Cardmaster

by Clayton Emery

The demon-haunted cardsmith's apprentice Byron struggles with his limited skills and attacks from mysterious enemies.  And when he comes into the possession of some very hot magic-bearing cards, he draws the attention of the cardmaster Cerise.  Soon they're off to the Great Game up in the mountains for virtual "war across the table".  Gangs of cardplayers will battle with sprawling card decks simulating armies and supplies and terrain.  The prize is leadership of three small kingdoms.  If Byron and Cerise can stay alive.  If the leaders aren't assassinated by a spying traitors.  And if the pillaging hordes of the Shinyar don't ravage the valley first!

Genres: Fantasy, Fiction

312 pages, Paperback

First published March 1, 1997

About the author

Clayton Emery is an umpteen-generations Yankee, Navy brat, and aging hippie who grew up playing Robin Hood in the forests of New England.

He's been a blacksmith, dishwasher, schoolteacher in Australia, carpenter, zookeeper, farmhand, land surveyor, volunteer firefighter, and award-winning technical writer.

He's a member of the Mystery Writers of America and Science Fiction/Fantasy Writers of America.

Clayton lives with his sweetie in Portsmouth, New Hampshire, where his ancestors came ashore in 1635.

From: http://www.claytonemery.com/CE_bio.html

Reviews

[Joshua Sloan · Rating 3 out of 5]

I like card games, I like magic, I liked Clayton Emery's MtG books. This one was just alright. It leaned a little too much into "for teenage boys" territory, and ended on a cliffhanger that was never resolved. But it had some interesting ideas.

[Ross Gillespie · Rating 4 out of 5]

A quick easy read, standalone fantasy with a bit of a pulp fantasy feel. It's left open for a sequel which I assume isn't going to happen at this point. Really enjoyed the card based magic system so it's a shame the book is so short.

[Noah · Rating 5 out of 5]

Hands down one of my favorite fantasies.

Perhaps a bit formulaic in construction, the basis on defunct CCG, Fantasy Adventures, gives a different flavor to its presentation.

[Shane Gardenhire · Rating 2 out of 5]

This book had a very interesting cover, which is what enticed me to read it but it was rather a let down. I thought the grammar choices were a bit odd and the characters were not fleshed out well at all! Characters made choices I don’t understand or solely made those decisions for the plot making sense, and feelings for other characters occurring where there was nothing prior!
It gets its two stars because it is a rather interesting idea for a book, though it is just for a card game but still fun regardless. I am still left confused about the demons though and what part they played 🤷🏻‍♂️ I guess I’ll never know.

[Rogue-van (the Bookman) · Rating 3 out of 5]

Apprentice cardsmith Byron was out of a job. His frozen master's home had burned. Byron was lucky to have escaped and to have salvaged all of the cards that Rayner had been working on. Unfortunately, guards of the Bishop of Waterholn and assorted cutthroats seemed to be after him as soon as he got out of the burning building. Cardmaster Cerise suggested they join forces and enter a game with kingdoms at stake.

Card players like myself are immediately drawn to the title. Who wouldn't want to be a cardmaster? Especially with enchanted cards that affect contests. Especially with special cards that have unknown powers.

Emery created an appealing, inept apprentice to muddle his way forward. He also threw in several appealing female characters to assist and a little lesbianism (not explicit). Lots of action. GOOD, if you like magic and spooky demons.