The Inside Scoop on Gaming

First warning: if you are easily offended by "colorful" language, deviant sexual behavior and the like, think well before you buy this book. It's full of it. And even if you are not, be sure to read Justin Achilli's disclaimer, the little box on page 4.

Now we may "descend into the nightmare crypts of the incestuos Giovanni", like the back of the book invites us to do. The book opens up with a short story (much like the other Clanbooks), "Family Matters", about a mortal's dealings with the Giovanni. This particular mortal's business is quite unsavory, though, and the grimness of the story sets up the mood for the things to come.

And the Giovanni are definitely not nice guys. Your average Giovanni is a cutthroat businessman and a necromancer rolled up into one. Many are into incest, necrophilia and the like. As Mr. Achilli himself puts it, "this is an ugly, ugly book".

The second chapter tells the history of the Giovanni, from Augustus Giovanni's betrayal and diablerie to the modern day. It also reveals Clan Giovanni's ultimate goal (yes, there is one, which was actually mentioned in Giovanni Chronicles I: The Last Supper).

Chapter Three details life and unlife among the Giovanni. Yeah, yeah, here is where you will find most of the disturbing stuff --four-letter words, incest, necrophilia etc.-- but I feel I should make one thing very clear.

Yes, there's lots of swear words and perversion and smut and gore, in Chapter Three and the rest of the book. But it's all there for a reason. Justin Achilli wanted to make it clear that the Giovanni are sick, twisted, perverted and EVIL.

It's NOT gratuitous, it's there to convey a feeling of repulse, because the Giovanni are repulsive bastards (and personally, I like them being portrayed that way), and that makes this baby adult stuff (in fact, I'd publish it as a Black Dog product if I were the guy in charge of things. But that's just lil' me).

Chapter Three also introduces us to "sub-families" associated with the Giovanni. Be prepared for quite a few surprises: descendants of Aztec priests, cannibal Scottish bankers and a traditional New England family associated with Bob Kennedy's murder await for you, as well as other, minor families.

Seven character templates make up Chapter Four. All of them are truly original concepts, and very well developed.

Finally, we have the "Giovanni of Note", which also includes some interesting info (hopelessly outdated after V:tM Revised Edition, I know... but hey, I still like it).

This book set out to give the Giovanni personality, to flesh them out as truly despicable, twisted, repulsive, and unique villains (as opposed to black and white bad guys or a bunch of Mafiosi licks who look all the same, mind you). And it succeeds exquisitely. The last of all Clanbooks turns out to be the best, and I believe I will regard this book as Mr. Achilli's magnum opus for years to come.

And as for the language and smut and gore thing, for God's sake, check out Mr. Achilli's disclaimer on page 4 and get a life. The Giovanni have been my favorite clan ever since, both for tabletops and LARPs, and I have not turned to incest, or necrophilia, or black magic. This is a GREAT book, a must for any Vampire: the Masquerade fan (and if you play Wraith: the Oblivion you might find some good stuff here too). And if you liked the Giovanni Chronicles, you should stop reading this and buy this book.

Style: 5 (Excellent!)
Substance: 4 (Meaty)

Clanbook: Giovanni
Author: Justin Achilli et al Category: game Company/Publisher: White Wolf Games Studio Cost: $12.00US Page count: Frankly, do you care? Hmmm... OK, 72 ISBN: 1-56504-218-2 Capsule Review by Ambrogino Giovanni on 02/14/99. Genre tags: Modern_day Horror Conspiracy Vampire Gothic	First warning: if you are easily offended by "colorful" language, deviant sexual behavior and the like, think well before you buy this book. It's full of it. And even if you are not, be sure to read Justin Achilli's disclaimer, the little box on page 4. Now we may "descend into the nightmare crypts of the incestuos Giovanni", like the back of the book invites us to do. The book opens up with a short story (much like the other Clanbooks), "Family Matters", about a mortal's dealings with the Giovanni. This particular mortal's business is quite unsavory, though, and the grimness of the story sets up the mood for the things to come. And the Giovanni are definitely not nice guys. Your average Giovanni is a cutthroat businessman and a necromancer rolled up into one. Many are into incest, necrophilia and the like. As Mr. Achilli himself puts it, "this is an ugly, ugly book". The second chapter tells the history of the Giovanni, from Augustus Giovanni's betrayal and diablerie to the modern day. It also reveals Clan Giovanni's ultimate goal (yes, there is one, which was actually mentioned in Giovanni Chronicles I: The Last Supper). Chapter Three details life and unlife among the Giovanni. Yeah, yeah, here is where you will find most of the disturbing stuff --four-letter words, incest, necrophilia etc.-- but I feel I should make one thing very clear. Yes, there's lots of swear words and perversion and smut and gore, in Chapter Three and the rest of the book. But it's all there for a reason. Justin Achilli wanted to make it clear that the Giovanni are sick, twisted, perverted and EVIL. It's NOT gratuitous, it's there to convey a feeling of repulse, because the Giovanni are repulsive bastards (and personally, I like them being portrayed that way), and that makes this baby adult stuff (in fact, I'd publish it as a Black Dog product if I were the guy in charge of things. But that's just lil' me). Chapter Three also introduces us to "sub-families" associated with the Giovanni. Be prepared for quite a few surprises: descendants of Aztec priests, cannibal Scottish bankers and a traditional New England family associated with Bob Kennedy's murder await for you, as well as other, minor families. Seven character templates make up Chapter Four. All of them are truly original concepts, and very well developed. Finally, we have the "Giovanni of Note", which also includes some interesting info (hopelessly outdated after V:tM Revised Edition, I know... but hey, I still like it). This book set out to give the Giovanni personality, to flesh them out as truly despicable, twisted, repulsive, and unique villains (as opposed to black and white bad guys or a bunch of Mafiosi licks who look all the same, mind you). And it succeeds exquisitely. The last of all Clanbooks turns out to be the best, and I believe I will regard this book as Mr. Achilli's magnum opus for years to come. And as for the language and smut and gore thing, for God's sake, check out Mr. Achilli's disclaimer on page 4 and get a life. The Giovanni have been my favorite clan ever since, both for tabletops and LARPs, and I have not turned to incest, or necrophilia, or black magic. This is a GREAT book, a must for any Vampire: the Masquerade fan (and if you play Wraith: the Oblivion you might find some good stuff here too). And if you liked the Giovanni Chronicles, you should stop reading this and buy this book. Style: 5 (Excellent!) Substance: 4 (Meaty)

Clanbook: Giovanni