Dragon Age: Asunder Mass Market Paperback – April 29, 2014

Time to write another review.Welcome to Asunder, and a world that has received the news of what transpired in Kirkwall and is, understandably, none too happy about it. As you may recall, in Dragon Age 2, our psychopathic companion known as Anders decided it might be a good idea to stuff some TNT in the Chantry because "fireworks are cool." The templars, however, didn't get the joke and decided to put everyone through the blade.If I'd had my way, the Qunari would be ruling Kirkwall now.Anyway, this event has served to rile up the mages throughout Thedas and put the templars on high alert in case anyone tries for a repeat. The mages, as usual, demand more freedom, even if some of them don't know what that is, while the templars would be more than happy to tighten the noose all the way to the Maker. Between them stands the Chantry and Divine Justinia V who has her own agenda to try and bridge the gap between the two and is at least ten times more proactive than Elthina, thank the Maker!In this volatile situation, Wynne, one of the Warden's companions from Dragon Age: Origins, recruits mages Rhys and Adrian, along with a reluctant templar by the name of Evangeline, to find a Tranquil that may or may not have found a way to undo the Rite of Tranquility. As if the templars didn't have enough on their plates already.SPOILERS FOLLOWFirst, let's talk about the Templar v Mage conflict. I was pleasantly surprised to find that the author actually addressed this subject quite skillfully. Yes, you do have the expected zealots on both sides but, and this is the important bit, you can empathize with them even if you don't necessarily sympathize.Lord Seeker Lambert is dead set against giving the mages more freedoms but he makes his case to Evangeline and it's a good one. He tried to help them initially and got burnt for it by the same people he was trying to help. To be sure, I felt that, in his own way, he was trying to prevent events coming to a head. Naturally, within the constraints of his own beliefs.On the part of the mages, Adrian is an easy character to hate though perhaps hate is too strong a word. Adrian is Lambert's mirror, in the sense that she is a zealot as well, a strong advocate for the mages' freedom and she's willing to do anything to achieve that goal no matter the cost. Indeed, she comes across as very manipulative and eager to forego the only friend she has for the sake of "the cause." So even if I didn't particularly like her as a person I can understand where she's coming from because she's giving voice to a group of mages that feel the same way.To counterbalance these characters we have Evangeline, the templar, and Rhys, the mage. Initially, their views resemble those of Lambert and Adrian somewhat but, as the story progresses, they realize that things are not quite so black and white and they acknowledge something needs to change if war is to be averted.Personally, I think I liked Evangeline more than Rhys, even though I liked them both. Rhys' character, while very perceptive, isn't quite sure what he believes in until, perhaps, the very end of Asunder. I suppose it's understandable given how both Adrian and Wynne try to win him over to the Libertarians and the Aequitarians respectively. His occasional outbursts, which he blames on his temper, only seem to be there in order to drive the plot. Evangeline, on the other hand, is a character who knows who she is (if that makes any sense). She sincerely believes in what the Templar Order stands for and, confronted by the reality that its purpose has been corrupted through time, she forges her own path, always clinging to that core belief.Nonetheless, there are a few things that disappointed me somewhat.First of all, I truly wanted to know more about Pharamond's research. I understand nobody really cared about that beyond the Divine, but I was intrigued. There seemed to be a connection to what happened in Dragon Age 2 when Anders tried to rescue Karl. Will it play a part in Inquisition? I hope so.Second, the attempt on the Divine. Unless I missed something, it is never explained how a mage managed to get so close to the Divine. It is hinted at that he could have been helped by the templars so they'd have an excuse to beat the crap out of some mages but the issue of how he got there is never resolved. I suppose in the large scheme of things it matters little but I would've liked to know nonetheless.Finally, and this really took me by surprise, there's the small matter of what transpires between Evangeline and Arnaud when Wynne and company exit Adamant fortress with Pharomond in tow. Considering Lambert had given Evangeline strict instructions to ensure Pharomond's demise (and possibly everyone else's), and seeing as he didn't trust her enough that he sent Arnaud with a bunch of templars, I honestly expected a fight to ensue. Truly, it could not have gone any other way and I fail to see how it did. Arnaud wasn't exactly reasonable throughout the story and he certainly shared in the Lord Seeker's views so it would have made more sense if he'd decided to kill Evangeline and the mages rather than let them go. This was probably the only moment where I felt the author had done something out of character.Asunder ends with a conclave where the mages decide what's to become of them. Like I said before, Rhys' character comes together at this point and, consequently, it's a shame we don't get to read more of the aftermath of said meeting. For the templars' part, they decide they've had enough of the Chantry's platitudes and break apart together with the Seekers.War is coming, there's no doubt about that. Will we read some more of it before Inquisition or will it become Inquisition? Only time will tell. For now though, if you're a fan of Dragon Age, there's no doubt in my mind you should read this book. This is Dragon Age 2 as it should've been: a nuanced and balanced approach to the conflict between templars and mages with strong, relatable, characters whose actions make sense within the narrative.There's also this guy named Cole...

Really gives insight into the mage Templar conflict, and poor Cole's backstory. Would most definitely recommend to read as well as the masked empire.

One of the most intriguing struggles depicted in the Dragon Age universe is between the Circle of Magi and the Templar Order. The basic premise is that mages are kept locked up in the setting, forbidden from using their talents save under the careful supervision of the anti-magic trained knights of the Chantry (Thedas' equivalent of the Catholic Church). The mages, naturally, resent this treatment as they can't help how they were born. What saves this from being a clear-cut metaphor for oppression is that mages, unlike real-life minorities, are a threat to the common good. They are haunted by demons and possess powers which could easily result in the deaths of thousands. One of the earliest missions in Dragon Age: Origins deals with the discovery of an eight-year-old who, in a moment of desperation, makes a pact with a demon and unleashes a horde of undead on his hometown. There are also mages who brutalize and abuse normal human beings, the latter who are helpless to resist. It's basically the fantasy version of the X-men, only Henry Peter Gyrich and Senator Kelly are given a sympathetic portrayal. Dragon Age: Asunder focuses squarely on the Mage versus Templar issue. I'll be honest, when I first heard about this, I was of mixed feelings. Dragon Age 2 devoted a great deal of time to this issue and I came away hating both factions. It was like being forced to choose between Magneto and the Sentinels. Neither side came out smelling like roses and there was no sign of a reasonable third option. I decided to side with the mages in Dragon Age 2 but I came away feeling that the Templars were being given the short end of the stick. Asunder avoids most of these pitfalls. It has the remarkably unique idea of giving both sides likable members and showing the dark side of each side too. As a result, it feels like a much more balanced group and while there's an air of triumph to the ending--you also feel like events have escalated to a point which they didn't have to. The premise of Asunder is Senior Enchanter Rhys, a high-ranking mage, has long supported independence from the Chantry. His estranged mother, Origin's Wynne, believes this attitude is foolish and invites reprisal from numerous sources. After the events of Dragon Age 2, tensions between the Templars and mages have reached a boiling point. You don't have to have played the aforementioned games to understand the game but, frankly, why are you reading tie-in fiction if you haven't? An assassination attempt on the Divine, the Chantry's equivalent of the Pope, escalates matters further as does the discovery of a mystical ritual which has the potential to permanently alter the balance of power between the two factions. Thrown into the mix are liberal Templar knight Evangeline and the mysterious yet sympathetic serial killer Cole (who may or may not be a ghost). I'm also fond of the Lord Seeker, Lambert, who appears to be a one-dimensional hardliner but turns out to just be the wrong man for the wrong time in the worst way. I've read all of the Dragon Age novels and I have to say that Asunder is my favorite of the ones released so far. Everyone is likable, sensible in their actions, and entertaining to read about. We get a good look into their mindsets and there's even a few unexpected moments. Mages, for example, fail to realize the Templars don't just keep them locked up but also protect them from the bigotry of the common people. They also miss how blessed they are to live in a community where race, nation, sexuality, and social status don't matter. Every mage is allowed an education and never has to worry about where his next meal is coming from where, in Thedas, these are fantastic luxuries. But are they worth freedom? Fans of Dragon Age 2 may dislike the fact the book does a light retcon of the setting's timeline. It was implied a war between the Templar and Mage factions began immediately after the events of the game. This shows events took a great deal more to turn them into a full-scale war which also spoils the ending of the book. I'm, largely, okay with this retcon but it does seem to make the actions of certain characters in the game seem less meaningful. In conclusion, I strongly recommend fans of the Dragon Age game series pick up Asunder as a lead-in to Dragon Age: Inquisition and because it's a very fun book. I don't recommend this book to people who aren't familiar with the franchise as the emotional resonance will not be the same. It's entertaining but this was written with fans of the game in mind and doesn't quite work on its own the way, say, The Stolen Throne does.9/10

Ok this is losing a star because its published in font 8, from that point of view it is a bit of a struggle to read.Otherwise very enjoyable story set continuing the story from both dragon age 1 and dragon age 2 the computer games.The world and characters are very nicely developed and clearly defined, the author captures the personalities, descriptions and world perfectly.Really feel sorry for the mages, sadly felt DAO 2 lacked alternative story in helping the mages as they just turn into abominations.In the book though, there is less of that and more of the dreadful curse of being born a mage and being locked up in a dungeon.The basic story revolves around Wynne the healer who travels with a party to rescue a friend from an old Warden Keep.Con : The friend has been doing research into reversing tranquility, he is tranquil which means he cannot use magic, so how is he able to use magic and cast runes?My only other gripe is Chapter 20 seems to jump into Leliana joining the party from thin air.Otherwise thoughly enjoyed the story and as other reviewers have remarked it is nice to know what was happening elsewhere after Dragon Age Origins 2 the computer game ended.This is a third book by one of the lead writers for the computer game, each of which are stand alone.

Three words: Asunder is stunning. I only just finished yesterday, and have been thinking about it on and off since. That is quite simply how good it is. WARNING, my next part of the review might contain some mild spoilers!STORY:Without giving away too many details, the story toys with the idea of being able to reverse the Rite of Tranquility, which as players of the game know leaves mages completely emotionless and unable to cast spells - hence they cannot be possessed by demons. If this could be reversed then the Chantry and the templars will be compromised as they have no way of controlling potentially dangerous mages. This whole concept, inevitably, is what becomes the spark for the Mage-Templar War we are obviously going to see in Dragon Age 3. Asunder is perfect for anyone who wants to bridge the gap between DA2 and 3, offering the chance for the fan to get a better insight into the world of Thedas and in particular, its mages and templars! David Gaider's prose, for one thing, crafts this story into something that is so good it's ensnaring, whilst remaining simple enough that anybody can read it. Characters are written so their voice can be heard clearly through the writing, and you do honestly care what happens to them. Let's just say that the ending was sad enough that I felt the threat of tears, and the Epilogue was so satisfying that I left the book feeling very pleased indeed. Some of the settings throughout are so exquisitely described that it is like you are there. (I know that's a cliché but it is the honest to Maker truth!) From the White Spire Circle of Magi in Val Royeaux, with its dark, foreboding atmosphere and even darker 'Pit', to the dusty purple desert of the Western Approach and the demon-ravaged halls of Adamant Fortress, you will know that this is Dragon Age. It's dark, gruesome, and exactly how it should be. And there's Darkspawn at one point! What's not to like?CHARACTERS:Although some of the characters could be compared to the ones already in the games (for example, I've heard people say that Evangeline is a lot like Thrask and Adrian is like Grace) they are unique enough to be enjoyable to read about. As I mentioned earlier in the story section, their voices are clear and their personalities shine through. Wynne is there as one of the main characters, although she has changed much since Origins. Fans of the nagging, grandmotherly Wynne (like me) might be disappointed to find she is a cold, hard-hearted crusader through a good 3/4 of the book, but personally this just made me more interested in her character. She is not so skewed from her original character that you don't recognise her; I could still hear her voice in my head, but she was just a bit more...driven. Shale makes a return as well, and old fans won't be disappointed with her at all! She is still pigeon-hating, griping about 'fleshy creatures' and other things, and is one heck of a tank when fighting! I won't go into too much details, but a lot of masonry goes flying when she lets loose! Wynne's son, Rhys, is in my opinion the most lovable mage ever. You can't imagine him ever turning to blood magic, even though he does study spirits and demons. He's charming, a bit of a joker and has an Orlesian accent. Enough said I think. You'll have to read the book to find out more. His friend Adrian (a girl, I might add) is hot-headed and always looking for a fight whether it be other mages or templars. She doesn't care, but her fire spells are awesome and quite fitting for her character I think. Evangeline is the templar sent to watch over them on Wynne's quest, and is not bad as templars go. She is quite pro-mage, wanting to protect them from others and themselves, so obviously takes her duty very seriously. I won't tell what happens to her as a character but I could seriously see her making an appearance in Dragon Age 3. Another character appearance is Leliana, who sadly is not in it enough for my liking.As for the villain, Lord Seeker Lambert is perfect for the role. He is the pinnacle of mage-hate, much like Knight-Commander Meredith in DA2, only with more power and ruthless cunning. He basically makes life hell and causes more than enough grief and heartache to keep everyone busy. Have fun reading him...I certainly did.All I can say is, if you read the blurb on the back of this book in a bookshop and think, 'hm, that sounds vaguely boring', that's because it doesn't do the book justice. It's an incredible addition to the Dragon Age universe, and makes me want Dragon Age 3 all the more. Brilliantly written with a good twist in the plot that you won't see coming: get it now!

It's enough to get my dragon age fix and give me more insight into one of my favourite companions from the game. The throwbacks to previous games companions and story was great.

That last of Gaider's novels in the series thus far...I loved the first too, and I came to this series post DA:2, and I read this pre DA:I. I loved the way it tied with the game, but the book and the story itself I found really slow paced at times. I again, read this book for the lore, for the backstories, for something to do DA related while waiting for the opportunity to play the next game/read the next book. I love the DA universe and I feel great affinity for the story and it's characters. Again I'd recommend this book to DA fans.

This was an awesome book. It picks up a year after the event of Dragon Age 2, and continues with the tensions between the Mages and the templars. Some Characters from Dragon Age Origin apear some more so than other. Some great writting from David gaider, alot of detailed scence that are reminiscent of the games. A really good thrilling read from start to finish and a must read for all Draong Age fans.