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This book will appeal to new readers, as well as die-hard fans. The perfect entry point for new readers, this book focuses on a fierce competition for one of the most powerful artifacts ever to exist in the Magic: The Gathering game and novels. Major changes are occurring in the Magic universe-changes that devoted fans will be eager to find out about.
309 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published September 1, 2001
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Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews
September 3, 2020
The foremost words that come to mind when reflecting on Vance Moore's Odyssey are many: unnecessary, repetitive, and--most of all--unpleasant.
But, perhaps more important than those is this descriptor: unfocused. The novel is ostensibly focused on the world of Otaria (set in Magic's original setting, Dominaria) and on the main protagonist, Kamahl. However, Otaria's main draw (pit fights) and any sort of characterisation that Kamahl would receive are completely thrown to the backseat as we focus, unfortunately, on Laquatus, Kirtar, Turg, and a myriad of other extremely unimportant characters. The main McGuffin of the book, the Mirari, is never truly explained or detailed; in fact, its name is unspoken throughout 90 percent of the novel. Having read the entire thing, I still couldn't tell you what it does or why any of the characters care about it.
Through the various misadventures of the horribly unedited and (again) unpleasant prose, we repetitively read through descriptions of animal slaughter, casual murder and torture by our ever-so-unlovable Laquatus, and unbelievably dull depictions of uninteresting, unchanging, filler-ific merman politics.
Skip this book. It has nothing of the spark that makes Magic: The Gathering or its worlds so interesting, fails to even be readable high fantasy, and flounders about in its attempts to make itself sound smart with $10 words and laughably faux-high minded 'intrigue'.
But, perhaps more important than those is this descriptor: unfocused. The novel is ostensibly focused on the world of Otaria (set in Magic's original setting, Dominaria) and on the main protagonist, Kamahl. However, Otaria's main draw (pit fights) and any sort of characterisation that Kamahl would receive are completely thrown to the backseat as we focus, unfortunately, on Laquatus, Kirtar, Turg, and a myriad of other extremely unimportant characters. The main McGuffin of the book, the Mirari, is never truly explained or detailed; in fact, its name is unspoken throughout 90 percent of the novel. Having read the entire thing, I still couldn't tell you what it does or why any of the characters care about it.
Through the various misadventures of the horribly unedited and (again) unpleasant prose, we repetitively read through descriptions of animal slaughter, casual murder and torture by our ever-so-unlovable Laquatus, and unbelievably dull depictions of uninteresting, unchanging, filler-ific merman politics.
Skip this book. It has nothing of the spark that makes Magic: The Gathering or its worlds so interesting, fails to even be readable high fantasy, and flounders about in its attempts to make itself sound smart with $10 words and laughably faux-high minded 'intrigue'.
April 1, 2024
I enjoyed the chapters with Kamahl, Pianna, and Fulla. These three characters have 'soul' and either have considered motivations and actions or have interesting personalities. I'll also be looking forward to hopefully seeing more of Chainer in the subsequent novels.
Laquatus' chapters were a bit annoying to read and he comes across as a moustache-twirling villain. He has clear short/medium-term ambitions (although to what end?), and his actions and internal thoughts reveal his sadism and cruelty.
Kirtar and Aboshan play their archetypes straight, a hard military officer and a paranoid ruler. I don't have much to say about Seton, and he seems more like a prop than an individual.
The grammatical errors, although few, were a bit jarring. They were more noticeable towards the end of the book. Hopefully the other books in the Otaria cycle had a more diligent editor.
Laquatus' chapters were a bit annoying to read and he comes across as a moustache-twirling villain. He has clear short/medium-term ambitions (although to what end?), and his actions and internal thoughts reveal his sadism and cruelty.
Kirtar and Aboshan play their archetypes straight, a hard military officer and a paranoid ruler. I don't have much to say about Seton, and he seems more like a prop than an individual.
The grammatical errors, although few, were a bit jarring. They were more noticeable towards the end of the book. Hopefully the other books in the Otaria cycle had a more diligent editor.
March 29, 2024
Good ol Kamahl. I'll never forget the mighty barbarian and this absolutely wild cycle of books. I read it too far long ago to recall most critical details other than character names.
At the time I didn't play Magic: The Gathering. I collected the cards as a child and loved looking at the art and reading the flavor text on the bottom of cards. This book was essentially a novel length flavor text which is exactly what I wanted as a kid.
At the time I didn't play Magic: The Gathering. I collected the cards as a child and loved looking at the art and reading the flavor text on the bottom of cards. This book was essentially a novel length flavor text which is exactly what I wanted as a kid.
March 20, 2013
I enjoyed this book. Took me back to my Magic days. Makes me want to play again. Enjoyed the interaction between the characters. My favorite is Kamahl.
January 11, 2026
Vance Moore's "Odyssey" is a lot less than great. It's the first MtG book I've read since I was in elementary school, and it's a story I always wanted to read. I started playing with 7th Edition and Odyssey.
But this book is messy. It switches between Kamahl and Laquatus, with some other characters like Aboshan, Kirtar, and Pianna taking lead at other points. The plot involves characters searching for a powerful artifact called the Mirari. It's not totally clear how the Mirari works, which is often a good way to deal with a magical artifact, but it could be much better than what's here.
There are a lot of unclear descriptions throughout the book, especially about environments. Conversely, characters often have very blunt actions and motivations that are repeated over and over. Most of the characters are more-or-less one note. And reading about the villains is a chore, as they are constantly torturing and assaulting people and plotting evil. There's actually an excess of violence as a whole; the fights are given such explicit descriptions that are lacking in other areas, making the book lopsided and uninteresting. How often do I really need to read about an arm being hewed off in extreme detail?
I do have to hand it to Vamce Moore for the first part narrating Kamahl's experiences in Cabal City. Also chapter 22 about Kamahl coming to a new town on the coast of Balshan Bay was beautiful. And chapter 23 about the paranoid Aboshan's desperate search for power in darkness was amazing too. Those parts make me think that this book could have worked l, but it would need a lot of changes. The biggest change would be removing most of Laquatus' chapters and focusing on Kamahl. I think it could have been done.
Now, on to "Chainer's Torment."
But this book is messy. It switches between Kamahl and Laquatus, with some other characters like Aboshan, Kirtar, and Pianna taking lead at other points. The plot involves characters searching for a powerful artifact called the Mirari. It's not totally clear how the Mirari works, which is often a good way to deal with a magical artifact, but it could be much better than what's here.
There are a lot of unclear descriptions throughout the book, especially about environments. Conversely, characters often have very blunt actions and motivations that are repeated over and over. Most of the characters are more-or-less one note. And reading about the villains is a chore, as they are constantly torturing and assaulting people and plotting evil. There's actually an excess of violence as a whole; the fights are given such explicit descriptions that are lacking in other areas, making the book lopsided and uninteresting. How often do I really need to read about an arm being hewed off in extreme detail?
I do have to hand it to Vamce Moore for the first part narrating Kamahl's experiences in Cabal City. Also chapter 22 about Kamahl coming to a new town on the coast of Balshan Bay was beautiful. And chapter 23 about the paranoid Aboshan's desperate search for power in darkness was amazing too. Those parts make me think that this book could have worked l, but it would need a lot of changes. The biggest change would be removing most of Laquatus' chapters and focusing on Kamahl. I think it could have been done.
Now, on to "Chainer's Torment."
January 14, 2026
The sheer number of errors that made it through the editing process and into the published volume is wild. The story here was pretty fun and nostalgic for me. I really enjoyed the plot beats, even though the overall story didn't advance very far. The plot is essentially everyone chasing after a mysterious artifact of immense power through different locales across the continent (and seas) of Otaria. Not the best, but entertaining. I'm hoping book two, Chainer's Torment, will keep the entertaining story but improve the writing.
June 1, 2021
Erreicht nicht das Niveau des zweiten Bandes, führt allerdings einige faszinierende Figuren der Magic Lore ein (mal gut, mal weniger gut) und vermittelt ein gutes Gefühl für Otaria, seine Bewohner und Konflikte. Das reicht mir für knappe drei Sterne.
August 15, 2018
This was really uninteresting and boring. Very little happened, I didn't care about the characters, nothing was really explained, and we just jumped randomly from event to event.
March 22, 2021
Boring.
December 29, 2016
I'm a bit surprised by all the very negative reviews this book received. Personally, I found it refreshing to read the start of a new series not focusing on Gerrard, Urza, and Co. In relation to all the other MTG books I've read, this one falls on the plus-side of average (which isn't saying much). This one has a much more intimate focus on the characters involved and less of a world-encompassing feel that all of the previous books had. Kamahl, Laquatus, Kirtar, and Seton are completely original and fairly well-developed characters that help keep this story interesting but are all somewhat tiring and annoying. Still, I expect them to be the focal points of the future books in the series. My favorite character here is definitely Turg. A huge frog pit-fighter with cunning and a wicked sense of humor? Awesome. The overall story, about the various powerful rivals desperately chasing a dangerous (but mysterious) artifact known as Mirari, is only minimally interesting, and mostly serves as a framework around which to develop the characters.
I like the direction the MTG novels have taken with this book though. Magic is much more widespread, being available to essentially anyone and playing a major role in everyday life. And the system of magic seems much more in line with the way the game works than was true in previous books. In some ways this book reminds me of the very first MTG books, especially Arena with the focus on magic gladiatorial-style duels. I think if these books continue to move int this direction, the future of the series will be good.
I like the direction the MTG novels have taken with this book though. Magic is much more widespread, being available to essentially anyone and playing a major role in everyday life. And the system of magic seems much more in line with the way the game works than was true in previous books. In some ways this book reminds me of the very first MTG books, especially Arena with the focus on magic gladiatorial-style duels. I think if these books continue to move int this direction, the future of the series will be good.
March 26, 2010
Good Sword-and-Magic story...
I've read it mostly because it is a prelude to Onslaught, Legions and finally, Scourge.
But it's nice to read it, speacily if your looking for a fast plot, filled with betrayals, and where none isthe good guy... Everyone is after it's own agendas...
It's nice to finally see how the world of Magic The Gathering works from inside.
A must read (along with the other five books that suceed it) for everyone who wants to know Akroma's, Phage's and Khamâl's origins.
I've read it mostly because it is a prelude to Onslaught, Legions and finally, Scourge.
But it's nice to read it, speacily if your looking for a fast plot, filled with betrayals, and where none isthe good guy... Everyone is after it's own agendas...
It's nice to finally see how the world of Magic The Gathering works from inside.
A must read (along with the other five books that suceed it) for everyone who wants to know Akroma's, Phage's and Khamâl's origins.
May 25, 2014
incluso siendo un fanatico de magic se me ha hecho casi imposible acabarlo
July 8, 2021
Alot of fun to read. Kamahl is a great character.
Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews