all I can say is: Wow! I had no knowledge whatsoever of the Ultima game/world before reading this book, and I didn't find it a hinderance at all. The world leaps off the page and into your imagination with an almost uncanny ease. The story and characters are so intriguing and vivid that I had trouble putting it down. This is a splendid work, and I look forward to future titles from this talented author.

Incredible read .. well written and will come to life again when the new release of Ultima online comes out in 2002 (blackthornes Revenge) . Gripping story and for those of us that played UO online was a very realistic look at what the Role playing and style of game is to feel. Well Done! look forward to more.

I have just the distinct pleasure of finishing this masterfully written novel. I have been an Ultima fan for over 15 years; ever since I could understand the words on the computer screen, I could never get enough. Richard Garriott (Ultima's founder) is a true inspiration for me. Now I have found another...Austen Andrews. Like other Ultima fans, I was disappointed to hear about the disbanding of the "Ultima: Origin" design team and the cancellation of the game, but here we have the first in a trilogy of books that will turn both fans and newcomers toward the love for Ultima and keep the torch ablaze after two decades.

I cannot express through words how immersing and thought provoking this book was. Andrews has mastered the use of descriptive language and lavish descriptions to bring alive a "pre-Avatar" Sosaria. Although I could easily pick up on some of his minor errors, (Britannia Bay instead of Brittany Bay and the geographical location of the dun-geon Despise) his writing brought back a great feeling of nostalgia that "Ultima Online" simply does not bring.

When reading this tale, readers will become particularly enraptured in the char-acter development. Some of the most remarkable characters I will never forget and look forward to learning more about are the endearing, but elegant Way Master Thulann, the gruff but lovable Gabriel Montenegro, and the mysterious "Techo-Prophet," Lord Blackthorn, who in this tale seems to have made his way out of the Ethereal Void after being banished by Lord British.

This is a story of political strife, manipulation of cultural diversity, and divisive team players that turn out to be anything but. I cannot express how I loved this work. I rank Andrews among some of the classic sci-fi and fantasy writers including Heinlein, Tolkien, and Lewis. I look forward to the next installment with utter anticipation and commend Andrews for keeping the Ultima torch lit even after the authorities at Origin have faltered!

It might not be fair to review a book I haven't even finished. But I can't help but share what I think already. Andrews creates a very real world with very real characters who each in turn want something. This is cleverly weaved into a plot driven by greed, political warfare and power.

The language is beautiful. And Andrews shows great skill in presenting the story very clearly, yet, without patronizing the readers.

Though his attempts (to make references to what Ultima gamers would be familiar with) hardly qualifies it as "based on the bestselling computer game", The Technocrat War already has me looking forward to a compelling trilogy which I will read over and over again.

This is one of the best fantasy novels I've read in a long time. Its got plots, treachery, philosophies, virtues, magic, combat, even technology.

You'll feel sorry for tragic heroes, hate insidious villians, and see how family, honor...the virtues can be tested through dire times.

If you liked the Heralds of Valdemar Series, or DragoLance, you'll like this =) Even more so if you're an Ultima fan...

Reading this makes me even more dissapointed that Uo2 got canceled. Its a shame!

Believe it or not this has been my first glimps into the world of Ultima. Being a player of fantasy games I had heard of Ultima but only now have I been inspired not only to play the games, but wait with great anticipation for the next book in the Machinations series. The author deserves kudos for this effort, having a great ablity to describe, to bring the reader into a world where such fantasy is possible. The characters are well rounded, and each are a joy, I have found no part of this book boring, or dragging.

Even though I am a huge fan of rpg games, I have never played even one of the games in the Ultima series, even though I really want to. So when I picked up this book, I was unsure about buying it because I thought that only people familiar with the games would enjoy The Technocrat War. I was wrong. This book started out great in the first chapter, and only got better with each coming page. The story is excellent, you really get to like the characters, and the action is great. But don't get me wrong, this book is not something that would apeal to every one. If you don't have much interest fantasy books, then you might not enjoythis book as much as I have. It is definately pure fantasy. But is you are a fan of fantasy novels then you have wasted enough time already reading this review, and not enough time reading Ultima: The Technocrat War! Make no delay in purchasing this excellent novel!

Mr. Andrews has once again proven his worth as a writer. He could certainly do it full time and achieve great success. This book is excellent, and captures the mood and feel of the world perfectly, just as his other works have. The prequel fiction (which Mr. Andrews wrote) for the game that this book is based off of, check it out! If you like it then I highly suggest reading this book. ;?>