The Inside Scoop on Gaming

CHAINER'S TORMENT

I can't say that I have had much regard for TSR/WOTC novel publishing for, oh...10 years, at least. Dragonlance Chronicles, Legends, the Moonshae (FR) books by Doug Niles, and the Crystal Shard are pretty much everything that I liked published by TSR (and some fairly interesting Dark Sun stuff).

Now I am reviewing Chainer's Torment. A new book, published by WOTC, based on...a card game. I have never read any M: TG novels, so I will try to be fair, and not start making remarks about the book before I read it. Yes, I am fairly sure I can restrain myself from insults and mockery before I reach the end of the book. Lets find out if my patience is justified.

First impression...the interior art is good! Those familiar with the Dragonlance novels will immediately recognize what is at work here. At the beginning of each chapter is a black and white drawing, and the art is fantastic. Nothing less than I would expect from the artists that produce magic. There are a couple of weaknesses. First, some of the art is re-used. This is understandable because it is all character art and the primary character of that chapter opens each chapter. Second, because it is all character art, it doesn't really help establish setting. This was frequently a weakness of the text as well: the lack of a clear sense of place and environment.

The novel reads pretty well, and there is definitely enough action and variety to keep things interesting. The feeling of machinations and maneuvering was well done, though I would have enjoyed seeing even more of this. The characters are bit difficult to care about though. The main character, Chainer, is a "dementist" caster (a black/swamp wizard). He is clearly an anti-hero, and he wasn’t too agreeable to me. He soon acquires a friend, Kamahl (clearly a red/mountain warrior). They share something that vaguely resembles a friendship. Vesa is another primary character, representing the blue camp. In general, there is a feeling of detachment from the characters, and when a prominent character is killed, I didn't really care. The characters (black characters especially) are definitely quite interesting, regardless of how empathetic they may be. The narrative jumps from character to character, starting with black, dwelling on blue frequently, then black opposed by white, with an interlude from green, and so on.

The novel definitely achieves an authentic re-creation of the “feel” of the colors of magic. It also confers the "Oh well, I guess I will chump block with this character (card)" feeling as well. The most interesting thing in the book is "dementist casting", which is essentially summoning spectral versions of creatures from your nightmares, or creatures that you have encountered. The closest equivalent in D&D rules would probably be the Shadow Monsters and Shadow Creations that illusionists employ. This type of magic was fairly well developed and could work in the right role-playing setting.

Overall, it’s not bad. This the first time I read a Magic: TG novel, and it was fairly interesting. A less bullying main character I didn't find so repulsive would have helped. My primary source of enjoyment was the new perspective it gave me on the CCG. I am giving it a four for substance because I enjoyed the novelty (heh) of the reading experience. But I suspect after several more such novels, I would not be so entertained.

Players who are dedicated to Magic: TG would almost certainly enjoy these books, and definitely should give them a try. They make a good diversion and offer a new perspective, but this particular installment does not reach the depth and interest that the original DL novels or the enjoyment that Black Wizards (Moonshae book 2) gave.

And it’s definitely not Tolkien (but then again, very little is).

Chainer's Torment
Chainer's Torment Capsule Review by Mike MacKenzie on 16/05/02 Style: 5 (Excellent!) Substance: 4 (Meaty) Players who dedicated to Magic would almost certainly enjoy these books, and definitely should give them a try. They make a good diversion and offer a new perspective, but this particular installment does not reach the depth and interest that the original DL novels gave. Product: Chainer's Torment Author: Scott McGough Category: Novel Company/Publisher: WotC Line: Magic: TG Cost: $7.00 Page count: 311 Year published: 2002 ISBN: 0-7869-2696-1 SKU: Comp copy?: yes Capsule Review by Mike MacKenzie on 16/05/02 Genre tags: Fantasy	CHAINER'S TORMENT I can't say that I have had much regard for TSR/WOTC novel publishing for, oh...10 years, at least. Dragonlance Chronicles, Legends, the Moonshae (FR) books by Doug Niles, and the Crystal Shard are pretty much everything that I liked published by TSR (and some fairly interesting Dark Sun stuff). Now I am reviewing Chainer's Torment. A new book, published by WOTC, based on...a card game. I have never read any M: TG novels, so I will try to be fair, and not start making remarks about the book before I read it. Yes, I am fairly sure I can restrain myself from insults and mockery before I reach the end of the book. Lets find out if my patience is justified. First impression...the interior art is good! Those familiar with the Dragonlance novels will immediately recognize what is at work here. At the beginning of each chapter is a black and white drawing, and the art is fantastic. Nothing less than I would expect from the artists that produce magic. There are a couple of weaknesses. First, some of the art is re-used. This is understandable because it is all character art and the primary character of that chapter opens each chapter. Second, because it is all character art, it doesn't really help establish setting. This was frequently a weakness of the text as well: the lack of a clear sense of place and environment. The novel reads pretty well, and there is definitely enough action and variety to keep things interesting. The feeling of machinations and maneuvering was well done, though I would have enjoyed seeing even more of this. The characters are bit difficult to care about though. The main character, Chainer, is a "dementist" caster (a black/swamp wizard). He is clearly an anti-hero, and he wasn’t too agreeable to me. He soon acquires a friend, Kamahl (clearly a red/mountain warrior). They share something that vaguely resembles a friendship. Vesa is another primary character, representing the blue camp. In general, there is a feeling of detachment from the characters, and when a prominent character is killed, I didn't really care. The characters (black characters especially) are definitely quite interesting, regardless of how empathetic they may be. The narrative jumps from character to character, starting with black, dwelling on blue frequently, then black opposed by white, with an interlude from green, and so on. The novel definitely achieves an authentic re-creation of the “feel” of the colors of magic. It also confers the "Oh well, I guess I will chump block with this character (card)" feeling as well. The most interesting thing in the book is "dementist casting", which is essentially summoning spectral versions of creatures from your nightmares, or creatures that you have encountered. The closest equivalent in D&D rules would probably be the Shadow Monsters and Shadow Creations that illusionists employ. This type of magic was fairly well developed and could work in the right role-playing setting. Overall, it’s not bad. This the first time I read a Magic: TG novel, and it was fairly interesting. A less bullying main character I didn't find so repulsive would have helped. My primary source of enjoyment was the new perspective it gave me on the CCG. I am giving it a four for substance because I enjoyed the novelty (heh) of the reading experience. But I suspect after several more such novels, I would not be so entertained. Players who are dedicated to Magic: TG would almost certainly enjoy these books, and definitely should give them a try. They make a good diversion and offer a new perspective, but this particular installment does not reach the depth and interest that the original DL novels or the enjoyment that Black Wizards (Moonshae book 2) gave. And it’s definitely not Tolkien (but then again, very little is).