The Ravenloft Books: A Reader’s Guide
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When it comes to Dungeons & Dragons settings, the world of Ravenloft stands apart, offering up a blood spattered dose of Gothic horror instead of the usual high fantasy found in settings like Dragonlance or the Forgotten Realms. First published over 40 years ago as a D&D game module, Ravenloft has since grown in popularity, spawning comic books, toys, video games, and more.
Much of this unique horror-fantasy world, however, has been developed in the nearly two dozen Ravenloft books that have been published since the early 1990s. This collection of novels (many of which are now sadly out of print) helped established much of the lore of the setting and fleshed out characters – such as the dreaded vampire Count Strahd von Zarovich – that have continued to appear to appear in the world.
To help you navigate your way through the Domains of Dread, we’ve put together this complete reader’s guide to Ravenloft books. To keep things simple, for each title we’ve included the publication date, a brief write-up on what it’s all about, and links to further readings.
So grab your holy water and wooden stakes, and prepare to enter into the Mists, as we delve into the terrifying world of the Ravenloft novels.
Table of Contents
What is Ravenloft?
How many Ravenloft book are there?
Does Ravenloft have a reading order?
What are the books in chronological order?
What are the best Ravenloft books?
What is Ravenloft?
Ravenloft is a Dungeons & Dragons campaign setting originally created by husband-and-wife game designers Laura and Tracy Hickman, who are perhaps best known for creating the Dragonlance setting. While working at TSR, the two decided to create a vampire villain with a complex backstory who ruled over a land filled with elements of Gothic horror. The idea was later adapted for the first edition of Advanced Dungeons & Dragons and was released in 1983 as Module I6: Ravenloft.
Publisher TSR later expanded the world of Ravenloft in subsequent editions of D&D, releasing numerous campaign books, adventures and supplements, including the 1990 Ravenloft: Realm of Terror box set (often referred to fittingly as “the Black Box”). Since then, the world has appeared in, or been referenced in, every single edition of Dungeons & Dragons, including most recently in the fifth edition, which saw the release of both the Curse of Strahd campaign book and Van Richten’s Guide to Ravenloft. The setting has also appeared in novels, comic books, toys, trading cards, board games and video games.
The world of Ravenloft itself is a pocket dimension known as the Demiplane of Dread, which was created by a mysterious force known only as the Dark Powers. This shadowy realm consists of a series of interconnected lands known as Domains, each of which is surrounded by strange, magical mists that generate the geography, monsters and people which inhabit the lands. Each domain is further ruled over by a Darklord, who is drawn to and trapped inside their respective realm by the Mists.
The most famous Domain of Dread is the country of Barovia, which is ruled over by the vampire lord Strahd von Zarovich, but countless other unique domains exist, some of which are connected and some of which remain isolated as “islands” in the Mists.
How many Ravenloft books are there?
As of May 2023, there are 23 Ravenloft novels, with the vast majority published in the 1990s. Despite the popularity of the setting, however, the last Ravenloft novel was published in 2008.
Current Dungeons & Dragons publisher Wizards of the Coast has not announced any further plans to publish any further Ravenloft books, although it remains a possibility given that the series is still a fan favorite and a popular setting for D&D itself.
Do the Ravenloft books have a reading order?
No. There is no reading order to the Ravenloft novels. Virtually any book can be picked up and enjoyed with no prior reading or knowledge required. That being said, some of the same characters appear in multiple books. Even these books, however, can still largely be enjoyed as a standalone experience.
For new readers, we recommend starting with Vampire of the Mists or Knight of the Black Rose, as these are both excellent novels that really help set up the larger lore of Ravenloft and introduce two of the most popular characters in the setting.
The Ravenloft books in chronological order
Below we’ve broken out the complete list of every Ravenloft novel published to date. For ease of reference, we’ve listed them in chronological order by publication date.
1. Vampire of the Mists
Published: September 1991
Written by fantasy author Christie Golden, this marks the first entry in the Ravenloft book series. The story follows the adventures of Jander Sunstar, a former gold elf turned vampire, who also briefly appears in several Forgotten Realms books. Trapped in Barovia by the Mists, Jander soon finds himself facing down the dreaded vampire lord Strahd von Zarovich himself, with the two entering into an undead battle of wills. It’s a fast, fun and blood spattered exploration of the Domains of Dread that really set the tone for the rest of the series.
2. Knight of the Black Rose
Published: December 1991
Written by award-winning author James Lowder, the novel follows the infamous undead warrior Lord Soth, a popular villain who first appears in the Dragonlance books. Haunted by his past transgressions, Soth is mysteriously transported to Barovia and finds himself facing the dreaded Count Strahd von Zarovich. Desperate to return to his own world, Soth reluctantly allies himself with a captive Vistani woman and an untrustworthy ghost. The result is easily one of the best Ravenloft novels in the series, and a unique crossover between two of D&D’s most popular settings.
3. Dance of the Dead
Published: July 1992
Another in the Ravenloft series written by fantasy author Christie Golden, the book follows the adventures of dancer Larissa Snowmane. When her riverboat makes an unexpected stop, she soon finds herself stranded in the Domain of Dread known as Sourange; a swampy island based on the voodoo lore of Louisiana and the southern United States. Larissa must then use all of her skill and cunning to try and escape a land overrun by ravenous zombies and bizarre swamp creatures.
4. Heart of Midnight
Published: December 1992
Written by award-winning fantasy author J. Robert King, this particular Ravenloft novel takes place in Kartakass, a Domain of Dread known for its dark forests and skilled bards. The story follows a young orphan named Casimir, who sets out to get revenge against the man who murdered his mother. To aid in his quest, he joins with Harkon Lukas, the Darklord of Kartakass who also happens to be wolfwere (essentially a wolf who can transform into a human). It’s an unusual take on one of Ravenloft’s most unique domains.
5. Tapestry of Dark Souls
Published: March 1993
Written by popular horror author Elaine Bergstrom, this novel takes place in the Domain of Dread known as Tepest, a land filled with a vast and haunted wilderness. The story follows several different characters who find their fates intertwined by “The Gathering Cloth,” a powerful artifact which contains the souls of countless evil beings, and which is guarded by an ancient order of monks.
6. Carnival of Fear
Published: July 1993
Written by J. Robert King, this standalone novel is set in the Domain of Dread known as L’Morai. The story follows three carnival performers – a blind juggler, a man-giant and a magician – who investigate a death near one of their shows and uncover a larger conspiracy in the nearby city. Featuring creepy puppets, dark magic and a bizarre murder mystery, it’s a unique entry in the Ravenloft series.
7. I, Strahd: The Memoirs of a Vampire
Published: September 1993
Written by P.N. Elrod, an author best known for her Vampire Files series of urban fantasy novels, this particular novel offers a deeper exploration into the history of Count Strahd von Zarovich. Written in the first person, the books chronicles Strahd’s blood drenched past, from his early days as a human to the dark choices and tormented love which eventually drives him to become an undead monster. It’s easily one of the better Ravenloft books in publication and definitely worth reading for fans of the Curse of Strahd D&D campaign.
8. The Enemy Within
Published: February 1994
Set in the domain of Nova Vaasa, this Ravenloft novel follows the adventures of Sir Tristan Hiregaard, a kind nobleman, skilled warrior and trusted advisor to the king. Unfortunately, Tristan is also often overtaken by his sinister alter-ego, the evil crimelord Malken. It’s essentially the Ravenloft version of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde that follows Tristan’s inner struggle, while also delving into a larger mystery and conspiracy that threatens that heart of the kingdom.
9. Mordenheim
Published: May 1994
Written by popular horror author Chet Williamson, this novel is essentially the Ravenloft version of Frankenstein (borrowing more from the 1950s film version rather than Mary Shelley’s original work). The story follows two young necromancers who agree to assist the brilliant Victor Mordenheim in his efforts to revive his dead wife. Events, however, soon spiral out of their control and they find themselves caught up in a web of dark magic and undead monsters.
10. Tales of Ravenloft
Published: September 1994
A collection of short stories set in the Ravenloft world, this anthology features a number of recurring characters that have appeared in previous books, including Strahd von Zarovich and Lord Soth. Written by a variety of authors, each tale offers a hefty dose of horror that also helps further establish much of the Ravenloft lore.
11. Tower of Doom
Published: November 1994
Written by longtime D&D author Mark Anthony, Tower of Doom is set in the land of Darkon, one of the most powerful Ravenloft domains which is ruled over by the undead sorcerer Azalin. The book, however, is essentially a retelling of the Hunchback of Notre Dame with a Ravenloft twist, following the deformed hunchback Wort and his tormented existence. It’s a fairly straightforward story as Wort finds himself at odds with a local noble and discovers a cursed bell with a power that threatens the entire land.
12. Baroness of Blood
Published: March 1995
This particular Ravenloft book is set in Kislova, a domain of dread ruled over by the tyranicall Baron Janosk. When a brutal invasion leads to the death of the Baron, his young daughter Ilasbeth sets out to gain revenge, turning to the dark arts to fuel her quest. The story is inspired by the real life noblewoman Lucrezia Borgia, who allegedly was skilled in the use of poison and bathed in the blood of her victims.
13. Death of a Darklord
Published: June 1995
Set in the land of Kartakass (which also appeared in the novel Heart of Midnight), the story follows a young woman named Elaine, a budding mage and the daughter of a mage-hunter tasked with destroying evil sorcerers. The father-daughter duo soon find themselves at odds while also dealing with a town overrun with zombies. The story also follows the bard Harkon Lukas, the wolfwere Darklord of Kartakass, and his long brewing plans to escape the Mists.
14. Scholar of Decay
Published: December 1995
Written by J. Robert King, the book takes place in the city of Pont-a-Museau in the land of Richemulot, a Ravenloft domain whose seemingly peaceful and opulent appearance disguises a dark underground evil. The story follows the exploits of Aurek Nuiken, a devoted scholar who sets out perilous journey to free his wife from a malevolent mage’s clutches. His path soon intertwines with a manipulative wererat clan that rules the sewers beneath the city.
15. King of the Dead
Published: March 1996
Set in the domain of Darkon (which also appears in the Tower of Doom novel), the story follows the rise of Azalin, arguably one of the most powerful Ravenloft Darklords after Strahd von Zarovich. The book chronicles Azalin’s transformation from a human wizard into a lich obsessed with escaping his realm and bringing his son back to life. It’s a fascinating look into one of Ravenloft’s largest domains and offers more lore on the mystery behind the Dark Powers which control the Mists.
16. To Sleep With Evil
Published: September 1996
Set in the domain of dread of Darkon, the story follows a young villager named Marguerite who hopes to escape the growing throngs of undead by betrothing herself to the sinister Lord Donsky. Now living in a strange castle filled with ancient evils and dark secrets, Marguerite must use her ingenuity to escape the cursed life she now finds herself trapped in.
17. Lord of the Necropolis
Published: October 1997
This novel is a continuation of the tale of Lord Azalin, the undead ruler of Darkon, as he seeks to escape the clutches of Ravenloft. Set several years after the events of King of the Dead, Azalin is still trapped within the realm and desperate to find a way out. He soon stumbles upon a Vistani seer who may hold the key to his salvation. The novel also further explores the background of the Dark Powers that shaped Ravenloft, shedding light on the origins of Darkon and the other Domains of Dread.
18. Shadowborn
Published: March 1998
Set in the Great Kingdom of Avonleigh, a mystical land adjacent to the Demiplane of Dread, the novel follows the exploits of Alexi Shadownborn, a young paladin and member of a noble family of warriors who have long battled the forces of evil. Setting out on a quest to prove his worth, Alexi soon finds himself battling both the dark powers of Ravenloft and his family’s own shadowy secrets.
19. I, Strahd: The War Against Azalin
Published: June 1998
The sequel to P.N. Elrod’s I, Strahd, this novel further explores the exploits of Count Strahd von Zarovich, the vampire lord of Barovia. The story details Strahd’s encounters with Azalin, the lich king ruler of the domain of Darkon (as featured in King of the Dead and Lord of the Necropolis). Despite their initial animosity, Strahd and Azalin eventually form a complicated relationship fuelled by their mutual desire to escape the Mists. While the “war” between them is more of a clash of personalities, the book is an entertaining read that further explores and establishes some of the key lore of Ravenloft.
20. Spectre of the Black Rose
Published: March 1999
The direct sequel to Knight of the Black Rose, the book features the continuing adventures of Lord Soth, the undead knight of Dragonlance fame. The story kicks off with Soth losing control over his own recently formed domain of dread known as Sithicus. The narrative, however, largely moves away from Soth and focuses on a range of other characters operating in the shadow of the newly minted Darklord.
21. Heaven’s Bones
Published: September 2008
A somewhat unusual departure from the traditional Ravenloft books published in the 1990s, this book is essentially a reboot of the series after almost a decade long hiatus. The story takes place in our own world in Victorian London and follows Sebastian Robarts, a brilliant doctor haunted by the loss of his wife and child. The book combines horror and steampunk elements while weaving into the larger Ravenloft mythos.
22. Mithras Court
Published: November 2008
Another unusual departure from the Ravenloft novels of the 90s, Mithras Court is again set largely on Earth and follows the journey of Lewis Beckford, a man desperately trying to find the man responsible for the murder of his wife on a London subway car. His search leads him to the mysterious Mithras Court, a Ravenloft domain ruled over by the enigmatic Sir Lucius Knight, who offers to assist Lewis in hunting down the killer in exchange for helping him escape from his own Demiplane of Dread.
23. Black Crusade
Published: November 2008
Another Ravenloft novel set in our own world, this book takes place in the 11th century during the First Crusade and the capture of Jerusalem. The story follows a troubled French knight who finds an ancient grimoire that draws him into the dark realms of Ravenloft. Notably, the novel was never officially published and instead was released online by Wizards of the Coast as a series of chapters before later being compiled into a free downloadable PDF. Unfortunately, Wizards of the Coast has since removed the book from their website.
What are the best Ravenloft books?
With almost two dozen Ravenloft novels to choose from, it’s hard to know where to start. Below are our picks for the titles that are definitely worth reading:
- Vampire of the Mists
- Knight of the Black Rose
- I, Strahd: The Memoirs of a Vampire
- King of the Dead
- Lord of the Necropolis
- I, Strahd: The War Against Azalin
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Ollie Delano is a Staff Writer who lives in Chicago, Illinois where he majored in Journalism at Northwestern University’s Medill School of Journalism. He’s been playing Dungeons & Dragons for over 10 years and currently plays in a weekly game group where he rolls way too many natural 1s and chugs way too much Mountain Dew. His favorite D&D campaign setting is Eberron and his favorite character to play was a Tiefling rogue named Draxiss who enjoys both literal and figurative backstabbing.
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