Books Like The Brothers' War

Magic: The Gathering, released in 1993 by Wizards of the Coast, started the collectible trading card game genre. Since its inception, it has grown to a player base in the millions who play casually or in organized events. In addition to inspiring an entire genre of other trading card games, Magic: The Gathering has become a massive franchise that spans video games,    comic books, and novels. The books, in particular, tend to tie in with the numerous expansion sets released for the game and feature popular characters and storylines set in the many different worlds of MTG. For example, The Brothers' War by Jeff Grubb follows the legendary conflict between Urza and Mishra, two of the legends of the Magic: The Gathering Universe. It tells the story of how the two brothers become divided after a discovery before creating constructs that bring devastation to their plane. For more books based around the Magic: The Gathering phenomena, check out the following books like The Brothers' War.

The Thran

By J. Robert King

The Thran is a 1999 novel by J. Robert King that tells the story of the Thran-Phyrexian War, which had far-reaching consequences for the Magic: The Gathering universe. It's a great entry point for newcomers to the world of MTG, as it is set long before many of the pivotal moments in the franchise's lore. Fans of the collectible card game will enjoy discovering the origins of one of the most menacing factions, the Phyrexians, as well as important characters, such as Yawgmoth.

Theros: A Godsend Novel

By Jenna Helland

Theros by Jenna Helland is a Magic: The Gathering novel set in the Hellenic Greek-themed plane. Temperamental gods rule Theros, and mortals are mere pawns in their schemes. Through her actions, Elspeth, a heroic planeswalker wielding a divinely forged sword, attracts the attention of these vengeful, jealous deities. Not only does she have to deal with an assassination attempt by the sun god, Heloid, but she must also go up against a monstrous, many-headed hydra named Polukranos. Only by slaying this beast will she have a chance to stand shoulder-to-shoulder with the heroes and gods of the plane.

Agents of Artifice

By Ari Marmell

Agents of Artifice by Ari Marmell is the first book in the Planeswalker series of MTG novels and stars one of the most well-known characters in the franchise, Jace Beleren. Jace is a gifted and powerful planeswalker who is part of an inter-planar consortium dealing in magical artifacts. His penchant for taking the path of least resistance and never pushing himself changes when a dark temptress named Liliana comes into his life. Jace finds himself fearing for his life for the first time and is determined to discover who is behind a new threat looming over him.

Alara Unbroken

By Doug Beyer

Alara Unbroken by Doug Beyer is a three-part, action-packed story based on the "Shards of Alara" Magic: The Gathering set spanning Shards of Alara, Conflux, and Alara Reborn. The setting is the plane of Alara, which was shattered into five planes in the distant past. Each plane is populated by magical cultures reflecting one of the five colors of magic. However, a tumultuous realignment sees these separate planes gradually merging. The story also features another beloved character from the card game, Ajani, a Leonin planeswalker struggling with the death of his brother.

Zendikar: In the Teeth of Akoum

By Robert B. Wintermute

Zendikar: In the Teeth of Akoum by Robert B. Wintermute is a stand-alone Magic: The Gathering novel set in the plane of Zendikar. Not only is this plane filled with deadly risks and priceless rewards, but it is also a prison for the dreaded Eldrazi, who has been kept captive there for millennia. As one of the deadliest species known to the Multiverse, their escape would be disastrous. However, when part of the mystical containment spell used to detain the Eldrazi is breached, two planeswalkers must form an unlikely partnership to deal with the threat. Nissa Revane, a proud elf warrior, and Sorin, an ancient vampire, both seek to extinguish the threat of the Eldrazi but also have their own agendas.

War of the Spark: Ravnica

By Greg Weisman

War of the Spark: Ravnica by Greg Weisman follows aspiring shieldmage Teyo Verada as he discovers his spark and becomes a planeswalker, only to be whisked off to the plane of Ravnica. This world-spanning city is under siege by Nicol Bolas, an Elder Dragon with aspirations of godhood. However, standing between Bolas and his goal is a group of Planeswalkers called the Gatewatch, who have sworn to defeat evil no matter where it is found. However, the Elder Dragon has prepared a sinister trap for ensnaring the most powerful mages from across the Multiverse, which means if the Gatewatch fails it will mean the end of the age of heroes. 

Throne of Eldraine: The Wildered Quest

By Kate Elliott

Throne of Eldraine: The Wildered Quest by Kate Elliot follows the story of the royal scions, Rowan and Will Kenrith, as they set out to find their missing father. The quest to track down High King Kenrith will take the young warrior-mage twins far outside the safety of their home and deep into the Wilds, where faeries, monsters, and untamed magic run wild. During their quest, they will also cross paths with the shapeshifter Oko and a cursed hunter named Garruk, who is stalking Planeswalkers across the Multiverse. 

Sundered Bond

By Django Wexler

Sundered Bond by Django Wexler is a novel inspired by the Magic: The Gathering card set, Ikoria: Lair of Behemoths. It is the tale of Lukka, who is the proud captain of the Coppercoats, an elite military force protecting their home from the savage monsters lurking outside its walls. However, when Lukka unexpectedly forms a mystical connection with a ferocious, winged cat, he is forced to flee his home and survive in the wilds while being hunted by his former brothers-in-arms.