RIF - Episode E05

1) Tales from the Tome:

Book review: "Godkiller" by Hannah Kaner

• A dark fantasy novel set in a world where gods exist but are often feared or hunted.
• The main character, Kissen, is a mercenary known as a "Godkiller," who despises deities after they destroyed her family.
• Kissen is drawn into an unexpected alliance with a young girl connected to a powerful god, forcing her to confront her beliefs.
• She is a morally nuanced character whose personal struggles make her journey relatable and emotionally engaging.
• Themes of Faith and Morality: the story explores deep themes like the nature of belief, revenge, and forgiveness, creating a thought-provoking narrative.
• Well-paced action sequences
• Score: 7.5/10 (Laurent)

• A fantasy novel set in a divided world
• where rival factions wield unique magic, but at a great cost—
• using their powers shortens their lives.
• The protagonist, Rakamai, leads his people in the land of Kala, where they strive for peace despite the looming threat of war from two newly allied enemy factions.
• Rakamai is forced to navigate dangerous alliances and the deadly consequences of magic to protect his people and prevent their annihilation.
• The novel combines elements of political intrigue, magic, and a strong moral dilemma
• The intended target audience is more likely young-adult readers
• Although stated differently, not really a detailed world-building and character-driven stories with a mix of action and ethical challenges
• Score: 6.5/10 (Laurent)

• A dark fantasy and horror novel that follows the transformative journeys of three women after a mysterious virus begins to reshape humanity.
• Each woman undergoes a disturbing and powerful metamorphosis, drawing them into a nightmarish world of ancient horrors, monstrous entities, and cosmic forces.
• The novel weaves themes of body horror, feminist commentary, and apocalyptic dread, making it a gripping read for fans of horror and speculative fiction.
• Score: 7/10 (Marie-Noor)

2) Lorebound: Magic The Gathering

Magic - The Gathering (MTG) : the story

• A Collectible & Customizable Card Game
• Created by Richard Garfield and first released in 1993 by Wizards of the Coast.
• Initially designed as a quick and portable game for conventions, it revolutionized gaming by combining strategic card play with collectible elements.
• Over the years, MTG has evolved with numerous expansions, adding new mechanics and deepening its rich lore.
• Today, it boasts a massive global community, professional tournaments, and an online platform, making it a cornerstone of both tabletop and digital gaming.
• MTG released over 100 expansion sets since its debut in 1993, with 3-4 sets typically released each year. These expansions introduce new mechanics, cards, and themes, continuously evolving the game.
• As of 2023, MTG features over 25,000 unique cards.
• The player base is estimated to be around 35 million globally. This includes casual players, collectors, and professional competitors in tournaments such as the Magic: The Gathering Pro Tour.

Magic - The Gathering (MTG): the basics

• Players as powerful wizards called Planeswalkers
• Battle using decks of cards representing creatures, spells, and magical artifacts
• The goal is to reduce your opponent's life points to zero using strategy and resource management
• Legacy: MTG revolutionized gaming, inspiring countless other card games and fostering a massive global community with tournaments, expansions, and a rich fantasy lore.

Magic - The Gathering (MTG): strong points

• Strategic Complexity: MTG offers deep, engaging gameplay with endless strategies, catering to both casual and competitive players.
• Customizable Deck Building: Players can create unique decks, allowing for creativity and personalization.
• Thriving Community: MTG has a global player base, with frequent events, tournaments, and an active online presence.
• Rich Fantasy Lore: The game’s evolving storylines and immersive worlds add depth to the gameplay experience.

Magic - The Gathering (MTG): drawbacks

• High Cost: Collecting and building competitive decks can be expensive.
• Steep Learning Curve: The game’s complex mechanics can be overwhelming for beginners.
• Time-Consuming: Becoming proficient requires a significant investment of time.
• Very complex: the game might be very overwhelming for new players to get into with so many mechanics, rules, different cards, etc.

3) Through the Palantir:

Upcoming books...

“The Gods Below” by Andrea Stewart

• Known for writing The Drowning Empire series, and the author is kicking off a new fantasy series in September.
• "The Gods Below" is the first book in Stewart's Hollow Covenant trilogy, and it takes place in "a world ravaged by ancient magic."
• Readers will follow Hakara, who sets out on a quest to find her sister. She's willing to take on the gods if she needs to — and it seems like such pushback against these deities isn't all that uncommon in The Gods Below.
• Publication Sept.3, 2024

• “The House in the Cerulean Sea”was one of the biggest fantasy books of 2020, and T.J. Klune is publishing a sequel in September 2024.
• “Somewhere Beyond the Sea” promises to be as charming as its predecessor, and it may up the stakes for Arthur, Linus, and the magical kids they've sworn to protect.
• Publication Sept.10, 2024

• A new Percy Jackson book is always cause for celebration, and Rick Riordan will continue to explore Percy's senior year of high school in Wrath of the Triple Goddess.
• The seventh installment of the Percy Jackson & the Olympians series, Wrath of the Triple Goddess serves as a direct sequel to 2023's The Chalice of the Gods. These recent additions to the series pick up with Percy trying to land a spot at New Rome University after graduation. To do so, he must go on three quests to get three letters of recommendation from the Greek gods.
• Publication Sept.23, 2024

• The long-awaited explosive climax to the first arc of the “Stormlight Archive”―the iconic epic fantasy masterpiece
• Has sold more than 10 million copies
• 1344 pages, Hardcover
• Expected publication December 6, 2024