E05. Casting with Cards

RIF - Episode E05

Book review: "Godkiller" by Hannah Kaner

A dark fantasy novel set in a world where gods exist but are often feared or hunted.
The main character, Kissen, is a mercenary known as a "Godkiller," who despises deities after they destroyed her family.
Kissen is drawn into an unexpected alliance with a young girl connected to a powerful god, forcing her to confront her beliefs.
She is a morally nuanced character whose personal struggles make her journey relatable and emotionally engaging.
Themes of Faith and Morality: the story explores deep themes like the nature of belief, revenge, and forgiveness, creating a thought-provoking narrative.
Well-paced action sequences
Score: 7.5/10 (Laurent)

Book review: "Twelve Jackals" by Moud Adel

A fantasy novel set in a divided world
where rival factions wield unique magic, but at a great cost—
using their powers shortens their lives.
The protagonist, Rakamai, leads his people in the land of Kala, where they strive for peace despite the looming threat of war from two newly allied enemy factions.
Rakamai is forced to navigate dangerous alliances and the deadly consequences of magic to protect his people and prevent their annihilation.
The novel combines elements of political intrigue, magic, and a strong moral dilemma
The intended target audience is more likely young-adult readers
Although stated differently, not really a detailed world-building and character-driven stories with a mix of action and ethical challenges
Score: 6.5/10 (Laurent)

Book review: "Sister, Maiden, Monster" by Lucy A. Snyder

A dark fantasy and horror novel that follows the transformative journeys of three women after a mysterious virus begins to reshape humanity.
Each woman undergoes a disturbing and powerful metamorphosis, drawing them into a nightmarish world of ancient horrors, monstrous entities, and cosmic forces.
The novel weaves themes of body horror, feminist commentary, and apocalyptic dread, making it a gripping read for fans of horror and speculative fiction.
Score: 7/10 (Marie-Noor)

A Collectible & Customizable Card Game
Created by Richard Garfield and first released in 1993 by Wizards of the Coast.
Initially designed as a quick and portable game for conventions, it revolutionized gaming by combining strategic card play with collectible elements.
Over the years, MTG has evolved with numerous expansions, adding new mechanics and deepening its rich lore.
Today, it boasts a massive global community, professional tournaments, and an online platform, making it a cornerstone of both tabletop and digital gaming.
MTG released over 100 expansion sets since its debut in 1993, with 3-4 sets typically released each year. These expansions introduce new mechanics, cards, and themes, continuously evolving the game.
As of 2023, MTG features over 25,000 unique cards.
The player base is estimated to be around 35 million globally. This includes casual players, collectors, and professional competitors in tournaments such as the Magic: The Gathering Pro Tour.

Players as powerful wizards called Planeswalkers
Battle using decks of cards representing creatures, spells, and magical artifacts
The goal is to reduce your opponent's life points to zero using strategy and resource management
Legacy: MTG revolutionized gaming, inspiring countless other card games and fostering a massive global community with tournaments, expansions, and a rich fantasy lore.

Strategic Complexity: MTG offers deep, engaging gameplay with endless strategies, catering to both casual and competitive players.
Customizable Deck Building: Players can create unique decks, allowing for creativity and personalization.
Thriving Community: MTG has a global player base, with frequent events, tournaments, and an active online presence.
Rich Fantasy Lore: The game’s evolving storylines and immersive worlds add depth to the gameplay experience.

High Cost: Collecting and building competitive decks can be expensive.
Steep Learning Curve: The game’s complex mechanics can be overwhelming for beginners.
Time-Consuming: Becoming proficient requires a significant investment of time.
Very complex: the game might be very overwhelming for new players to get into with so many mechanics, rules, different cards, etc.

“The Gods Below” by Andrea Stewart

Known for writing The Drowning Empire series, and the author is kicking off a new fantasy series in September.
"The Gods Below" is the first book in Stewart's Hollow Covenant trilogy, and it takes place in "a world ravaged by ancient magic."
Readers will follow Hakara, who sets out on a quest to find her sister. She's willing to take on the gods if she needs to — and it seems like such pushback against these deities isn't all that uncommon in The Gods Below.
Publication Sept.3, 2024

“Somewhere Beyond the Sea” by T.J. Klune

“The House in the Cerulean Sea”was one of the biggest fantasy books of 2020, and T.J. Klune is publishing a sequel in September 2024.
“Somewhere Beyond the Sea” promises to be as charming as its predecessor, and it may up the stakes for Arthur, Linus, and the magical kids they've sworn to protect.
Publication Sept.10, 2024

"Percy Jackson: Wrath of the Triple Goddess" by Rick Riordan

A new Percy Jackson book is always cause for celebration, and Rick Riordan will continue to explore Percy's senior year of high school in Wrath of the Triple Goddess.
The seventh installment of the Percy Jackson & the Olympians series, Wrath of the Triple Goddess serves as a direct sequel to 2023's The Chalice of the Gods. These recent additions to the series pick up with Percy trying to land a spot at New Rome University after graduation. To do so, he must go on three quests to get three letters of recommendation from the Greek gods.
Publication Sept.23, 2024

The Stormlight Archive #5: Wind and Truth, by Brandon Sanderson

The long-awaited explosive climax to the first arc of the “Stormlight Archive”―the iconic epic fantasy masterpiece
Has sold more than 10 million copies
1344 pages, Hardcover
Expected publication December 6, 2024