Unfortunately, while I like the setting I cannot praise the book, especially when I compare it to the 3E version.
First of all, there’s a lot of white space and the font size is really large. Therefore, the amount of information is smaller.
The first chapter is a waste of space: it’s poorly written, uninspired and fails to show the Realm’s true spirit. Other chapters, like the second, third and fifth, are weirdly organized and lack many important information. Pointing to another book in order to know the previous history is almost insulting, and the space devoted to the gods is also minimal. Even the greater gods get only a few words. Again, compare this to the 3E book, with plenty of details of each religion.
Many people will say that the new Guide will be easier for newcomers. But great designers achieve this through good writing skills and an intelligent delivery of information, not simply publishing a shorter book.
Therefore, there’s only one explanation: they want us to keep buying books. 3E Faiths and Pantheons (an excellent manual, by the way) was really optional, but the new one will be a must. And while I know that publishers have to sell in order to exist, here they simply made it too obvious. A pity, because the new Realms deserved a much better book.
