Customer Reviews

Invasion: Invasion Cycle, Book I

5 star:		(9)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(2)

 

 

A great and bloody novel. Richly detailed and well-written. You should definitely try this out!

I've been a Magic player for many years now (since 1994), and I wanted to explore more of the universe by reading up on the graphic novels associated with the storylines of the cards. Around the Mercadian Masques block, WoTC (Wizards of the Coast) started releasing "Fat Packs," which were a box set that included: five booster packs, two premium "foil" cards, a 20-sided life counter die, and the novel for the set. So, Invasion rolled around, and I decided to buy one, mostly to get the book. When I read it, I was extremely disappointed.

The storyline is OK. J. Robert King was probably told how the characters need to interact, and what their ultimate goal is going to be. But his writing style drove me nuts; short, choppy sentences that high-schoolers are taught not to do. (At least I was taught not to do it) The way he illustrates his writing style is frustrating and almost comical, and after getting through the entire book, I winced knowing that I'd have to get Planeshift and Apocalypse to finish what I'd begun. Eagerly, as the sets were released, I crossed my fingers, hoping J. Robert King hadn't written them, but this wasn't the case. Both of these books were written in the same annoying style, and it completely destroyed any sense of entertainment the book had for me.

I don't recommend this book, or any other written by J. Robert King for the Magic series. Pick up Jeff Grubb's "The Brother's War" instead, if you're looking for a good Magic novel. You'll enjoy that one.

I've been an avid fantasy reader for over 5 years, and am a former Magic: The Gathering player. Although i don't play anymore, I believe it is a great card game, and this novel just doesn't do it's justice. Perhaps this is because I've read...well...GOOD fantasy, but regardless of this, this book is geared for children no older than 12. The book is simply a carnage-fest, and has no depth to it. The characters develop ever so slowly, mainly because Wizards of the Coast told poor J. Robert King to constrain the events of dozens of characters into a 300 page novel. Personally, this author wrote this book pitifully, and if this is his best work, then he should give up on writing.

This book is a great start to the Invasion cycle. This book is richely detailed and every character (including the least important) play an imporant role. The only fault is, this book is an advanced-reaging book; and it is pretty bloody. Over all, you would be pretty dumb if you like Magic books and don't get this one.

Invasion, Planeshift, Apocalypse

In a word dull.

This trilogy represents an attempt to extend what would have been a reasonably interesting and well paced novel into a trilogy, with the predictable outcome that its slow, repetitive and over-explained.

With few exceptions the characters are shallow, often cutout classical archetypes, who react in painfully predictable ways, rendered in scenes that are excruciatingly repetitive, rich in pointless grapic depictions of action sequences that do nothing to move the story forward, and in fact bog it down. The reader is dragged from climax to inexorable climax and in too many cases can't help but have guessed whats going to be on the next page before reading it.

The vocabulary is rich but jarring; it feels like the author used a thesaurus, desperate to relieve the monotony of seeing the same sequence of events playout with slight variations over and over and over again.

that this book was poorly written. I give it 3 stars because I haven't read it and it wouldn't be fair to give it a 1 based on what I know about it. At the same time I doubt it would be deserving of a 5.

This book is an exciting account of the first stages during the Phyrexian Invasion of Dominaria. Chapters are short (only about 4 or 5 pages each) but provide a very accurate description of each event as it happens, step-by-step. It flows at a very fast pace and the action doesn't slow much until after the Llanowar chapters. Even then there's plenty of action to go around. A very exciting battle concludes the book, leaving more questions to be answered by the sequel, Planeshift. Character development is also very well done and you really begin to feel for some of them during the later chapters. Overall I was very pleased by the detail of each event and the pace at which the book moves along. I do recommend, however, that you read Time Streams (also by J. Robert King) because it poses as sort of a prequel to the characters and events in this book. If you didn't read Time Streams, don't worry, the book reviews many of the events and happenings of Time Streams in detail.

The book had a great plot to it, making you want to keep reading. The large vocabulary and elaboration really expresses what is happening in that point of the book. It also explains thoroughly about what has happened in the previous books so you're not lost if you begin with reading this book. Also, it really gives you a good picture of what the scenery is at the time.

After reading this book (witch was a gift) it helped understand the game of Magic a lot better. I recommend this book to all readers no matter the age. if you like thrilling books this is the on for you

Invasion moves into the action very quickly. There is a sad and gloomy part though, the demise of Weatherlight's navigator, Hanna. That chapter brought tears to my eyes. Poor Hanna *sniff*. This could actually be J. Robert King's best book. Invasion brings a creepy villan on the scene. Her name: Tsabo Tavoc. This book is addictave and has a little of everything: sadness, desperate moments, great moments, views of evil ( more precicely, Phyrexians and Tsabo Tavoc ) and a whole lot more.