Theros Novel Godsent

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Happy Sunday MTG peeps,

We spent a great afternoon today reading Theros: Godsend, Part 1 - the eBook by Jenna Helland for Magic: the Gathering's latest block.  Perfect timing we think as the very first official previews for the last set in this block, Journey into Nyx, is scheduled for tomorrow.  This book is a perfect companion to those players, who like us, not only enjoy the game but love the storyline behind this Greek mythology themed block.  Here's the 'trailer' to get things going on our review - 

On Theros, Elspeth hopes the gods will keep her safe from the evils of the Multiverse. But the powerful planeswalker comes to the attention of the sun god, Heliod, who believes she is destined to be his champion. As the gods quarrel with each other, Elspeth must face a massive hydra that was unleashed from the realm of the gods.  

We've been a fan of the fantasy writings from Wizards of the Coast for some time and make it a point to pick up each novel / eBook as they come out.  Meaning to read Godsend latter this week in between our daily posts on new Journey into Nyx spoilers and previews, we glossed over the Prologue but found that we simply could not put down our reader.

The Magic Creative Team has posted a sample chapter of Theros: Godsend, Part 1 last Wednesday but take it from us, pick up the eBook at Amazon (Kindle) or Barnes and Noble (Nook) to start at the beginning - the prologue, where this truly engaging story has its genesis - this is where we meet the Planeswalker Elspeth and Daxos of Meletis, both in their youth, in a brief but power encounter which sets the stage for what is an exciting story.

If we had one criticism of this novel, we would say its brevity.  The story drops off with the slaying of the hydra Plukranos as the mortal world is about to clash with that of the Nyx or god world.  We are counting down the days until Part 2 is release, scheduled next month on 13th May, 2014.

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The Secretist Part 1

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Happy Tuesday MTG peeps,

This is post number one of two (second one here) of our exploration of Doug Beyer's book series 'The Secretist' which provides Wizard of the Coast's literary back-drop to Magic: the Gathering's Return to Ravnica set.  Previously, WotC had published paperbacks to accompany select sets but have moved this to eBooks in keeping with the times.  The first book, 'Return to Ravnica: The Secretist, Part One' sets the stage for a re-introduction of the plane of Ravnica and provides some components which resulted in printed cards found in the first set of the Return to Ravnica block.  Buy your eBooks online - these are significantly less expensive than previous paper copies, and you don't even require a eReader as you can read within a browser.  If you are like us here at MTG Realm, you will likely not only want to bathe in the flavour of the story line but have the actual game card as well.  Drop by MTG Mint Card to pick up Magic: the Gathering Singles from this set and others.
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Summary:Jace Beleren has the power to travel between planes of the Multiverse, but with this gift comes isolation. He is one in a million. He is a planeswalker. And he is on the edge of a mystery that could alter the face of his adopted home—a vast, world-wide city known as Ravnica—forever.

Faced with a magical code that is built into the very foundations of the city-world itself, Jace marches into the numinous depths of Ravnica’s underbelly in search of the promise of powerful magic. What he finds is perhaps more burden than boon.  Once buried in past, the code resurfaces as Ravnica’s power-hungry mage guilds, unbound by the Guildpact that had once maintained order, struggle for control of the plane. But in the drive for primacy, there is no neutral ground.

Jace knows that he can’t crack the code on his own, not while the guilds task teams of mages to unravel the mysteries, but he also knows that the danger of the quest is too great to include his friends. As the mystery begins to unravel, the choice may not be his alone.
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Here are some notes from 'Return to Ravnica: The Secretist, Part One'.  Read the eBook, and drop us a line in the comment thingy to discuss.

Chapter 1 - Knocking on DoorsOur main character, the Planeswalker Jace Beleren is working within the Tenth District of Ravnica with the Vedalken Kavin.  Toegether they are attempting to understand ancient runes and patterns found on stone work around the district - something that the Izzet Guild appears to be interested as well.  This is confirmed when another young Planeswalker Ral Zarek, aligned with Izzet is introduced, along with his fav Izzet Goblin mage side-kick 'Skreeg'.  There's a dust-up with the Golgari in the ancient tunnels as Ral is attempting to locate powerful leylines of old mana energry.  Emmara, an Elf Healer re-connects with Jace and tries to persuade him to join the Selesnya Conclave but can't convince him.  Mirko Vosk, presumably a Dimir Spy overhears all and reports back to his boss.

Chapter 2 - Inside the FiremindJace and Kavin make significant progress in their investigation.  Niv-Mizzet and Trostani is introduced while the Dimir continue to plot.

Chapter 3 - Mind Sculpting
Jace feels that his new knowledge now places him in danger and wants to destroy his and his assistant's memories of their research.

Chapter 4 - The Reach of the Law
The Rakdos, Azorius and a Gruul Ogre all make plays to secure Jace or rather what he may know.
Chapter 5 - The Rough Crowd
Jace attempts to rescue the kidnapped Emmara from the Rakdos. Exava, a Blood-Witch battles Jace.

Chapter 6 - The Path Below
Possibly our favourite character in the book, a witty / sarcastic Viashino is provided a page or two here.  Jace searches the depths for Emmara, while Ral makes no friends with the Azorious in his search for the leyline / mana-braid.  Cliffhanger end as the vampire Mirko faces off against Jace and Emmara.
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Stay tuned for part two when we dig into the newest MTG novel, 'Gatecrash: The Secretist, Part Two'.
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