Rating: 
Summary: A rare novel
Review: One usually expects literature based on computer games to be mindless formula material. Rand Miller and friends break this stereotypical mold with stunning impact. The reader comes to know Atrus(the main character) like an old friend. The landscapes are beatifully described and the universe is a place of solitude. Perhaps most enjoyable is the lack of superfluous death and killing that is the hallmark of traditional fantasy. For once there are no three headed monsters popping up from every bush. In The Book of Atrus, the prospect of death is clean, undiluted, and meaningful. The small cast of main characters are treated with love and respect by their creators and not used callously. Atrus, Gehn, Anna, and Catherine are all people so powerfully alive that they do not need to crush lizardmen and chop up goblins to capture the reader's admiration. I commend Miller and his assistants for creating what could almost be called a new genre.
Rating:
Summary: An Amazing Book!
Review: I was in love with the mysterious and intruiging computer hit MYST, as many people were. When I picked this book up soon after it came out, I bought it, hoping that it wouldn't be a corny and boring book that was just written by cocky people who had so much success with a great game....nope!This is the story behind MYST, and it is brilliant! But there is a glitch in the series...not written in order! The first book to really read is MYST: The Book of Ti'Ana, which is actually my favorite one! Ti'Ana tells the story of Atrus's grandparents, Aitrus and Ti'Ana (Anna), who have a son, Gehn, who in turn has Atrus. But this tells the story of Atrus, who is taken from the land that he knows by his angry returning father, Gehn. Brilliant! Okay, disregard what I said about the order...the order is correct, but I'd still read this one first, just because it intruduces you more into the land D'ni than Ti'Ana... Don't miss this book! A wonderous read! Enjoy!
Rating: 
Summary: Very good descriptive book
Review: I like the way the authors depicted everything they were very good writers BUT the story was very weak. I mean there seemed to be like 3 or 4 diffrent stories going on at diffrent times and it is just all very confusing and weird but I do recomend that you should at least drop by a book store and read like the first 3 or 4 chapters and then decide if you want to buy it.
Rating:
Summary: Incredible!
Review: What can I say? This is DEFINITELY the best book I've ever read, along with the other two in this series. I've read it over 6 times, front to back. That should go to show... If you have any interest in Myst, Riven, or even fantasy in general, this is a MUST read. It provides an enourmous amount of background into the D'ni culture and Atrus' family in a way that is simply impossible to describe. I'm dying just waiting for the next in the series to be released...:)
Rating:
Summary: Excellent
Review: I recently came across Myst after acquiring an "old" Pentium-100 laptop for college, and then came across this gem of a book trough a friend. Wonderfully powerful from the opening pages. Actually, the opening few pages are the best in the book, but it's all wonderful. If you have not played the game, dont worry at all. Read the novel for its own sake. And if you do play, this offers great history and game background for you.
Rating: 
Summary: Myst - a teen's review
Review: Myst: The Book of Atrus, is a prequel to the famous computer game, Myst. It tells the story of Atrus, a young boy, Atrus, who is abandoned by his father after his mother died giving birth to him. There, in the desert crater, far from civilization, he grows up with his Grandmother, Anna, learning fascinating stories of the outer worlds. As he grows to a pre-teen, his father comes back, in search of him. A long journey awaits ahead, and his father, Gehn, as chosen Atrus to come with him, to explore an ancient civilization, which he is one of the last of, called the D'ni. Atrus leaves, in anxiousness, but his heart is torn when he has to leave Anna. He bids farewell and follows his father off to his lab. When they arrive, his father teaches Atrus how to write books - that create worlds. Atrus is fascinated by this, and for 4 years, he stays there learning the secrets of the D'ni. But, as he is sent to his father's worlds and discovered how dangerous and unstable they are, Atrus becomes frightened and worried. He decides to rebel against his father, but will he be able to help these worlds, which are home to his friends? Before they are crushed from unstable words? What is his father's true intentions? Join Atrus in his long journey through the ages and discover the true secrets of the D'ni!
Rating:
Summary: Well-written fantasy
Review: Although I expect most readers of the Myst books have probably played the computer games, this fantasy series deserves a reading of its own right. Having played the game I was curious about the conception of the storyline, and I picked this up as a light read, not expecting to be particularly impressed. I was, however, both by the elegant writing style and by a depth of insight going beyond most books I've found of the fantasy/science fiction genre. It is not so plot-driven as to be empty of many moments of reflection. This book is fantasy/sci-fi for the ecologist or environmentalist. Its underlying theme is the need for knowledge and balance, and the great care that must be taken when tampering with worlds and peoples. While Gehn, Atrus' father, sees his role in opening up or creating worlds from an entirely exploitative perspective, Atrus recognizes the need for care, understanding and stewardship, and these contradictory goals become the central conflict of the plot. Those with a background in science will find Atrus' search for an understanding of the D'ni characters, which are the ultimate causes of the characteristics of each world, particularly resonant, and will understand his continual surprise when their results are often not exactly what he anticipates. The connections inherent in each world cause small changes to have indirect and unexpected effects, and his struggles to understand the structure of his worlds are much like those of an ecologist, the only difference being that he can manipulate the rules through writing. However, in case I have made this novel somehow seem too cerebral, I would like to conclude by saying simply that I think this could be an enjoyable read for anyone, particulary those who like fantasy, or who enjoy being brought into strange and fascinating worlds through engaging language.
Rating:
Summary: Background is our friend!
Review: Ever wonder HOW Atrus came to be trapped in the book in Myst, or who the D'ni were? This book will tell you - and more! If you played the game, this will enrich your experience quite a bit. If you didn't, well it's probably compelling enough to make you go buy it!
Rating:
Summary: A good read...it has the legendary qualities of "Dune".
Review: Even if removed from the influence of "Myst" the computer game this book stands on its own. The story and the main character, Atrus, reminds this reader of the epic "Dune". There is a lot that could be done with this story line. A theatrical film script based on this book would make for an excellant adventure film.
Rating:
Summary: Excellent
Review: This novel is excellent, especially for fans of the game. People who have never played it will also love it. The descritions are so vivid, that you'll see every action, and smell the smells as you read the book. The plot is gripping, and I would recommend this book to anyone whoe enjoys, fantassy, science fiction, or any type of good book.
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