The Tomb of Horrors (Greyhawk Classics) (Mass Market Paperback)

~ Keith Strohm (Author) "Kaerion thought it might be different this time..." (more)
Key Phrases: lizard folk, elf leader, old mage, Rel Mord, Platinum Shield, Arch Paladin (more...)

Editorial Reviews

Product Description

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.

About the Author

Keith Strohm is the current Vice President for the Pokemon Product Group at Wizards of the Coast. His past credits include the roleplaying supplement Of Ships and the Sea, as well as two short stories that appeared in the Forgotten Realms(r) anthologies Realms of Mystery and Realms of the Deep. He lives in Washington.

Product Details

• Mass Market Paperback: 320 pages
• Publisher: Wizards of the Coast (February 1, 2002)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 078692702X
• ISBN-13: 978-0786927029
• Product Dimensions: 6.9 x 4.2 x 0.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 5.6 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 3.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (25 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #822,614 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Keith scares me, February 19, 2002

By	Bruce R. Cordell (Seattle, WA USA) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

I have to admit that I don't read too much shared fiction, but there was a double hook with Tomb of Horrors--Keith is a friend, and I wrote a game product related to this title. Truth to tell, I wanted to write this book. So you see, Keith already had a few marks against him before I picked it up.

So I read through the first scene. Oh my god, can they publish this stuff? Apparently, they can. The author is a nice guy, but horror sleeps below his placid surface. If you've ever wanted to know what it felt like to be crucified, this book is for you. This scene sets the tone for the antagonist, and does so spectacularly well.

Then we meet the protagonist, Kaerion, in the next chapter. A down-on-his-luck swordsman washing away his sorrows in drink? Yes, but it turns out he has a lot to wash away. He was once a paladin, now fallen, whose holy sword continually torments him with the memory of what he once was. No matter how he tries to dispose of the holy blade, it always reappears. This is great stuff.

So, the book begins to shape up. Two groups have designs on the legendary Tomb of Horrors. One group evil, one good. Each has a fair way to go before they reach the doorstep of the ancient tomb. But that's where the horror truly begins. More importantly for me, it is also where we discover if Kaerion can finally achieve redemption.

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Best of the Greyhawk Novels, August 26, 2005

By	Mark Clarence Walker - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

The story of redemption and salvation, told well, never gets old and this story is told very well. Though some have described it as generic and formulaic, I believe it actually achieves greater success because it does use common elements so effectively. This is a classic tale retold well in a D&D novel, using the "Tomb of Horrors" as scene and metaphor. Both similar and distinctive from the journey of man into a dark region of the world and, by metaphor, into himself (akin but not equal, of course, to Conrad's "Heart of Darkness"). The main character is deeply troubled and flawed but not beyond all hope. And the finding of salvation, ultimately, through his own power to call out for help and succor--and not by the initiative of supreme powers or faceless forces--recalls and reinforces the power of the individual over his or her environment. Classic storytelling and classic Greyhawk.

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Amazing read, by the VP of pokemon no less!, July 28, 2002

By	"metalmeisterboz" (AMERICA) - See all my reviews

First I have to say that no matter what you thought of the book you should not reveal major happenings in your review. People read these reviews to get a good idea of whether or not they would like to read the book, not have the whole story revealed especially those characters who DIE. sheish.

Anyway, I totally agree with the reviewer named Bruce R Cordell that this book was very well written. You can see the depth in the characters, espically the protagonist. This book does something that I have not seen in many other books and that is convey believable emotions especially when it comes to loosing one's faith.

To anyone who is just not sure, I say take a chance and pick this book up it will be well worth the time you spend reading it.