I’m sure others would say the same, or cringe, but the Icewind Dale trilogy (and Dark elf Trilogy, which I think you should read first) were my favorites growing up. Didn’t read many of the following Drizzt novels. And I wouldn’t say they are my favorite fantasy books either. But they were good D&D books, imo. And, no, I’m not a big Drizzt fanboy either.
I also like the Dark Sun series (think it was a five book series). Edit2: and how can I forget the best part…Thri-Kreen.
Edit: and why? Well, I liked Salvatore’s style of writing back then. I liked the characters (his cleric quintet books had good characters too) and I thought it was cool reading how Drow society worked in those books. Dark Sun was just different, more gritty. 7’ tall elves, halfling that were terrifying (not your “what about second breakfast” kind) and Psionics.
I remember enjoying both the Dark Elf trilogy and Icewind Dale series tremendously. I haven't read a Drizzt novel in years and know (as ThriKreenWarrior alluded) that plenty of fatigue over that character and drow-based novels in general has understandably developed, but in the early days they were a lot of fun.
My favorite TSR/WotC setting was Birthright. From that brief era I particularly enjoyed the Iron Throne novel. It's not Game of Thrones levels of intrigue or literary achievement but I can see why the reviewer in this list mentioned GoT in conjunction with it. https://gamerant.com/best-dungeons-dragons-novels/
I’m not sure how I’d answer, really. If you’d asked me 10 years ago, I’d have said the original dragonlance trilogy. But then I tried re-reading it 10 years ago and I found the writing just awful and couldn’t get past the first few chapters. It makes me hesitant to revisit any of the old ones I read and loved when I was young.
Somebody once said the best fantasy novel is the one you read when you’re 12. I’m not sure if that’s 100% true anymore, because there’s some really good stuff out there now compared to the 80’s. But there is something to it.
I’m sure others would say the same, or cringe, but the Icewind Dale trilogy (and Dark elf Trilogy, which I think you should read first) were my favorites growing up. Didn’t read many of the following Drizzt novels. And I wouldn’t say they are my favorite fantasy books either. But they were good D&D books, imo. And, no, I’m not a big Drizzt fanboy either.
I also like the Dark Sun series (think it was a five book series).
Edit: and why? Well, I liked Salvatore’s style of writing back then. I liked the characters (his cleric quintet books had good characters too) and I thought it was cool reading how Drow society worked in those books. Dark Sun was just different, more gritty. 7’ tall elves, halfling that were terrifying (not your “what about second breakfast” kind) and Psionics.
Oh, I think Dark Sub half kings are still all about second breakfast.
I can't really speak for 'Best' Dungeons and Dragons novel, there's a lot of subjective wiggle-room there.
If you're specifically looking for recommendations, I can suggest a few Forgotten Realms novels that stand out - The problem you'll likely find, though, is that just about everything is out-of-print aside from some of R.A. Salvatore's Legend of Drizzt series, even then, I wouldn't be surprised if they were too, nowadays.
You've already had Salvatore's Homeland (Book 1) and The Crystal Shard (Book 4) recommended above, so I'll try to steer towards other authors.
First, Paul S. Kemp's Erevis Cale trilogy and its' followups, The Twilight War Trilogy and Godborn. A reformed thief and assassin forced back into action when the found-family of nobles he's been serving are threatened. He is pulled into larger and larger plots as a chesspiece on the board between Mask, God of Thieves and Shar, Goddess of Darkness as the Sea of Fallen Stars and then all of Sembia are threatened. Kemp writes evil deliciously. Whether it is the Sojourner's selfish disregard for the lives and wellbeing of others, the scheming of Mephistopheles, Archfiend and Lord of Cania or the nihilism and fanaticism of Rivalen Tanthul, Chosen of Shar and Prince of the Shade, you're always going to have villains that are thought-provoking, intelligent and willing to do truly despicable things to accomplish their goals. His protagonists fall more in line with antiheroes - Jak Fleet and Magadon Kest perhaps being exceptions - Erevis Cale and Drasek Riven are characters who, by necessity, have to use darkness to fight darkness. There's also several short stories that tie into the series, which give greater context to the larger plot and character motivations, which can be found in the Realms of Shadow and Realms of the Dragons anthologies. Erevis is also introduced in the Sembia: Gateway to the Realms series and is a primary focus in the Halls of Stormweather anthology and Book 2 of the series, Shadow's Witness. These aren't required reading but are heartily recommended. If you like Salvatore's action and want to explore a different part of the Realms, Kemp's your man. He would later go on to write Star Wars novels once Wizards of the Coast ended the Realms novel line.
If Drow are a must but you want to try someone other than Salvatore's Drizzt and Jarlaxle, then definitely don't skip on Elaine Cunningham's Starlight and Shadows trilogy. The focus is a young drow priestess - Liriel Baenre - and explores a different angle and power dynamic of Menzoberranzan's culture, before introducing Eilistraee and her faith, as well as an introduction to Rasheman, the berserker lodges and the wychlaran. Elaine Cunningham *IS* the voice of the early Realms. She was a history teacher before she was a writer and she'll weave a tapestry of the realms, it's people and its' stories. If her writing style grabs you, then consider picking up her Songs and Swords, a five-part series that focuses on Arilyn Moonblade, the harper assassin and Danilo Thann, bawdy wizard and foppish bard.
If you need more dragons in your Dungeons and Dragons books, then Richard Lee Byers is your man with the Rage of Dragons trilogy. Wizards handed this man the 3.5 Draconomicon and gave him free reign to use as many of the creatures within as he could to as devastating an effect as possible - Dragons all across the Realms are succumbing to madness, Metallic, Chromatic, Planar, Gem and otherwise - None are safe. This trilogy moreso than the above recommendations feels more 'D&D', there's a mixed party of eccentric weirdos who have to save the world and it is a great time reading it. Byers carried some of his characters over to his next trilogy, The Haunted Lands, which had a focus on the Undead (And the Libris Mortis undead sourcebook that had just been released!), the politics of Thay and the overthrowing of the other Zulkirs by Szass Tam to bring the Thayan nation under his dominion. And some of those characters would carry over into his five-book series, The Brotherhood of the Griffon, which follows a mercenary army as they struggle to exist in the Eastern Realms after Thay's fall and become entangled in plots of cults, gods, sky pirates and barbarian kings. Look, It's... A journey. I promise you'll have a great time with it though and it'll cover more of the larger scope of Dungeons and Dragons than Drizzt fighting orcs for the umpteenth time.
If fiends, tieflings, warlocks or dragonborn are your thing, then Erin M. Evans' Brimstone Angels series is absolutely worth checking out. The six book series (One title, The Adversary, is part of the Sundering, a seven book set with each release focusing on a different author's characters during the transition from 4th to 5th edition, Kemp's Godborn is included in the same set) follows twin Tiefling sisters Farideh and Havilar with their adoptive father, the Dragonborn Mehen. Farideh finds herself trapped in a pact with the devil Lorcan, and the sisters find themselves caught in the plots and politics of both the kingdom of Cormyr and the Nine Hells themselves. Stolen divinities, Archdevils and the thrones of Cormyr and the dragonborn nation-state are all in play. While more recent than most of the other books listed, they're famously hard to get ahold of, but very worth the read.
But what if you're into Lovecraftian aberrations, otherworldly madness and Far Realm horrors? Bruce R. Cordell's got your back with The Abolethic Sovereignty trilogy, continuing the elements and plotlines of his standalone releases from the Wizards (Darkvision), the Priests (Lady of Poison) and the Dungeons (Stardeep). While again not mandatory reading, the standalones give the complete story of the Raidon Kaine, monk of the Cerulean Sign, The Blade Cerulean and the ancient keepers who tried and failed to protect Faerun from the Abolethic Sovereignty and the horrors of the Far Realm. The titular trilogy itself focuses on Raidon Kaine, the fey-pacted warlock Japeth Donard, the dream-shaping young noblewoman Anusha Marhana and Thoster, your crusty Lovecraftian sea-captain with blood-ties to something awful as the floating obelisk-city of the ancient aboleths rises out of the Sea of Fallen Stars, and with it, the slumbering Eldest - whom if awoken, can open reality to the Far Realm's horror.
There are so many other Realms novels that I'm dying to recommend, so if this listing is at all helpful to anyone, say something and I'll put up even more.
I can't think of any D&D novels that are worth actually tracking down (some of them were readable, but none were legitimately great), though Andre Norton's Quag Keep (from 1978!) deserves an honorable mention as basically the very first Isekai novel.
In your opinion and why?
I’m sure others would say the same, or cringe, but the Icewind Dale trilogy (and Dark elf Trilogy, which I think you should read first) were my favorites growing up. Didn’t read many of the following Drizzt novels. And I wouldn’t say they are my favorite fantasy books either. But they were good D&D books, imo. And, no, I’m not a big Drizzt fanboy either.
I also like the Dark Sun series (think it was a five book series). Edit2: and how can I forget the best part…Thri-Kreen.
Edit: and why? Well, I liked Salvatore’s style of writing back then. I liked the characters (his cleric quintet books had good characters too) and I thought it was cool reading how Drow society worked in those books.
Dark Sun was just different, more gritty. 7’ tall elves, halfling that were terrifying (not your “what about second breakfast” kind) and Psionics.
EZD6 by DM Scotty
https://www.drivethrurpg.com/en/product/397599/EZD6-Core-Rulebook?
Cleric Quintet is my hands down favorite - I actually consider that Salvatore's best work. And of course Dragonlance is a classic for a reason.
A series that I don't see get enough recognition online is Songs & Swords (Elfsong, Elfshadow etc) by Elaine Cunningham.
Technically the MTG novels are D&D novels now too 😁
I remember enjoying both the Dark Elf trilogy and Icewind Dale series tremendously. I haven't read a Drizzt novel in years and know (as ThriKreenWarrior alluded) that plenty of fatigue over that character and drow-based novels in general has understandably developed, but in the early days they were a lot of fun.
My favorite TSR/WotC setting was Birthright. From that brief era I particularly enjoyed the Iron Throne novel. It's not Game of Thrones levels of intrigue or literary achievement but I can see why the reviewer in this list mentioned GoT in conjunction with it. https://gamerant.com/best-dungeons-dragons-novels/
I’m not sure how I’d answer, really. If you’d asked me 10 years ago, I’d have said the original dragonlance trilogy. But then I tried re-reading it 10 years ago and I found the writing just awful and couldn’t get past the first few chapters. It makes me hesitant to revisit any of the old ones I read and loved when I was young.
Somebody once said the best fantasy novel is the one you read when you’re 12. I’m not sure if that’s 100% true anymore, because there’s some really good stuff out there now compared to the 80’s. But there is something to it.
Oh, I think Dark Sub half kings are still all about second breakfast.
I can't really speak for 'Best' Dungeons and Dragons novel, there's a lot of subjective wiggle-room there.
If you're specifically looking for recommendations, I can suggest a few Forgotten Realms novels that stand out - The problem you'll likely find, though, is that just about everything is out-of-print aside from some of R.A. Salvatore's Legend of Drizzt series, even then, I wouldn't be surprised if they were too, nowadays.
You've already had Salvatore's Homeland (Book 1) and The Crystal Shard (Book 4) recommended above, so I'll try to steer towards other authors.
First, Paul S. Kemp's Erevis Cale trilogy and its' followups, The Twilight War Trilogy and Godborn.
A reformed thief and assassin forced back into action when the found-family of nobles he's been serving are threatened. He is pulled into larger and larger plots as a chesspiece on the board between Mask, God of Thieves and Shar, Goddess of Darkness as the Sea of Fallen Stars and then all of Sembia are threatened.
Kemp writes evil deliciously. Whether it is the Sojourner's selfish disregard for the lives and wellbeing of others, the scheming of Mephistopheles, Archfiend and Lord of Cania or the nihilism and fanaticism of Rivalen Tanthul, Chosen of Shar and Prince of the Shade, you're always going to have villains that are thought-provoking, intelligent and willing to do truly despicable things to accomplish their goals.
His protagonists fall more in line with antiheroes - Jak Fleet and Magadon Kest perhaps being exceptions - Erevis Cale and Drasek Riven are characters who, by necessity, have to use darkness to fight darkness.
There's also several short stories that tie into the series, which give greater context to the larger plot and character motivations, which can be found in the Realms of Shadow and Realms of the Dragons anthologies. Erevis is also introduced in the Sembia: Gateway to the Realms series and is a primary focus in the Halls of Stormweather anthology and Book 2 of the series, Shadow's Witness. These aren't required reading but are heartily recommended.
If you like Salvatore's action and want to explore a different part of the Realms, Kemp's your man.
He would later go on to write Star Wars novels once Wizards of the Coast ended the Realms novel line.
If Drow are a must but you want to try someone other than Salvatore's Drizzt and Jarlaxle, then definitely don't skip on Elaine Cunningham's Starlight and Shadows trilogy. The focus is a young drow priestess - Liriel Baenre - and explores a different angle and power dynamic of Menzoberranzan's culture, before introducing Eilistraee and her faith, as well as an introduction to Rasheman, the berserker lodges and the wychlaran.
Elaine Cunningham *IS* the voice of the early Realms. She was a history teacher before she was a writer and she'll weave a tapestry of the realms, it's people and its' stories. If her writing style grabs you, then consider picking up her Songs and Swords, a five-part series that focuses on Arilyn Moonblade, the harper assassin and Danilo Thann, bawdy wizard and foppish bard.
If you need more dragons in your Dungeons and Dragons books, then Richard Lee Byers is your man with the Rage of Dragons trilogy. Wizards handed this man the 3.5 Draconomicon and gave him free reign to use as many of the creatures within as he could to as devastating an effect as possible - Dragons all across the Realms are succumbing to madness, Metallic, Chromatic, Planar, Gem and otherwise - None are safe.
This trilogy moreso than the above recommendations feels more 'D&D', there's a mixed party of eccentric weirdos who have to save the world and it is a great time reading it.
Byers carried some of his characters over to his next trilogy, The Haunted Lands, which had a focus on the Undead (And the Libris Mortis undead sourcebook that had just been released!), the politics of Thay and the overthrowing of the other Zulkirs by Szass Tam to bring the Thayan nation under his dominion.
And some of those characters would carry over into his five-book series, The Brotherhood of the Griffon, which follows a mercenary army as they struggle to exist in the Eastern Realms after Thay's fall and become entangled in plots of cults, gods, sky pirates and barbarian kings.
Look, It's... A journey. I promise you'll have a great time with it though and it'll cover more of the larger scope of Dungeons and Dragons than Drizzt fighting orcs for the umpteenth time.
If fiends, tieflings, warlocks or dragonborn are your thing, then Erin M. Evans' Brimstone Angels series is absolutely worth checking out. The six book series (One title, The Adversary, is part of the Sundering, a seven book set with each release focusing on a different author's characters during the transition from 4th to 5th edition, Kemp's Godborn is included in the same set) follows twin Tiefling sisters Farideh and Havilar with their adoptive father, the Dragonborn Mehen. Farideh finds herself trapped in a pact with the devil Lorcan, and the sisters find themselves caught in the plots and politics of both the kingdom of Cormyr and the Nine Hells themselves. Stolen divinities, Archdevils and the thrones of Cormyr and the dragonborn nation-state are all in play. While more recent than most of the other books listed, they're famously hard to get ahold of, but very worth the read.
But what if you're into Lovecraftian aberrations, otherworldly madness and Far Realm horrors?
Bruce R. Cordell's got your back with The Abolethic Sovereignty trilogy, continuing the elements and plotlines of his standalone releases from the Wizards (Darkvision), the Priests (Lady of Poison) and the Dungeons (Stardeep). While again not mandatory reading, the standalones give the complete story of the Raidon Kaine, monk of the Cerulean Sign, The Blade Cerulean and the ancient keepers who tried and failed to protect Faerun from the Abolethic Sovereignty and the horrors of the Far Realm.
The titular trilogy itself focuses on Raidon Kaine, the fey-pacted warlock Japeth Donard, the dream-shaping young noblewoman Anusha Marhana and Thoster, your crusty Lovecraftian sea-captain with blood-ties to something awful as the floating obelisk-city of the ancient aboleths rises out of the Sea of Fallen Stars, and with it, the slumbering Eldest - whom if awoken, can open reality to the Far Realm's horror.
There are so many other Realms novels that I'm dying to recommend, so if this listing is at all helpful to anyone, say something and I'll put up even more.
I never read any. Friends did but my reading interest was different than theirs. I was into hard Scify.
what sci fi? have you tried the warhammer novels? i suggest the eisenhorn trilogy.
I can't think of any D&D novels that are worth actually tracking down (some of them were readable, but none were legitimately great), though Andre Norton's Quag Keep (from 1978!) deserves an honorable mention as basically the very first Isekai novel.