Book Description
The comfortable world of Martris Drayke, second son of King Bricen of Margolan, is shattered when his older half-brother, Jared, and Jared¿s dark mage, Foor Arontala, kill the king and seize the throne. Tris is the only surviving member of the royal family aside from Jared the traitor. Tris flees with three friends: Soterius, captain of the guard; Carroway, the court¿s master bard; and Harrtuck, a member of the royal guard. Tris harbors a deep secret. In a land where spirits walk openly and influence the affairs of the living, he suspects he may be the mage heir to the power of his grandmother, Bava K¿aa, once the greatest sorceress of her age. Such magic would make Tris a Summoner, the rarest of magic gifts, capable of arbitrating between the living and the dead.
Customer Reviews:
Minimal character development.......2007-10-01
There is a lack of polish, and definitely the run-on sentences and comma splices are distracting, but not necessarily the author's fault (no copy editor?).
The plot is formulaic, but interesting enough that it kept me reading until the end. It had the potential to be very good. However, I felt that it read a bit like a roleplaying game: Here is your mage, a prince on a quest. Here are your warriors, your rogue, your bard, your cleric.
When Kiara makes her first appearance, you get a nearly-MarySue description of her hair color, the length of the hair, the way her hair moves when released from its bonds, etc. Many of the characters were undeveloped, especially the villians. I did not feel I knew any more about the bad guys by the end of the book than at the beginning. Tris' companions were so secondary and shallow that at times I forgot their names and/or roles.
The vampire element was surprising. As in, it was a complete surprise how they popped up suddenly and unexpectedly.
The first half of the book does not seem so much Tris' adventure as it does completing quests for experience points in something like World of Warcraft. "Collect X amount of stones for a cairn and deliver a silver piece to the farm at the edge of town. Speak to the innkeeper for your reward!"
It struck me as being more on par with a very good fanfiction rather than a published novel. If there had been an already-established backstory, world, enemies, allies, and main characters, the minimalist descriptions and actions of the characters would have been acceptable. I felt the author could have fleshed it out into two or three more books.
A tale of charisma and woe.......2007-08-07
The Summoner relates much that we have experienced elsewhere. The corruption of power, the bane of family, a hero who never wished to be a hero . . . such are the broad topics that span many novels, but they are also keys to the treasured chest of good fantasy which, when used appropriately, unlock a story that transcends mere pages and settles itself inside your mind. Such a tale is well deserved not just for its components and purpose, but also due to the author's determination for us, the awed audience, to understand that there is a power within each character. A grand tale cannot begin at the beginning, but rather it must relate of powerful heroes arrayed against mighty enemies. This the author does well, and leaves us not only with the foreknowledge of the story's general path but also with the yearning to be told such a wonderful story.
If Gail Martin can continue her story with such passion and persuasion, I may find myself putting her books beside the well-crafted stories by the likes of R.A. Salvatore and Elaine Cunningham.
Great read!.......2007-07-31
I thought the book was great! It was exactly what I expected and wanted out of a fantasy novel. It was a fast read and kept me hooked from the beginning. I can't wait for the second novel to be released!
Truly magical.......2007-07-17
With a book cover this gorgeous, I had high expectations from the start. And I'm happy to say that I was more than impressed.
When Jared executes a coup to take his father's place as King of Margolan, younger brother Tris barely makes it out alive. With just a few of his trusted friends, Tris and his company flee to parts unknown. And Tris begins to realize he has an amazing gift: that he may be the predecessor to his grandmother, Bava Kaa. Making him an incredibly powerful mage and Summoner, able to speak to and hold power over the dead.
I loved this story from beginning to end. Packed with suspense, excitement, and wonder, The Summoner is a true epic fantasy. This first installment follows Tris' journey to find a way to overthrow Jared, while making new friends, learning more about his powers, and discovering his destiny.
Other reviewers tend to criticize for using elements from other novels, but as I've said before, this doesn't bother me. After all, "There's nothing new under the sun." Authors are going to be influenced by what they've read in the past. There's no getting around that. New authors should take good ideas and make them their own. And Gail Martin has done a wonderful job of taking well-known story elements and infusing them into a truly magical tale.
Big Book, Fast Read, I can't Wait for the Next ONE!!!.......2007-06-12
I really enjoyed the book. I just can't wait for the next one. Adult without going over the top. I loved the twist at the end of this one.
Product Description
Book club edition, 1st ed thus. Omnibus hardcover edition of the first three True Game stories: King's Blood Four, Necromancer Nine, Wizard's Eleven.
Book Description
The fall from grace of a physician who becomes a necromancer in an effort to raise the dead in order to fulfil his own megalomania and finds the true nature of terror.
Customer Reviews:
Painfully Dull.......2006-07-07
The book is it is not well written and is slow to develop - so despite it's small size it seemed to take forever to read. I've read several Warhammer novels and this one was, by far, my least favorite.
The Title proved more interesting than the Book.......2005-08-07
I must say, being an avid WARHAMMER fan, of the games and the novels, this book disappointed me.
It displayed perfectly how one might find oneself treading the dark path towards Necromancy, but then - that's it. It was a rather dull read, and I only made it all the way through because I was wondering when the pace would pick up, and that army of shambling undead would arrive. They never did. The story made for a quick read (2 sittings), but lacked the adventure, and oft times doom & gloom endings that I have come to enjoy from WARHAMMER novels.
If a sequel is in the pipe, I hope it delivers a bit more punch.
Weak at best.......2005-03-20
This is my first Warhammer book, so I am not famaliar with the world or the agenda followed. However with a title of Necromancer and what was said on the rear cover I expected a little more. This is the sort of book you put out after you have introduced a successful character and people want to know more about the past of said character.
I do not like the novels that good always wins and heroes constantly overcome massive odds. I was hoping for something dark and 'realistic' in a fantasy work. Maybe the character should of died before the end of the book, or maybe we could of had a legion of undead at his command.
I hope the next book I read by Mr Green is much better.
A decent read.......2005-03-18
There really isn't much to say about this novel.
It was a good read but there wasn't much exceptionally
bad or good about it.
Necromancer chronicles the fall from grace of an apprentice
physician who seems to want nothing more than to help
people. It is written from the main characters perspective
as he confesses to a priest of the evil in his past.
This novel is a short easy read. Easily concluded in one
reading session. The main characters are drawn out very well
and it is easy for the reader to understand the emotions,
motives, and actions of the antagonists and protagonists.
The story would be considered slow by most readers of
warhammer fantasy. The action is scarce and doesn't
even come close to what most readers of such novels as "Felix
and Gotrek" would expect.
I prefer a bit more action myself. At least when
it comes to warhammer fantasy.
Thus the 3 star rating.
Customer Reviews:
wilderlands.......2005-12-29
Got this boxed set for christmas and I think its the best gift I have received in a couple years :) I have been burned out over the regular D&D campaign settings for a while. This settings a breath of fresh air. Greyawhk was fun (loved the 1st ed. boxed set) Ravenloft was exciting for awhile. Forgotten realms drowned me in expansions and boxed sets so much so that I do not want to ever play or DM the setting any more...
This boxed set has a 1st ed of AD&D feel with some Robert E Howards Conan thrown in, along with elements of what made Greyhawk, spelljammer and ravenloft so interesting. If you loved the old B2 keep on the borderlnds dungeon for D&D this setting has that same feel to it. Pretty much this set contains a ton of information and yet the DM has a lot of room to add or change what and where they want. You can fit in stuff from other settings and not have to worry about something not fitting in. Somewhere it can fit in. Like the city of waterdeep from forgotten realms? You can find a spot for it somewhere and will have to make few changes. Like the ravenloft monsters or some of the places detailed from that setting? It can fit in pretty easily. Its a big area covered in this setting and theres room to add what you like and take out what you dont. What I really love is that there are no powers that be in the setting. Elminster will not show up and tell characters to stop it or go do something. No circle of eight is gonna manipulate events. The whole setting is very much a "bordlernads" wilderness. There are towns and cities around but there is no all powerful ruler to enforce their will. Characters in this campaign are pretty much on their own for good or ill. no powers that be will come save em or save the world from some big bad baddie.
I really like this campaign setting a lot and can't wait to start using it.
Chicago Steve.......2005-12-17
The greatest fantasy role playing setting ever published gets a good dusting off with this re-release. Stays true to the original, yet adds 'flesh' to many of the items (towns, villages) which were merely mentioned in the original. Still, like the original, the key to this set is that the individual GM can (and should) add further custom detail to these settings and events to easily come up with unique and fantastic adventures.
If you've never gamed with anything but canned, 'read-the-boxed-text' settings and adventures where everything is dictated down to the NPC conversations, you really owe it to yourself to buy this, study it, and treat your gang to a new way of gaming. This is what D&D was originally intended to be.
Biased? Yes. I was as contributor (I do not receive compensation, so increased sales do not benefit me). But there were many, many contributors, chief of which is the original material and new bits added by Bob Bledsaw, founder of The Judges Guild. This set stacks up against any fantasy campaign ever published. Do yourself a favor and buy it now before you're spending 5 times as much to get it on eBay in 5 years.
Average customer rating:
- The Necromancer!!!
- An Opportunity For Clegg Fans and A Chance For New Ones
- Very Dark
- Clegg does it again!
- My first Clegg story, but not my last
|
The Attraction
Douglas Clegg
Manufacturer: Leisure Books
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Mass Market Paperback
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ASIN: 0843954116 |
Customer Reviews:
The Necromancer!!!.......2007-05-02
The Attraction attracted me through the first half, but then fell off in a hurry. The Necromancer, however, attracted me from page one and left me wanting more. I could not have written a better story myself. The Necromancer is a definite 10 on my all-time short list of tens.
An Opportunity For Clegg Fans and A Chance For New Ones.......2007-04-10
Both The Attraction and The Necromancer were originally released as limited edition novellas. They're expensive for readers who are not collectors or die-hard Clegg fans. This edition is great because both are amazing stories and together make a great book for those new to Clegg or fans.
Clegg has a knack for creating compelling characters, sinister stories, and intriguing histories. Douglas Clegg is a master of the genre and perhaps one of the most reliable authors in the business.
With this Leisure release, the reader has an opportunity to get their hands on the stories at a less expensive price. Although I highly recommend the beautiful limited editions, this mass market paperback is much easier for the general reader and this book will give two excellent stories the exposure they deserve.
My personal favorite is the Necromancer because I love Harrow. I have gone on at great lengths about Harrow as more than a house. The world Clegg has created is staggering.
Kudos to Clegg.
Very Dark.......2006-11-06
If you are a goth, you will love this book; it will be a 4 star. If not, it's a little over the top.
Clegg does it again!.......2006-10-27
THE ATTRACTION/THE NECROMANCER by Douglas Clegg
Review by Nickolas Cook
The novelette format is a tricky business for a writer. Too short, and a reader can feel as if it's been rushed and incomplete. Too long, and it becomes perplexing as to why it wasn't left as a novel instead. But Clegg handles the format admirably with his newest release from Leisure, "The Attraction". He gives enough back story and characterization to keep the pace moving along, as he makes use of Native American folklore and even cleverly references the infamous Southwestern tourist trap, "The Thing" (anyone who's ever traveled I-10 through the desert knows of which attraction I speak).
Clegg takes the idea of a cheapjack tourist hustle for a decrepit gas station in the middle of nowhere, Arizona and turns it into a terrifying quick punch of horror for his readers, as a group of college drifters make a run across the country and find themselves the unwitting targets of an ancient creature in need of flesh and blood. I found myself cringing in parts as his descriptive passages covered me in dust and sweat, blood and gore. A thoroughly enjoyable B-movie ride. And if you live in the desert, as I do, the end sentence is chilling, for it is happening even now.
But the story isn't without flaws. Clegg tends to use some distractingly flippant prose here and there, a little too avuncular in parts, and glosses over some of the death scenes in less than a sentence or two. Which deflates his hard won characterizations. There should be a stolid rule in horror literature: if you're going to take all that time making us care for the characters we should see their deaths. Morbid, yes; but expected by most horror readers.
And no less wonderful reading is the second novella part of this Leisure issue, "The Necromancer", part of the ongoing Harrow House saga. I was astounded that Clegg hadn't found this style of writing before now. It was like reading a cross between the Marquis DeSade and Charles Dickens, as a poor Irish lad is drawn into a world of evil and darkness in the mean streets of old London. His prose is scintillatingly brilliant in parts and I was sucked right into this squalid tale of black magic. If for no other reason, the book is worth this little gem of horror literature. I plead with Clegg to consider writing a complete novel using this first person narrative in the way Dickens once did. "The Necromancer" adds yet another piece in the puzzle of the Harrow House and keeps you wanting more.
--Nickolas Cook
My first Clegg story, but not my last.......2006-07-27
Five college friends decide to take a road trip cross country to California for spring break. They want to get away from their little private college in the Virginia mountains and see the country. They start noticing road signs in Arizona that say "Come see the Attraction! The unspeakable unknowable Mystery!" They end up having a breakdown in the Arizona Desert and a trucker gives them a lift to a local gas station.
It is called the Breakdown Palace and it is the very place where the "Mystery" is kept. They decide to go have a look and see what it is all about. Located in the back of the store in a glass case with a sign above it saying "Do not feed" is a small, mummified corpse with long, sharp fingernails. It is called a Flesh-Scraper. The ancient Aztecs used it to scrap the flesh off the bones of sacrifices. One of the friends thinking it is all a stupid hoax decides to steal it, but when they have another breakdown in the desert they soon realize that Flesh-Scraper is a lot more than just a road side attraction hoax. They have awaken an Ancient Evil with one thing on its mind. "Human Flesh"
I had never read any of Clegg's work before so I wasn't sure what to expect when I started. I am kicking myself now for not giving his stories a chance sooner. I couldn't put this book down. It grabbed me on the first page and wouldn't let go. I ended up reading most of the night away. I had a stiff neck and only got a few hours sleep, but it was worth it. The Attraction has a original plot and very believable characters. The story moves at a incredible rate and never lags. The only complaint I have is that it was a little short. I thought it could have been at least a lot longer than 175 pages, but that aside The Attraction is worth every cent.
There is also a Novella called The Nercomancer in this book. It is a prequel to the Harrow House novels and it is mainly drawn from the diaries of a young Justin Gravesend. Fans of the Harrow House books will love this story. I have got to read the Harrow House trilogy now.
To sum up The Attraction is one of the best stories I've read this year. I got a whole lot more than I expected, and I am now a Clegg fan.
Amazon.com
Nicholas Valiarde is both a nobleman and a thief, perhaps the greatest thief in the kingdom of Ile-Rien, where magic is a part of everyday life. Around him he has gathered an unparalleled band of criminals, including a well-known actress, an ex-military officer, a hardened killer, and a sorcerer with a bad drug habit. Valiarde, in the guise of criminal overlord Donatien, is amassing a small fortune in gold and jewels with one purpose in mind: to take his revenge on Count Montesq, the man who leveled false charges of necromancy against Nicholas's beloved godfather Edouard, leading to Edouard's execution. But Nicholas's band of ne'er-do-wells isn't the only force stalking the dark streets of Vienne, and Nicholas is about to face a real necromancer in a battle whose outcome will affect all of Ile-Rien. Wells has created a fast-paced action-adventure story with a wonderful cast of characters and a twisting, turning plot that will keep you flipping pages well into the evening hours. --Craig Engler
Book Description
Nicholas Valiarde is a passionate, embittered nobleman with an enigmatic past. Consumed by thoughts of vengeance, he is consoled only by thoughts of the beautiful, dangerous Madeline. He is also the greatest thief in all of Ile-Rien...
On the gas light streets of the city, he assumes the guise of a master criminal, stealing jewels from wealthy nobles to finance his quest for vengeance the murder of Count Montesq. Montesq orchestrated the wrongful execution of Nicholas's beloved godfather on false charges of necromancy--the art of divination through communion with spirits of the dead--a practice long outlawed in the kingdom of Ile-Rein.
But now Nicholas's murderous mission is being interrupted by a series of eerie, unexplainable, even fatal events. Someone with tremendous magical powers is opposing him. Children vanish, corpses assume the visage of real people, mortal spells are cast, and traces of necromantic power that hasn't been used for centuries are found. And when a spiritualist unwittingly leads Nicholas to a decrepit mansion, the monstrous nature of his peril finally emerges in harrowing detail.Nicholas and his compatriots must destroy an ancient and awesome evil. even teh help of Ile-Rien's greatest sorcerer may not be enough, for Nicholas faces a woefully mismatched battle--and unthinkable horrors await the loser.
Customer Reviews:
Top Notch.......2006-11-13
I only recently discovered this gem, and others have provided complete reviews. This is a wonderful fantasy read set in a world that I find most entertaining, i.e., not outrageously different from our own (no hobbits...). Ms. Wells is very good at her craft and I found the characters interesting and the plot worthy of Sherlock Holmes. Some of the crime scenes were a bit graphic, but in these days of CSI, it was not too distracting.
My only real problem with the book is that I wanted another story with these folks. In the follow on trilogy (the Fall of Ile Rien trilogy) the main characters are not carried over to any great degree . However, in the following books, Ms. Wells creates other intriguing characters to entertain us.
One of the best, most entertaining book I've read!!!.......2006-09-14
This book is brilliant. There is almost nothing in it that I didn't like or that I skipped over. In fact, this may well just be one of my favorite books ever. Yes, it was that good.
First of all is the plot. It never got boring and it never stalled. From chapter one the ride takes off and it doesn't stop until the very end. As the book opens we find ourselves in one of the most lavished mansions where a ball is taking place. Unbeknownst to the attendants, not one but two robberies are occurring simultaneously in that very house. As luck would have it, Nicholas and his friends have a rather nasty run in with a ghoul sent by a powerful necromancer and they barely manage to escape.
From that moment on their lives are complicated beyond belief as they try to put their well thought out plan to bring down the ruthless man who is responsible for Nicholas father's execution as well as trying to escape the clutches of the mad wizard who is after them.
The other thing I loved about this book were the characters. Nicholas is one of the most genuine heroes I've come across in a very long time. Ever since his father was executed he has spent his life building a double persona. One is of a respectable nobleman whom everyone knows as Nicholas Valiarde, son of the late scientist Edouard Viller. The other is Ile-Rien's infamous underworld crime-lord Donatien. He is very adept at keeping the two personalities separated to everyone but his closest friends and allies: Madeleine and Reynard. Only they can see how his vendetta is slowly consuming him and the lines between his two personalities are beginning to blur.
Nicholas comes across effectively as a tortured hero without going over the top. His is a quiet manner yet you never have a doubt that he is anything but a doomed man because of his obsession with revenge. I loved the way that Wells portrays him. Not once does the author trying to convince you the man is tortured or that he is the very best at what he does overwhelm you. It's there in the way he acts or thinks or the way others see him.
Another treat was Madeleine who quickly became one of my favorite heroines. The woman doesn't have one TSTL moment. Ever. Not once does she make a rash and stupid decision. Not once does she falter and wait for everyone to come to her rescue because she got into trouble. She actually thinks before she acts, she is good under pressure and she doesn not doubt the Nicholas' abilities. At the same time you feel the love and the bond she shares with him even without having to read pages of the two declaring their love for one another. I thought this was one of the best things about the novel.
The secondary characters are all brilliant as well. From Nicholas opium addicted wizard friend to his seemingly debauched allied Reynard to even his bodyguards. They all fit their roles perfectly without fading in the background.
The villains are amazing as well. Wells doesn't shy away from showing you just how evil these people really are and that's what makes the danger to our heroes all the more believable.
The one thing I found somewhat lacking is the way in which one of the two villains meets his end. We are lead on a wild chase and the suspense builds up only to be over and done with in the blink of an eye. I would have liked to see exactly what happened but I was satisfied with the way the other, and more important villain, met his demise.
One last thing to note is the setting in which the story takes place. I am a sucker for steampunk type stories where the settings are reminiscence of Victorian, Edwardian or turn of the century Europe. Ile-Rien reminds you of an 18th century alternate France where wizards and magic are a common sight. I absolutely loved it and Wells does a helluva job painting each scene so vividly you feel you are practically there.
This is damn near perfect and I dare say anyone that enjoys a good story will be glued to the book until the very end. A wonderful, wonderful ride.
I give it a solid 5 out of 5!
Fabulous introduction to a wonderful author.......2006-06-24
This was the first Martha Wells book I read, some years ago. I needed something to read while traveling, liked the cover enough to read the inside blurb, and liked the blurb enough to buy the book. So I went in with no preconceptions, never having heard of the author before, and emerged amazed at how entertained I was by the book.
What is there to like? The setting, for one. The city of Ile-Rien and the surrounding areas are wonderfully imagined and carefully described. Wells is an expert at selecting places/eras/ideas from our own Earthly history as archtype backdrops in forming her fantastic worlds, and then adding unique details that make those places seem perhaps even more real. In this case it's a 1800s France-that-never-was, where science (gas lamps, trains, pistols) and magic have intersected -- at times smoothly and at times not so smoothly.
Indeed, it is this intersection which drives the plot, which surrounds mechanical "spheres" created by Edouard Viller that are designed to allow non-magicians to do magic. The wrongful execution of Edouard for the forbidden magic of necromancy during the construction of the spheres drives his adopted son, Nicholas, to the criminal underground in an effort to punish those responsible. While the story broadens to include a threat to the whole city -- indeed, the whole country -- it always remains at heart a very personal one, of Nicholas struggling between his need for revenge and his (at times skewed) sense of right. Along the way we get to explore the sewers and dungeons of the city, the lairs of criminals, the street cafes of the demi monde, and the royal palace, while meeting a fascinating cast of characters at all points.
The best and worst part of the book are the characters. I found them to be varied, interesting and likeable -- Nicholas with his inner struggle, Madeline the actress as a very female foil to him while also having her own ruthless practicality and high level of capability, Arisilde the flawed but powerful mage, Reynard the disgraced soldier, Ronsarde the aging police inspector, etc. They have enough flaws that we can relate to, they have a complex inner mental life that we're allowed to peek into, and dialog sparkles between them: the way they talk is the way I wish people talked today. The drawbacks to the characters are that at times Nicholas, Madeline and Ronsard all seem a little too capable, meaning their success is seldom in doubt; there are some pretty blatant parallels to other literary figures (Nicholas the crime boss = Moriarty, Ronsarde and Halle = Holmes/Watson) which makes them instantly comprehensible but not overly imaginative characterizations; they are in some ways treated with kid gloves (we never see Nicholas the city crime boss hurting anyone in his crimes, and he never steals from anyone who doesn't deserve it); and, finally, having read Wells' other books, there are a lot of similar romantic dynamics in nearly all her books, a certain wry uncertainty in the relationship between the lead male and female characters.
None of the drawbacks, it's important to note, were things I noticed while reading the book: I was having too much fun. Wells is simply miles ahead of the Jordan/Brooks/Rowling/etc. crowd at crafting sentences that describe just enough to let your imagination take over, without being either overly mechanical or overly flowery in her use of language. This is not a highly allegorical, deeply thoughtful book filled with tremendous inner meaning and complexity; nor is it a multi-volume prophesy-driven coming-of-age epic fantasy with the usual cast of elves, dwarves, and orcs. This is something there is all too little of, a single-volume story of a fantastic world well-imagined and carefully crafted, a smaller tale of individuals and their personal goals. If that sounds appealing to you, I can recommend this (as well as most of Martha Wells' other books) to you wholeheartedly.
An excellent and enticing mix of genres.......2006-01-06
A clever mix of Victorian gothic mystery with a liberal dose of fantasy and some very tight and skillful writing - what more can a reader ask for? The characters are diverse and well fleshed out, the atmosphere is readily apparant, the created world is palpable and the mystery is intriguing. Wells gives us easily-recognized versions of Holmes and Watson, yet tells the story from the viewpoint of a wronged and driven Moriarty. We start out knowing little about this our protagonist's background or his loyal companions in crime, but we gradually pick up tidbits as we hang on for the ride. This results in plenty of 'ah-hah!' moments while reading and makes Death of the Necromancer that much more enjoyable. The pacing is fast with plenty of action (perhaps a bit too much?) and there isn't a dull moment in the book. This works against it when the slightly rushed climax fails to be quite as exciting as previous events, but that's a minor quibble. Highly recommended.
An Amazing Book.......2005-12-14
Ms. Wells won me over in the first few pages of this book, thanks to her stylish but restrained writing, her deft characterization, and appealing characters. After quickly hooking me, she kept my attention with a clever, complicated, and thoughtful fantasy-by-gaslight plot.
This book is in some measure a tribute to Conan Doyle's London, but it's also much more. If you somehow picked this book up without ever having read Conan Doyle, you'd miss that layer of her writing, but it would in no way lessen your enjoyment.
Wells' own gaslit Vienne is quite well developed in ways that are vastly distinct from Conan Doyle's London--her Ile-Rien, as unveiled in six books and several forthcoming short stories set in a variety of different time-periods, is a marvel of world building. She hasn't simply riffed on Victorian London here; she's created a world that evolved organically from her earlier work (set centuries before), the Element of Fire. This world gives a nod to Conan Doyle's London, but there's far more of Wells' own content to it.
Yes, there is a character who plays the Sherlock role, and Watson as well, but they are by no means the main characters; they're there purely for our entertainment, but there's just enough of them, and they're just enough their own distinct characters that you never get the sense that Wells is winking too broadly when she brings them onstage.
Our protagonist, Nicholas Valiarde's Donatien alias fills the Moriarty role in Wells' world, but Nicholas himself couldn't be further from the evil Professor, and Donatien is merely one alias among many--he's in no way the real Nicholas, or, at least, not the whole Nicholas. Nicholas is a fascinating character, and a rich one, as is his companion Madeline, who is a strong co-lead.
This is a great read. It works well as a fantasy, an adventure, and mystery. It's got strong well developed characters, and in Ms. Wells talented hands the plot wends its way through balls, sewers, seances, and pitched street battles with grace, wit, and aplomb.
This book is a very good starting place for those who haven't yet encountered Ms. Wells' excellent books. Highly recommended.
Book Description
A Treasury of Nautical Lore
No place offers more adventure than the ocean. No dungeon is as deep, no jungle as full of exotic and dangerous life. Most folk spend their entire lives on dry ground, unaware that entire civilizations thrive beneath the waves, sometimes far more ancient and steeped in mystery than any on the world's upper surface. Though player characters (PCs) have long grown familiar with the air-breathing world above, seldom do they venture into the depths, and when they do, they discover wonders they never dreamed existed. The ocean offers a venue for adventure that is at once alien and appealing. Strange things exist down there, as perilous as they are compelling.
Maritime Adventure
Dead Man's Chest lays bare the ocean and the creatures that inhabit it. Within these pages are detailed rules for ship movement, as well as guidelines for underwater exploration, and three complete maritime adventures. At last there is a comprehensive D20 source for sailing and the sea—packed with over 100 new magic items, monsters, feats, prestige classes, and spells.
Customer Reviews:
Great book.......2007-06-30
This book is dense: offering a lot for the price. No wasted pages. I really liked the mini-adventures in the back, which look like a lot of fun to run. Anyone thinking to run a marine campaign, or maybe just a side adventure on the high seas, should pick up this gem.
Yo Ho Ho and a Bottle of Rum!.......2006-04-07
Not really a book on pirates but it has chart after chart after chart for weather conditions to make the experience a little more "real". It also has revisions for certain classes to make them "fit" better in a nautical campaign. More feats, monsters and the obligatory new prestige classes but these serve to help define the campaign and characters therein. Sea Serpents are defined as dragons and for most part this does make sense and the variety of sea serpents is one I found rather intrigueing. There are also some short adventures to get you started on what sort of encounters are possible with such a campaign. All in all it's a toolbox for nautical fun. Very much worth getting if you plan on starting this sort of campaign or even just planning an extended trip into the watery world of exploration or just a little honest piracy.
Book Description
Finally, all six issues of the zombie epic Necromancer collected into one volume! Warren Ellis' cult hit Strange Killings is back with "combat magician" William Gravel's most gut-wrenching mission yet! Deployed to a steaming Philippine island, Gravel's assignment is to assassinate an investigate reporter about to expose a chemical weapon lab sanctioned by the British government. But double-crosses and political intrigue have marked Gravel for murder by his S.A.S. comrades as he realizes that he has been led into a trap by a vengeance-seeking superior. And it only gets worse. There's zombies: Scores of flesh-ripping, reanimated corpses seeking to shred and devour everyone and everything in their path. If Gravel is able to uncover the shocking truth hidden within the jungle on this island of the dead, can even his otherworldly powers help him escape from a madman, and army of the undead and four squads of heavily armed S.A.S. soldiers out for his blood?
Customer Reviews:
SOLID ZOMBIE ACTION TALE.......2006-12-31
The thing I love about the Warren Ellis material put out by Avatar Press is that it is so raw, so visceral. Unfettered by the kind of constraints he may have working for Marvel or DC, Ellis is free to assault the senses of his readers with stories filled with violence, gore, and profanity. Now that's not to say that he is glorifying those things or even that he's excessive. I've frankly always admired Ellis' use of these tools both in subtle and extreme ways.
If anything, "Strange Killings: Necromancer" may be the most tame of his works for Avatar. It's certainly is the least fantastic of his stories; a mix of adventure and zombie horror similar to many of the recent zombie films. Setting it apart from being just another mundane zombie story is the main character William Gravel, a British S.A.S. agent who just also happens to be a combat magician. Gravel is briefed by his superiors on a scientist who sanctioned by the British government to conduct experiments in chemical weaponry on a Philippine Island. The doctor has gone rogue and intends to sell his work to the highest bidder. Already several covert-ops units have gone missing trying to find the doctor, but that's not what Gravell is assigned to do...His job is to locate an American journalist who has been snooping around the island and kill him before he can reveal his story in the media.
Gravell's mission is quickly compromised when he finds the journalist is not a man, but a beautiful woman, trapped on this island with a horde of zombies, created by the doctor's serum in hopes of creating a disposable fighting force. Gravell will have to use all of his physical and magical skills just to survive...but will he complete his mission?
"Strange Killings: Necromancer" is a solid action/horror yarn. Ellis quickly jumpstarts the story and rarely lets off the accelerator. These zombies are among the most foul, rotting things, virtually dripping with ooze but have insatiable appetites. Gravell is like James Bond meets Doctor Strange and a wonderfully colorful character. My only real complaint is that the art of Mike Wolfer is only average, decent but nothing special. I'd really like to have seen what a top-notch artist could have done with the story.
Reviewed by Tim Janson
Customer Reviews:
A good Resource.......2007-04-17
I have I & II now. This follows the same format as 1 but has descriptions of each creature. The Art is still B&W. I have become very spoiled with all the color WOTC puts in to its products. The Art is good for the most part. My other complaint is there are too many water creatures. I have been playing for 30 years now and have only met 1/2 dozen water creatures. I think they can just stop with them already. They are a waste of space.
The Big pluses are the Templates, new monster feats and some planar info on where some of these monsters might hail from. All in all the extra info makes up for the wasted space. Some of the Devils and Demons are cool as well as some new undead and some new SU/SA abilities.
I want to see more Epic level stuff.
Well-done beastiary with just a few flaws.......2004-05-07
Published by Necromancer Games, which promises 3rd edition playability with a 1st edition feel, this book delivers on almost all fronts. Even the art has a cast of the old Fiend Folio to it, though just updated enough to not seem out-of-place or old-fashioned next to it's contemporaries.
The monsters all fit cozily into various niches of various kinds of campaigns. Really, there were very few monsters where I thought, "Where the heck would you even meet up with something like that?", and in most cases where the ecology wasn't clear, the critter was undead or an elemental, both monster types that don't necessarily mesh realistically into a campaign world.
The write-ups were clear and concise and, for the most part, accurate. It wasn't perfect, though, and so it doesn't get five stars. It'd get four-and-a-half if I could swing it, but . . .
DMs, buy this book. Surprise your players with brand-new monsters that feel like you've met them before. Highly recommended.
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