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linddykal's review against another edition
3.0
A pulp fiction Dracula-esque adventure story from the 1990’s. Not bad for what it is. Recommended for people that enjoy comics.
trashrussell's review against another edition
4.0
This is a pure bias rating, but if you are ever planning on running Curse of Strahd this is a must-read for characterization of the titular villain.
spawnofwisdom's review against another edition
5.0
Stepping into the psyche of the Devil Strahd is quite enlightening. I have a better sense of his former humanity while understanding his monstrous nature.
I definitely recommend this as a campaign prep for any dark/high fantasy RPG game.
I definitely recommend this as a campaign prep for any dark/high fantasy RPG game.
mw2k's review against another edition
5.0
A five star Dungeons and Dragons book? Yes, this is it. Everything clicked with this instalment - the narrative, the characterisations, the pacing, everything. Elrod's erudite and understated style is a welcome change from the usual quasi-fanfic renditions some of these D&D novels are - hi Ed Greenwood!
Elrod makes Strahd incredibly three dimensional. He was a cipher in the previous books in this series where he featured - a bad Hollywood Dracula - but here? It's incredible to watch his descent from determined and honourable soldier to self-serving and self-absorbed vampire. You almost sympathise with his plight - almost.
I, Strahd is a cautionary tale like no other, and if the remainder of the Ravenloft franchise I haven't read is half as good as this, then I'll be happy to read them.
Elrod makes Strahd incredibly three dimensional. He was a cipher in the previous books in this series where he featured - a bad Hollywood Dracula - but here? It's incredible to watch his descent from determined and honourable soldier to self-serving and self-absorbed vampire. You almost sympathise with his plight - almost.
I, Strahd is a cautionary tale like no other, and if the remainder of the Ravenloft franchise I haven't read is half as good as this, then I'll be happy to read them.
ipacho's review
4.0
This is one of the best Dungeons and Dragons novels I've read and a lesson of HOW VAMPIRES SHOULD BE PORTRAYED. Strahd is tragical, witty, passionate, intelligent, vile, repulsive, smart... a fantastic character. There are a few drawbacks to the tale, like the lack of depth into Stradh's fascination with Tatyana, or the lack of details like, for example, how Barovia's inhabitants look to the jailing mists. The pacing is fantastic, and some in-scene descriptions are wonderful. A must for the vampiric horror fans.
juliannos's review
4.0
TL;DR: Short, but fun and interesting read. Great for those interested in Curse of Strahd or the Ravenloft setting in D&D, but is also a good read for those not into playing tabletop. A good, solid vampire story.
My reasoning for wanting to read this book is due to the fact that I am currently running the Curse of Strahd campaign for my friends and wanted to dig a little deeper into the lore surrounding the main villain of the story - Strahd von Zarovich. Much of his story and the surrounding setting is heavily inspired and, at times, stolen from Stoker's Dracula. So, of course, I was going to love it.
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But, it's actually a decent vampire story. Considering it's an adaptation of the original campaign from the early 1990s and published in 1993, I had... low expectations to say the least. Color me surprised when I found myself enthralled and actually caring about the story, even though it's one I know well. It doesn't go too heavy into the details of the world, instead focusing on Strahd's character - his motivations, his thoughts, and his actions. It asks a simple question for its reader: is Strahd a villain because he's a vampire or is he a villain because of his innate nature? And, perhaps most interestingly, it asks if his vampirism reveal new aspects of himself that did not exist before or does it merely give him permission to act in the terrible ways he always wanted to?
It is also worth noting that it is never written as if Strahd himself thinks he is the villain in his story but he is still a being of terror in his world. I've long been frustrated with the lack of scary vampires in fiction. They are a quintessential part of gothic romance, but it leaned more towards romance than gothic in recent years. I, Strahd is not a romantic book, nor is Strahd supposed to be a romantic hero, even if he thinks of himself as one. He is scary and possessive and vicious, while also being calculated and intelligent. While not the villain in his own story, it's easy to step back and see how he would be one to those around him.
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If you like vampire stories or character studies, I would recommend this book, even if you're not into Dungeons & Dragons. It's a fairly light read (I finished in about 5 hours of total read time, according to my kindle) so it doesn't demand much of your time. Good for a dark and stormy night.
My reasoning for wanting to read this book is due to the fact that I am currently running the Curse of Strahd campaign for my friends and wanted to dig a little deeper into the lore surrounding the main villain of the story - Strahd von Zarovich. Much of his story and the surrounding setting is heavily inspired and, at times, stolen from Stoker's Dracula. So, of course, I was going to love it.
⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
But, it's actually a decent vampire story. Considering it's an adaptation of the original campaign from the early 1990s and published in 1993, I had... low expectations to say the least. Color me surprised when I found myself enthralled and actually caring about the story, even though it's one I know well. It doesn't go too heavy into the details of the world, instead focusing on Strahd's character - his motivations, his thoughts, and his actions. It asks a simple question for its reader: is Strahd a villain because he's a vampire or is he a villain because of his innate nature? And, perhaps most interestingly, it asks if his vampirism reveal new aspects of himself that did not exist before or does it merely give him permission to act in the terrible ways he always wanted to?
It is also worth noting that it is never written as if Strahd himself thinks he is the villain in his story but he is still a being of terror in his world. I've long been frustrated with the lack of scary vampires in fiction. They are a quintessential part of gothic romance, but it leaned more towards romance than gothic in recent years. I, Strahd is not a romantic book, nor is Strahd supposed to be a romantic hero, even if he thinks of himself as one. He is scary and possessive and vicious, while also being calculated and intelligent. While not the villain in his own story, it's easy to step back and see how he would be one to those around him.
⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
If you like vampire stories or character studies, I would recommend this book, even if you're not into Dungeons & Dragons. It's a fairly light read (I finished in about 5 hours of total read time, according to my kindle) so it doesn't demand much of your time. Good for a dark and stormy night.