I stumbled across the original back in the late 80's and this settign is still amazing anfd years of detail have only improved it. Aan evocative setting that isn't so alien players will not be able to come to grips with it in a casual manner.<br><br> <b>LIKED</b>: The setting, that's all that is important in this book really and it of course oozes setting. If a GM can't whip up dozens of adventures just reading thru the book they shoudl just give up.<br><br><b>QUALITY</b>: Very Good<br><br><b>VALUE</b>: Very Satisfied<br>

An interesting look at something covered before in Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles/Bunnies and Burrows. Got to say the reviewer above me should really chill out though. Since when have kids learnt anything more from an RPG system than the most damage they can do.

Seriously, it's a game. Beer and Pretzels probably, or Twiglets if you're UK. :)

These people need to read Michael Chrichton's State of Fear and learn something. It's just this sort of human hating "education" that I don't want my kids learning. I'd rather they learn from D&D. Hey here's an idea, actually, go out and gather real world information from unbias scientists. I wouldn't normally care about this sort of hyperbole since you can usually say it's just a game, dude. However, when one of the selling points is that young roleplayers can use this false data to "learn" from, I have to call bunk.

I really liked the orginal, but I must say that this new version, with the City guides, the additional material, the editor's comments, was a signifigant improvement. I am sorry I waited so long in purchasing it. The additional artwork alone makes it an excellent investment.

A wonderful book. Reminiscent of the old Cyclopedia Talislantas, this book covers the Mirin, Rasmirin, and Ice Giants in great detail. The information on Urag and Yrmania is likewise very good. The Sinking Lands and Shadow Realm get comparitively little space, but there's really not a lot to tell about those two small lands that isn't covered.

Most of the book is flavor text dealing with the setting, but it isn't told from anyone's particular point of view. Written seemingly for players and game-masters alike this book is useful if planning a story set in these regions.

Included in the last chapter are 13 new archetypes presented in a similar manner to the ones from the 4th Edition Rulebook and the Midnight Realms. Much of the 'crunchy' information on the Malum, or Shadow Wizards, is lifted directly from Midnight Realms, but if you don't have that book then this is new stuff. There is also a bestiary section with 8 "new" creatures that old timers will remember from older Talislanta texts (although some of the 8 are new) but that also appear in the new Talislanta Bestiary (stats in Northern Reaches are not in d20).

A nice set of cardstock minis for the Talislanta player or Gm! With a game as singular as Talislanta, having a set of minis that can help the players visualize not only their characters, but the unique foes of Talislanta is a big asset! Now to get my paper windship built! The only thing I wish were in this set that isn't is some of the monsters of Tal. But a very small matter, that.

A good book, pleasantly illustrated, that remains however in the tradition of previous editions and doesn't revolutionize this venerable and old setting. Perhaps something more, like a D20 adaptation, might have given this edition a new light more different than earlier incarnations.

Baron Samedi

Well, I really can't find any negatives. The information appears well-researched, and accurate.

In fact, I'm using this to help with a school report. <br><br><b>LIKED</b>: Well, just about everything. <br><br><b>DISLIKED</b>: Hm...Nothing much. The prestige classes might not be necessary...<br><br><b>QUALITY</b>: Excellent<br><br><b>VALUE</b>: Very Satisfied<br>

As an avid reader of mafia books I was pleased to find a well researched supplement that revealed the treacherous day to day workings of the mafia and the lifestyles of it's members. Good slang and flavor text too. Too many books just tell you the mob's history and not much else. The crime section was a little sparse however (what about pornography the Mob's second biggest racket next to narcotics)and the book could have done with some illustrations depicting crimes and violence instead of old black and white mugshots of bygone war time gangsters. Also at $6:45 for 36 pages of actual info it's a bit pricey.

<br><br><b>QUALITY</b>: Acceptable<br><br><b>VALUE</b>: Disappointed<br>

This was an excellent first product release. I enjoyed reading it cover to cover.<br><br><b>QUALITY</b>: Acceptable<br><br><b>VALUE</b>: Satisfied<br>