What are the best D&D books? I've read a few of them awhile back and don't really remember them. But my kids are wanting to read them now so what is the age rating. Preferably the things I am looking out for is sex, and dark/demonic things. Violence is too bad, and neither drugs/drinking. Those are fine
What are the best D&D books? I've read a few of them awhile back and don't really remember them. But my kids are wanting to read them now so what is the age rating. Preferably the things I am looking out for is sex, and dark/demonic things. Violence is too bad, and neither drugs/drinking. Those are fine
*Confused* ** Very confused** ** So very confused**
I will work on the assumption that you want none of these things because your wording is confusing. Honestly, I can't remember any really good D&D books. Now, if you want books which are suitable for children but which still convey the spirit of D&D, try the Belgariad by David Eddings. My daughter absolutely loved them.
rofl!
so sorry for the confusion! Autocorrect got to me and I didnt even notice it! All Im saying is that I want to read some D&D novels with my kids. So what is a suitable D&D series for kids
Agreed, they were very atrocious. Most of the 80s/ 90s D&D books were terrible in retrospect, especially the Forgotten Realms stuff.
I remember one where a character was in an area and the trees were covered by Spanish moss. I was like, really? Spanish moss. In Faerun? There's a Spain in Faerun?
Why not just go to the classics for inspiration and family sharing? For younger children, read Andrew Lang's folk and fairy tales or C.S. Lewis' Narnia series. For older readers, you can't beat J.R.R. Tolkien's Lord of the Rings. Just start with the Hobbit. The Silmarilion is a bit challenging for someone not experienced with epic and creation literature.
I think you need to read straight fantasy first to really appreciate Pratchett.
Blowing my own trumpet footnote: Back when he was just "a funny fantasy writer with a bit of a niche following" rather than The Greatest English Humorous Writer Since Wodehouse (Except Maybe For Douglas Adams), Pratchett was doing a publicity tour in Australia and lobbed into a bookshop near my university. A bunch of us from the uni games club went along. One of my friends asked him, "What would you say to people who play D&D?" His response - "Get a life." (He signed my copy of 'Moving Pictures' with a scythe.)
I think you need to read straight fantasy first to really appreciate Pratchett.
I don't think that's necessarily true. Back when I was in 2nd year of secondary school english, my teacher recommended the light fantastic to me. Up until that point I'd never read a single jot of fantasy, but Pratchett hooked me. It was from Pratchett I was able to get into classic fantasy because I already had been desensitized to the tropes through the balm of humour. Thus I was able to accept them straight up in stuff like Conan and Lord of the Rings.
Also, I would wholeheartedly recommend Discworld books as a good, fun, D&D adjacent read, especially the Tiffany Aching books (as they're intended for younger readers)
They aren’t “D&D” specifically, but I would recommend the “Lords of Dûs” series, the “Watershed Trilogy,” and “The Iron Tower.” Those were some of my favorite fantasies when I was growing up.
I can't believe nobody has mentioned The Earthsea series by Ursula Le Guin yet. They're amazing. I got them for xmas one year and stayed up the whole night reading them all. Also the Abhorsen series by Garth Nix.
All of this are fantastic series most of them I've wanted to read or have read! I'm more asking about the dragonlance novels or the R.A Salvatore books. Which one to start with?
There is a ton of good fantasy for middle-grade readers (age 9-12).
The Magisterium series by Holly Black Ranger's Apprentice series by John Flanagan The Wings of Fire series by Tui Sutherland (about actual dragons, so not purely a D&D experience) The False Prince by Jennifer Nielsen Peter Nimble and His Fantastic Eyes by Jonathan Auxier
Another good series, perhaps a little older than you want but definitely D&D-centric, is the Deed of Paksenarrion by Elizabeth Moon. It's about a 17-year-old girl who runs away to be a soldier and eventually becomes a paladin.
For both of those series, I would definitely start at the beginning. The Crystal Shard will introduce both the Ten Towns of Icewind Dale and several iconic characters.
Also, I personally find that I prefer The Dragonlance Chronicles and Legends to the later works. I mean, does any campaign setting really need more than one Cataclysm? It started to feel a bit redundant to me.
Another option from around that same period is the Shadow trilogy by Anne Logston. While these are not officially D&D books (They were published by Ace Fantasy) they feature a elven thief who fits quite well in that genre.
There is a ton of good fantasy for middle-grade readers (age 9-12).
The Magisterium series by Holly Black Ranger's Apprentice series by John Flanagan The Wings of Fire series by Tui Sutherland (about actual dragons, so not purely a D&D experience) The False Prince by Jennifer Nielsen Peter Nimble and His Fantastic Eyes by Jonathan Auxier
Another good series, perhaps a little older than you want but definitely D&D-centric, is the Deed of Paksenarrion by Elizabeth Moon. It's about a 17-year-old girl who runs away to be a soldier and eventually becomes a paladin.
Everyone I know that has read the series including myself has loved Wings of Fire.
If you want something directly D&D I would suggest Salvator though, he describes every aspect of D&D really well and it will bring you into the world of Faerun more than any others.
I honestly don't like Narnia and my daughters did not like it either. The hobbit is OK, although the style might be a bit old, and there is indeed a large gap with the Silmarillion and the lord of the rings.
I love Pratchett, but it's mostly second degree humour, so it's a question of taste, but I would not recommend it for junior readers.
How can The Hobbit be "OK," without it, D&D would not exist.
I honestly don't like Narnia and my daughters did not like it either. The hobbit is OK, although the style might be a bit old, and there is indeed a large gap with the Silmarillion and the lord of the rings.
I love Pratchett, but it's mostly second degree humour, so it's a question of taste, but I would not recommend it for junior readers.
How can The Hobbit be "OK," without it, D&D would not exist.
This is very true! The Hobbit started it all. Then LOTR. (Both btw are fantastic books)
It’s not D&D directly, but Lloyd Alexander’s Chronicles of Prydain are in my opinion the best kids’ fantasy ever written. I’m in college now and I still love them! I love The Hobbit (LotR is my favorite book period but it’s not really for kids), but these books might be even better! Trust me, your kids will love them...and you’ll probably enjoy them too. Seriously, I can’t recommend them enough!
What are the best D&D books? I've read a few of them awhile back and don't really remember them. But my kids are wanting to read them now so what is the age rating. Preferably the things I am looking out for is sex, and dark/demonic things. Violence is too bad, and neither drugs/drinking. Those are fine
A New DM up against the World
there are also the choose your own adventures books set in DnD and the new books written for kids the "Young Adventurers" series.
rofl!
so sorry for the confusion! Autocorrect got to me and I didnt even notice it! All Im saying is that I want to read some D&D novels with my kids. So what is a suitable D&D series for kids
A New DM up against the World
The Icewind dale trilogy by R.A. Salvator is amazing.
Agreed, they were very atrocious. Most of the 80s/ 90s D&D books were terrible in retrospect, especially the Forgotten Realms stuff.
I remember one where a character was in an area and the trees were covered by Spanish moss. I was like, really? Spanish moss. In Faerun? There's a Spain in Faerun?
Why not just go to the classics for inspiration and family sharing? For younger children, read Andrew Lang's folk and fairy tales or C.S. Lewis' Narnia series. For older readers, you can't beat J.R.R. Tolkien's Lord of the Rings. Just start with the Hobbit. The Silmarilion is a bit challenging for someone not experienced with epic and creation literature.
Discworld series - Terry Pratchett
playing since 1986
I think you need to read straight fantasy first to really appreciate Pratchett.
Blowing my own trumpet footnote: Back when he was just "a funny fantasy writer with a bit of a niche following" rather than The Greatest English Humorous Writer Since Wodehouse (Except Maybe For Douglas Adams), Pratchett was doing a publicity tour in Australia and lobbed into a bookshop near my university. A bunch of us from the uni games club went along. One of my friends asked him, "What would you say to people who play D&D?" His response - "Get a life." (He signed my copy of 'Moving Pictures' with a scythe.)
I don't think that's necessarily true. Back when I was in 2nd year of secondary school english, my teacher recommended the light fantastic to me. Up until that point I'd never read a single jot of fantasy, but Pratchett hooked me. It was from Pratchett I was able to get into classic fantasy because I already had been desensitized to the tropes through the balm of humour. Thus I was able to accept them straight up in stuff like Conan and Lord of the Rings.
Also, I would wholeheartedly recommend Discworld books as a good, fun, D&D adjacent read, especially the Tiffany Aching books (as they're intended for younger readers)
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They aren’t “D&D” specifically, but I would recommend the “Lords of Dûs” series, the “Watershed Trilogy,” and “The Iron Tower.” Those were some of my favorite fantasies when I was growing up.
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I can't believe nobody has mentioned The Earthsea series by Ursula Le Guin yet. They're amazing. I got them for xmas one year and stayed up the whole night reading them all. Also the Abhorsen series by Garth Nix.
All of this are fantastic series most of them I've wanted to read or have read! I'm more asking about the dragonlance novels or the R.A Salvatore books. Which one to start with?
A New DM up against the World
There is a ton of good fantasy for middle-grade readers (age 9-12).
The Magisterium series by Holly Black
Ranger's Apprentice series by John Flanagan
The Wings of Fire series by Tui Sutherland (about actual dragons, so not purely a D&D experience)
The False Prince by Jennifer Nielsen
Peter Nimble and His Fantastic Eyes by Jonathan Auxier
Another good series, perhaps a little older than you want but definitely D&D-centric, is the Deed of Paksenarrion by Elizabeth Moon. It's about a 17-year-old girl who runs away to be a soldier and eventually becomes a paladin.
Can't believe I forgot about this! The Chronicles of Prydain books by Lloyd Alexander are perfect middle-grade fantasy.
For both of those series, I would definitely start at the beginning. The Crystal Shard will introduce both the Ten Towns of Icewind Dale and several iconic characters.
Also, I personally find that I prefer The Dragonlance Chronicles and Legends to the later works. I mean, does any campaign setting really need more than one Cataclysm? It started to feel a bit redundant to me.
Another option from around that same period is the Shadow trilogy by Anne Logston. While these are not officially D&D books (They were published by Ace Fantasy) they feature a elven thief who fits quite well in that genre.
Everyone I know that has read the series including myself has loved Wings of Fire.
If you want something directly D&D I would suggest Salvator though, he describes every aspect of D&D really well and it will bring you into the world of Faerun more than any others.
How can The Hobbit be "OK," without it, D&D would not exist.
This is very true! The Hobbit started it all. Then LOTR. (Both btw are fantastic books)
A New DM up against the World
It’s not D&D directly, but Lloyd Alexander’s Chronicles of Prydain are in my opinion the best kids’ fantasy ever written. I’m in college now and I still love them! I love The Hobbit (LotR is my favorite book period but it’s not really for kids), but these books might be even better! Trust me, your kids will love them...and you’ll probably enjoy them too. Seriously, I can’t recommend them enough!
Wizard (Gandalf) of the Tolkien Club