King of the Dead (novel): Difference between revisions
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|isbn = 0-7869-0483-6 | |isbn = 0-7869-0483-6 | ||
|class = Officially published material | |class = Officially published material | ||
|setting_date = [[ | |setting_date = [[246 CY|246]]-[[391 CY]] | ||
}} | }} | ||
'''''King of the Dead''''' is a fantasy novel by [[Gene DeWeese]], set in | '''''King of the Dead''''' is a fantasy novel by [[Gene DeWeese]], set primarily in [[Knurl]] (in the [[Bone March]]) and Barovia (in [[Ravenloft]]), which details the early life of the infamous lich [[Azalin Rex]]. It was published in March 1996 ({{ISBN|0-7869-0483-6}}). | ||
== Cover Blurb == | == Cover Blurb == | ||
{{quoted text|With virtually unlimited powers as King of the Dead, Azalin still cannot find peace. Tortured by the death of his son, the unwilling ruler has come to despise the world of darkness and horror over which he reigns. From his previous life as a powerful wizard to his present unwanted status as King of the Dead, this is the story of Azalin's | {{quoted text|With virtually unlimited powers as King of the Dead, Azalin still cannot find peace. Tortured by the death of his son, the unwilling ruler has come to despise the world of darkness and horror over which he reigns. From his previous life as a powerful wizard to his present unwanted status as King of the Dead, this is the story of Azalin's journey—and his transformation.|{{csb|King of the Dead}} }} | ||
==Plot summary== | ==Plot summary== | ||
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* '''Communities''': [[Eastfair]], [[Knurl]], [[Oerth]], [[Rauxes]] | * '''Communities''': [[Eastfair]], [[Knurl]], [[Oerth]], [[Rauxes]] | ||
* '''Other Locations''': [[Castle Avernus]], [[Castle Galdliesh]], [[Flanmi River]], [[Oerth]] | * '''Other Locations''': [[Castle Avernus]], [[Castle Galdliesh]], [[Flanmi River]], [[Oerth]] | ||
* '''Characters''': [[Baron Aldewaine]], [[Azalin Rex]], [[Balitor]], Baron [[Cazimir Latos]], [[Darcalus Rex]], [[Irik Zal'honan (Brother)]], [[Irik Zal'honan (Son)]], Lady [[Karawinn]], Lord [[Karawinn]], [[Olessa Zal'honan]] [[Quantarius]], [[Oldar Wahldrun]] (the first), [[Ranald Zal'honan]], Earl [[Turalitan Zal'honan]], Warden [[Rehajo]], [[Stakaster | * '''Characters''': [[Baron Aldewaine]], [[Azalin Rex]], [[Balitor]], Baron [[Cazimir Latos]], [[Darcalus Rex]], [[Irik Zal'honan (Brother)]], [[Irik Zal'honan (Son)]], Lady [[Karawinn]], Lord [[Karawinn]], [[Olessa Zal'honan]] [[Quantarius]], [[Oldar Wahldrun]] (the first), [[Ranald Zal'honan]], Earl [[Turalitan Zal'honan]], Warden [[Rehajo]], [[Stakaster]] | ||
* '''Groups''': [[Zal'honan Family]] | * '''Groups''': [[Zal'honan Family]] | ||
* '''Events''': [[Grand Conjunction]] | * '''Events''': [[Grand Conjunction]] | ||
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==Reception== | ==Reception== | ||
Andy Butcher reviewed ''King of the Dead'' for ''Arcane'' magazine, rating it an 8 out of 10 overall.<ref name="Arcane9">{{cite journal|last= Butcher|first= Andy|date=August 1996|title=The Great Library|journal=Arcane|publisher=Future Publishing|issue=9|pages=82–83}}</ref> He commented that "Gene De Weese is yet another ''New York Times'' best-selling author who has been persuaded by TSR to write an AD&D-based novel. The experience gained from over three dozen previously published horror, science fiction and non-fiction books has stood him in pretty good stead, and King of the Dead joins the ever-growing number of Ravenloft novels that are genuinely horrific."<ref name="Arcane9"/> He added that "Weese's clever manipulation of time and the order of events gives the reader just enough information to engender a sense of eerie foreboding and the awful inevitability of fate, without allowing the story to become predictable and | Andy Butcher reviewed ''King of the Dead'' for ''Arcane'' magazine, rating it an 8 out of 10 overall.<ref name="Arcane9">{{cite journal|last= Butcher|first= Andy|date=August 1996|title=The Great Library|journal=Arcane|publisher=Future Publishing|issue=9|pages=82–83}}</ref> He commented that "Gene De Weese is yet another ''New York Times'' best-selling author who has been persuaded by TSR to write an AD&D-based novel. The experience gained from over three dozen previously published horror, science fiction and non-fiction books has stood him in pretty good stead, and King of the Dead joins the ever-growing number of Ravenloft novels that are genuinely horrific."<ref name="Arcane9"/> He added that "Weese's clever manipulation of time and the order of events gives the reader just enough information to engender a sense of eerie foreboding and the awful inevitability of fate, without allowing the story to become predictable and boring—thankfully, you never really know what to expect next. ''King of the Dead'' is a dark novel which relies, for the most part, on its skillfully crafted atmosphere, a technique which lends greater impact to the few graphically disturbing scenes."<ref name="Arcane9"/> Butcher concluded his review by saying, "Although the story itself is of little direct use for a referee looking to steal some ideas, it's nevertheless well worth a look for any fans of horror games—Ravenloft or otherwise—due to its skillfully crafted atmosphere. There are elements here that could be used to great effect in almost any horror game you care to mention, and you'll get an extremely good read into the bargain. Good stuff and highly recommended."<ref name="Arcane9"/> | ||
==Reviews== | ==Reviews== | ||
Latest revision as of 14:18, 26 March 2025
| King of the Dead (novel) | |
 |
|
| Cover of King of the Dead. Cover art by Danillo Gonzales. | |
| Type: | Novel |
|---|---|
| Author(s): | Gene DeWeese |
| Cover Artist(s): | Danillo Gonzales |
| Series: | followed by Lord of the Necroloplis |
| Publisher: | TSR |
| First Published: | 1996 |
| Pages: | 315 |
| ISBN: | 0-7869-0483-6 |
| Class: | Officially published material |
| Setting date: | 246-391 CY |
King of the Dead is a fantasy novel by Gene DeWeese, set primarily in Knurl (in the Bone March) and Barovia (in Ravenloft), which details the early life of the infamous lich Azalin Rex. It was published in March 1996 (ISBN 0-7869-0483-6).
Cover Blurb
"With virtually unlimited powers as King of the Dead, Azalin still cannot find peace. Tortured by the death of his son, the unwilling ruler has come to despise the world of darkness and horror over which he reigns. From his previous life as a powerful wizard to his present unwanted status as King of the Dead, this is the story of Azalin's journey—and his transformation."[1]
Plot summary
The story concerns itself with Azalin, the king of the title. Despite the near-limitless powers that are now his to command, he is continually haunted by the death of his son. Unable to find any kind of happiness or contentment, he has begun to hate the dark, horror-filled world that is his to rule. King of the Dead recounts the tale of Azalin's earlier existence as a powerful mage and the events that led to his current reign.[2]
Content
- Communities: Eastfair, Knurl, Oerth, Rauxes
- Other Locations: Castle Avernus, Castle Galdliesh, Flanmi River, Oerth
- Characters: Baron Aldewaine, Azalin Rex, Balitor, Baron Cazimir Latos, Darcalus Rex, Irik Zal'honan (Brother), Irik Zal'honan (Son), Lady Karawinn, Lord Karawinn, Olessa Zal'honan Quantarius, Oldar Wahldrun (the first), Ranald Zal'honan, Earl Turalitan Zal'honan, Warden Rehajo, Stakaster
- Groups: Zal'honan Family
- Events: Grand Conjunction
- Creatures and monsters: Lich, zombies
- Items:
- Other: Azal'Lan (title), Common Year (calendar), Life Bond, Malachite Throne
Reception
Andy Butcher reviewed King of the Dead for Arcane magazine, rating it an 8 out of 10 overall.[2] He commented that "Gene De Weese is yet another New York Times best-selling author who has been persuaded by TSR to write an AD&D-based novel. The experience gained from over three dozen previously published horror, science fiction and non-fiction books has stood him in pretty good stead, and King of the Dead joins the ever-growing number of Ravenloft novels that are genuinely horrific."[2] He added that "Weese's clever manipulation of time and the order of events gives the reader just enough information to engender a sense of eerie foreboding and the awful inevitability of fate, without allowing the story to become predictable and boring—thankfully, you never really know what to expect next. King of the Dead is a dark novel which relies, for the most part, on its skillfully crafted atmosphere, a technique which lends greater impact to the few graphically disturbing scenes."[2] Butcher concluded his review by saying, "Although the story itself is of little direct use for a referee looking to steal some ideas, it's nevertheless well worth a look for any fans of horror games—Ravenloft or otherwise—due to its skillfully crafted atmosphere. There are elements here that could be used to great effect in almost any horror game you care to mention, and you'll get an extremely good read into the bargain. Good stuff and highly recommended."[2]
Reviews
- Review by Don D'Ammassa (1996) in Science Fiction Chronicle, #190 October 1996[3]
References
Notes
Citations
- ↑ King of the Dead. (1996).
- ↑ a b c d e Butcher, Andy (August 1996). "The Great Library". Arcane (9): 82–83. Future Publishing.
- ↑ Title: King of the Dead.
Bibliography
- DeWeese, Gene. King of the Dead. Lake Geneva, WI:" TSR, 1996. ISBN 0-7869-0783-6
- King of the Dead (wiki). Mistipedia. Fraternity of Shadows , 2 May2021. Retrieved on 3 October 2023.
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