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Magic: The Gathering: Artifacts Cycle #0-1
Magic: The Gathering: Artifacts: Cycle I
For the first time ever, the prequel and book 1 of the Artifacts Cycle together in one volume.
Before the Brothers' War, before the five colors of magic, before history itself, Dominaria was ruled by the Thran, an ancient race who built machines and artifacts, the likes of which have never been seen since. But amid this civilization, a shadow took root, one that would stretch its arms across space and time. Amid this ancient civilization's advances, the hideous evil of Phyrexia was born.
Years later, a conflict between the brothers Urza and Mishra over the supremacy on the continent of Terisiaire escalates with the discovery of an ancient artifact, a remnant of the Thran, but with it comes the peril that befell them.
The classic origin story of planeswalker Urza sets the stage for the new age of Magic. This single volume represents two of the most popular Magic stories.
Contents:
The Brothers' War [Artifacts Cycle • 1] [Magic: The Gathering • 4] (1998) / novel by Jeff Grubb: Dominarian legends speak of a mighty conflict, obscured by the mists of history. Of a conflict between the brothers Urza and Mishra for supremacy on the continent of Terisiare. Of titantic engines that scarred and twisted the very planet. Of a final battle that sank continents and shook the skies.
The Thran [Magic: The Gathering • 11] (1999) / novel by J. Robert King: Before the Brothers' War. Before the five colors of magic. Before history itself, the plane of Dominaira was ruled by the Thran. They built machines and artifacts, the likes of which have never since been seen. But amid this civilization, a shadow took root, one that would stretch its arms across space and time.
Before the Brothers' War, before the five colors of magic, before history itself, Dominaria was ruled by the Thran, an ancient race who built machines and artifacts, the likes of which have never been seen since. But amid this civilization, a shadow took root, one that would stretch its arms across space and time. Amid this ancient civilization's advances, the hideous evil of Phyrexia was born.
Years later, a conflict between the brothers Urza and Mishra over the supremacy on the continent of Terisiaire escalates with the discovery of an ancient artifact, a remnant of the Thran, but with it comes the peril that befell them.
The classic origin story of planeswalker Urza sets the stage for the new age of Magic. This single volume represents two of the most popular Magic stories.
Contents:
The Brothers' War [Artifacts Cycle • 1] [Magic: The Gathering • 4] (1998) / novel by Jeff Grubb: Dominarian legends speak of a mighty conflict, obscured by the mists of history. Of a conflict between the brothers Urza and Mishra for supremacy on the continent of Terisiare. Of titantic engines that scarred and twisted the very planet. Of a final battle that sank continents and shook the skies.
The Thran [Magic: The Gathering • 11] (1999) / novel by J. Robert King: Before the Brothers' War. Before the five colors of magic. Before history itself, the plane of Dominaira was ruled by the Thran. They built machines and artifacts, the likes of which have never since been seen. But amid this civilization, a shadow took root, one that would stretch its arms across space and time.
720 pages, Paperback
First published June 2, 2009
17 people are currently reading
329 people want to read
About the author
Jeff Grubb
198 books194 followersHe is an author and game designer.
See more at http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jeff_Grubb
See more at http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jeff_Grubb
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Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews
November 13, 2014
The Thran by J. Robert King: I've been burned by a lot of the Magic: The Gathering tie-in novels in the past (in fact, you can read my rant about tie-in novels in general HERE), but I was genuinely surprised by J. Robert King's The Thran. The book was genuinely enjoyable and entertaining. Part of the credit should go to King for writing what is essentially an epic political thriller. It probably also helped that I was reading the book during the 2014 Ebola outbreak and saw firsthand how a disease can be politicized by world governments. (3 stars)
The Brothers' War by Jeff Grubb: The second book in the volume begins to suffer from some of the problems I've complained about previously: poor editing, some bad construction. Grubb's work is saved, though, by the story. This is the epic of the MTG multiverse, though it must be noted that Ashnod is the most interesting character here, not the titular brothers. (3 stars)
The Brothers' War by Jeff Grubb: The second book in the volume begins to suffer from some of the problems I've complained about previously: poor editing, some bad construction. Grubb's work is saved, though, by the story. This is the epic of the MTG multiverse, though it must be noted that Ashnod is the most interesting character here, not the titular brothers. (3 stars)
January 8, 2024
The Thran: a foundation to the MTG setting
The Thran are a heavy magic civilization in the Plane of Dominaria the early MTG setting. Yawgmoth a doctor is called in to heal one the city's greatest artificer. The charismatic healer has far greater plans than just being a healer. And a plague is just the right time to slowly siege power for his own purpose
In most effects this is one of the founding books of the MTG lore as we know it. Yawgmoth is one of the greatest villains in the MTG setting and the one to create the first Pherexians. As such most fans of the MTG lore already know that things can't have a happy ending and that Yawgmoth will become a true monster, if he is not already. While sometimes a bit eclectic, and the characters reasoning a bit simplistic at times, this was a novel I greatly enjoyed. Our main protagonist really is a magnificent bastard. A man worthy of the title Main Villain in any book.
Four stars!
Review for the second part to follow
The Thran are a heavy magic civilization in the Plane of Dominaria the early MTG setting. Yawgmoth a doctor is called in to heal one the city's greatest artificer. The charismatic healer has far greater plans than just being a healer. And a plague is just the right time to slowly siege power for his own purpose
In most effects this is one of the founding books of the MTG lore as we know it. Yawgmoth is one of the greatest villains in the MTG setting and the one to create the first Pherexians. As such most fans of the MTG lore already know that things can't have a happy ending and that Yawgmoth will become a true monster, if he is not already. While sometimes a bit eclectic, and the characters reasoning a bit simplistic at times, this was a novel I greatly enjoyed. Our main protagonist really is a magnificent bastard. A man worthy of the title Main Villain in any book.
Four stars!
Review for the second part to follow
December 30, 2020
All in all, in terms of depth, I felt that the first book was a bit like the Hobbit while the second one was more like Lord of the Rings .
The Thran - At times some of the motives felt too simplistic. The action was sometimes melodramatic and the battle descriptions overly epic. There were only a few characters and I quickly grew tired of some of them. However, I think reading it provides important context to the Brothers War. 3/5
The Brothers War - From the first pages I already enjoyed this book more. The scenery/atmosphere descriptions and dialogue felt deeper. I liked the character development and the richer selection of main and side characters. This book could easily be read without caring for the MtG universe - it is just an exciting fantasy tale of two brothers and various kingdoms in a vast land. 5/5
The Thran - At times some of the motives felt too simplistic. The action was sometimes melodramatic and the battle descriptions overly epic. There were only a few characters and I quickly grew tired of some of them. However, I think reading it provides important context to the Brothers War. 3/5
The Brothers War - From the first pages I already enjoyed this book more. The scenery/atmosphere descriptions and dialogue felt deeper. I liked the character development and the richer selection of main and side characters. This book could easily be read without caring for the MtG universe - it is just an exciting fantasy tale of two brothers and various kingdoms in a vast land. 5/5
May 28, 2019
Pretty much the first MTG book I read, pretty good read about the history of the Thran and Brothers War.
March 23, 2021
I have reviews up for The Thran and The Brothers' War that I would point you to instead. The combination of both of them in one volume is fantastic.
September 16, 2011
I love these books, and I'm really glad they re-released them, or I could have never found copies. To be honest I didn't expect much from a book based on a trading card game, but these books were REALLY good. The characters are all multifaceted and have there own motivations. This book also does a ridiculously good job of making you hate the villain, and I mean HATE him. I should note this is actually 3 books, all very good. The books are The Thran and The Brother's War
Edit: I should point out that the trading card game is actually based on the books, but due to the time it takes to write them they come out after the set that they are related to(yes they still write new ones in the same continuity, and yes they are still great)
Edit: I should point out that the trading card game is actually based on the books, but due to the time it takes to write them they come out after the set that they are related to(yes they still write new ones in the same continuity, and yes they are still great)
Currently reading
September 19, 2011Just finished the first part of the book, The Thran. It was, for the lack of a better word, interesting. The book was well written and was easy to read. I could not muster any sort of connection to the characters. I knew what Yawgmoth was going to become so it was tedious at times. I felt bored and indifferent with Glacian. Rebbec, that was the only character that I had an inkling for and that was dislike. It was a frustrating book. Not in the sense it was bad. I was frustrating because Yawgmoth's evil seemed more than apparent and the characters in the book were blind. I'm just beginning to read the second part, The Brother's War.
September 11, 2012
This is a decent book to learn the lore and history of the world of Magic: The Gathering. It has detail, but sadly, it isn't rich or gripping. Emotional scenes fall dreadfully short and leave the reader a bit cheated. Again, if you want more information on how M:TG began, this is worth the quick thumb through.
February 12, 2015
Finished both books finally, it only took six years from when I started. Hahaha
July 17, 2014
Read for the villain. Abandon for the twenty-some-odd long series with boring protagonist.
February 3, 2015
I am almost done with the 4th part of the 1st part of the 1st double book. It is amazing.\
Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews