Diablo: The Sin War: Scales of the Serpent - Richard A. Knaak

I have a confession to make… I’m rather the Diablo junkie, which possibly explains why I read this officially sanctioned book set in the computer game world of “Sanctuary” on the day it was released; and possibly also why I’m so confused it wasn’t reviewed by someone way back then. ;>

But perhaps my confusion at the lack of Ciao-publicity this book received is more understandable when you consider the context? The most recent instalment ...
...over the last year rumours have begun to circulate very thickly about the holy grail of “Diablo 3“.

Adding fuel to the chaotic inferno of player-passion, the author recently commented in a webchat that what he was writing would become Sanctuary “cannon” and that he wasn’t writing for a “dead game”. This book then, seems like a publicity exercise by Blizzard to incite naturally edgy players into a frenzy of sleepless nights…
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I have a confession to make… I’m rather the Diablo junkie, which possibly explains why I read this officially sanctioned book set in the computer game world of “Sanctuary” on the day it was released; and possibly also why I’m so confused it wasn’t reviewed by someone way back then. ;>

But perhaps my confusion at the lack of Ciao-publicity this book received is more understandable when you consider the context? The most recent instalment of the Diablo game was 6 years ago now, but over the last year rumours have begun to circulate very thickly about the holy grail of “Diablo 3“.

Adding fuel to the chaotic inferno of player-passion, the author recently commented in a webchat that what he was writing would become Sanctuary “cannon” and that he wasn’t writing for a “dead game”. This book then, seems like a publicity exercise by Blizzard to incite naturally edgy players into a frenzy of sleepless nights…

As stories go, “Scales of the Serpent” is the second book of “The Sin War” trilogy, continuing from the tale of “Birthright“ last year. The book is dedicated to “the loyal and very patient fans of the world of Sanctuary”, and is written by a very well known freelance writer, Richard Knaak. (check my older reviews ;>)

Knaak is no stranger to Sanctuary, having written other books set there before. This time, in contrast to the heroic feel of his previous book Knaak lays the scene for an epic-reaching fantasy; hanging the fate of the world of Sanctuary between three factions. The first two factions we know about: The Cathedral led by “The Prophet” and the Temple of Light, led by “The Primus”. In The Scales of the Serpent meanwhile we are introduced to a third figure rather mysterious figure who seems to fight alone.

The main story-arc follows a farmer called Uldyssian. In the first book he and his friends discovered within themselves a strange sort of magical power - “The power of the naphalem” and the majority of the second book is taken up evolving that plot more, while Uldyssian opposes those who would use this power for their own reasons (basically the three factions I mentioned above.) The story is narrated almost exclusively from Uldyssian‘s perspective, which has the effect of taking away the detachment that epic fantasy often suffers from: In my opinion definitely a good thing.

For fans of the game The Scales of the Serpent also tells the stories of other legendary figures who might be familiar: We have “Rathma”, the necromancer patron, and “Trag‘Oul”, the necromancer deity. “Bul-Kathos” the Barbarian-father and “Lilith”, mother of Andarial. “Astrogha” the spider demon and “Gulag” the… well the slime-thing. Additionally of course, the three Prime Evils: “Diablo”, “Mephisto” and “Baal” lurk around the edges of the scenes as usual (although they still only play a peripheral part in book two.) There are also two relatively identifiable Diablo magic types in Sorcery and the Necromancy, of which the latter at least is very well developed; being a power type Knaak works exceptionally well, (as might be surmised by looking at the demigod cast.)

But the all important question for Diablo players has to be: What would a game be like coming from this? Well at times I could imagine it. When Uldyssian fights Gulag for example, I could almost imagine myself running into a room, and having the floor beginning to shake, to start a battle with Gulag in a style reminiscent of a new Diablo 1 character accidentally opening that door to “The Butcher”. Almost. The concept is just beyond me still, but I think after the third book I’ll be able to imagine it, which means that yes, the second book of The Sin War trilogy is a very worthy purchase for the aspiring Diablo 3 player, even if the cover is printed normally as opposed to that ‘specially painted-cardboard cover we got with the first book…

To give more of an idea of the atmosphere of the story I can describe the influences I can see on it. Primarily of course, we have the Diablo magical-universe: A blend of mediaeval ideas from hugely various sources, all the way from Christian-symbolism (“naphalem”, “cathedral”) to alchemical and occult sources. (demon summoning, human corpse usage) Beyond this there is a strangely Greek atmosphere, (viz the name: Uldyssian ul-Diomed”.) and as always, very understated Celtic elements (duels, animism, old forgotten gods; and actually the whole of the Bul-Kathos part of the story.)

And how does this all add up? Well for a Diablo fan it’s definitely a pleasure to read anything about Sanctuary, if only for the ability to say - “I know what that kind of magic is!”, “I know who he is!” And this feeling can only be augmented by the knowledge that what I read sets the scene for the next game. Certainly though, some of the plot seems rather lacking. Sanctuary, for example, is revealed to be a construct - a sci-fi concept which I find quite distasteful. “The Worldstone” also, is a part of Diablo 2 which was really read into by fans, since it was left unresolved at the end of the plot, and so would need to be tied up by any new release. After reading this book however, even with all that background I’m still confused exactly what happened to it, even though it was explained for a good four pages.

On the other hand, even with a less then perfect story to work with, Knaak works to his usual high standard. His writing is so good now I can’t help feeling he would be better off writing his own series than freelancing for others; but that would definitely be a loss for Blizzard, so we’ll have to wait until after he’s finished the trilogy to tell him. ;>

For a non-Diablo fan I think that this book is definitely worth reading if you enjoyed the first. For you it will just be more of the same I’m afraid, although the characters do get slightly less naïve.

If you haven’t started the Sin War series yet then we have a dilemma. The Sin War is very readable and quite cheap, but in my opinion it’s not the best fantasy out there for non-players. Go re-read my paragraph on the atmosphere of the story. If that sounds appealing then go ahead, but if not, then I would recommend you go read something else.
- If you have no ideas then click my username “dragonhelmuk” at the top of this review, and on my review list there should be a few others to try. ;>

Scales of the Serpent is on Amazon for only £2:66 + postage and packaging. That’s half what I paid a month ago!

Book One of “The Sin War” is called “Birthright” and is £5:59 + postage and packaging on Amazon. It does however, have a much nicer front cover than Scales.

The “the fastest-selling RPG of all time” which these books are based on, Diablo 2 is £4:45 on Amazon but don’t forget you want the expansion “Lord of Destruction” as well… :> 

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