6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
A great novel, Golden's best in RL!, September 4, 1998
This review is from: DANCE OF THE DEAD (Ravenloft Books) (Mass Market Paperback)
DotD is one of the better books of the Ravenloft series, the best at the time it came out (though subsequent releases Heart of Midnight and I, Strahd: the Memoirs of a Vampire easily topped it, in my opinion) and is Christie Golden's best novel in the series.
Why?
Well, for starters, it strays from the beaten path (Barovia and Vampire of the Mists) and doesn't toss previously-written history out the window (Nova Vaasa and Sir Tristen Hiregaard/Malken and The Enemy Within). It takes us instead on a magical riverboat (a novel idea, pardon the pun, for a book) into the mysterious island domain of Souragne, and does a fine job integrating the French/Louisianan culture into the domain, whose roots seem to stem from there.
She also gives us wonderful characters: Larissa, Willen, the Maiden of the Swamp, and even Anton Misroi. As well, we receive chilling villains: Captain Dumont and Lond. The swamp domain is well-fleshed out, and even the diffences between Misroi's previously-published past and the one presented here are forgettable (Domains of Dread, the current sourcebook for RL, takes this story over the others, for good reason).
In all, DotD is a fantastic book, with unique ideas and a well-developed, well-told tale. My only complaint is that it wasn't as long as VotM.
Help other customers find the most helpful reviews
Was this review helpful to you? Yes
No
6 of 7 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
One of the Best Ravenloft Novels, January 23, 2000
This review is from: DANCE OF THE DEAD (Ravenloft Books) (Mass Market Paperback)
It's a shame when quality fiction goes out of print... and that's what seems to be happening to 'Dance of the Dead.' This is one of the finest novels published as part of TSR's Ravenloft line, and Larissa Snowmane is one of the most memorable figures created for the setting.
I liked Christie Golden's take on Souragne and Anton Misroi so much that when it came time for to rework the Ravenloft game setting for 'Domains of Dread' that I made sure the land was reshaped to be closer to the novel than it had been in previous presentation.
If you have an interest in dark fantasy or the gothic horror genre, track down a copy of this book. You won't regret it.
Help other customers find the most helpful reviews
Was this review helpful to you? Yes
No
2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:
3.0 out of 5 stars
Not great, but not bad either., December 4, 2002
This review is from: DANCE OF THE DEAD (Ravenloft Books) (Mass Market Paperback)
Unlike a couple of other books in the Ravenloft series, this one at least fits the mood of Ravenloft in my opinion. I didn't think it was an outstanding book like some other people are saying, but it was worth reading. My only real hangup with this book was the rather humdrum ending. Bottom line, if you got the time and money, check out this book. But don't lose any sleep over it if you can't find it because it wasn't a *killer book* like "Vampire of the Mists", "Knight of the Black Rose", or "I, Strahd".
Help other customers find the most helpful reviews
Was this review helpful to you? Yes
No
