Magic: The Gathering . . . Onslaught

Staff Writer: DL Mullan

4 3/4 out of 5 Shovels
Another book in the Magic: The Gathering saga finds that Kamahl has won the powerful orb, Mirari, for himself but at a great price. While on a quest for revenge, his sister Jeska is transformed by Braids into Phage -a dangerous pit fighter. The two women join the Cabal to craft a great coliseum.

Kamahl desperate to save his sister faces great odds to restore her. Jeska as Phage destroys a powerful illusionist’s only love, the beautiful Nivea. In mourning for his love Ixidor’s dreams came to life creating an angelic creature named Akroma. Together the two plot to avenge the death of Nivea and kill Phage. Kamahl finding his sister as Phage and allying himself with the Cabal, the barbarian fights the darkness that is Phage until Jeska can reclaim her mind.

Once Jeska returns, the darkness that was Phage unleashes itself onto the world and begins devouring life as deathwurms. Knowing that there was only one chance to save the world, Jeska takes back the darkness into herself becoming Phage once more.

Kamahl did not want to lose his sister again but wavers under her insistence and wisdom. Indeed Jeska is right, Kamahl had saved himself and the woman she once was. Now Kamahl had to let her go and for himself find peace among the forest.

J. Robert King writes cleanly and deliberately as he fleshes out all the characters into a neat and concise plot. This book was a joy to read even to those people not familiar to this role playing world.

Onslaught Cycle Book I: OnslaughtBy J. Robert KingWizards Of The Coast, Inc.

Onslaught

Staff Writer: DL Mullan

The second novel in the New Jedi Order Series from Star Wars shows how much business the Yuuzhan Vong mean to do to the galaxy. In the atmosphere of distrust the Jedi are at the center of the controversy. Leia cannot seem to convince the New Republic about the impending threat even as the aliens invade the outer reaches of the galaxy.

This time the Jedi are ready for an attack. Luke Skywalker along with his wife, Mara Jade, the Solo children and Corran Horn begin to rally against the invaders. Though the invaders quickly overwhelm the New Republic forces.