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A new threat looms on the horizon.
The long-awaited completion of Rath is approaching. The Dark Lord's plans to invade Dominaria will soon see fruition. Only the struggle for power in this artificial plane remains. Urza Planeswalker will not stop the Phyrexian empire.
Witness the creation of his nemesis.
The long-awaited completion of Rath is approaching. The Dark Lord's plans to invade Dominaria will soon see fruition. Only the struggle for power in this artificial plane remains. Urza Planeswalker will not stop the Phyrexian empire.
Witness the creation of his nemesis.
320 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published February 1, 2000
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516 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 reviews
August 3, 2018
This was probably some of the strongest writing in this series in a while. There were fairly well-developed characters with believable motivations. There was actual peril where I had no idea who might make it through to the end; characters risked and lost things. Not all heroes triumphed, and everyone was changed in some way.
It's sad that such basic things are accomplishments, but you can't say any of these things about many ultra-popular series lately (looking at you, Twilight).
It's sad that such basic things are accomplishments, but you can't say any of these things about many ultra-popular series lately (looking at you, Twilight).
April 5, 2025
At first, I wondered why they wouldn't just continue telling the tale of the Weatherlight crew, but getting into it, the book sucks you in. What an amazing read!
July 27, 2018
A decent entry in the Weatherlight/Dominaria saga that seems a bit out of place as it is set entirely on Rath and has no members of the Weatherlight crew (excepting some minor characters separated from the Weatheright in prior novels).
My biggest issue with the book is the way that both Greven il-Vec and a keynote Phyrexian Construct behave very differently then a reader of the series would expect. Greven bares little resemblance to his prior characterization, and the Phyrexian behaves nothing like we'd expect a Phyrexian construct to behave.
The book while pleasant, and necessary for story arc continuity, reminded me of one of the new Star Wars movies. Not a good thing.
My biggest issue with the book is the way that both Greven il-Vec and a keynote Phyrexian Construct behave very differently then a reader of the series would expect. Greven bares little resemblance to his prior characterization, and the Phyrexian behaves nothing like we'd expect a Phyrexian construct to behave.
The book while pleasant, and necessary for story arc continuity, reminded me of one of the new Star Wars movies. Not a good thing.
April 25, 2024
This book seems to take place during the same time as Mercadian Masques but on the plane of Rath. This was a tough read as none of the characters were really ones you would want to root for. In fact you find yourself actually hoping Rath would blow up. It’s a good story. Just drawn out and tough to get through.
July 16, 2024
Much like the previous book, this was just kinda alright. It picks up in the second half, but honestly not a lot happens. This and the last book could've probably been one book instead of two, so little happens in either of them and they both feel so dragged out. But the good parts are good, and it's unmistakably got the MTG charm.
September 18, 2019
Absolutely amazing. Starts out with Ertai being caught, and crovax fulfilling his destiny. Greven is awesome, beating Crovax ass until spine control. Beble was very interesting, like the romance. Mad volrath lost, should have won if not for ertai. Didn’t care too much for elves.
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April 4, 2024Read years ago
June 16, 2015
Honestly, this book turned out to be much better than I was expecting. I picked it out of a free book bin and decided to give it a chance in spite of a few faults which in another circumstance would have turned me off a book of this kind. These particular irks are the fact that it's part of a overly commercial franchise (Magic: the Gathering) and that it's the second tome in a trilogy I hadn't read at the time. I kept the book for almost a year or so before taking the decision to get rid of it, but as a enthused reader, I had to give it a chance before donating it.
This book focuses on the Phyrexian efforts to dominate Rath while they prepare for the invasion of Dominaria and the power struggle that occurs at the citadel when the Phyrexian evincar, Volrath, mysteriously disappears. To most this may seem as fanboy jargon but the narrative quickly manages to situate the reader. The characters that appear, for the most part, show some level of complexity and depth while inhabitating a world which comes across as plain and one dimensional. Perhaps I've become quite jaded due to exposure to other literary works or perhaps I'm simply not part of this novels target audience but I felt there where some plot holes in regards to the economy of Rath and the Phyrexian empire which would allow the situation that is presented to occur (How can an army lose several thousand troops without facing any immediate dificulties of repercusions? How is a holdfast able to recuperate quickly after a particualry destructive attack with no care as to material or human cost?). Never the less it's an enjoyable and stimulating fantastical setting filled with action and intrigue as well as compelling magical occurences. The story keeps a fast pace but seems to drag on a little longer than necessary towards the end. However I do recognize the effort that was spent by the author in creating a piece that acts as bridge in a larger narrative but does not require the previous book or the following one to stand on it's own and has a complete arc for the reader to enjoy.
I don't plan on rereading this book or revisting this universe. I'm still donating the book but I am glad I gave it a chance and did not miss an opportunity to explore the ficticious universe of Magic: the Gathering, a card game that gave me hours upon hours of entertainment during my adolescence.
This book focuses on the Phyrexian efforts to dominate Rath while they prepare for the invasion of Dominaria and the power struggle that occurs at the citadel when the Phyrexian evincar, Volrath, mysteriously disappears. To most this may seem as fanboy jargon but the narrative quickly manages to situate the reader. The characters that appear, for the most part, show some level of complexity and depth while inhabitating a world which comes across as plain and one dimensional. Perhaps I've become quite jaded due to exposure to other literary works or perhaps I'm simply not part of this novels target audience but I felt there where some plot holes in regards to the economy of Rath and the Phyrexian empire which would allow the situation that is presented to occur (How can an army lose several thousand troops without facing any immediate dificulties of repercusions? How is a holdfast able to recuperate quickly after a particualry destructive attack with no care as to material or human cost?). Never the less it's an enjoyable and stimulating fantastical setting filled with action and intrigue as well as compelling magical occurences. The story keeps a fast pace but seems to drag on a little longer than necessary towards the end. However I do recognize the effort that was spent by the author in creating a piece that acts as bridge in a larger narrative but does not require the previous book or the following one to stand on it's own and has a complete arc for the reader to enjoy.
I don't plan on rereading this book or revisting this universe. I'm still donating the book but I am glad I gave it a chance and did not miss an opportunity to explore the ficticious universe of Magic: the Gathering, a card game that gave me hours upon hours of entertainment during my adolescence.
December 30, 2016
Taking place at the same time as Mercadian Masques, NEMESIS chronicles the events on Rath after the Weatherlight escapes. Crovax and Ertai, left behind by Gerrard and Company, play spotlight roles in this book as they compete for the admiration and respect of Belbe (a great new Phyrexian character), who is to name the new evincar of Rath. The Rathi rebels, lead by Eldamari also play a significant role here, but the primary storyline revolves around the events at the Stronghold. The story is fairly exciting, with a number of surprising twists that I doubt you'll see coming. It will definitely entertain, and leaves you with a strong desire to pick up the next book.
The most intriguing character has got to be Crovax, who has become (thanks to Phyrexia) a psychotic killing machine that feeds off the souls of his victims to gain power. Very different than the Crovax we met in Rath and Storm. Greven il Vec also plays an important role here, and develops into a character you may actually start to like. Ertai and Belbe's unusual and doomed relationship is fun to read about, and adds another aspect to this highly interesting story.
Overall, this book is a good addition to the series. A strong 4-stars.
The most intriguing character has got to be Crovax, who has become (thanks to Phyrexia) a psychotic killing machine that feeds off the souls of his victims to gain power. Very different than the Crovax we met in Rath and Storm. Greven il Vec also plays an important role here, and develops into a character you may actually start to like. Ertai and Belbe's unusual and doomed relationship is fun to read about, and adds another aspect to this highly interesting story.
Overall, this book is a good addition to the series. A strong 4-stars.
July 4, 2016
I'm just flying through these M:TG books because I'm not really enjoying them, sadly.
For this book we switch back to Rath, where some of the Weatherlight crew got trapped at the end of Rath & Storm, and we follow their story, along with the denizens of Rath. Ertai really comes into his own here, and basically the main plot becomes him vs. Crovax to become the new evincar of Rath (chosen by this weird clone-woman the Phyrexians have sent to speak for them). This actually SOUNDS fairly awesome, when describing it, and I got the furthest through this book out of this trilogy, but holy hell did it quickly lose appeal. Everyone like ... LOSES dimensions as the book trundles along, become less interesting and more ho-hum. This is the book I desperately wanted to like out of this trilogy, but it just left me cold.
For this book we switch back to Rath, where some of the Weatherlight crew got trapped at the end of Rath & Storm, and we follow their story, along with the denizens of Rath. Ertai really comes into his own here, and basically the main plot becomes him vs. Crovax to become the new evincar of Rath (chosen by this weird clone-woman the Phyrexians have sent to speak for them). This actually SOUNDS fairly awesome, when describing it, and I got the furthest through this book out of this trilogy, but holy hell did it quickly lose appeal. Everyone like ... LOSES dimensions as the book trundles along, become less interesting and more ho-hum. This is the book I desperately wanted to like out of this trilogy, but it just left me cold.
June 12, 2022
A deviously dark read full of devastation and action. Forget about the story being in the world of MTG. Take this world and these characters as they are in this book alone.
The heroes are devastated or warped beyond moral recognition by a brilliantly written arch villian, Crovax, a vampire/cyborg who would take a village's elders and children hostage to demand allegiance from the adult population and then secretly kill off the hostages in cruel and unusual ways to drink in thier suffering souls.
The end wraps up nicely with the beginning, full of tears and a bit of twisted dark humor concerning the oily heart. The tragic hero is a nice surprise and twist. He is ultimatley not the hero for world you would expect, nor are we assured that he will be victorios for the ones he chose to save.
The heroes are devastated or warped beyond moral recognition by a brilliantly written arch villian, Crovax, a vampire/cyborg who would take a village's elders and children hostage to demand allegiance from the adult population and then secretly kill off the hostages in cruel and unusual ways to drink in thier suffering souls.
The end wraps up nicely with the beginning, full of tears and a bit of twisted dark humor concerning the oily heart. The tragic hero is a nice surprise and twist. He is ultimatley not the hero for world you would expect, nor are we assured that he will be victorios for the ones he chose to save.
March 6, 2012
My friends and I have a soft spot for Ertai after reading about him in the Rath and Storm. The way Paul tied this story together for him had me practically in tears before I was done. It all made sense, but argh why did it have to happen?
Hopefully the above doesn't seem too spoilery, rather, I would hope it entices anybody reading this to give the book a good read. Crovax is likewise handled quite well in his relation to Greven, Volrath and Ertai. How they all play out with Belbe at the head of everything is far and beyond amazing.
Hopefully the above doesn't seem too spoilery, rather, I would hope it entices anybody reading this to give the book a good read. Crovax is likewise handled quite well in his relation to Greven, Volrath and Ertai. How they all play out with Belbe at the head of everything is far and beyond amazing.
April 3, 2010
A gloriously dark read full of devastating action. The story rests well on its own and positively glows with the storyline of my favorite card game. Excellent book. =)
January 5, 2012
actually surprisingly good! ps i'm a big nerd
January 21, 2016
I've posted a full review of this book on my blog here:
http://www.geeky-guide.com/2010/10/bo...
http://www.geeky-guide.com/2010/10/bo...
November 21, 2016
An adorable little love story.
Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 reviews