Sequels tend to disappoint. This story, however, bucks that trend. The basic setup at first appears to be the same as the first (souls are missing and and it is Salim's job to find what is happening), but it has a nice opening twist of Salim being in trouble because of how the previous book ended so someone else is being sent in to run a concurrent investigation. Like last time we go to the planes. Not the same planes as last time and where we go is a nice change. The descriptions of those planes are wonderfully done. Along we way we have a number of other twists that keep this story fresh and exciting while still feeling familiar. This story is a worthy sequel.
Unlike the last book, I was not able to figure out who was behind it until it was revealed. The details were all there but were nicely obscured. And the ending is one that I wish Joss Whedon would direct should a movie of this ever be made.
This book gets a hardy recommendation and a request for additional books by Sutter being written, whether about the character Salim or a new character.
I should add that it was nice that the author of this book set it in a location he detailed in the Pathfinder Campaign Setting (or Chronicles, as it was known at the time) line. He has far more intimate knowledge of the setting than anyone and he did an excellent job bringing it to life.
Alaeron and Skiver are back at it again, this time in the hellish hellscape that is Numeria. If you enjoy Tim Pratt's writing, those more science oriented trying to figure out strange technologies, or the main characters surrounded by a bunch of evil people that a group of bandits and pirates turn out to be the reliable ones, then you've come to the right story.
I don't know about you, but I'm tired of starting off at low level and facing Kobolds and goblins and orcs again. Same chunks of XP, different day. Enter Classic Monsters Revisited. There is very little crunch in this book. It is a book for any DM that wants to make their old standbys fresh and new to even the most seasoned gamer. Use a bugbear as night stalker with a necklace of ears. Or a kobold as a spy. No matter what, this book is excellent if you want new from the old. And the goblin song is reprinted here as well (with the 9th verse).
Wishlists and Lists
Wishlists allow you to track products you'd like to buy, or—if you make a wishlist public—to have others buy for you.
