'The Citadel of Chaos' – Steve Jackson (Wizard Books)


This wasn't the post I'd planned for today ('She-Hulk' will have to wait until tomorrow now) but sometimes the call goes out and you have to answer ;o) And yesterday, that call was...

“Dad? Can you read us a Fighting Fantasy book?”

It has been a long time since I last read the girls a Fighting Fantasy book ('Trial of Champions' back in November 2020, in case you were wondering) but I've been building up a nice little collection in the meantime, just in case they wanted another adventure. Turns out that I could have saved my money as my eldest wanted to go back into 'Forest of Doom', typical... ;o) Once I showed them a few of the books, that they hadn't read, it became a lot easier to sell them on another 'new' adventure and after some back and forth, they settled on 'The Citadel of Chaos' over 'Creature of Havoc' and 'Armies of Death'. And as you're here, let me tell you all about it...

Deep inside the Citadel of Chaos, the dread sorcerer Balthus Dire is plotting. Summoned by a desperate plea for help, you are the Vale of Willow's only hope. And you are no ordinary adventurer... As the star pupil of the Grand Wizard of Yore and a master sorcerer yourself, you must strike at the very heart of Balthus Dire's nightmare world...

Before I get started on the actual plot etc, it is so nice to see a newer edition Fighting Fantasy book (well, 2009 but you know what I mean) that makes use of the original illustrations. They are just gorgeous and took this particular reader right back to his childhood in a nostalgic haze of disembodied heads, baby goblins and a rhino guardsman (although Allansia clearly doesn't have rhinos as he is not described as such). Happy days ;o)

The book itself feels like a precursor to 'Deathtrap Dungeon' with the adventurer led underground and then having to find their way to the top(ish) of the Citadel where Balthus Dire awaits. There are puzzles that have to be solved before you can proceed and the book isn't afraid to let you know if you've run out of options, or died. As always, it's about feeling that they conquered the story, for my kids, so I'm happy to be a 'nice' dungeon master and give them pointers. This book though... Despite my best efforts, there were still a few moments where I quite literally ran out of choices and got chucked out. There was some cheating but... It's not like we haven't all been there with one of these books. One day, I might make them start the book again if they die but today is not that day, I want them to enjoy these books as much as I still do.

And the early signs are promising :o) Both girls really got into what was a dark and quite challenging adventure and there were even minor arguments over some of the choices. That is how you just know that you're reading through a good adventure, they were really invested in it and I'll be honest, so was I. The challenges in 'The Citadel of Chaos' really make you feel like you're up against it and need to get a move on if you want to save the Kingdom (which is an actual question that you are asked here, well done 'Citadel of Chaos' for appealing to my dark side). And I don't think I've ever seen a fight that is as long and drawn out as the one with Balthus Dire, it really shows what you're up against here. The girls loved it and so did I.

I've got to dig out another Fighting Fantasy book to read to the girls, later on today, and that really tells you everything that you need to know. 'The Citadel of Chaos' is a thoroughly engrossing adventure where we all literally had no choice but to finish in one sitting. Nice work Fighting Fantasy, nice work...

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