The ending is appropriately horrifying as well, although hope is still offered (in spite of the authorРІР‚в„ўs acknowledgments) just what youРІР‚в„ўd expect out of the penultimate chapter of the Invasion cycle. Of course, it also doesnРІР‚в„ўt escape his notice how Phyrexia is close to his own ideas of paradiseРІР‚В¦.! ThereРІР‚в„ўs also a nice moment featuring Tahngarth the Talruum minotaur, as he steps into his own in not just one but two important sections. Urza continues to demonstrate his obsessions, which includes a truly chilling moment which demonstrates that UrzaРІР‚в„ўs not particularly nice in the effort to destroy Phyrexia. IРІР‚в„ўll spare the details, but expect casualties on all fronts, both physical and mental (and both!). And Gerrard and the crew of the Weatherlight help out where they can, but work towards their goal of dealing with Crovax and the Stronghold.Р”Р„s this is the next to last book, expect some resolutions in some long-running subplots. The dragon Rhammidarigaaz finds himself attempting to awaken long slumbering powers that will reassert the might of the dragon nations. Agnate, leader of the metathran soldiers, makes common cause with the lich-lord Dralnu. The elf-lord Eladamri goes to the lands of Keld, where the warriors are firmly convinced that they are facing Twilight (their version of the end of the world). Urza Planeswalker leads a team of other planeswalkers for a massive assault on Phyrexia itself, hoping to take out the being known as Yawgmoth directly. To make matters worse, CrovaxРІР‚в„ўs Stronghold comes with the rest of Rath.Р”Р‡ortunately, the heroes of our story arenРІР‚в„ўt exactly twiddling their thumbs. That in itself wouldnРІР‚в„ўt be so bad, if not for the fact that the overlay brings with it the hordes of Phyrexians living on Rath. The plane of Rath, currently ruled by the Evincar Crovax, has begun a dimensional shift onto the lands of Dominaria.

Unfortunately for our heroes, it turns out that it was only the opening gambit. When we last left our heroes, theyРІР‚в„ўd just finished a great battle, and were recuperating from considerable tragedies (the nature of which IРІР‚в„ўll leave quiet for now, since this review is coming out at the same time as Invasion). ThatРІР‚в„ўs probably what happened to Gerrard Capashen and company at the beginning of the second book of the Invasion cycle, Planeshift. Then imagine what youРІР‚в„ўd feel if you discovered that it was only beginning that another world in another plane was suddenly overlaid upon everything you know. Imagine the elation youРІР‚в„ўd feel knowing that youРІР‚в„ўd helped beat back the forces of evil. Imagine living through an invasion by the next best thing to demons. (I know some of you hope Urza and Gerrard can pull this thing off in the next book, but donРІР‚в„ўt count on it. РІР‚В¦And of course, I want to thank the fans, every last one of whom is now a subject of the dread lord Yawgmoth. I couldnРІР‚в„ўt have laid waste to every continent and killed every hero without the help of many colleagues and friendsРІР‚В¦. As Yawgmoth will let you know, Dominaria is no easy world to invade.

The thran j robert king