Fighting Fantasy: Sorcery! The Shamutanti Hills

I assumed that this would be identical inside to the original edition with the red zig zag along the top- in particular, the original pen drawings by John Blanche, which created a big part of the atmosphere. The new ones by Vlado Krizan are very much the contemporary type of illustration- they look like they're drawn on a computer, with shading replacing the intricate linework of the original edition. I'm not saying that the new ones are bad, but they are as different as you can get from the originals, which were something out of the ordinary and really quite exceptional. These are not as interesting, in my mind- a bit more run-of-the-mill, but I like hand-done line drawings- that's just personal taste. What the line drawings possess is a very intense atmosphere. The black blood spatters on the new version that come here and there in the book are pretty dismal- no subtlety or finesse there. If the drawings are important to you, then check the edition before buying, but you may prefer the new ones.As for the book as a whole, it's fine. Easy to die. Steve Jackson does a bit of trolling of the reader. You may like to read Nathan P Mahney'd blog: The Adventure Ends Here. This is a step beyond the green series, with the interesting feature of your being able to gain items and information to help you in the next book in the series- Khare, Cityport of Traps. I came through this with a friend to call on and accompanying page reference, and a page ref for a secret way into the city.

I remember this from my childhood as a thrilling experience. The game mechanics, which require you to remember 3-letter mnemonics for the spells, make for an interesting difference, and you really do feel different to the usual "adventurer".Of course, most of the mood of the originals was set by the incredible artwork of John Blanche. For this imprint, the publishers have incomprehensibly commissioned completely new artwork, and I'm afraid it does not compare well to the original. On the other hand, if I had never read the original, I could accept the new artwork - most of it is quite good. But the new artwork is much simpler, and some of it feels like art for children's literature (!), which does not appeal to me. Do the publishers think they are going to capture a new audience? Some of the artwork is skillfully poised so that an adult might feel they were reading a graphic novel, and a child might not be too put off.Of course, part of thrill of the Sorcery! series is that it is a long quest and you will only be one-fifth of the way through it by the end of this book.

Great book, I have the original print versions in storage and bought this book for my child to get into different styles of reading/writing.Went through once (minus the five finger hold) with my boy and despite doing what we thought was the better option we soon met a brutal end.I only hope Share, Seven Serpents and the Crown of Kings also get a re-release.

Loved these books as a kid, and the fighting fantasy too. Was a bit worried about going back after all this time, but the enjoyment was still there. It is a classic format, and a great adventure too. And, obviously, kids should get off of their phones and read these and go on an adventure.

Brilliant book all round I look forward to reading the next 2 in the series hopefully they will be re-printed soon…Very pleased with the content