I think Kadeton hit the nail on the head with his statement that Through the Breach fluff doesn't match Malifaux fluff. It is a RPG based off a miniatures game that acts like there never was a miniatures game. As a RPG by itself, it is pretty good. As a RPG based off the already set and established story and setting, it is a pretty bad. On the topic of magic, TTB makes it seem like it is the most terrible and unlawful thing you can do, yet over 75% of the models in Malifaux, the game these rules are based on, have some sort of CA action. Soulstones, one of Malifaux trademark features, seems like they have been removed from the game. The stories in the Malifaux rulebook make Malifaux look exciting and dangerous, but the RPG just makes it seem like the Guild hunt down everyone with magic and soulstones and do little else. In Malifaux, bad things happen. In Through the Breach, bad things are the only thing that happen. But I am sure that is just me.