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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.
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.
Key Details
- Publisher: Random House Worlds
- Release Date: May 13, 2025
- Author: Delilah S. Dawson
- Price: $30.00 via Amazon
- Copy Provided for Review: Yes
A Rotating Cast of Compelling Characters
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.
A Tale As Mesmerizing as Barovia’s Count Himself
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.
Looking for more Dungeons & Dragons book reviews? Check out our review of Dungeons & Dragons: Worlds & Realms.
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