Stormslayer Review - A Gamebook by Terry Pratchett's Daughter

Rhianna Pratchett, known for her work on video games like Tomb Raider and Mirror's Edge, has ventured into the world of gamebooks. Writing must run in the family, as she is the daughter of the legendary author Terry Pratchett, creator of Discworld. This gamebook from the Fighting Fantasy series, titled Stormslayer, delivers a fascinating adventure and marks the author's debut in the genre! It is published in Czech by Mytago, which releases all their gamebooks in high-quality translations.

Story and Atmosphere

In Stormslayer, you become a member of the Sky Watch, an elite unit protecting the floating archipelago of Pangaria. One day, a part of the island of Nimbus crashes into the Ocean of Storms, and it is up to you to find out what happened and save what you can.

The Sky Realm of Pangaria is full of magical storms, dangerous creatures, and hidden threats that will test your skills and abilities. Fortunately, you don't have to worry about a complex system, as the rules are explained very clearly right at the beginning – it is the most well-crafted gamebook introduction I have ever read. Everything is explained in detail, making Stormslayer highly recommended for beginners.

The author excels at building atmosphere – this is not classic fantasy where you rely solely on a sword, but rather a modern world. I would compare it to the book Mortal Engines from the Hungry Cities Chronicles series. Besides combat, you will face situations that require strategic thinking. My advice? Loot everything. Everything! Think of it like an RPG where you need to explore every corner, talk to everyone, and collect everything.

Gameplay and Difficulty

As is customary, the system relies on traditional dice rolls and attribute points. I also appreciate that the author thought about moments when you don't have dice on hand, so you will find random dice numbers on some pages to help you during play.

The difficulty is balanced; you won't encounter any unfair traps, but always keep in mind that a wrong decision can cost you your life. The interactive choices are diverse, and the story offers several different paths. I must add that, unlike other gamebooks, I never got lost here and didn't even need to create any checkpoints. I really appreciate that there were no dead ends, and if there were, the book guided me back to a safe point.

You can even avoid some combat situations entirely. Use your wits and don't be afraid to try talking your way out of a situation first. Although, sometimes a fight brings interesting rewards…

Craftsmanship and Visuals

The book is beautifully illustrated, almost like a fairy tale. The cover won me over at first glance, and it even includes a sewn-in bookmark! The small format makes it an ideal travel companion, but I did find one downside – you need to handle it carefully to avoid damaging the spine, as the binding is not very flexible and doesn't like to stay open on the desired page.

The Czech translation is fluid and easy to read, which is important for titles that focus heavily on text and descriptions. I wouldn't hesitate to recommend this gamebook to younger readers as well, as it is neither graphic nor vulgar.

For collectors, there is also a special edition available, which includes not only the gamebook but also thematic crystal-shaped dice and many other goodies.

Final Verdict

Stormslayer is a fantastic addition to the gamebook genre, offering players an originally conceived world, a well-thought-out story, and balanced gameplay. Rhianna Pratchett proves she is a woman of many talents and delivers an adventure that has something to offer both newcomers and experienced players.

Oh, and I have a confession to make… We had our premiere together, and Stormslayer officially becomes the first gamebook I have ever finished on my first try! 🎉

Author: "Bunny" Dominika Mátyásiová