Dungeons & Dragons has created a vast world of fantasy and adventure. The world is as expansive as the imaginations of the storytellers that play in it. However, there are iconic locations and characters that have captured the hearts of many, including Ravenloft and Count Strahd von Zarovich.

Author Delilah S. Dawson tells an all-new original story about a group of adventurers who face off against the villainous vampire in “Dungeons & Dragons: Ravenloft: Heir of Strahd.” She brings the world of Barovia to life, and while Strahd is a key player in the story, the heart of this tale is the protagonists who find themselves in this haunted magical land. Dawson perfectly captures what makes a Dungeons & Dragons campaign so captivating.

Meet The Heroes That Take On Strahd

“Dungeons & Dragons: Ravenloft: Heir of Strahd” follows a group of strangers who awaken in the land of Barovia with no idea how they got there. These five strangers include Rotrog, an orcish wizard; Alishai, a tiefling paladin; Kah, a kenku cleric; Chivarion, a drow barbarian; and Fielle, a human artificer. They must quickly decide to work together to survive the horrors of this land even as they each harbor their own dark secrets.

Distrustful of each other and the magic of this land, they soon find themselves in Strahd’s castle, where things get even worse. “Heir of Strad” tells this story from each of the protagonists’ perspectives, jumping between narrators every chapter. This brilliantly offers insight into each of the characters, but also an external perspective of each as well.

Dawson crafted characters laden with nuance and depth, giving each of them a specific arc. These are not the archetypal heroes who seek adventure due to a greater calling. These characters must reckon with their own cowardice, selfishness, and trauma. While these flaws and secrets can be frustrating at times, they are with purpose. This manifests in characters that initially are unlikable growing into their own and becoming the heroic found family many Dungeons & Dragons parties are destined to become.

Dungeons & Dragons: Ravenloft: Heir of Strahd Captures The Spirit Of A Campaign

“Dungeons & Dragons: Ravenloft: Heir of Strahd” brings the spirit of Dungeons & Dragons to life through the slower character evolutions. As they grow to trust each other and become a party in their own right, it feels earned. The party, along with the audience, slowly peels the layers back on what each hero is hiding and how it has driven them throughout the story.

“Dungeons & Dragons: Ravenloft: Heir of Strahd” is action-packed from the start. The encounters feel genuinely dangerous as these characters slowly navigate how to best fight with one another. The action sequences are dynamic with the shifting perspective, allowing Dawson to show not only what action each character takes, but also what they are thinking throughout the battles.

Dawson also explores a multitude of horror storytelling aspects. “Dungeons & Dragons: Ravenloft: Heir of Strahd” manages to balance a haunted house story, body horror, gothic vampire, and many others. The detailed description in each scene not only perfectly paints a picture, it also ratchets up the tension in the most compelling and terrifying way. Her portrayal of Strahd balances the knife’s edge of hauntingly powerful and terrifying. The raw power is palpable even before his true intentions are revealed.

The Balance Between Horror & Comedy Is Key

While horror is at the crux of this story, humor comes into play as well. This is often through character interactions, notably the snark of Chivarion. However, it also comes into play as a reader who at times knows more than the characters. Most Dungeons & Dragons players know basic information about Strahd, notably that he is a vampire, so the slow revelation of this to the characters is hilariously infuriating at times, especially based on how Strahd behaves.

It is important to note if one is expecting the dark and dramatic story in line with the older Ravenloft novels, this is not that. “Dungeons & Dragons: Ravenloft: Heir of Strahd” is portrayed in the style of Dungeons & Dragons that is more well-known today. This means the story finds a balance between horror, comedy, adventure, and character as opposed to the broody gothic storytelling of past Ravenloft stories.

“Dungeons & Dragons: Ravenloft: Heir of Strahd” is a must-read for fans of fantasy, action, adventure, and horror. While the lore of Dungeons & Dragons is prevalent throughout the novel, it isn’t overpowering. Novice players who only know the basics will easily be able to understand and enjoy “Dungeons & Dragons: Ravenloft: Heir of Strahd.”

Dawson clearly understands why Dungeons & Dragons is such a beloved avenue for captivating stories. The flawed characters that gradually evolve, the hilarious and exciting action sequences, and the tension-filled moments of true terror. The final pages are shocking and will leave readers hoping for more.

“Dungeons & Dragons: Ravenloft: Heir of Strahd” hits shelves May 13 and is available for pre-order now.