I, Strahd

This isn't any work of staggering genius, but I really enjoyed this read. I'd read it a very long time ago and it stuck with me. The writing is fresh and doesn't take itself too seriously. Just a very fun anti-hero story.

Normally I wouldn't be caught undead reading a vampire book, but I was doing my background work for the D&D Curse of Strahd campaign I'll be DM'ing soon. This book is based on the original 'Ravenloft' adventure for Dungeons and Dragons, that introduced the character of Strahd and his home, Castle Ravenloft.
This is pretty standard Dungeons and Dragons fantasy, though light on combat. A classic tragic vampire story, with a few twists. Not bad for a vampire book, which I generally avoid.

I've read this book twice through, several years ago, and leafed through it again before typing this. I was reading a lot of Dungeons and Dragons shared world fantasy at the time, and this was a new approach. Ravenloft was an adventure and is now a Gothic campaign setting but knowledge of role playing worlds is not necessary. It's more an Easter Egg for people who want to know the story behind the main villain.

The book is written in the fist person, with a brief prologue and epilogue in third. It's Gothic in the stereotypical sense, with vampires, dark atmospheres, gloomy castles and the like. And of course, the ever-present Ravenloft mist, a supernatural entity into itself.

I don't read may vampire books so I can't really compare this show more to any, save that what I like about the book most is Strahd's character. He is a shared character, and I've read three authors' version of him and Elrod's I like best. He is of the 'noble count' vein, and in Elrod's writing comes off as more understated and a thinker rather than pompous or savage. It's an entertaining and lighter read. show less

I'll be honest, I bought the hardcover version of this book for a buck in the Barnes and Noble bargain bin. This was before the 3rd Edition of Ravenloft came out and rekindled my interest in the setting. I had low expectations and I must say I was pleased with the outcome. Being as Strahd is inspired by Dracula, it is fitting that it is a long journal narrative. If anything, it is more romantic and more gothic than Stoker's Dracula and Elrod does a fine job at making Strahd a sympathetic and complex character; you can really tell she cares for the character. Pretty good for gaming-inspired fiction.

Sagan greinir frá uppruna einnar af þekktari vampíru fantasíubókmenntanna. Miskunnarlaus og grimmur en um leið fangi eigin lands þar sem umbreyting hans í vampíru flutti Strahd og þegna hans í aflukt landrými sem ekki er hægt að flýja. Ágætis saga en nokkuð stirðbusaleg.

I wish all of the trashy books I've read were as well-written as this.

This was a really interestingly done gothic horror novel - I'll have a full review of this later.