Caught In The Whirlwind
Archive for February, 2010
Book 5: Dragon Age: The Stolen Throne
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Title: Dragon Age: The Stolen Throne
Author: David Gaider
Pages: 400
Summary
The prequel to the video game Dragon Age: Origins, this book details the struggles of Prince Maric as he tries to gain back his thrown, overthrowing a puppet king placed there by an invading nation.
Notes
Ok. As a rule, I usually don’t generally read video game books. They’re usually not very good at all. Simple stories, so-so writing…sometimes not even really having to do with the game itself. But I’ve made an exception for this book for three reasons
- It’s written by the same guy who wrote the story for the game, so he knows what he’s talking about.
- It’s a BioWare game and they know how to tell a story.
- It came recommended to me by a friend.
So, with that in mind, I picked it up and was pleasantly surprised at just how good it was. David Gaider knows how to tell a compelling story and how to give each character a voice and personality that shines through. I hope he does more writing in the future. The story was interesting, if a bit simplistic, but that can be forgiven.
My major gripe with this book is with the ending. Judging by the exact page count number (400), I have a feeling Tor books was only willing to publish a 400 page book because right around where the climax of the story should be, the book suddenly ends with the equivalent of “And then they won. The end.” There was not climactic final battle against the usurper, no closure to the various romances…nothing. It just ends.
Still a good book, with lots of background for the characters in the game (in particular it was interesting to see how the character of Loghain developed into how he was portrayed in the game) but the ending left me with a “Wha?” sort of feeling.
Next Book
I’m going to be continuing the video game book journey with the less highly regarded Mass Effect: Revelation by Drew Karpyshyn. I’m about 40% of the way through according to my Kindle, and I tend to agree with the general ideas of the reviews. It’s a good story, but very simply written. More on that when I finish.
Book 4: Castle Roogna
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Title: Castle Roogna
Series: Xanth (Book 3)
Author: Piers Anthony
Pages: 336
Summary
Bink’s son, Dor is sent on a quest to restore the zombie Johnathan to full life again. In the process he travels back in time to the very beginnings of the golden age of Xanth to seek aid of the Zombie Master who was living at the time.
Notes (Minor Spoilers)
As previously mentioned, this is my second read through this book, the third in the Xanth series. It’s probably my favorite of the initial (planned) trillogy of books.
I like the fact that through his adventures in the past, Dor eventually ends up creating many of the strange features of Xanth’s landscape that the characters from earlier books wondered about.
At this point in my book reading, I was starting to get a little burned out by all the puns, so I temporarily diverted myself over to another series to recharge. But I will return back to Xanth soon.
Book 3: Source Of Magic
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Title: Source Of Magic
Series: Xanth (Book 2)
Author: Piers Anthony
Pages: 336
Summary
Following his quest to prove that he has a magic talent while simultaneously bringing gigantic amounts of change to the world of Xanth, Bink is sent out on another quest to determine the ultimate source of magic. But his efforts are opposed by an unseen enemy that seems bent on stopping him at every turn.
Notes
This is the second book in the Xanth series, so a lot of what I said about the first book earlier still stands. More puns, more adventure, more magic, all just as entertaining as the first book.
Honestly, it seems like the first three books in the series are mostly just setup for the adventures to come, fleshing out the mechanics of the world and building up situations which are then further exploited in the later books.
Book 2: A Spell for Chameleon
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Title: A Spell for Chameleon
Series: Xanth (Book 1)
Author: Piers Anthony
Pages: 352
Summary
Xanth is an enchanted world where practically everything in it had magic. Names for things are often quite literal. Shoe Trees are trees that grow shoes, for example. In fact, one can find most anything they need growing on a plant. All humans living in Xanth have their own individual magical talents ranging from being able to turn objects different colors to truly fantastic abilities such as transformation and weather control. Everyone except Bink that is. This book deals with his quest to discover exactly what his magical tallent is before he is exiled for not having one.
Notes
I have read this book before, but after reading the Lord of the Rings again, I decided I needed something a little more on the…light side. So I decided to start re-reading the Xanth series. Wassy introduced me to these a while back and I really enjoy them. Puns everywhere! Often times groan worthy puns…but that’s what really makes the flavor of the universe so awesome. They’re quick reads, but very well written and highly entertaining.
Although (at least the early books) they tend to have a bit of a formula to them which makes them tough for me to read in quick succession. I get a little burned out on the puns after 3 or so books, so I ended up taking a break. (The other two books I read will be coming soon…trying to catch up with my book posting)
Decisions, Decisions…
3840 days
by Jason
in Uncategorized
It’s that time of year again…tax time. Well, it’s past tax time as I’ve turned in my taxes and now I have my fat refund sitting in my account. I’m kinda torn as to what to do with it this year though.
The most responsible course, probably, would be to save it for future class expenses and the trips that are being planned later this year. This is boring, of course…but…safe.
The second option I’m considering is slightly more frivolous, but not totally wasteful. I’m thinking about picking up an entry level DSLR camera. I will fully admit that this course of action has been influenced by seeing Wassy’s new Nikon D60. But I’ve been getting more and more interested in photography as my experiments in graphic design become more and more involved. I also have to take a couple of photography heavy courses (one of which I’m taking now…which would be Digital Imaging). And after seeing Wassy’s new toy, the limitations of my little point and shoot are becoming readily apparent. I think it’d be a nice compliment to my current set of hobbies to get more into actual photography.
I hesitate though, because it’s a crapton of money spent. Probably a little more than half of my refund this year, to be exact, and I could be saving that money up now for stuff that I know is coming.
Decisions…decisions…
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