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E05. Casting with Cards
Episode 59th September 2024 • Rolling Into Fantasy • Laurent & Marie-Noor
00:00:00 00:56:50

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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)


Book review: "Twelve Jackals" by Moud Adel

  • 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)


Book review: "Sister, Maiden, Monster" by Lucy A. Snyder

  • 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


“Somewhere Beyond the Sea” by T.J. Klune

  • “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


"Percy Jackson: Wrath of the Triple Goddess" by Rick Riordan

  • 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 Stormlight Archive #5: Wind and Truth, by Brandon Sanderson

  • 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


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