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tanja_alina_berg's review against another edition
4.0
This book was a lot better than expected. Being in the middle of the series, I was worried that it wouldn't work as a stand alone, but it did for me at any rate.
The warlord Stradh ends up falling in love with his younger brother's chosen woman. This leads him to invoke terrible magic, whith unintended and unexpected results. Stradh is not exactly a sympathetic character, but this being written from his point of view, it is easier to understand his harsh reign.
A well written and entertaining gothic novel with not a sparkly vampire in sight.
The warlord Stradh ends up falling in love with his younger brother's chosen woman. This leads him to invoke terrible magic, whith unintended and unexpected results. Stradh is not exactly a sympathetic character, but this being written from his point of view, it is easier to understand his harsh reign.
A well written and entertaining gothic novel with not a sparkly vampire in sight.
lieske's review
5.0
I was mesmerised by this book the whole way through. Strahd is such an interesting villain and getting to read his origin from his perspective was such a treat.
I definitely made note for the CoS game I'm running right now
I definitely made note for the CoS game I'm running right now
kingtrashmouth's review
adventurous
dark
emotional
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Leo had it coming to him
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child death, Death, Gore, Suicide, Violence, Blood, Death of parent, Murder, Fire/Fire injury, and Injury/Injury detail
Minor: War and Classism
andrewnguyen's review against another edition
4.0
Strahd von Zarovich is one of the most iconic villains in the Dungeons and Dragons multiverse. Strahd occupies Barovia, a remote corner of Shadowfell that is more gothic horror than high fantasy. And look, Strahd isn’t some dumb comic book hero who wants to rule the universe of something. He’s got a pretty interesting backstory. That being said, he IS a vampire that does pretty typical vampire stuff.
Strahd, having just conquered Barovia and getting a sweet castle, finds himself less than content. The arrival of his younger brother, Sergei, leads to even more discontent on two fronts. One, Sergei is younger and more handsome than Strahd. The aging Strahd is envious of the years that lie ahead of Sergei. Next, Sergei introduces his lovely bride to be, Tatyana, to Strahd. Strahd immediately falls in love with her. Strahd makes a Faustian bargain for eternal life and the affection of Tatyana. As part of the bargain, Strahd murders his brother and, a distressed Tatyana leaps from the tall walls of Castle Ravenloft. Now a vampire, Strahd is also cursed to keep meeting a new incarnation of Tatyana and then watch her die.
I’m a little tired of fantasy novel Mary Sues, so following someone who is a total bastard is refreshing. At some point, Strahd faces off with one of his former companions who has become a holy man. I was 100% cheering for Strahd in that fight. However, when I compare the ‘evil arc’ of Strahd to some of my favorite fictional villains like Walter White or Selina Meyer, I find Strahd a little lacking. I get his motivations, but I don’t think the buildup is very convincing. The moment where he is maybe not going to kill his brother, I was like, “Okay, he is 100% going to do that with no regrets.” He then proceeds to kill him and then NEVER mention him the rest of the book. Strahd isn’t really that connected with the world before he becomes a vampire, so he doesn’t really lose that much when he elects to become a vampire.
Honestly, if I weren’t really interested in the Curse of Strahd Campaign this book is a 2.5-3 stars. It’s a pretty standard fare, page-turning fantasy book. However, I’m a huge DnD fan and I ate this stuff up.
Strahd, having just conquered Barovia and getting a sweet castle, finds himself less than content. The arrival of his younger brother, Sergei, leads to even more discontent on two fronts. One, Sergei is younger and more handsome than Strahd. The aging Strahd is envious of the years that lie ahead of Sergei. Next, Sergei introduces his lovely bride to be, Tatyana, to Strahd. Strahd immediately falls in love with her. Strahd makes a Faustian bargain for eternal life and the affection of Tatyana. As part of the bargain, Strahd murders his brother and, a distressed Tatyana leaps from the tall walls of Castle Ravenloft. Now a vampire, Strahd is also cursed to keep meeting a new incarnation of Tatyana and then watch her die.
I’m a little tired of fantasy novel Mary Sues, so following someone who is a total bastard is refreshing. At some point, Strahd faces off with one of his former companions who has become a holy man. I was 100% cheering for Strahd in that fight. However, when I compare the ‘evil arc’ of Strahd to some of my favorite fictional villains like Walter White or Selina Meyer, I find Strahd a little lacking. I get his motivations, but I don’t think the buildup is very convincing. The moment where he is maybe not going to kill his brother, I was like, “Okay, he is 100% going to do that with no regrets.” He then proceeds to kill him and then NEVER mention him the rest of the book. Strahd isn’t really that connected with the world before he becomes a vampire, so he doesn’t really lose that much when he elects to become a vampire.
Honestly, if I weren’t really interested in the Curse of Strahd Campaign this book is a 2.5-3 stars. It’s a pretty standard fare, page-turning fantasy book. However, I’m a huge DnD fan and I ate this stuff up.
kouvei's review against another edition
dark
emotional
funny
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
4.5
louisreynard's review
4.0
Strahd, the abusive, gaslighting, authoritarian, but surprisingly hot, vampiric fuck face of Ravenloft fame, tells his own story in his own words. It made me want to reach through the page and punch him right in his undead dick. Still, if you're wondering about the background and thought process of one of D&D's most enduring villains, by all means, this is excellent source material. I'm glad that it doesn't try to hide the fact that he's an utter bastard, who barely sees anyone other than himself as more than a tool to be used. Tatanya, true to his abusive nature, is a thing to be possessed, by whatever means necessary.
What a fucking asshole.
What a fucking asshole.
virusvisal's review
4.0
Me estoy preparando para dirigir la campaña y este fue una excelente manera de ahondar un poco más en el personaje.
tealaa16's review
4.0
Still a favorite. I decided to DM D&D 5E Curse of Strahd for a group of players who have never even really heard of Ravenloft, so I broke out this book to get some material to add to my game. Still a fun read after all these years.