Planeswalker (Magic: The Gathering: Artifacts Cycle, Book II) [Mass Market Paperback]

Lynn Abbey (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: September 1, 1998

Urza Triumphant.

The war between Urza and Mishra is over. Brooding on the death of his brother at the hands of extraplanar forces, Urza drifts among the planes.

But the end of the Brother's War has transformed him into something greater. Deep within his heart, a spark has been kindled to a flame that cannot be quenched.

Urza has become a planeswalker.

Product Details

• Mass Market Paperback: 368 pages
• Publisher: Wizards of the Coast (September 1, 1998)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0786911824
• ISBN-13: 978-0786911820
• Product Dimensions: 6.9 x 4.3 x 1.1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 6.4 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 3.2 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (33 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #156,383 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

9 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars An involving and original story, one of the best I've read., June 21, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: Planeswalker (Magic: The Gathering: Artifacts Cycle, Book II) (Mass Market Paperback)

Let it be said, first and foremost, that I don't like Magic; The Gathering. So, as to why I picked up a book about it is beyond me, but as it turns out I've very, very glad I did. Ms. Abbey has created in these pages a wonderful and moving story about love, deception, betrayal, and, most of all, patience. Patience with those you love and care about, and patience to achieve your goals. The main character, Xantcha, is perhaps one of the most endearing and human characters I've ever read in a book, which is odd because she's not really human. Actually, she really isn't a "she" at all, she's a sexless newt from the M;TG version of mechanical hell, Phyrexia. Which, oddly enough, makes her seem all the more real, since her feelings are the most human of anyone in the entire story. It's rare to find a book told from the point of view of a sidekick, and that is essentialy what Xantcha is. She follows Urza, an almost Godlike Planeswalker, though the many planes of the universe, aiding the Planeswalker in maintaining his ever-more-fragile grip on reality. While Urza is the focus of most of the action, it is though Xantcha's eyes that we see his exploits, both good and bad. Those looking for a basic swords/magic/elves/dwarves/etc. fantasy should steer well clear of this book. It has it's own take on everything, and it's greatly varied from your basic fantasy reading, almost dipping into the realms of Sci-Fi at times. It has a well done dual-storyline going throughout the book, with the past and present flip-flopping, which has the result of making many of the aspects of the book a mystery. It's worth reading simply to figure out how Xantcha can manage to yawn forth a floating sphere, and why she has her Phyrexian "heart" tucked into her boot for a good deal of the book. All these things are explained in detail, but not until they've been around for a bit. This creates a sense of surprise that assures the book stays fresh to the last page. A satisfying, mind-expanding book. Highly Reccomended.

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Hard to rate this book, June 30, 2004

By 

J. Stoner "Plants and Books" (Parkville, MO United States) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Planeswalker (Magic: The Gathering: Artifacts Cycle, Book II) (Mass Market Paperback)

This book is hard to rate because it is filled with lots of important content from Urza's Saga card set but it is also long and at some points not very exciting. This book is drastically different than "Brother's War" so beware, if you're looking for another novel like that. This book gives a lot of insight about Urza and his mental/emotional state after losing his brother to the Phyrexian beasts. I thought it was very interesting to see his reactions and decisions he made with a creature that is one of the enemy, Xancha. She is one of the strangest characters because she is a newt like thing, and she is Phyrexian. As much as she tells Urza, he never really listens because he believes she is corrupt and misguided.

I do think the ending was interesting when they were drifting the planes looking for the first plane - it compares to modern day society looking for the beginning of the universe through our telescopes. There is love, betrayal, and deception throughout that add to the emotional attachment some might feel toward the characters.

I can't say this book is extremely exciting, but it's worth reading once. I not going to make any absolute statements because some of you might love it, some of you might hate it - but regardless, you need to read it if you are interested in staying up to par on the Magic: the Gathering books.

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Humanity in fantasy, wow!, September 11, 2000

By 

"darabbyt" (South Lake Tahoe, CA USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Planeswalker (Magic: The Gathering: Artifacts Cycle, Book II) (Mass Market Paperback)

First, I want to warn you that this book is not for everyone. I do recommend that you read it if you plan to read the entire series, even if you find it a little slow, because it fills in gaps. The reason I enjoyed it was because I have read many fantasy books, yet none seemed to delve into philosophical humanity like this does. By seeing Urza's change throughout the book, it gives him a depth unlike many fantasy characters. Xantcha's innocence adds another perspective by showing growth rather than restoration like Urza. A real human story, which I recommend you at least give a chance.

(BTW, I can't spell, so don't sue me ;))