Customer Reviews

Lord Of The Necropolis (Ravenloft)

5 star:		(6)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

This novel, though complete on its own, really requires the reader to be familiar with the character of Azalin. This will already be the case with those who play the AD&D game (in particular, the award-winning Ravenloft campaign setting), or those who have read the prequel, 'King of the Dead' (by the same author).

Following 'King of the Dead', the author has improved upon his style and delivery -- though it may be presumptuous of me to say so, I believe that 'Lord of the Necropolis' is far superior to its prequel, both in plot and description. This is in part thanks to the lack of limitations on the author's part (the story of 'King' was practically already written by the makers of AD&D) and also to the writer's commendable imagination.

The plot of 'Lord' is at first glance incredible (an undead wizard king goes back in time, with the intention of saving his son and killing a vampire), but the smooth form employed by the writer lends a strange credence to the novel. Not only does 'Lord' conveniently answer unresolved issues in 'King', it also flawlessly blends with the events described in another book by a P N Elrod (this being the thoroughly enjoyable 'I, Strahd'). Although the conventional reader may balk at the many references to magic and illusion, anybody even vaguely familiar with Dungeons & Dragons will find this book good entertainment. And, if the reader already is a fan of Darkon, Azalin, and the Kargat, 'Lord' is an unmissable addition to his Ravenloft library!

This is a great ravenloft book.

The characterization of the main character, Azalin, is excellent, and his tormenters are also suitably wicked enough that you can even sympathise with Azalin even after all the evil things he has done.

Buy this book if you are a ravenloft fan.

Like other readers I was confused a bit by the ending -- on my first reading. By the third time it was much clearer and the utter demoniac cruelty of The Voices which had tormented Azalin for centuries became horribly poignant as they obliged him to sow the seeds of his own, his brother's, and his son's destruction.

DeWeese's comparison of Azalin's opinion of himself with other liches is telling -- evil though he is, Azalin still has that awful Lawful streak in him which causes him to rank himself above other liches who are greater wizards (or scientists) than he, merely because they seek knowledge and not power. One might say that all Azalin really needs is to get in touch with his inner child, but that is one experiment one hopes that he doesn't try undertaking again!

Paired with the first book of Azalin's story, King of the Dead, Lord of the Necropolis makes for a moving tale of sympathy for a monster. Together they are not exactly "Notre Dame de Paris," but who today has the time to read fifty pages of a book before coming to its anti-hero (besides which, the hunchback bell-ringer of Ravenloft is featured in "Tower of Doom"!). DeWeese's tales of Azalin's pathetic existence are quite acceptable to me.

I have read many of Ravenloft's novels, and can call them little more than attrocities, but Lord of the Necropolis was one heck of a read. The way Gene DeWeese taunted and mystified you with the mystery of Lord Azalin's imprisonment and his tormentors was masterfull. I look forward to reading the next volume in the tragic tale of Lord Azalin.

I can ask for nothing more than this book gave me. The conclusion of the tale of Azalin, Lich Lord of Darkon, is truly done with great skill by Gene DeWeese. The book not only ties loose ends from "King of the Dead", it tells the ultimate truth, and reveals the true nature of the Dark Powers. A must read for fans of Ravenloft, or anyone who has read the first novel.

If you are a fan of the Ravenloft series...especially any of the ones featuring Azalin this book is a must read. It is a fantastic read as many of the ravenloft books are, though a bit pricey. I do not include spoilers for any plot devices in reviews sorry anyone...I'm sure there will be adequate information online or here on amazon for that...I never had one for it when I originally read the book and couldn't have been happier with the story. So though you dont know me...I will confide in you I have read many books from the ravenloft universe, dragonlance, and forgotten realms and highly recommend this one for your collection.

Basically, if you're an Azalin-loving RL fan, this is the book for you. In this book, you have a methodical, calculating, and patient evil fiend, opposed to the emotional, impotent, raging despot "monster" in "War against Azalin." This book is also interesting for coming the closest to tearing the mask off the "Dark Powers" than any other RL book/supplement I've personally read.

I thought the characterization of Azalin was great, and thought it was appropriately disturbing how willing and nonchalant he was about sacrificing anyone and anything to achieve his goals. The description and pacing of his "mission" to assasinate "you-know-who" was gripping, for me. All-in-all it was a compelling substitute for the chain of events RP'ers might be familiar with. I also appreciated the ending that, while spelling crushing defeat for Azalin, suggested that we might not have seen the end of our favorite lich.. not by a long shot.

I guess the most disappointing thing, especially since it represents a 'bottom line' - is that this book is not considered canon. Events detailed in later RL game products (i.e the Gazetteer) strongly suggest that a more "conventional" aftermath to the Requiem occurred.

Does that make this book any less entertaining? Not really. It makes an awesome "What If" to all of the Strahd vs. Azalin conflicts, puts you in Azalin's head, and turns the metaphysics of Ravenloft upside down.

..would have been 5 stars if Gene DeWeese fought to make the events in this book canon. ];)

Like other readers I was confused a bit by the ending -- on my first reading. By the third time it was much clearer and the utter demoniac cruelty of The Voices which had tormented Azalin for centuries became horribly poignant as they obliged him to sow the seeds of his own, his brother's, and his son's destruction.

DeWeese's comparison of Azalin's opinion of himself with other liches is telling -- evil though he is, Azalin still has that awful Lawful streak in him which causes him to rank himself above other liches who are greater wizards (or scientists) than he, merely because they seek knowledge and not power. One might say that all Azalin really needs is to get in touch with his inner child, but that is one experiment one hopes that he doesn't try undertaking again!

Paired with the first book of Azalin's story, King of the Dead, Lord of the Necropolis makes for a moving tale of sympathy for a monster. Together they are not exactly "Notre Dame de Paris," but who today has the time to read fifty pages of a book before coming to its anti-hero (besides which, the hunchback bell-ringer of Ravenloft is featured in "Tower of Doom"!). DeWeese's tales of Azalin's pathetic existence are quite acceptable to me.

Undead Lord Azalin of Darkon wants only two things: to bring his son back to life and to get out of Ravenloft. In trying to do so, he travels back 400 years through the mists, in the body of a young boy, in order to prevent Count Strahd von Zarovich to become a vapire lord, who created the plane of Ravenloft with his transformation. He does not succeed. He tries by another method. He becomes a demi-lich and so can travel through the mists to rescue his son. But when he opens the gate behind which his son is locked, a nightmare far worse happens. A very good read that makes you wander very much what happens after this. For those who like concersation: there is very little! I cannot wait for the follow-up to become released!