i wrote this shortly after i received my fanpack present, & that was many beard lengths ago. i only put this up now because i found the disk that contains this review (was in my workbag all these times) & that i wish forum members to remember Nightmares, one of the kindest & angelic forum member ever. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/xmassmiley.gif" alt="" /> yes, u can say it's a christmas sob story. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/cry.gif" alt="" />

FanPack Review

the limited edition (only 500 produced) contains 1 cd, 'Music From The Divinity Universe: Limited Edition Soundtrack' & a novella, 'Child of the Chaos'.
having a limited edition of any kind excites me to no end. even more especially when it is a gift. so i would like to thank Nightmares for sending me this gift. she is one of the few angels that found me in this forum & life. God bless her.

the fanpack arrived in a padded envelope which the address are printed out nicely & clearly, leaving no chance of accidental blunder on the postman's part. i am very glad that the fanpack arrived at all rather than the condition of the content considering malaysian postal service doesn't exactly reflect promptness & reliability. condition of both cd & novella can't be better though i found the cd jewel case cracked.

that doesn't concern me at all as i have many spare jewel cases.

CD: 'Music From The Divinity Universe: Limited Edition Soundtrack'

it comes in a standard jewel case with beautiful layout & artwork for the inlay. however the inlay is quite sparse as it is only 3 pages (excluding the front cover): one contains liner notes by Kirill Pokrovsky while the opposite page has the list of performers as well as personal note from the composer himself. the last page are the usual track listing. it may have been better if the composer includes individual note for each track, detailing his ideas, inspirations or highlights when composing, directing, conducting, mixing, etc. as a fan, i know i would love to know in detail the hard work done to make the beautiful music.

the back cover contains track listing.

the cd has the same artwork as the front cover, which are very detailed & beautiful artwork. it is certain Andre Taulien is no shabby artist. quite far from it, as a matter of fact!

1 Beyond Divinity - The Title Track
2 After The Great War
3 Divine Divinity - The Title Track
4 Urge For Power
5 Key To Survival
6 War & Peace
7 Roads Shadowed By Green Leaves
8 Guardian Of The Divine
9 Warrior (Voin)
10 Ballad Of Empty Illusions
11 Signs Of The Elven
12 The Forge Of Evil
13 The Song Of The Wind
14 Steps On The Sand
15 No Escape. Pain & Sorrow
16 A Fire Upon The Deep
17 Warring Winds & Crimson Tides
18 Celebration
19 The Colour Of Magic
20 Promise
21 Stronghold Of The Orcs
22 Suffering & Shame
23 Hidden Masters
24 Sacred


Novella - Child Of Chaos by Rhianna Pratchett

Soft glossy cover that one normally finds in magazine covers, the choice may be for an obvious reason which is that all of the 500 fanpacks will be posted via snail mail (where weight is a big issue). The inner pages also use the same material.

Text, while small, are easily read by eyes that need no aid. There is no table of content available as the story isn't separated into chapters. Organistaion of the story however is obvious in separation of different 'acts' or story arch (if i may call it that), so i find it may have been better if there is a table of content. naming the chapters however can be as vague as possible so as not to reveal the act & spoil the story. it be as simple as just chapter numbers.

since the novella is part of the fanpack, it would have been great if the author includes author's note, or preface of some kind. an avid fan would love to find out how the author was approached to write the story, how she came about with the plot for this novella, the kind of approach (dramatic, comedic, tragic, or tragicomedy, etc) to the novella, thoughts on fanpacks with novella in general & of course a little background story on the author herself.

personal note:

on the novella, rhianna wrote, "Game On! Best Wishes. *signature*"
thanks, rhianna!

on the cd cover inlay, kirill wrote at Nightmares's request, "brandon, may your life be filled with love, light & laughter. *signature*"

thanks for the wonderful music, kirill. & thanks for a wonderful gift & being such a wonderful person, Nightmares.

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......a gift from LaFille......