Vampire of the Mists

Ravenloft: The Covenant, Book 2

By: Christie Golden

Narrated by: Nick Sullivan

Length: 12 hrs and 39 mins

Publisher's Summary

Alone in a strange world and torn by grief, a vampire accepts the hospitality of the local lord. But can the vampire trust him once he discovers the land’s dark connection to his own quest for revenge?

©1991 TSR, Inc., c. 2006 Wizards of the Coast, Inc. (P)2012 Audible, Inc.

An early look at Strahd

Any fan of the Ravenloft setting should experience this book, it gives a unique insight into the personality of Count Strahd, especially in regards to how he reacts under pressure.

The character of Jander serves as a fasinating and likable protagonist, reacting either with grim humour or by rolling his eyes when confronted by the horrors of Barovia.

All around this story is a well written tale both from a grim as well as from a casually humorous standpoint, something not easily done.
Brilliant work to be sure.

Not the finest work

I may not be the best reviewer as I had just finished "I, Strahd" by P. N. Elrod and throughly enjoyed his portrayal and development of both Strahd and Barovia.

Vampire of the Mists feels almost like a fan fiction in comparison. Jander is a creative character, but the author has written some dubious situations that make the reader cringe.

Lastly, there were details and rewrites from Elrod's "I, Strahd" which were terribly butchered for what feels like embarrassing justification.

Listen to this book for a better understand of Strahd and Barovia, not the plot.

it's not Terrible

The overall story was okay. The writer is unable to really paint a good picture. Strahd was a very shallow character, which was emphasized by the Count Chocula accent. Jander is an interesting character, but even he looses steam towards the last few chapters. I recommend I, Strahd if you're looking for a Ravenloft book- it was written very well, and the narrator is fantastic.

Just no

The narrator is dry and monotonous. The editining is poorly done with a constant fading at the start of each cut. I am thoroughly disappointed in this audio book.

Great story

Always loved this story.Hearing it told again really paints the world of Ravenloft in vivid detail

The Narrator takes some getting used to

The story is amazing and the characters deep and meaningful. The narrator however is a bit heavy handed with his pronunciation and often sounds awkward. It gets easier to listen to him though and the story is well worth it.

A shining light in the RPG genre

Strahd Bon Zarovich sits high atop the perch of great villains in Dungeons and Dragons. No other setting is so tied to on character. How could light and hope be brought into the realm of such a darklord? Christie Golden finds a way through the character of Jander Sunstar, a staple character whose journeys through the multiverse begin here. Through investigation and confrontation Jander learns the truth about Strahd and shares with us lessons about intention and reality, for all that is golden is not good. Has some outdated language for the Romani people used for the Vistani people.

very cool

audible is my new addiction. listening to books I've wanted to read, or re-read. it frees me up to do other things while I'm listening!

Stefan Salvatore, is that you?

I really disliked the narrator. His voice was very monotone and sounded almost artificial at times. He used that stereotypical, cringey, bad Halloween “I vant to suck your blood” accent for Strahd and all the vampires, and all the women were given the same very whiny voice. He would also change name pronunciations as he went, if he didn’t just get them wrong. It’s Madam Eva (EE-va), not Ava.
Story wise, it was less than satisfying. The main character, Jander, was very Mary Sue like. He was always right and more powerful just because he was the main character. Golden also made changes to Strahd’s back story and other world changes that didn’t really do anything to help tell a good story, just to make her bland main character look better. For instance, Strahd is the first ever vampire to exist in the multiverse, but no, Jander is older and knows more about vampirism than he does. What? Jander’s sudden understanding of everything about the dark powers’ plan at the end was incredibly lackluster and just…lame.
Some positives, I did enjoy the background/secondary characters and their stories and arcs, they were pretty interesting.

Roomates then MURDER

If you want to learn character traits of Jander Sunstar, this is a book with that character in it, talking to Strahd. Thats all I can say. Like "the War with Azalin" Jander arrives in Barovia, instantly dislikes Strahd, but agrees to live with him for a few decades and passive aggressively bicker in the castle, like a loveless marriage. Jander is sad, human, and fairly likable. He finds "Anna" a "mad woman" in an asylum, who cannot speak save for 2-3 words. He speaks to her much like a child, and brings her food. She does not age, and he visits her for years, falling in love. Minor spoiler, he attempts to turn her into a vampire by slaying her with a bite, and offering her his blood, but she refuses to drink, very conciously choosing death instead. It certainly gives a creepy vibe. Maybe Jander loved the idea of Anna, more than her non-communicative self. Like Strahd, her beauty seems to be the main ingrediant of his "love", but he does witness small acts of her kindness. With her death (he killer her) he swears to find whoever drove her mad, and she mentions Barovia in her last breath.

Strahd is MUCH more monsterous in this book. "I, Strahd" by nature paints him sympathetic, as he's the main character. Here he's loathsame, sometimes getting close to a Frat Boy as much as Vampire Count. His temper less flares up and more is 50% of his communication skills, and collecting a harem of women vampire spawn is is only hobby or interest. Jander lives in Castle Ravenloft with Strahd with a few time skips, one being 10 years, and every 5 years Strahd says "Jander, we haven't hunted in a while, join me." Strahd knows Jander is a good at heart, and trying to shock Jander with how evil he can be, ie tries to shock Jander with how evil he can be, IE (eat this kid, watch me kill this dog, etc). They argue and roll eyes constantly but keep it "polite" as they have to go home together.

The B plots are MUCH better. A few human characters from early "hunts" show up again after time skips, and since they grow and forge relationships are way more interesting than Jander and Strahd. There are also flashbacks to Jander's time as a DnD adventurer, and his party the "SIlver 6." These are the best parts, with characters who quickly show their unique relationships, and real friendship. Their sad endings really work, and Jander is never more interesting than here.

Ending (Spoilers): So 10 hours into the 12 hour book we need a conflict, cause Jander is still just brooding in the castle. He's been "searching" for clues about Anna, but never IN the story. It's a line at the beginning of a chapter "I asked in town and no one knows her" and even thats seldom. In the beginning of the story Strahd introduces a locked room with Secrets(TM) in it, and Jander must never go there. Since its the end of the book Jander decides "Screw that" and inside is a big ol portrait of Anna, who is actually Tatyana. He learns Strahd's story, his brother, etc, and turns out Strahd was the bad guy he was looking for all along. Jander goes and collects the B plot humans and they decide to stake the vampire. Fight ensues, and the book ends.

It's ... fine. Narrator is a little over the top. He affects a deep "adventure!" voice more fitting an RPG tutorial or trailer, than a novel, but characters do sound unique. The story I can't reccomend unless you've already read some Ravenloft novels, LOVED them, and want more.