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3.3 AVERAGE
3.3 AVERAGE
Despite the eugenicsy premise, a surprisingly okay read. The biggest problems are the paper-thin villains / secondary characters. The writing is better than Planeswalker, but in some ways, a much less interesting concept.
adventurous
informative
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Urza and phyrexians proving that they both can be the bad guys simultaneously. Interesting history in the MTG universe
There is an inherent risk when it comes to writing fantasy or sci fi stories that span literally thousands of years; characters come and go, and there is often a sense of losing track of the ones to invest in. Most of the characters in this book are new, or were introduced late in the previous book. Characters I'd invested in the previous books are absent, and although the conflict is building to a good peak, I found myself not really caring about most of them.
I'm really in it for Karn at this point, and I am indeed looking forward to where he is going. The epilogue was intriguing because of that.
Some great fight scenes too, I just wish I was more invested in the characters. Bring back the previous ones who at this point have simply gone away!
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I'm really in it for Karn at this point, and I am indeed looking forward to where he is going. The epilogue was intriguing because of that.
Some great fight scenes too, I just wish I was more invested in the characters. Bring back the previous ones who at this point have simply gone away!
Join the RK King readers' list for an exclusive FREE short story, plus inside info, musings, promos and more: RK King Writes
adventurous
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
adventurous
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
This book had all the fingerprints of a "middle book." Some big events happen and the book takes place over both a sprawling timeframe and many locations, but there isn't really a crescendo. Most of the book is taken up with Urza's attempts at eugenics to create fitting heirs for his legacy weapon against Phyrexia, with the actual war with Phyrexia itself taking a back seat.
Also, it needed some editing. I noticed several misspellings and the prose itself wasn't particularly stunning.
Also, it needed some editing. I noticed several misspellings and the prose itself wasn't particularly stunning.
adventurous
dark
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Urza has realized he's overlooked the most vital part of his Legacy design: a living component. The novel side-steps a lot of the more icky aspects of genetic engineering, but barely. The negative is focused on the renegade Tolarian researcher Gatha who experiments on the Keldons to create the perfect warrior. The extent of Urza's meddling isn't revealed until the end of the Invasion Cycle, so I'll be quiet, but it makes for compelling reading. I wish there had been novels or an anthology that covered the Mirage/Visions block. Jamuraa was an often overlooked setting. Chronologically, the next book to check out would be 'Rath and Storm' or the 4-issue series collected as 'Gerrard's Quest'.
Urza Block/Artifacts Cycle
Previous: 'Time Streams'
Urza Block/Artifacts Cycle
Previous: 'Time Streams'