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Matt reviewed The Keys to Paradise by Robert E. Vardeman

The Keys to Paradise (Paperback, 1991, New EnglishLibrary)

No rating

The golden key glowed darkly, the inset gem flashing green fire. Inscribed runes spelled out …

A favourite as a teen - didn't hold up

No rating

A pulpy fantasy adventure, similar in feel to early Michael Moorcock maybe? But not as good. I mean, it's OK, and when I read it as a teen I thought it was really great! But 35 years later it didn't land the same. A bit problematic with female characters and their agency, but it was the 80s... But I did love how it felt like a messy D&D campaign. I liked the world building. A nice solid quest, some evil baddies, plans that get thwarted and changed on the fly. Character motivations/behaviour seemed inconsistent at times, but overall... fine?

I remember buying this book from a sale bin during the Australian Summer holidays of 1988 I think. I associate the book with the song "Run to Paradise" by The Choir Boys, which ran through my head every-time I picked it up. It was a great holiday, and this book got …

A pulpy fantasy adventure, similar in feel to early Michael Moorcock maybe? But not as good. I mean, it's OK, and when I read it as a teen I thought it was really great! But 35 years later it didn't land the same. A bit problematic with female characters and their agency, but it was the 80s... But I did love how it felt like a messy D&D campaign. I liked the world building. A nice solid quest, some evil baddies, plans that get thwarted and changed on the fly. Character motivations/behaviour seemed inconsistent at times, but overall... fine?

I remember buying this book from a sale bin during the Australian Summer holidays of 1988 I think. I associate the book with the song "Run to Paradise" by The Choir Boys, which ran through my head every-time I picked it up. It was a great holiday, and this book got wrapped up in those feelings - I think I even dreamed about the characters, I was that invested. When I finished it, I missed all them all terribly, and tried to continue the story in my head.

So it's sad that it wasn't that magical this time around.

Matt reviewed Last Argument of Kings by Joe Abercrombie

Last Argument of Kings (Paperback, 2008, Pyr Books)

The King of the Union lies on his deathbed, the peasants revolt, and the nobles …

Last Argument of Kings and The First Law trilogy

4 stars

Content warning Super Spoiler filled thoughts

Finished this trilogy a few days ago, and have been thinking on it. My first thought was "That's it?? That's how you're ending it? The good guys didn't really win, everything's a mess. No happy endings" but the more I thought about it, the more it grew on me. None of the good guys were particularly good. Maybe The Dogman. Was he the only good character that made it to the end? I loved most of the characters though, especially Logen and Ferro. But man, Logen was messed up. Was waiting for some revelation about his beserker murdery side, which seemed quite supernatural, but no. The whole trilogy is a series of shitty people doing shitty things. The ending could be considered a good one, in that the invaders were crushed, the kingdom saved. The big baddies were cannibals after all - they can't be considered the good guys, but, were they really bad? Gosh it's so murky and bleak but also points of light and defiance.

The conclusion sits on my soul like a stone, and I need to think on it more.

i.e. I think I loved it?

Matt reviewed Mythic Game Master Emulator 2nd Edition by Tana Pigeon

Mythic Game Master Emulator 2nd Edition (EBook, 2023, Word Mill Games)

Play any role-playing game solo or without a Game Master!

Mythic's oracle-style question resolution system …

Fantastic update

5 stars

Fantastic update, great examples. Love all the Meanings tables! I hadn't read any Mythic Magazines, I think a lot of what impressed me might have originated there, but, well compiled, and great tips for running the game you want to experience.