So, tonight I just finished reading the original trilogy of the Ravnica books.
I really liked them! I actually picked them up in August because I wanted to learn a little about the upcoming Return to Ravnica series. I enjoyed the
books enough that I actually am playing as both Boros and Orzhov in the prerelease. This isn't because they fit my playstyle, I'm more Gruul aggro, but
I liked Kos and Tesya's characters so much that I wanted to play those two guilds.
Anyway, I'm now ready for a new set of magic novels. I've read a lot of the "original" ones and Arena is by far my favorite of all time. However, I missed out on all the cycles. I really enjoyed the early sets, Ice Age, Mirage, Tempest, etc. but feel free to recommend anything that's good. I don't mind nostalgia or getting into new plotlines. I"m completely clueless about all of the current planeswalker heroes. When I got back into Magic last April during Dark Ascension, I was disappointed to find that not only were there no magic novels, but Inquest and Duelist magazines were extinct as well! Anyway, I'm up for any recommendations, post what books I should ready next and why. (preferrably without massive spoilers ) Thanks in advance!
Well, as always, the top suggestion would be the Brother's War. While singular, it is pretty widely regarded as THE best magic novel produced. It's follow up, Planeswalker is also highly recommended, though there are those who find the style a bit off putting, which is a fair criticism.
Since you're coming off of the Ravnica books, and since it is still widely available (in theory) I would suggest Agents of Artifice, which follows the exploits of Jace's struggles with the Infinite Consortium. It is also set on Ravnica, so it will give you your planar fix as well.
The Ice Age saga is another of the better written, having been penned by Jeff Grubb, and has done more to lay the groundwork of how we actually interpret the game in flavor terms than any of the others since. Aside from that, it's just really good at world-building and characters.
The Kamigawa Trilogy is another of the books that people are very fond of, which is sort of ironic considering how poorly received the block was. Still, fast paced action and likable characters, as well as an intricately built world make this one pop, though there is a fair amount left out of the books.
Those are my top picks anyways.
After you've browsed Agents of Artifice, and if you have access to the digital format, part 1 of the RtR novel is out now. "The Secretist". Dumb name, I know, but what can you do?
The Clayton Emery trilogy of "Whispering Woods" all the way to "Final Sacrifice" is really awesome, old-school Magic. I enjoyed these books immensely, and they were written back when they put some real effort into the story and characters and weren't just looking to stamp some crap out.
Although it's not a book, I heavily recommend the Kamigawa vignettes if you need a quick Magic fix. There are some really incredible stories in there, and they give great background for the Kamigawa setting if you ever decide to read the trilogy. Plus, at least one of the stories is written by Jeff Grubb, and people love them some Grubb.
If you read The Brother's War and Planeswalker, I'd also recommend reading Time Streams, which is a decent book and does a nice job of wrapping up Urza's character arc (then came Bloodlines...:-/).
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The wedding is over. Now it's time for the honeymoon.
The Odyssey Trilogy, if for no other reason than it contains Chainer's Torment, which is the best magic book I ever had the pleasure of reading (yes, I rank it even higher than the Brothers' War).
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"I think EDH would be more fun for the majority of participants if players just showed eachother their decks rather than actually playing games out."
The Odyssey Trilogy, if for no other reason than it contains Chainer's Torment, which is the best magic book I ever had the pleasure of reading (yes, I rank it even higher than the Brothers' War).
While opinions may vary, and I definitely believe Torment to have been a good book... the rest of the Mirari saga is ABOMINABLE.
The Odyssey Trilogy, if for no other reason than it contains Chainer's Torment, which is the best magic book I ever had the pleasure of reading (yes, I rank it even higher than the Brothers' War).
I believe this as well. But I accept The Brother's War is a better book. Torment is just my favorite.
I thought the Odyssey novel was terrible. Never read the sequels though. I just read time spiral and thought it was good bu not very good.
I found that many used book stores have several Magic books, that is where I got the ones I have.
Odyssey was terrible. Torment makes up for it though, since Torment actually has a decent plot and a relatable character. Judgment is in the middle, not as great as Torment but not a suck-fest like Odyssey.
Definitively read The Brother's War. Best written magic book.
The Clayton Emery trilogy of "Whispering Woods" all the way to "Final Sacrifice" is really awesome, old-school Magic. I enjoyed these books immensely, and they were written back when they put some real effort into the story and characters and weren't just looking to stamp some crap out.
Chainer's Torment works well enough as a beginning and end to the Mirari saga. If you're into comics, try finding the Shadowmage/Wayfarer series. If you want to test your love of Scott's work, try the Time Spiral Cycle. Finally, one of the better written pieces to come out of Wizards MtG lineup in recent years would be Stover's Test of Metal.
Of course. It's up to the reader at the end of the day. I figure that if a book engaged its target audience on that level, it merits a test run.
Yes, Quest is bad. As for In the Teeth of Akoum, I saw a post elsewhere about how the novel is about Sorin's trolling adventures. Still, I wouldn't recommend it.
I really liked them! I actually picked them up in August because I wanted to learn a little about the upcoming Return to Ravnica series. I enjoyed the
books enough that I actually am playing as both Boros and Orzhov in the prerelease. This isn't because they fit my playstyle, I'm more Gruul aggro, but
I liked Kos and Tesya's characters so much that I wanted to play those two guilds.
Anyway, I'm now ready for a new set of magic novels. I've read a lot of the "original" ones and Arena is by far my favorite of all time. However, I missed out on all the cycles. I really enjoyed the early sets, Ice Age, Mirage, Tempest, etc. but feel free to recommend anything that's good. I don't mind nostalgia or getting into new plotlines. I"m completely clueless about all of the current planeswalker heroes. When I got back into Magic last April during Dark Ascension, I was disappointed to find that not only were there no magic novels, but Inquest and Duelist magazines were extinct as well! Anyway, I'm up for any recommendations, post what books I should ready next and why. (preferrably without massive spoilers ) Thanks in advance!
EDH Decks
RGMarhault Elsdragon (A Touch of Rampage)RG
GWTrostani, Early Bird (Wurm Tribal)GW
RWAgrus Kos, Bumbat Drinkin' BadassRW
RDiaochan, Hateful BeautyR
Since you're coming off of the Ravnica books, and since it is still widely available (in theory) I would suggest Agents of Artifice, which follows the exploits of Jace's struggles with the Infinite Consortium. It is also set on Ravnica, so it will give you your planar fix as well.
The Ice Age saga is another of the better written, having been penned by Jeff Grubb, and has done more to lay the groundwork of how we actually interpret the game in flavor terms than any of the others since. Aside from that, it's just really good at world-building and characters.
The Kamigawa Trilogy is another of the books that people are very fond of, which is sort of ironic considering how poorly received the block was. Still, fast paced action and likable characters, as well as an intricately built world make this one pop, though there is a fair amount left out of the books.
Those are my top picks anyways.
After you've browsed Agents of Artifice, and if you have access to the digital format, part 1 of the RtR novel is out now. "The Secretist". Dumb name, I know, but what can you do?
How To Keep Your FOIL Cards From Curling: http://youtu.be/QTmubrS8VnI
The Best Deck Boxes: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uEwgLph_Pjk
The Best Binders: http://youtu.be/H5IauASYWjk
If you read The Brother's War and Planeswalker, I'd also recommend reading Time Streams, which is a decent book and does a nice job of wrapping up Urza's character arc (then came Bloodlines...:-/).
Thanks to Rivenor of Miraculous Recovery Signatures!
While opinions may vary, and I definitely believe Torment to have been a good book... the rest of the Mirari saga is ABOMINABLE.
I believe this as well. But I accept The Brother's War is a better book. Torment is just my favorite.
I liked the story, it's too bad they didn't give the whole trilogy to Scott McGough, it may have turned out better.
McGough killed Legends 2 and Kamigawa, he's definitely my favorite author in WOTC's stable.
I found that many used book stores have several Magic books, that is where I got the ones I have.
Odyssey was terrible. Torment makes up for it though, since Torment actually has a decent plot and a relatable character. Judgment is in the middle, not as great as Torment but not a suck-fest like Odyssey.
Definitively read The Brother's War. Best written magic book.
Thanks!! I'm gonna look into those!
This is particularly divisive. There are some people who really like it.
There are more that REALLY hate it.
"strong" is appropriate, though it doesn't exactly translate to "positive".
Yes, Quest is bad. As for In the Teeth of Akoum, I saw a post elsewhere about how the novel is about Sorin's trolling adventures. Still, I wouldn't recommend it.
It's pretty far from being good, but there are individual elements which are okay. They just don't add up at all.
I’m one of those who REALLY loved it.
Same here, I'm also one of those who REALLY love it.
There is no accounting for tastes, that's all
From Japan with love \('-'*)
Maybe I'm just a sucker for decently written first person narratives...
URW Control
WBG Abzan
GRW Burn
EDH
GR Rosheen Meanderer