The Tomb of Horrors

Dungeons & Dragons: Greyhawk, Book 6

By: Keith Francis Strohm

Narrated by: Bernard Setaro Clark

Length: 10 hrs and 16 mins

Publisher's Summary

Kaerion Whitehart was once a mighty paladin, but sins of the past have cast him far from the light. Together with an elf mercenary, he now survives by the might of his sword alone.

In exchange for a hefty purse, the two friends agree to accompany a band of patriots into a tomb haunted by fear and legend. They soon find the mission growing beyond their control. As warring factions vie for the ultimate prize of a long-dead wizard, Kaerion finds himself caught between death and redemption.

The Tomb of Horrors is the latest title in the Greyhawk Classics series, a set of novels that revisits the most popular adventures of the original Dungeons & Dragons game.

©2002 Wizards of the Coast LLC (P)2013 Audible, Inc.

I’ve not read much fantasy fiction

Any additional comments?

Not being acquainted with fantasy fiction, other than J. R. R. Tolkien’s masterful works Lord of the Rings and The Hobbit, I wouldn't know where to start. So picking something set in the World of Greyhawk that’s based on one of the greatest Dungeons & Dragons modules of all time seemed a good place to start.

I thoroughly enjoyed this audiobook. My only criticism is it took a little long to establish the plot, taking away from time in the tomb, and it seemed to end abruptly. Although, if you think about it, that’s not much different from typical D&D campaign.

Is the Tomb of Horrors in this book?

Obviously, it is. But, the book is basically broken up into three parts and the characters enter the Tomb in the last third of the book. The characters are meh at best. I didn't care if any of them lived or died honestly. they were flat, except for the Paladin. he does have a good, although very predictable, pay off at the end. But I still didn't care if he lived or died. No one else has a backstory and they are all flat NPC's. So what could possibly take up the first two thirds of the book? this: PALADIN: boo hoo im a bad person and no one will understand why so i wont say anything (gets drunk alot) BAD GUYS: we will rule the world GOOD GUYS: we must get the riches for our kingdom salvation BULLYWUGS: um..."San Dimas High School football rules.” (yes bullywugs are a major part of Tomb of Horros...bullywugs)

Better then I thought

I think the the narrator should do all the dungeons and dragons book. Overall I found they book good. i don't want to give away much, but definitely worth a listen!

Good, not great.. few spoilers..

The performance was really good. The narration is clear and concise with enough emphasis and inflection to intone emotion without feeling overwrought. The writing, however, could be overwrought at times. I appreciate that the author took the time to develop character, but I would have appreciated it even more if the story had involved Acererak as a major antagonist. It seems half the book is used building context for the dungeon crawl and I found myself at times wondering when it would finally get to the famous material. Acererak and the Tomb itself could have taken more central role and more page count. But, they seem simply bolted on as setting for a redemption story. If Wizards was worried about spoilers for the famous module, there were very few. But the book does do a great job of evoking the Tomb for nostalgia seekers like me. I can’t help but think that the book could have been another 100 pages, had a few more spoilers and been a more satisfying experience.

Paladin atonement, Greyhawk, and Acererak!

This covers everything I like about Greyhawk, including fallen Paladins, Thieves' Guild, Scarlet Brotherhood and S1 Acererak. The romance angle with the Bard seemed a bit forced, but maybe that's just me. The author sold it well enough for AD&D. Narration exceeded expectations. Recommended.

Great story with different hero line up

I really enjoyed the story and the memories of the wall sconces was just too much. I liked the new heroes I just wish they didn’t keep introducing new ones.

awesome

was very good. I will continue to listen to the D&D books on Audible. thanks.

The epic journey it promises

I read this book not for nostalgia, but for the first time and oh man did it deliver. If you enjoy dungeons and dragons, even if you are not a player but enjoy the concept get this book. So glad to have read it and wish I could forget it just to rediscover every twist and turn

Very nostalgic

Very nostalgic subject and a awesome performance but they can not carry the weak story

Solidly Paced D&D Story That Brings Game to Life

From the sweeping story to the expansive characterizations, this novel does a fine job of capturing the essence of playing D&D in novel form. The pacing is quick and the character building is detailed which, combined with the dungeon delve and various subplots, reaps a rich -- yet not unentirely expected -- conclusion.

Slow to start but a faithful rendition of classic tomb

The book flows slowly to begin with. Character building took far too long hence the 4 stars. Once the tomb proper is found it is a faithful leap into the classic d&d dungeon. The encounters in the tomb are adequately portrayed and the action towards the end well described creating an emotional and exhilarating climax to the tale. Worth a listen to anyone nostalgic or interested enough into the makings of D&Ds most infamous dungeon crawl adventure.