Magic - The Gathering Cards

by Ben Bleiweiss

[annieb123]

Originally published on my blog: Nonstop Reader.

Magic - The Gathering Cards is an encyclopedic look at the cards, sets, and promo cards associated with MtG. It's set up as a valuation guide as well as a pictorial guide to the cards themselves. Released 30th Oct 2018 by collector/ephemera mavens Krause in partnership with F+W Media, it's 512 pages and available in paperback and ebook formats.

I grew up near Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, an early avid market for MtG. We used to gather often at a local comic shop and play magic and hang out. Eventually, I graduated, got married, had kids, etc, but I still remember the games very fondly. At this point, my son (who is geeky and a gamer) also plays MtG and the cycle continues.

This book has a relatively specific focus. It won't help with strategy or deck building or any game play. What it does, and does very well, is contain pictorial references and values for all the cards. There is a bewildering array of different releases and versions. This book also does a pretty good job of explaining the differences between the different editions.

I enjoyed the sidebars about alternate cards from other countries including some fun trivia about alternate art on different releases and promos.

Four stars, good book with a specific focus that it does very well.

Disclosure: I received an ARC at no cost from the author/publisher for review purposes.