For those of you who have defeated Zagor the wizard in Warlock of Firetop Mountain, Ian Livingstone's and Steve Jackson's initial foray into Fighting Fantasy, you would believe that he is dead. After all, dead is dead, right? Well, guess again for Zagor is alive and kicking, although his left arm is a stump. And guess whose left arm he wants to graft onto his body?Knowing what a nasty wizard Zagor is, your quest is to enter Firetop Mountain and defeat Zagor, for good. Personally, I would have loved it if you were the same adventurer as the one who bested Zagor in Warlock of Firetop Mountain, only older and with more experience. Also, it would have been excellent if Russ Nicholson, illustrator of the first game book, was the artist for Return of Firetop Mountain. But, what do you want, egg in your beer!
In addition, the references to its predecessor provide glimpses into our past. The dragon's skull, the rest bench and the padlocks on the doors are three examples that cause you to recall Warlock of Firetop Mountain in a way that you never did before.
Also, I'm not sure why you are no longer able to swim across in the river, as you were in the first book. Lastly, as you progress through Return to Firetop Mountain, the references to Warlock are fewer and farther between.
But, hey, I'm being picky. If you love Ian Livingstone's style of writing, this book is right up your alley. So, instead of collecting gems, as in Deathtrap Dungeon, you're collecting gold teeth. And, if you are new to his style of writing, you know that if you have an opportunity to gather objects, you should do so.
What I love most about his books is that they are a quick read, and once you pick them up, you won't put them down. And if that isn't the mark of a great book, I don't know what is.
