That’s a bit of a mouthful, but all the same, it’s been a literal age since I read a Ravenloft book, and this one was written by an author whose previous works regarding vampires I have very much enjoyed, so when I was offered a copy, I gladly accepted!
Thanks to the author, as well as Random House for the review copy!
Five strangers armed with steel and magic awaken in a mist-shrouded land, with no memory of how they arrived: Rotrog, a prideful orcish wizard; Chivarion, a sardonic drow barbarian; Alishai, an embittered tiefling paladin; Kah, a skittish kenku cleric; and Fielle, a sunny human artificer.
After they barely survive a nightmarish welcome to the realm of Barovia, a carriage arrives bearing an invitation:
Fairest Friends,
I pray you accept my humble Hospitality and dine with me tonight at Castle Ravenloft. It is rare we receive Visitors, and I do so Endeavor to Make your Acquaintance. The Carriage shall bear you to the Castle safely, and I await your Arrival with Pleasure.
Your host,
Strahd von Zarovich
With no alternative, and determined to find their way home, the strangers accept the summons and travel to the forbidding manor of the mysterious count. But all is not well at Castle Ravenloft. To survive the twisted enigmas of Strahd and his haunted home, the adventurers must confront the dark secrets in their own hearts and find a way to shift from strangers to comrades—before the mists of Barovia claim them forever.
This is the story of 5 strangers who suddenly find themselves together in a misty land leading them ultimately to the gloomy land of Barovia, the location of Castle Ravenloft. They find themselves guests of Baron Strahd von Zarovich, in the giant dilapidated castle that they can’t seem to leave.
Each one of them has something that lead them to the mist, and they have to work through their issues and work together to escape Strahd’s clutches. Shenanigans ensue!
I love a good Dungeons and Dragons book every now and then. I usually scratch this itch with Drizzt but a Ravenloft book doesn’t usually disappoint either. This one also has a (somewhat) friendly drow, this one named Chivarion. He’s a barbarian, and with his best friend Murder (a tressym – like a cat with wings). He reminded me of Astarion in so many ways, so naturally he just ended up being my favorite character from the get-go.
Kah is a kenku (more or less a flightless crow-person) cleric, and I loved Kah for one reason and that is because once upon a time in a D&D campaign I played, one of my friends played a kenku, and it could have been Kah exactly. Kah’s existence alone brought back some pretty great memories.
Fielle, a human artificer, becomes somewhat of a more major character in this one, as some interesting things happen to her along the way.
Rotrog, an orc wizard, and Alishai, a tiefling paladin were my least favorite characters. They were both just unpleasant (by design) and I wasn’t here for it. They did grow as characters as the story went on and they grew on
All told, this was an entertaining D&D adventure in Castle Ravenloft. It’s definitely worth a read if you like a quick read in the D&D universe. 4/5 stars!
superstardrifter 
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