Steve Jackson, Ian Livingstone present Scorpion Swamp (Fighting fantasy gamebooks)

First of all I just have to say it is *extremely* ironic that the writer of the very first FF gamebook by a sub-author (i.e. someone other than Steve Jackson or Ian Livingstone) was in fact another Steve Jackson!But irony aside, I've always been very impressed with this gamebook and its innovative ideas. Steve II's very original experiments (e.g. being able to retrace your steps, paramount map-making and being able choosing different missions at the start) are very clever and makes the book very enjoyable. After all, making a map in the swamp is much more realistic when you're simultaneously having to do the same in your own home!Many have perished in Scorpion Swamp because few find their way out. Simply because compasses don't work. There is some kind of magnetism (or magic?) all around that hellhole, not to mention the vast fog covering the place which prevents reading the stars.Without giving away too much I'll explain how one finds one self in the nastiest swamp in northern Khul (or possibly all Khul). Before the first paragraph you stumble upon a magical device which allows the user to not only always know which way north is, but also whether or not to trust strangers. Armed with this new tool you are thus able to explore the swamp, and off you go! (Despite protests from cautious villagers.)And pretty soon you will find yourself in a swamp with loathsome beasts, twisting paths, giants, orcs, crocodiles, wizards, goblins, and of course, scorpions. And as I said there are three different missions you may choosen at the start - so once you sucessfully complete one you can always do another!Steve Jackson jnr really made a hit here and Duncan Smith's great illustrations were certainly a help.