The Name of the Game Dungeons

Greyhawk Adventures #6

by Rose Estes

This rare and vintage book is a perfect addition to any bibliophile's collection

Genres: Fantasy, Fiction, Dungeons and Dragons, Gaming, Games

Paperback

First published June 1, 1988

About the author

Rose Estes is the author of many fantasy and science fiction books, including full length novels and multiple choice gamebooks. After contributing extensively to TSR, Inc.'s Dungeons and Dragons Endless Quest series (of which she wrote the first six, as well as others later down the line), she wrote her first full length novel, Children of the Dragon (1985). She continued to write for TSR by writing six volumes in a series of Greyhawk novels. She contributed to other series, but continued to write books and start series of her own that, like Children of the Dragon, take place in a fantasy or science fiction world created by her own imagination. She also wrote the Golden Book Music Video Sing, Giggle and Grin.

Reviews

[Eric · Rating 2 out of 5]

The Name of the Game, the 6th Greyhawk Adventures Novel and the fourth by Rose Estes, is a passible story following the Wolf Shaman (or is it wizard or fighter) Mika in an adventure that is mostly unconnected from the events in the previous books. Mika is bored and unsatisfied with his life since the adventures that brought him to Dramidja and has since left looking for adventure. Recovering from a night of drinking, Mika is almost conscripted into the Tusmit military but escapes over the mountains to Perrenland. During his flight he is ensorcelled by a wizard to seek out the Princess Linnea in the city of Krestible, where he finds an odd game has disrupted society and caused many people to lose their lands and holdings. On top of this mystery, the Tusmit military launches an attack on the town.

The book is a better offering than the first three Mika stories by Rose Estes and benefits from its stand alone nature. The narrative isn't burdened by events of the previous books and only passing references are made to those events. The story is relatively straight forward with some predictable moments. There are attempts to weave into the story a love triangle and other tropes but in the end the story just plods along. The characters in the story continue to be one dimensional and stereotypical (the spoiled princess, the evil Prime Minister, etc...). Mika, who should have some character growth, continues to be led by his genitalia and spoiled nature. Instead of demonstrating growth through his actions, we are told he is growing in the narrative.

One notable event in this book is that at the end of the story he loses the deus ex machina device that was his magical gemstone. This would have set up an interesting story where Mika actually had to rely on his own abilities but there are no Mika stories following this book. The last book in the Rose Estes line is The Eyes Have It which follows the adventures of Mika's great grandson.

[Rocky Mountain Bog Monster · Rating 3 out of 5]

By this point in the series, Ms. Estes' writing had improved significantly. As well, Mika-oba has been through enough adventures for the reader to get at least a little attached by this point, so it's fitting that his character starts to exhibit some serious signs of growth. Only one more of her Greyhawk novels to go. Will the trend continue?

[Dubzor · Rating 2 out of 5]

A very uneven book, but not without it's charms. Prone to fits of exposition dumps, unnecessary tangents, and a severe lack of character development, it could stand a heavy edit. The event the book is named for has a shaky bearing on the plot at best, and is built up to eventually dissapoint with a total lack of closure.

[Steve Brooker · Rating 3 out of 5]

Poles apart from it’s predecessor and actually quite an entertaining plot, with many a D&D reference.
I still don’t know what a Yarpick is though.

[Ryan · Rating 3 out of 5]

It was a book and that's about all I can say.

[PurplyCookie · Rating 3 out of 5]

A spellbinding boardgame has conquered the realm of Perrenland. The king has wagered his throne and lost; the minions of neighboring Tusman are poised for a deadly invasion. Into this scenario strays our hero: Mika, shaman of the Wolf Nomads, with his magic gemstone and unpredictable demon hand.

Estes has created a marvelous world of magic and mystery, with all the necessary touches of good and evil and spliced with humor and wit. Others will say these books are for young adult and does not really belong to the mature fantasy genre. They are, and that's what I was when I read them years ago. Too bad I was not able to find the books to continue my reading of the Greyhawk Adventures series, but I'm sure a copy will turn up one of these days.


Book Details:

Title The Name of the Game (Greyhawk Adventures, Book 6)
Author Rose Estes
Reviewed By Purplycookie

[Ronald Wilcox · Rating 3 out of 5]

Although the main character, Mika, is the same in this novel as in the preceding three in the series, this novel is a stand-alone novel and really does not require reading of the previous ones to understand. This time Mika dreams of a beautiful succubus who he feels he must find. His search brings him to Perrenland where he is drawn into some court intrigue and a war. Fun read for people who are familiar with the AD&D; an okay read for others.

[Little Timmy · Rating 3 out of 5]

Good fantasy story based on the D&D world. Written by the creator of D&D . Recommended