Dragon Age: Tevinter Nights

Do you like Dragon Age? Did you like Inquisition? If so, this book is a must have. Of particular interest to those of us who made it through Trespasser will be the last story, "Dread Wolf Take You". First, Charter is in it and she's great. Second, it's going to help explain how the red lyrium idol from DA2 is in the trailer for the next game, since given how DA2 turned out that's a question that needs an answer. They're all good, though some will appeal more than others. Horror at Hormak is very Cthulhu Mythos, and one of two stories with Grey Wardens acting more like Grey Wardens in Origins. If you just absolutely must do yet another iteration of Agatha Christie's "Ten Little Indians", as "Eight Little Talons" does, at least it's a good job with compelling characters and, of course, Antivan Crows improve everything. (But seriously, this story and Heart of Darkness need to be retired from writing.) "Callback" is a love note to all the little characters around Skyhold, and great fun. There are other great stories. A couple meh stories. They go to some effort to introduce Lords of Fortune, a group we'll certainly see later and that I really didn't need in my life, but okay. Also, we get to meet some lower status Tevinter mages, which is really fun because all we've seen so far are there big deal sorts. The stories were well written. It seems to focus on introducing the parts of Tevinter Dorian doesn't know much about (he does have a cameo), the Mortalitasi, the Antaam still acting without sanction, these Lords of Fortune, and the Crows. Also Philliam, A Bard! And Genitivi share a story.

I give this book 5 stars because it beautifully served its purpose. Dragon Age: Tevinter Nights is a collection of short stories from the creators of the Dragon Age franchise that takes place after the events of the latest video game, Dragon Age Inquisition. Each story serves a purpose in setting up the highly anticipated next installment of these video games, particularly the threats of the Qunari invasion and, even more importantly, the Dread Wolf's plans for the world of Thedas and the Veil. I LOVED this book! I had hoped that this would help alleviate some of my impatience for the next game (which it failed) by providing me more stories of the fictional world I've fallen in love with (which it succeeded). Many stories had characters from earlier games or novels such as Dorian 🥰, Sutherland ❤❤, and Genitivi, while others are clearly setting up characters (and dangers) that will hold some level of importance in the next game. I am much more excited for the next game and will no doubt have to replay and reread Dragon Age materials in order to prevent myself from going insane with the wait. The final story in this anthology actually gave me chills. If you're a fan of Dragon Age, READ THIS!!!! If you're not familiar with the franchise and love fantasy stories involving magic, dragons, flawed heroes, and a world that refuses to stay fixed, I highly recommend diving in. For those that maybe aren't into playing video games, no worries. Lots of books and comics out there to help with world building and YouTube is full of people's playthroughs of the three games so you can get the main storylines. 😉

Love the Drgaon Age games, and finally got through this in time for the new game. Each story goes perfectly in this in depth world Bioware has made and it's a great read to add more to Thedas outside the game stories.

This anthology of stories by various Dragon Age writers is hit or miss, but overall not a bad read. The best stories tread familiar ground w/ a Dragon Age setting--a retelling of the 1958 film The Defiant Ones w/ a Tevinter and elf, a parody of Clue w/ Antiva Crows, etc.. Like remakes of popular games, these are proven narratives that don't take a lot of risk but deliver satisfaction. Less engaging stories are the ones that seem like scripts for video game quests--someone goes missing, the protagonist investigates and inevitably discovers some monster, conspiracy, or both. This type of story would be better told through gameplay than text. The authors are no doubt trying to appease a readership that is primarily familiar w/ the IP through video games, but the medium of short story is an opportunity to tell different tales--ones of politics, intrigue, romance, & everything else in between swords & fireballs. The last story, unsurprisingly, is a tease for the next game. It has little literary merit to those unfamiliar w/ the franchise's lore, but ought to excite those who do. Those who love the series, like myself, should be assured that the next game is heading in the right direction, at least narratively.

I loved all but one of the short stories in this book, and it's a great tie in for the characters you meet in The Veilguard game.

I liked all the stories. Good intro to read prior to playing Veilguard. The Missing is another recommended read going into the new game.

A couple of the stories are only ok. Most of them are really good. A couple of them are truly excellent. Some of them I look forward to reading again and again in the future.

The book was given to me as a gift from my son and I have enjoyed it immensely. I’ve played every game, DLC included, over and over again. For those hungry for the next installment of the game, Dread Wolf, this will keep you entertained. You will see characters you got to know and love in Inquisition. All the stories are excellent.