Customer Reviews

Planeswalker (Magic: The Gathering: Artifacts Cycle, Book II)

5 star:		(6)
4 star:		(8)
3 star:		(9)
2 star:		(5)
1 star:		(5)

 

 

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.

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.

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 ;))

The book is well written, though a bit long-winding at times. It tells the story line behind the (largest part of) MTG Urza's Saga expansion set. The author describes the events through the eyes of a 3th person (Xantcha), so there are still some open questions. "The Brothers War" was slightly better written and that book is interesting for any fantasy-fan. It is a must for Mtg-fans, especially if you like the Artifact-cycle. It tells the story of a lot of the best-known important Magic-figures and places (Urza, Serra, Phyrexia). Also a large part of the new figures introduced in the Artifact-cycle are explained. More so because of the interesting development towards the end of the book. For not Magic-players it is a somewhat too long winding tale on the destruction and regeneration of Urza's mind. Read "The Brothers war" first!

I've read the M:tG books from Brothers War to Apocalypse and my mind always drifts back to Planeswalker. The main body of the book hits upon the madness or maybe mania of Urza Planeswalker that isn't encountered again until Planeshift and Apocalypse in the Invasion Cycle. This is also the only book in the series I re-read, simply because there is so much in it. Many of the other books simply making passing glances at Urza as a character and develope him as a character through over obvious and heavy handed statements where Planeswalker does it with a style that could have made this book 1000 pages with little difference.

Most of the other books in the line also focus on bloody combat or dashing verbal reparte which simply isn't present or needed in this one. If you were bored with Prophecy, Invasion, Planeshift, Mercadian Masques and parts of the Brother's War, you'll enjoy this.

The book Planeswalker: Artifacts Cycle - Book II written by Lynn Abbey was very well written. Its main purpose being to give story into the background of the Magic: the Gathering CCG (Collectable Card Game) allows many characters and events from the game to be mentioned. It follows Urza, an extremely powerful Planeswalker who wants revenge on Phyrexia. The book's predecessor The Brothers War: Artifacts Cycle - Book I tells of a great war between Urza and his brother, Mishra starting over two powerstones created by the Phyrexians. Mishra, deeply corrupted by the demons and mechanical creations of Phyrexia, was killed by Urza. Urza now seeks revenge on Phyrexia for what they have taken away from him. He managed to banish the Phyrexians from his home world, Dominaria. In doing so, his eyes were replaced with the powerstones, the Mightstone and the Meekstone. Urza is now an immortal, nearly omnipotent being. With this power, though, comes madness. Urza obsesses with destroying Phyrexia and its inhabitants. Xantcha is a Phyrexian created "newt," her only purpose being to head to another plane and help towards conquering it. She, however, when assaulted by the demon, Gix, creates a part of herself that is not entirely loyal to Phyrexia. At a time when the Phyrexians are about to destroy her for her disloyalty, Urza comes and saves her, thinking that mayhap she still had a soul. Urza takes Xantcha with him across planes for three main reasons: to study her, to watch her, and to have someone to keep him from completely losing himself in madness. She decides, at on point to attempt to keep Urza off the brink of madness through longing and regret over his brother. She heads to a near town and finds a youth that resembles the dead Mishra in appearance as well as attitude. Together, the two allow Urza to get a better grip of himself. The three must then work, using artifice to stunt the Phyrexian invasion of Dominaria. This book involves many planes (worlds) from the M:tG CCG including Dominaria, Phyrexia, and Serra's Realm. These places may sound odd to most people but anyone who knows the game would recognize the places easily. This is a good and well-written book. It is a story of magical fantasy and revenge. This book, as previously mentioned, was written mainly for the audience of Magic CCG players. However, the larger audience of those that enjoy fantasy books would also enjoy this.

After reading the excellent "Brother's War" I expected that "Planeswalker" was going to be yet another excellent book. In a way it was, giving out a lot of information that I believe was vital to the entire Urza storyline. Unfortunately Lynn Abbey wrote it so that this information was given to us very slowly, and without much else in between. Also, I didn't like how Urza appeared to be senile, as it seemed to betray his original character. All in all a disappointing sequel to "The Brother's War", but a necessary one for the series.

After reading all the negative reviews, I really wanted to like this book. And for the most part, I did. I never had a problem figuring out when the author switched time frames or anything like that. However, I was horribly bored by the entire Serra visit. From that point onward, the book was pretty much a slow decline for me.

I don't regret reading the book. I did enjoy quite a bit of it, there are just some serious lulls in it. I'd still recommend it to any Magic fan as there is quite a bit of interesting information revealed.

I'm surprised on how low rated this book is. I really enjoyed it! Unlike other books in the Magic: the Gathering line, it's not simply all battles and fighting and junk. It explores the psychology of being a planeswalker, and Urza's struggle with guilt and insanity. It's very character driven, a bit deeper than the usual WotC written-in-a-month hackery. I also really liked Xantcha's character.

This book provided a great look at one of the most famous characters from the Magic World. I found a few inconsistencies with the "official" story (that portrayed on the cards) but the author does an excellent job nonetheless. You should read The Brother's War first, as this story will make the most sense (don't make the mistake I did, and read this first!)