[UA] Statosphere review

[Matthew R Norwood]

Well, I just bought the book a few days ago, and I have to admit I'm a little
disappointed. Maybe I just got my hopes up after the spectacular job with 
PoMoMagic, but I think Atlas will have to kick ass on the next book if they
want my money.

Here are my beefs:

1) Too much archetype overlap.

The ones in the first book were good, solid, recognizable -- as archetypes are
supposed to be (hence the whole "position of power in the cultural psyche" 
thing). But in this book, I had a hard time figuring out the difference between
many, if not most, of the new types presented. Here's a sample:

Recognizable, distinct new archetypes: Healer, Judge, Necessary Servant, 
Messenger, Confessor, True King, a few others. 

Lame new archetypes: 

Hunter: _serious_ overlap with Executioner, Pilgrim
Rebel: overlap with Demagogue, Pilgrim, Peacemaker, Martyr, Masterless Man
Peacemaker: same as Rebel (Peacemaker is a Rebel/Demagogue/Martyr with Peace as
his Cause)
Two-Faced Man: overlap with Trickster, Demagogue
Martyr: overlap with Confessor, Rebel, Peacemaker, Healer, Pilgrim, Masterless 
Man

etcetera


2) Lame Avatar channels

It seemed to me that half the channels in the book were of the Demagogue/
Pilgrim "persuade others to see things your way" school. And others were just
weak. The Healer? His first channel is basically useless unless he has a higher
Avatar skill than a healing skill, which seems unlikely. And his other channels
are just weak. That would be fine if it weren't for the very cool, fairly 
powerful channels presented in the first book, like those of the Merchant.

3) Houses of Renunciation

I don't know. I guess I just expected something more cohesive. The cosmology
is still a little arbitrary to me.


I don't mean to be a spoilsport... I just had my hopes too high, I guess.


Matt Norwood

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