Brazen Gambit: Dark Sun, Chronicles of Athas, Book One

My experience with game-based fiction is limited to a few of the earliest Dragonlance novels, which I read in high school. I assume that the genre has its high and low points, like any genre, and I can only imagine the difficulty of trying to write a story that is truly one's own while hampered by the necessity of remaining true to the particulars of someone else's universe. The Brazen Gambit seems to be a successful attempt. This is my introduction to the world of Athas (except for a few gaming articles in Dragon magazine back in the days when the setting was officially suppoerted--I never used the setting myself). Abbey manages to introduce the unique aspects of Athas as the reader needs to know them, but without making the exposition too clumsy or obvious; this process is aided by having the protagonist (and, to a lesser extent, other characters) interact with a culture that is foreign to him. Abbey is also able to convey some idea of the recent history that seems to have occurred (perhaps dealt with in the two previous Dark Sun series, which I have not read). The plot is interesting but not especially original; the ending is a blatant (and, in fact, almost literal) instance of deus ex machina ("god from the machine," an element of Greek drama in which one of the gods would descend to the stage and arbitrarily set things right) which works precisely because one doesn't expect a writer to have the nerve to try it. The solution is simple (but not obvious on Athas, perhaps, with its intrigue and shifting alliances): to tattle on the wrongdoer. This, I assume, is the brazen gambit of the title. It's not totally flawless, of course; the psychology seems forced at times. Even on Athas, some nonsuperficial motivation is needed for a character's turning toward or away from the "dark side;" this is not wrestling, where even the slightest provocation or miscommunication is grounds for transformation into a "bad guy." Additionally, there are some minor inconsistencies in the way the clairvoyant druids diagnose the protagonist's mental state (i.e. "broken") and the evidence we see within his own internal thought process. He doesn't think or react as one would expect of someone whose psyche is as fractured as the druids say it is. I enjoyed it, and intend to read the rest of the Dark Sun Novels. The other four novels in the "Chrnicles of Athas" series appear to stand alone; this doesn't seem to be a continuous chronicle, at least according to the synopses. Those gamers interested in exploring Athas (which doesn't appear to have been supported in print for about a decade) might want to visit athas.org, which is a fan-based site that has Wizards of the Coast's approval as the official resting place of Dark Sun on the Internet, and contains new (official) material.

This book is without a doubt my favorite in all the Dark Sun books. Pavek is a memorable and very human character and deals very human-ly with everything he comes up against. The reader really feels for him and his companions throughout the entire book.

I love this book. The main character, Pavek, is a memorable fellow right down to his snarly lip. The problems he faces are both interesting and entertaining. The book has that street sense theme to it as it smoothly leads you from the surface of the city into the frightening secrets of the underground world. Another bonus to this book is it doesn't have those grey areas that seem to take longer to read because of lack of interest. I think ... why not take a journey to Lynn's city of Urik. You won't regret it!

The best of the Dark Sun books to be published, though not the best of Abbey's own work. Possibly because of TSR guidelines, but who really knows? The book is still enjoyable, and with the exception of Abbey's sequals (of which The Rise and Fall of a Dragon King is the best, surpassing even this) the only Dark Sun book that captures the world it was set in. The book features Pavek as its hero, and while a jaded, depressed, lost templar, he is a likable hero--a stark change from the farm boys who will be king, blah, blah, blah... You understand. And he has his good sides and bad, which is another change for books shot out of the cannon by TSR. I won't go into details of the plot, since most are simplistic enough as they are, but I read the whole thing in one sitting: which says that I didn't want to put it down and turn on the TV instead. The style is Abbey's own, the characters are working well, and the dialogue is crisp--all a plus, and all making it a good read. And Hamanu is excellent. He alone is worth the price of admission (which is why the Rise and Fall of a Dragon King is better). So, verdict: a pleasent book, with a good style, and likable characters that are not farm boys who will be kings and other such useless trash. I read it and I liked it.

A chronicle of Athas. Well written gripping story. Lots of Adventure and a few twists. Any Reader of Dark Sun fiction will love it and others who read it will be hooked and looking for more adventures of Athas, desert home of the Dragon Kings