It's okay! I should have known better because I don't love Strahd as a campaign and I feel like this format (a random group of people dropped off in the mist) is hard to feel anything for when they barely know each other, but I don't mind reading these.

A really fun novel that melds classic D&D and the Ravenloft setting as the characters are forced to confront the literal monsters there while also facing their own figurative demons as the story races to its unexpected conclusion.

Thanks to Random House Worlds and Netgalley for the digital ARC. This was given to me for an honest review.

This is a well-written enjoyable story that focuses on the setting of Ravenloft as some sort of purgatory. Facing its horrors, the main characters dare to face their past cruel or selfish tendencies and attempted actions, and learn to trust each other, changing in the end. This makes the novel resonate with the hero's journey arc structure.
The book is fast-paced and entertaining, and alternates between characters, exploring their points of view. It focuses on how victimization can sow the seeds of future villainy by unaddressed resentment and validation gaps, and thus works as a psychological journey as well. These themes are most pertinent from the perspective of Ravenloft, which I think is well portrayed.
The larger realm of Barovia beyond Castle Ravenloft is not really examined much, and I think it would have been interesting to look at the perspectives and diversity of its inhabitants to make the story richer. The characters do end up traveling temporarily to a different domain of dread, though.
The cover image suggests that the tone of the story is lighter than it actually is. Perhaps written as a young adult novel, readers of other ages will enjoy reading it.
Finally, I think that it is worth mentioning that I especially liked how the author handled action scenes, in a way that blended with the overall theme and style of the book: they never dragged for too long, which would distract from the inner turmoil exploration. Rather, it went to the point, skipping in clever ways to cut to the decisive aspects of the combat or danger scenes. This might sound paradoxical from a fantasy adventure storytelling perspective, but I found this to be quite refreshing and keep the reader's attention while having exciting scenes at the same time.

Alas, this one wasn't for me. My thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for the opportunity to read this in advance.

Thank you Netgalley for the advance reader copy of Dungeons & Dragons's Ravenloft: Heir of Strahd by Delilah S. Dawson in exchange for an honest review. This was a wonderful mishmash of old monster stories mixed in with Dungeons and Dragons characters. I loved how Dawson combined old stories with new names and a new spin.

Dungeons & Dragons: Ravenloft: Heir of Strahd by Delilah S. Dawson is a darkly enchanting journey into the gothic world of Barovia, rich with dread, magic, and moral complexity At the center of the tale is Strahd von Zarovich, the infamous vampire lord whose origin story is reimagined with a surprising amount of thoughtfulness. Dawson peels back the layers of Strahd’s tragic past revealing a man consumed by love lost as he spirals into darkness With excellent world building and a charming cast of characters, Dawson draws readers into a world where every shadow hides a secret and every choice has a price. Whether you're a longtime fan of D&D or new to its faceted lands, Dawson delivers a compelling character study wrapped in a chilling fantasy adventure.

As someone who cut their fantasy teeth on the original Dragonlance novels, and who fell in love with the whole Ravenloft setting back in the 80s, I was excited about Delilah S. Dawson drawing us through the mists again for another encounter with the legendary Darklord, Strahd von Zarovich.

The first half of Ravenloft: Heir of Strahd was everything I could have hoped for. Dawson does a fantastic job of setting the scene, creating the atmosphere, and grounding us in Barovia. The characters are a fun group of adventurers, a mad assortment of strangers from other D&D realms who must band together against zombies, wolves, and more. There's action, violence, banter, and even some moments of genuine heroism. I was interested in this party, excited to get to know them and learn their backstories, and curious about how their encounter with Strahd would challenge and change them.

As for Strahd, he was played a bit too thin for my tastes, evil and cruel from the get-go, with none of the seduction into darkness that I remember from the original stories. For all that, I did like his brand of evil, and enjoyed the way he played on the fears and dreams of the party, but then he disappears for half the book and my interest waned without him.

The second half of the book, I'm afraid to say, was a bitter disappointment. The party is split up, with a side quest outside of Barovia that really added nothing to the story, and what little we do see of Strahd is tied to character changes that don't ring true. To make matters worse, when the story finally brings us back to where it all started, we're dropped into the middle of the climax, with most of the epic-final-battle-against-the-villain already over. Seriously? How was that a creative decision that slipped past editorial?

Ravenloft: Heir of Strahd had potential, but then it abandons what's working to pad the page count, only to come back and abbreviate the battle where additional page count was needed.

Received as an ARC from Netgalley:

I had a wonderful time with this book. Curse of Strahd is the only DnD module I've played in full so far, so it was fun exploring a somewhat familiar setting once again.

The core cast of characters all have a really entertaining back and forth, which makes it a fun read. Despite some of their quirky exteriors, they all have a level of depth to them that makes it a worthwhile adventure for any fan of gothic horror OR D&D shenanigans.

Murder the flying hairless cat is like an all timer animal companion, and I'm definitely stealing him for my next campaign. I too brought a cat into Barovia but it didn't end well for mine.

As a big fan of the 5e module, this was a fun, indulgent read. Barovia really is a place that “feels like all good things have died” and the author did a great job capturing it

Dungeons & Dragons: Ravenloft: Heir of Strahd by Delilah S. Dawson
I'm loving this dark fantasy world of Ravenloft.
It was extremely creepy which I totally enjoyed.
Really enjoyed this and although the writing didn’t hold my attention the whole time, the flawed-yet-heroic characters and surprisingly emotional story sure did.

Delilah S. Dawson is the co-writer of one of my favorite series, The Tales of Pell. I had to read Ravenloft: Heir of Strahd. Even if you have never played Dungeons and Dragons, everyone on knows about the core monsters of horror, Dr. Frankenstein, Dracula and the Wolfman. Putting a D & D twist on these was the Ravenloft book for the fifth edition. Dawson turns the tales of Ravenloft into the story of a band of misfits pulled into the realm of Strahd the mysterious lord of a twisted world hidden in the mists.

Fielle the tavern maid, Chivarion the drow mercenary, Rotrog an orc wizard, Kah a Kenke cleric and Alishai a paladin all made choices that went against their nature. Choices that if they followed through would have put them onto a dark and twisted path. The next this they knew they were on the ground asleep in a strange forest full of mist. Woken by the call of a crow, the group try to find shelter and someone that can tell them where they are. Instead they are trapped in a demented butcher shop and nearly all killed. Full of twists and turns this delicious nightmare will creep you out and keep you reading until dawn!

Can the group of five strangers learn to become a party and survive the horrors waiting for them at the castle of Strahd?

I liked this, and it was fun to once again immerse myself in a fantasy world that I read about so much as a teenager. However, the descriptions were often odd and had me scratching my head. I won’t quote anything, but I guarantee you’ll know what I’m talking about when you come across an example of this. Also, this book was probably about a hundred pages too long, and it should’ve ended far before it finally did.

That ending though! I really did not expect that, and it’s perfect. I would read about these characters again.

Thank you to NetGalley and Random House Worlds for the eARC in exchange for my honest feedback.

3.5, rounded up to 4.

The only reason this took me so long to read was dealing with finals for school. In between that this book was a relaxing and refreshing break from the academic life. As always jumping into the Ravenloft setting is creepy and having run through a Strahd campaign myself I felt like I was back there in a game of D&D. I treated this like enjoying a story of a watching a campaign unfold in front of. Very well written. Enjoyable characters.

It’s been a long time since I read or played D&D (table top or video game) but as soon as I started reading Delilah S. Dawson’s Dungeons & Dragons: Ravenloft: Heir of Strahd I was transported back to my youth. As I said, I haven’t played in what feels like forever so I don’t know if this was ever a campaign module or not, (it felt somewhat familiar so it might have been based on one.) Starting out with a band of adventures waking up, unfamiliar with each other, unsure of where they are, how they came to be there, or how they’ll get home. It had me ready to start digging into the boxes in my closet to look for my dice, lol. (I’m only half kidding.) Dawson did a really good job with this adventure, crafting a well paced story with an interesting cast of characters, a compelling quest, atmospheric locale filled with horrors, and a decent amount of action. Definitely made me remember why I enjoyed D&D so much when I was younger. I’d like to thank Random House Publishing Group - Del Rey, Random House Worlds, Inklore | Random House Worlds, and NetGalley for the opportunity to read and review an eARC of Heir of Strahd.

https://www.amazon.com/review/R31P0QX6MXIMCP/ref=pe_123899240_1043597390_SRTC0204BT_cm_rv_eml_rv0_rv

I have never read a dungeons and dragons book. When I requested the book I just read the description and knew the author. I didn't realize it was the 22nd book in a series. I really enjoyed it and I didn't need to read the other books to be able to understand this one. I thought the book had plenty of action and a few moments here and there to slow down and get to know the characters a bit more. I loved the humor. I would recommend to anyone who likes quest fantasy that maybe doesn't take itself to seriously .

Delilah S. Dawson's "Dungeons & Dragons: Ravenloft: Heir of Strahd" is an absolute triumph that captures the dark, brooding essence of Ravenloft while breathing new life into its legendary lore. From the very first page, Dawson’s vivid storytelling and atmospheric prose envelop readers, pulling them deep into the shadow-cloaked world of Barovia.

The character development is exceptional, with Count Strahd von Zarovich portrayed with chilling depth and nuance, making him both fearsome and tragically compelling. The supporting cast is equally engaging, each character adding a unique thread to the intricate tapestry of intrigue, horror, and dark romance that defines the novel.

What truly sets "Heir of Strahd" apart is Dawson’s ability to balance the gothic elements of Ravenloft with fast-paced, thrilling action sequences. The narrative is rich with the lore that long-time D&D fans will appreciate, while remaining accessible to newcomers unfamiliar with the setting.

The atmospheric descriptions are hauntingly beautiful, evoking the misty forests, crumbling castles, and eerie villages of Barovia with such clarity that you feel as though you’re walking its cursed paths alongside the characters.

In conclusion, "Heir of Strahd" is a must-read for fans of dark fantasy, D&D enthusiasts, and anyone who appreciates masterful storytelling. Delilah S. Dawson has crafted a tale worthy of the legendary Strahd, filled with suspense, emotion, and dark enchantment. I couldn’t put it down and am eagerly looking forward to what Dawson brings to the D&D literary universe next!

Ravenloft: Heir of Strahd is a fantastic D&D adventure packed with terrifying monsters, high-stakes battles, and a party that (almost) never agrees on anything. This was my first D&D novel and, as an infrequent player, I loved the setting and the worldbuilding Dawson brings to life in Barovia and its vampiric ruler.

The story kicks off with a classic setup: five strangers thrown together and forced into a shared conflict. Dawson’s writing is quick and concise, with short chapters that shift between the perspectives of each party member. The structure and pacing help to keep things fresh throughout the journey.

There’s a great balance between horror (true to the Ravenloft setting) and some genuinely funny or chaotic party dynamics as they try to survive the Domains of Dread. Each character’s backstory is woven in gradually, raising the emotional stakes as we learn their secrets. I loved how this mirrors the way the party opens up to each other and becomes an actual team.

The only real bump for me was the transition from middle to end. Without spoiling anything, the final battle didn’t quite carry the weight I expected after the strong setup in the first third. Still, the ending was satisfying, and there is a twist in the final pages that leaves room for more adventures with this group.

Dawson also includes plenty of D&D tropes that even casual players will appreciate. The party discovers a powerful spell combo between the cleric and the wizard, which they use repeatedly in battle. The wizard is more interested in hoarding spellbooks than finishing the mission. And there are moments so disastrous, you can practically hear someone rolling a natural 1. These Easter eggs enhance the experience for fans, but the book is still highly accessible. Readers who have never played the game will be just as eager to see what happens next.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the digital ARC in exchange for a review.

Thank you to Del Rey / Random House Worlds, Inklore, and NetGalley for the advance eARC!

This book captures the essence of a D&D campaign, and I mean that in the best, most chaotic way possible. Five strangers wake up in Barovia with no memory and vibes that scream “session zero gone wrong.” It’s moody, it’s fast-paced, and it absolutely feels like a group of players thrown together with barely a game plan and way too much emotional baggage. I was here for it.

The party dynamic is great. You've got the sarcastic drow barbarian, the anxious kenku cleric, the orc wizard with some serious frustration issues, the paladin with a past, and the overachieving human artificer who is way too chipper for Barovia. It reads like watching players figure each other out, with awkward moments, snarky banter, the emotional swings that only happen when someone rolls a nat 20 right after a disaster. And honestly? It works. Even the humor has that table-energy charm, complete with the occasional corny one-liner.

Pacing is quick and sharp. Every chapter moves with purpose, like a DM on a timer, and there’s a good balance between monster fights, moral dilemmas, and moments that make you pause and feel something. It even has that “new player trying a class they’ve never played before” energy... IYKYK.

Barovia is bleak, eerie, and perfectly rendered. Dawson nails the gothic dread without over-explaining the setting, which makes it super accessible. You don’t need to know anything about Ravenloft or even D&D to enjoy it, but if you do, there are little nods and flavor details that absolutely hit.

Final thoughts?
Heir of Strahd is dark, fast, chaotic, and just plain fun. It’s got the tension, the found-family vibes, and the kind of character chaos that feels straight out of a homebrew campaign. Whether you're a D&D veteran or just curious about the vibe, this one delivers.

Thank you to NetGalley for early access to this book!

As someone who is currently playing a Curse of Strahd campaign as of this review, I felt more than the right audience for this book. I've been adventuring in Barovia for over a year now and I know Strahd and his usual games as well as the next person. I thought I would really enjoy this book! But....I did not.

Spoilers ahead for Curse of Strahd and this book ahead!

Firstly, this book does a pretty good job at showing off the kind of monster Strahd is right off the bat. In his scenes where he confronts the characters individually, the silent threats and power plays were all very familiar. Since Strahd is one of the biggest facets of a Curse of Strahd campaign, it's important that he comes off as dangerous which he did beautifully. (In fact, it's because of this that I have gripes about it)

I also appreciated all the small references to other areas of Dungeons and Dragons canon, from Waterdeep, to the Kenkus, to the lore of the Mists! I think for anyone who has played DND for a long time would greatly appreciate those small callbacks and references.

My largest gripe from the book is the cause of why I picked it up in the first place: The actual Curse of Strahd campaign. As I mentioned earlier, I am actively involved with the campaign. My dear friend is currently DMing it and tells me far too many secrets about the lore than I should know. While I am not a DM, I would like to say I know much about the lore, world building, and intricacies that are needed for a Ravenloft novel after a year of adventuring in Barovia and dealing with Strand's BS.

The campaign book from which many a sleep-deprived DM take their inspo is chock full of rich lore, world building, and fascinating characters across the valley. There's Vallaki and it's 'there-is-no-war-in-ba-sing-se' approach to Strahd, there's the Martikovs, there's the culture of the Barovian village, the dream pastries and the hags, Then in Ravenloft, we have countless maids, servants, and of course the consorts: Escher, Ludmilla, Anastrasya, and Volenta. And that's all I've encountered so far! We have yet to reach the Amber Temple, the other cities in the valley, and many other NPCs.

Curse of Strahd isn't just about Strahd, but how Strahd's presence has twisted people out of the original shape to suit his agenda. The darkness of human kind. And the alluring seduction of evil.

But this novel contains none of this!

While I will applaud the author for writing characters that are intriguing, interesting, and that you grow to care for, this book leaves out so much of what makes Curse of Strahd compelling. For one, the only site the characters visit in Barovia is a haunted butcher's shop (Which never appears once in any Curse of Strahd campaign book and I am assuming is an original location) and Castle Ravenloft. We only meet Strahd, Rahadin, the accountant, and Tatyana. I would mention Escher, but he is included in such a throwaway mention that it's hard to count his appearance as anything but a gimmick. The consorts aren't even mentioned until they are lying dead on the ground in the final fight (more to be mentioned on that later). A novel in Ravenloft can work in theory (My lovely DM and I were working on one as a side project), but you have to dive deep into the horror, characters, and the lore.

This book did not do that, using the castle as more of a horror movie backdrop. And then after that, the author decides to detour us in an entirely different domain of dread. Why? Why not stay in Barovia, where the story is meant to be concentrated in? It takes away from the horror that has been built in Ravenloft and removes the chance for readers to interact with the valley more. And more importantly, you don't talk to Strahd.

And then The Strahd Dilemma. Strahd is written well in his confrontations. The scene with Chivarion and Murder was phenomenal...but they are so little! In fact, we only have him for around 30% of the novel! In those times, he stays his evil, smarmy self. Strahd starts off as evil and stays that way. Granted, his acts of intimidation are amazingly written and truly convey his horror, but a part of the allure of Strahd is the seduction Into evil. It felt rushed, too fast-paced, eager to show off the darkness in him than have any characters be genuinely and truly swayed by him and his words. His evil isn't just in his cruelty, it's in his narcissism and performance as someone who play-acts as personhood. And then he's absent for nearly 50% of the book! You miss out on such much since the campaign is also meant to center around his dominion, his control, and his seduction of the party into evil!

The final fight of Ravenloft is the climax of any campaign (My DM lives in horror we will not be able to succeed in killing the old bat himself). I expected a grand fight with strategy, especially with Fielle/Tatyana teaming up with Van Richten. But instead, we quite literally happen upon the fight at its very conclusion. Strahd is completely defeated. Van Richten almost dead (The consorts, my babies, dead on the ground, not even having the dignity to be named. Sorry escher. For such an evil, powerful character who was built up to be dangerous, conniving, and horrifying, it was such....a lackluster ending. I believe the author was attempting a trope reversal, a powerful man reduced to nothing by his victim, but rather than feel empowering, it felt like a cheap victory. Strahd didn't feel strong, merely weak.

If I hadn't participated in the campaign, then I would've been merely annoyed by the pacing. But these deeper, more structural errors only stand out to me because I have played in the campaign. By the end of the book, I was merely skimming it. I leave these mists and into more terrifying ones, hoping a vampire is not around to bite me. Sigh. If My DM is reading this, please give me inspiration for this amazing review.

After years of watching Dungeons & Dragons from afar, I finally dove in when I got invited to play the Curse of Strahd campaign. This fact, along with my not-so-secret history as a Twilight fangirl, means that this campaign setting has a special place in my nerdy little heart. So, when I saw that the latest Dungeons & Dragons novel would take readers to Ravenloft, I knew I needed to read it immediately. Many thanks to Del Rey / Random House Worlds for the digital review copy!

Heir of Strahd takes readers to the mysterious land of Barovia. Five adventurers find themselves suddenly in the twisted location, with no idea how they got there or how to get out. A true D&D party comprised of a Wizard, Barbarian, Paladin, Cleric, and Artificer, the companions soon find themselves the reluctant guests of Count Strahd von Zarovich himself. For those familiar with the campaign, there’s plenty of enticingly familiar lore, but author Delilah S. Dawson tells a new story all her own in the pages of this Dungeons & Dragons tie-in novel.

Our party is comprised of five adventurers, and the story is told through alternating perspectives. Through this device, we get to know each member of our party through their own view of the world, alongside seeing them through each other’s eyes. Dawson does a brilliant job of making each character’s perspective feel unique while still telling a cohesive and compelling story that grabs the reader from the first page.

Each character is a different class from D&D, offering another layer of interest for fans of the TTRPG. We get to see the secrets behind why the orcish wizard is so aloof and what drives a barbarian with a soft, squishy heart at his core. As the adventure unfolds, we even get a novelized version of what it looks like when a party levels up, something that was handled brilliantly on the page.

If you’re wondering whether this novel has anything to offer someone who’s already played Curse of Strahd, the answer is yes. Much like every party plays a campaign differently, the novel borrows some devices from the setting and story while telling a unique tale all its own. Despite occasionally chuckling at how I knew certain things about Strahd before the characters did, I found myself surprised (and occasionally horrified) throughout the book.

Heir of Strahd tells the story of Strahd in a new way, through the latest set of adventurers to unwillingly arrive at Castle Ravenloft. The plot moves at a decent clip while still allowing space for some lore about Strahd, Barovia, and goddesses like Selune. It’s a page-turner, but not one without a little time and space to reflect or hold you in suspense.

If I thought I knew where the story was going, I was wrong. There are twists, turns, and surprises right to the very last page that will keep you engaged for all 336 pages of the story.

Final Score – 9.5/10
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

In all, Ravenloft: Heir of Strahd is a solid fantasy novel in its own right, with the extra dose of inside knowledge for D&D fans. It offers something to enjoy for those familiar with Strahd’s stories while still explaining enough to carry readers who aren’t. If you’re looking for a solid TTRPG-style adventure in book form, with a dash of spookiness along with it, Heir of Strahd is sure to deliver.