Why do I love D&D novels so much? I’ll tell you. My love of D&D books (paperbacks!) goes back to the 80s, my pre-teen and teen years. I spent so many hours of my free time reading them. They had an incredible influence on me and formed some of my creative aesthetic – still do. In this article, I’m going to attempt to share with you some of the reasons why I love them. Keep reading if you want to know what they are!
I want to stress that I’m not saying that I’m right and you’re wrong if you don’t like these types of books. My personal tastes in some of my favorite media are not shared by everyone, and that’s OK. I’m sure there are plenty of people out there who love the Fire & Ice series and others that aren’t set in the D&D universe. That’s fine. This is a personal article, not a critique of other people’s preferences.
My Favorite D&D Novel?
Let’s get on with it, shall we? First, I’m going to give you some reasons why D&D novels are awesome before sharing my absolute favorite.
They tell me an epic story in a single, self-contained volume – usually.
Yes, there are series, and trilogies (and quintets! – looking at you RA Salvatore), but there’s also a lot of really great (solid) novels that wrap it all up nicely in a single novel. This is refreshing because you know there’s no waiting for the next. However, if you enjoy the character, it might also drive you nuts that you won’t get more to the story.
Creative and talented authors.
Whether it’s Margaret Weis and Tracy Hickman, or Ed Greenwood, these folks are all great writers. I love how they can weave the story and the characters. You feel like you’re right there with the characters, experiencing everything they are. You can tell they’ve played the game and understand what makes D&D special. These authors have a love for D&D and storytelling.
They’re for all ages.
There are so many things that I loved as a kid/teen that I can no longer watch or read as an adult. But I can get my fantasy fix from these novels. They’re usually pretty clean, but not always. The writing is very accessible and engaging. They’re generally fast-paced and exciting.
Fantastic settings.
One of the best things about D&D novels is that the settings vary so much. From the Forgotten Realms, to Krynn, to Blackmoor, to Eberron and more, there’s so much variety. I’m never bored with a new setting and can be transported to a far away fantasy world.
My Favorite D&D Novel Is…
Okay, my personal favorite(s) are the Gord the Rogue series. You can ask me to pick one, but I cannot. They do change during the series – which some don’t like – but I think it shows character growth and evolution. It’s a really great series and it’s really hard to pick just one.
Whatever your tastes, you’re sure to find a best D&D novel of your own. Stay tuned for even more articles on various D&D novels!