Curse of Strahd is a popular Dungeons & Dragons campaign module created by Wizards of the Coast. It is set in the gothic horror-themed land of Barovia, a dark and dangerous realm ruled by the vampire lord Count Strahd von Zarovich. The main idea behind Curse of Strahd is the haunting curse that Strahd has placed upon himself and his land. Strahd is a tragic figure, a nobleman who became a vampire in his pursuit of power and love. As a result of his actions, he is now trapped in Barovia, forever cursed to rule over the land and never escape. The curse extends to the people of Barovia as well, who live in constant fear and despair under Strahd's oppressive rule.
"A Darker Shade of Magic feels like a priceless object, brought from another, better world of fantasy books." --io9
Schwab keeps the excitement coming with roller-coaster plot twists that establish her as, perhaps, the natural successor to Diana Wynne Jones s contemporary fantasy crown. com to order a customized version of this set or to start the process of commissioning a custom book set, book collection, or library of any size with us.
The curse extends to the people of Barovia as well, who live in constant fear and despair under Strahd's oppressive rule. They are trapped in a cycle of suffering, unable to leave the land or find any semblance of happiness. The players take on the role of adventurers who are drawn into Barovia and become entangled in the dark web of Strahd's curse.
A Darker Shade of Magic - (Shades of Magic) by V E Schwab
Prepare to be dazzled by a world of parallel Londons--where magic thrives, starves, or lies forgotten, and where power can destroy just as quickly as it can create.
Book Synopsis
A Darker Shade of Magic, from #1 New York Times bestselling author V.E. Schwab
Kell is one of the last Antari--magicians with a rare, coveted ability to travel between parallel Londons; Red, Grey, White, and, once upon a time, Black.
Kell was raised in Arnes--Red London--and officially serves the Maresh Empire as an ambassador, traveling between the frequent bloody regime changes in White London and the court of George III in the dullest of Londons, the one without any magic left to see.
Unofficially, Kell is a smuggler, servicing people willing to pay for even the smallest glimpses of a world they'll never see. It's a defiant hobby with dangerous consequences, which Kell is now seeing firsthand.
After an exchange goes awry, Kell escapes to Grey London and runs into Delilah Bard, a cut-purse with lofty aspirations. She first robs him, then saves him from a deadly enemy, and finally forces Kell to spirit her to another world for a proper adventure.
Now perilous magic is afoot, and treachery lurks at every turn. To save all of the worlds, they'll first need to stay alive.
"A Darker Shade of Magic has all the hallmarks of a classic work of fantasy. Schwab has given us a gem of a tale. This is a book to treasure."--Deborah Harkeness, New York Times bestselling author of the All Souls trilogy
Shades of Magic series
1. A Darker Shade of Magic
2. A Gathering of Shadows
3. A Conjuring of Light
Review Quotes
Entertainment Weekly's 27 Female Authors Who Rule Sci-Fi and Fantasy Right Now
"A Darker Shade of Magic has all the hallmarks of a classic work of fantasy. Its plot is gripping. Its characters are memorable. Its setting in four parallel, powerful Londons is otherworldly yet believable. Schwab has given us a gem of a tale that is original in its premise and compelling in its execution. This is a book to treasure." --Deborah Harkness, New York Times bestselling author of The All Souls Trilogy
"Compulsively readable. her characters make the book. Just as Kell has layers, Lila is a satisfyingly rich invention. With so many worlds on the map, there's plenty left to discover." --NPR
"A Darker Shade of Magic feels like a priceless object, brought from another, better world of fantasy books." --io9
"Schwab (Vicious) creates an ingenious set of nesting alternate Londons in this imaginative, well-crafted fantasy. Confident prose and marvelous touches-a chameleon coat, a scarlet river of magic, a piratical antiheroine-bring exuberant life to an exhilarating adventure among the worlds." --Publishers Weekly, starred review
"A Darker Shade of Magic is smart, funny and sexy . Schwab keeps the excitement coming with roller-coaster plot twists that establish her as, perhaps, the natural successor to Diana Wynne Jones's contemporary fantasy crown." --The Independent
"Fantasy fans will love this fast-paced adventure, with its complex magic system, thoughtful hero and bold heroine." --Kirkus Reviews
About the Author
VICTORIA "V.E." SCHWAB is the #1 New York Times bestselling author of more than a dozen books, including the acclaimed Shades of Magic series, This Savage Song, Our Dark Duet and Vicious. Her work has received critical acclaim, been featured in the New York Times, Entertainment Weekly, Washington Post and more, translated into more than a dozen languages, and has been optioned for television and film. When she's not haunting Paris streets or trudging up English hillsides, she splits her time between Nashville, TN and Edinburgh, Scotland and is usually tucked in the corner of a coffee shop, dreaming up monsters.
"A Darker Shade of Magic feels like a priceless object, brought from another, better world of fantasy books." --io9
Their ultimate goal is to find a way to break the curse and free both themselves and the people of Barovia from Strahd's grip. Throughout the campaign, players will face numerous challenges, encounters, and mysteries as they explore the dark and treacherous land. They will have to navigate through haunted forests, ominous castles, and confront various creatures and undead minions under Strahd's control. One of the key elements of Curse of Strahd is its emphasis on atmosphere and gothic horror. The module provides a detailed and immersive setting, with rich descriptions of the land, its inhabitants, and the psychological and emotional toll of living under Strahd's curse. Overall, Curse of Strahd is a captivating campaign that draws players into a world of darkness and despair. The curse that haunts Strahd and Barovia serves as the central theme, driving the narrative and the players' desire to find a way to break free from the curse's grip..
Reviews for "The Curse of Strahd: A Classic Adventure Reimagined"
1. John - 2/5 stars - I was really excited to play Curse of Strad, but I must say I was quite disappointed. The storyline was confusing and hard to follow, and the gameplay felt repetitive after a while. The graphics were also underwhelming and didn't really add to the overall experience. I had high hopes for this game, but unfortunately, it didn't live up to my expectations.
2. Emma - 1/5 stars - Curse of Strad was a complete waste of my time and money. The controls were clunky, and the gameplay was repetitive and boring. The characters lacked depth, and I couldn't relate to them at all. The dialogue was cheesy and cringeworthy. Overall, I found this game to be incredibly frustrating and not enjoyable at all.
3. David - 2/5 stars - I found Curse of Strad to be quite underwhelming. The game had potential, but it fell short in various areas. The puzzles were often too difficult, and the lack of clear instructions made it even more frustrating. The overall atmosphere was supposed to be eerie and thrilling, but it ended up feeling lackluster and dull. I wanted to enjoy this game, but unfortunately, it failed to captivate me.
4. Sarah - 3/5 stars - Curse of Strad was just okay for me. The storyline had its moments, but it felt disjointed at times, making it hard to fully immerse myself in the game. The graphics were decent, although they didn't have the wow factor I was expecting. The puzzles were challenging but sometimes illogical. It had its flaws, but it wasn't the worst game I've played.