The first part of Amazon Adventures (Book 1 of the Maidenheim Campaign Setting) is a true and consistent introduction to the Amazon subject. Here you can get the answers for all the questions you may have (and even to those you haven´t thought about yet) in a very clear and informative manner. Mythological background mixed with historical knowledge gives GMs just what they need in order to prepare an Amazonian campaign without portraying only stereotypes and related assumptions. The information is useful to players who wish to play Amazon characters also. By the way, the statements about the concept of who are (or were) the Amazons and the breaking away of stereotypes are very appropriate since these are the first issues encountered when dealing with a subject such as this.
There are some new Feats and Prestige Classes specific to Amazon characters. Even though some of these Prestige Classes may seem very similar to others that already exist, their descriptions are very evocative, and we even have some nice surprises such as the Amazon Horse Whisperer, which besides game information also gives some historical and even etymological notes (as to explaining the origin of the term "amazon" used to assign the women who mount these animals in horse riding sports today).
The second part of the book has a brief introduction to the Campaign Setting and details some basic information like Races and Classes by adapting the standard D&D ones to the setting. There is even a new race of half-gnomes that a willing GM may choose to use. "New" Deities are outlined too. They are not completely new since they are based in current existant pantheons (even if they are from ancient cultures) or the standard D&D (Greyhawk) ones, but the way in which they are portrayed and especially the explanation as to why some things have happened in this world the way they have is just amazing and very consistent.
Languages and currencies are rather numerous and diverse, and seem to be realistically in tune with the Amazonian nations. The available and specific armor and weapons are also outlined in this section. The Magic section is more a descriptive than a practical one, but it´s very useful to improve the setting.
It seems like the "Men as Characters in Maidenheim" section was created as a means to not "intimidate" the male audience (since the majority of RPG consumers are still men) by giving them a chance to portray male characters in an otherwise almost completely female setting. It´s not a bad section at all, but it´s rather useless if you bought the book with the Maidenheim Campaign Setting and/or the Amazon characters in mind. However, it´s always good to have options and they are never enough. Humanoids and monsters are briefly mentioned as are the ways in which they are placed within the setting. "Using Other Campaign Settings" gives various examples on how to include Maidenheim in another Campaign Setting with various tips and suggestions.
If you keep in mind that this is only the first book of the three basic ones, and that there are other supplements coming that will portray Magic, Priestesses and Wizards, the role of Man and other things in more detail, you can be rest assured that this is a unique and very consistent Campaign Setting. For a very low price you can get this material at a level of quality rarely seen in even the "professional" RPG books. Not to mention the "References" indications, which are really interesting.
The entire Maidenheim Campaign Setting is worth purchasing because it outlines the setting in even more depth and detail. But I´ll be reviewing that later.
