Scan barcode
autumnalfaeriequeen's review
adventurous
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? N/A
- Strong character development? N/A
- Loveable characters? N/A
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A
5.0
moto1480's review
5.0
This was an excellent continuation of the worldbuilding that took place in the first volume. The highlight was the Chant of Light that was contained in the middle! All of the artwork was gorgeous. Bioware, make more Dragon Age so I can buy another volume!
vermidian's review
4.0
This book is so lovely. Seriously, it's so well designed and while it does go back over a lot that you learn in the games, it also gives you minute details you might have missed or that weren't ever mentioned. My only complaint is that it kind of glosses over character choices that might have been made which, while understandable, takes some of the wind out of the sails of the impact you clearly had on the companions and villains. Still, the book is lovely and huge and even has recipes in the back that I'm half tempted to give a try should the occasion arise. This is definitely a neat book.
shanbear16's review
5.0
This volume has a lot more to it than the first including recipes and children's stories. I like this one for the background on the various companions in each of the games.
gayancalime's review
so i didn't actually read ALL of this (i will at some point - but mostly i read the historical stuff) and wow WHAT A WORLD. i have so many questions, but mostly i am just. this is such amazing world building and i have said this four times this week but will these guys put on a worldbuilding workshop because god DAMN.
ayanamifaerudo's review
5.0
The World of Thedas is a necessary read when one needs/wants to better understand and explore Thedas. Unknown history, events that shaped the current Dragon Age and the people who were the catalysts of said events are chronicles in these must-have volumes.
While the Chantry played a large role, there is no denying that other religions and theologies also made a significant impact in the lives of the many. The Chant of Light was largely written by man after all.
There are children's stories and lullabies, written and crafted as a reflection of historical events not unlike the real world's own fairy tales.
There are also Thedosian recipes that, even if one recipe called for embrium, I would try to make... I think.
But my favorite parts are the insights on the characters surrounding the Hero of Ferelden, the Champion of Kirkwall and the Inquisitor.
Reading the World of Thedas made me love the game more.
While the Chantry played a large role, there is no denying that other religions and theologies also made a significant impact in the lives of the many. The Chant of Light was largely written by man after all.
There are children's stories and lullabies, written and crafted as a reflection of historical events not unlike the real world's own fairy tales.
There are also Thedosian recipes that, even if one recipe called for embrium, I would try to make... I think.
But my favorite parts are the insights on the characters surrounding the Hero of Ferelden, the Champion of Kirkwall and the Inquisitor.
Reading the World of Thedas made me love the game more.
samhain's review
5.0
The first volume felt like they simply organized the codex and, don't get me wrong, it was nice. I like when knowledge is neat and easy to access. But it still felt like a cheap way to capitalize on the games' success. It came short, especially when compared to other extended universe books. The World of Thedas, vol.2 is the exact opposite of its big brother.
Bringing more lore to the table, this volume also takes its art a lot more seriously, and it's nice to see the artists finally getting the respect they deserve. Thedas has more substance thanks to the space given to the concept art of landscapes, fashion styles, architecture, etc. Great additions are the painting styles from different cultures, and mentions of in-universe artists. Where the first volume made it look like the art and texts were scrambled together at the last minute, this one has obviously been crafted thoughtfully, with a clear final look in mind. It's still nowhere near A World of Ice and Fire's level of mixing art and lore, but it's way cooler than I thought it'd be.
Contrary to a lot of people, I feel like the excerpts from The Chant of Light were a smart addition. It gives material to the theory lovers among us, adds considerable chunks of lore that make the world feels tangible, and makes for very smooth transitions between the "sorted by game" sections. I've seen a lot of negative comments about these pages, but it's a detail that says a lot about the actual planning that went into this book (again, as opposed to vol. 1). They took this seriously, and it shows.
As someone who loves character-driven stories, it was amazing to get so many details about our beloved companions. I'm also impressed and appreciative of how they've dealt with the OCs. I like that Bioware has its own canon for the comics and books, but in a compendium it makes more sense to remain vague. Plus, it works in-universe too, since the technology doesn't allow for proper informations to be relayed all over Thedas. I'm sure that between the Shaperate and the return of the Eluvian network, scholars and future archeologists will be able to write the truth down at some point. But as of 9:45-9:46 (Tevinter Nights timeline), details about the game events being blurry for most people sounds about right.
All in all, I think that the extended-universe publications done while David Gaider was still working with Bioware felt like the DM of a tabletop RPG had tried to turn their notes and sessions into stories adapted to the litterature medium. Everything that has been published under Darrah, and especially Patrick Weekes' books/lore excerpts, have felt like a proper extended universe. The quality of the publications has skyrocketed, and I can only hope we get a volume 3 someday.
Bringing more lore to the table, this volume also takes its art a lot more seriously, and it's nice to see the artists finally getting the respect they deserve. Thedas has more substance thanks to the space given to the concept art of landscapes, fashion styles, architecture, etc. Great additions are the painting styles from different cultures, and mentions of in-universe artists. Where the first volume made it look like the art and texts were scrambled together at the last minute, this one has obviously been crafted thoughtfully, with a clear final look in mind. It's still nowhere near A World of Ice and Fire's level of mixing art and lore, but it's way cooler than I thought it'd be.
Contrary to a lot of people, I feel like the excerpts from The Chant of Light were a smart addition. It gives material to the theory lovers among us, adds considerable chunks of lore that make the world feels tangible, and makes for very smooth transitions between the "sorted by game" sections. I've seen a lot of negative comments about these pages, but it's a detail that says a lot about the actual planning that went into this book (again, as opposed to vol. 1). They took this seriously, and it shows.
As someone who loves character-driven stories, it was amazing to get so many details about our beloved companions. I'm also impressed and appreciative of how they've dealt with the OCs. I like that Bioware has its own canon for the comics and books, but in a compendium it makes more sense to remain vague. Plus, it works in-universe too, since the technology doesn't allow for proper informations to be relayed all over Thedas. I'm sure that between the Shaperate and the return of the Eluvian network, scholars and future archeologists will be able to write the truth down at some point. But as of 9:45-9:46 (Tevinter Nights timeline), details about the game events being blurry for most people sounds about right.
All in all, I think that the extended-universe publications done while David Gaider was still working with Bioware felt like the DM of a tabletop RPG had tried to turn their notes and sessions into stories adapted to the litterature medium. Everything that has been published under Darrah, and especially Patrick Weekes' books/lore excerpts, have felt like a proper extended universe. The quality of the publications has skyrocketed, and I can only hope we get a volume 3 someday.
voidslantern's review
4.0
big thanks to my friend daf for gifting me this book. it was rather hard for me to read though (russian language is getting hard and slowly erases itself from my memory with the lack of practice) but the art and the lore are quite intertaining. i also really like the red ribbon bookmark they added, this heavy boy really needs one. anyway, an enjoyable read for a fan!
More...