Knight Of The Black Rose (Ravenloft) Mass Market Paperback – December 1, 1991

Sometimes you grab a book simply for the name; other times it’s the fancy picture on the cover; and many times it’s the story that emenates from it. I had seen art of Lord Soth and read the DnD lore and ardently needed to read the fullest account of his character. This story harps on the fantasy tradition of immaculate monsters and plays on the strings of fiendish characters as well as feigns a seemingly base plot of retribution. But James Lowder brandishes a cran tara to the wind against any who would call a fantasy title anything less than art in the face of that. His use of the setting and the transitory pretenses of the ethereal realm where Ravenloft is located enhances the unreal, beautiful, brutality which persists in amazing fashion throughout the novel. The characters he develops provide a stunning realism in their implicit reverie; as even a were-creature and a vampire can seem to be real in the face of the protagonist’s existence through which we must be transported within throughout the novel. I can say I loved reading this and felt thrilled and amazed and enthused throughout it’s entirety; especially at the premise of a villain being the protagonist and villains being all there is. With its blood-soaked script and the intense, grim, personage of Lord Loren Soth; who seems ever less like a supernatural or fantastical villain, and more a being whose existence could be something I feign to utter in reality, it was a Great read.

I don't understand how something so poorly written could have gotten past the editing stage.Soth, who is generally an interesting character, comes off as wooden as a tree's trunk. We get a full prologue dedicated to telling us about his past.... and then it's repeated at least ***three*** separate times in the early chapters of the book. (They really want you to remember that he killed his wives and is a real bad dude!!!) Also he's incredibly stupid and is easily fooled by a lie his ghostly seneschal told him. He comically talks aloud to himself, makes threats to people who are not there as though they can hear him, and is not the least bit intimidating despite the fact that Lowder *really* wants you to think he's super bad ass.Then we've got Strahd. Oh boy. I don't know how Lowder got him so wrong, but he did. Strahd is a Lawful Evil character and a man of his word-- these are the staples of his character. Not only does he break his vow to not harm the Vistani in order to impress Soth, but he contemplates raping and murdering one of them as she is sleeping. Yikes pronounced like nikes. Reminder: Strahd is LAWFUL Evil. Why on earth would he break so many of his own rules? Answer: he wouldn't, the writer just had no idea how to write for him. Bad guy? Must do bad things!!! Very evil. Much bad.Also did you know that Strahd is graceful and elegant??? Or that he is elegant and also graceful? I swear Lowder doesn't know how else to describe him because he uses those words entirely too often.Tl;dr: Terribly written, and everyone is out of character. I somehow managed to get halfway through before calling it quits.

Book was practically falling apart.

A great venture into the world of Ravenloft featuring two of the most vile and cunning of villains. Has small throws to the Dragonlance events that lead up to the book. A GREAT READ!

This is by far the best story of all the Ravenloft books. It's well written, intriguing, and gripping.

I had always wanted to read more material about Lord Soth and this book fulfilled the craving some. It is interesting to see how Soth reacts when he is transported to the demi-plane of dread. The book was enjoyable.I suggest that interested readers read The Dragonlance Legends in order to better understand what is going on at the beginning of the book. I, Strahd is also another good book that gives insight to another monster and explains a bit about Ravenloft as well.

Old time favorite.

This book gives a great view of Soth. His dead wife and son come to Ravenloft to bring the curse to him

If you like fantasy novels, Dungeons & Dragons PnP, Gothic or horror, the worlds of Dragonlance or Ravenloft then this is one book you must have.Personally I think it's the best written novel from all the D&D novels I have ever read. If you haven't come here by chance then you have possibly heard of Lord Soth (who hasn't?). This is the story of how the mists of Ravenloft took him from the world of Krynn and thus explaining his disappearance at the end of the Legends trilogy.If you know nothing about Ravenloft then rest assure that you will meet other villainous characters the most famous being Strahd Von Zarovich. It was interesting to see how the Death Knight would deal with other evil characters and his efforts trying to escape the mists back to his keep on Krynn.But what impressed me most was James Lowder's knowledge of AD&D (since the book was written before the 3rd edition) and the details he used on the various abilities of every creature he writes about may that be the Death Knight, the Vampire spell caster or the lesser undead creatures and monsters. In a sense it was like being part of a dungeons Pen and Paper adventure, only with no dice. As a D&D gamer since 1994, for me this is the truest novel to the rules (AD&D) than any I have ever read.If you haven't bought the book yet I strongly suggest you do.

brill

Great book, thank you!

I really enjoyed this book it gave me pleasure to be able to unwind and relax with a good book. Loved the series

Good old Soth comes to Ravenloft and owns everyone. A good book.