Booking Your Time - Clan Novel Omnibus Vol 1-4

If there is one novel you need to read to become a true guru of VtM (and therefore by default Vtes), the Clan Novels Omnibus from White Wolf is a must-read. Well, needless to say, this is probably the most canon of all fiction where VtM (and by default Vtes) is all about. It was kind of White Wolf to compile all of these clan novels into one timeline-sequenced novel for easy reading, so that one doesn't get too confused by what is going on. (I blame the Malkavians for confusing me actually, all the other clans are fine.)

I've never had the opportunity to read the clan novels individually, so I wouldn't know the difference between reading them one by one, or reading them like how the clan novel lay them out. But one thing is for sure, it is a good read, and some of the clan stories are simply excellent, some are acceptable, and some I lack the blood potency to understand as yet.

The clan novel Omnibus collects all the clan novels plus the anthology into 4 big volumes. It started off with the Sabbat's attack on Atlanta, bringing out the foiled transaction between the Nosferatu and the Settites for the Eye of Hazimel. The story then breaks off to several different clan characters that spring off this event - including the Giovanni's attempt to find a kidnapped clan member, a Gangrel's path to understanding herself and her clan, the Settites' efforts to retrieve the Eye of Hazimel, the Ravno's means of survival and "making it" in unlife and the Malkavian's path to "enlightenment" (I guess). All these events were happening under a big backdrop of the Sabbat's attack on the various cities of the United States.

There are some clans' stories that are more to my taste, with war and battle after battle, combining with assassination and political intrigue. The Ventrue's new "coordinator" in town to help organize the defense of Baltimore, for example, gives a reasonably good detail of vampire politics. Toreador's beautiful primogen was also quite interesting to read, ranging from her insecurity, her desires to become Prince, her eventual decision to do what she wanted to do, were all great to read.

My favorite has to be Brujah, I mean, Theo Bell is just the kind of bad ass Archons that I like to read about - fierce, efficient, and full of violence - the kind of Brujah I'm used to after Alvin's Brujah combat deck punch me right in the face, several times. But there are enough of other clan's stories that are fantastic and memorable too. The Sabbat's efforts centered around the Tzimisce and Lasombra clan novels, with the Assamite kinda mixed in between.

This is a must read for anyone interested in Vtes background - it reminds me of so many cards - Sasha Vykos, War Ghouls, Dragon Breath's Round, the traitor in the Camarilla (don't want to spoil it for you), Victoria Ash, Calebros, Anatole, the Eye of Hazimel, the Week of Nightmares, Ramona, Ambrosius, Fatima, Lucita, Theo Bell - all these names and cards come to life for me after reading the omnibus.

Unfortunately this omnibus is kinda difficult to get now, I have to buy the pdf version and print them out in order to read properly (I can't handle pdf still, must have paper). It is well worth the effort, and I don't see how any Vtes player can resist not reading this one. (Just ignore the Malkavians, trust me if you don't want to go to Coma.)

(o.o)