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A review by cookabook
The Brothers' War by Jeff Grubb
4.0
For a tie-in novel, The Brothers' War shattered my expectations.
From precocious adolescents following different instincts at an archaeological dig site, to master artificers smashing waves of mechs against one another in a decades-long war that strips a continent of its natural resources, Urza and Mishra are dynamic characters that really break the mold. Urza makes for a laughably awful brother, husband, and friend, and Mishra develops a cruel and mistrustful streak that likewise drives Ashnod, his closest friend and erstwhile romantic interest to abandon him—a betrayal revealed in the prologue. We have the bulk of the novel to piece together how that comes to pass.
Their close allies and associates feel reasonably well-developed as well. For a pulp fantasy novel from the 90s, Ashnod, Kayla bin-Kroog, and the Fallaji are pretty darn interesting and dimensional!
My main criticism is the pacing. It's difficult to tell an epic story that unfolds over generations. Initially the timeskips are fairly seamless, but by the third act you get the feeling the author just needs to hit the requisite beats and call it a day.
The book gives life to a story only vaguely—frustratingly—hinted at through various Magic cards. Many cards from Alpha, Antiquities, and other sets besides are subtly referenced. I've played Magic since 2006, but here I am in 2022 astounded at how much Jeff Grubb was able to grow my understanding of early Magic lore, timelines, and geography in the space of one novel.
Since this title is now decades out of print, I recommend listening to Phil Dawson's reading on the "Magic The Gathering Unofficial Audiobooks" podcast. Others have commented on the text's editing (or lack thereof), but to hear Mr. Dawson read it, you would have no idea.
From precocious adolescents following different instincts at an archaeological dig site, to master artificers smashing waves of mechs against one another in a decades-long war that strips a continent of its natural resources, Urza and Mishra are dynamic characters that really break the mold. Urza makes for a laughably awful brother, husband, and friend, and Mishra develops a cruel and mistrustful streak that likewise drives Ashnod, his closest friend and erstwhile romantic interest to abandon him—a betrayal revealed in the prologue. We have the bulk of the novel to piece together how that comes to pass.
Their close allies and associates feel reasonably well-developed as well. For a pulp fantasy novel from the 90s, Ashnod, Kayla bin-Kroog, and the Fallaji are pretty darn interesting and dimensional!
My main criticism is the pacing. It's difficult to tell an epic story that unfolds over generations. Initially the timeskips are fairly seamless, but by the third act you get the feeling the author just needs to hit the requisite beats and call it a day.
The book gives life to a story only vaguely—frustratingly—hinted at through various Magic cards. Many cards from Alpha, Antiquities, and other sets besides are subtly referenced. I've played Magic since 2006, but here I am in 2022 astounded at how much Jeff Grubb was able to grow my understanding of early Magic lore, timelines, and geography in the space of one novel.
Since this title is now decades out of print, I recommend listening to Phil Dawson's reading on the "Magic The Gathering Unofficial Audiobooks" podcast. Others have commented on the text's editing (or lack thereof), but to hear Mr. Dawson read it, you would have no idea.