Astarion - Outside of a Dog

Astarion Ancunin was supposed to be a magistrate, not a vampire spawn. He was supposed to serve the law, not the vicious vampire lord Cazador Szarr. And he was supposed to drink fine wine, not rat blood. Alas—the city of Baldur’s Gate cares little for what’s supposed to happen.

Though he has been powerless to resist his master’s bidding, haunting the nighttime streets to fetch warm blood, Astarion has never surrendered his hope. One day, this nightmare must end. He just has to find out how.

When the vampire lord announces a twisted competition for his favor, an opportunity presents itself in the form of a rare prize . . . and an unlikely alliance. The blood of a dead god is buried deep beneath Baldur’s Gate, and, to get it, Astarion will need the help of a handsome Aasimar paladin named Hahn den Suriel.

There are …

Astarion Ancunin was supposed to be a magistrate, not a vampire spawn. He was supposed to serve the law, not the vicious vampire lord Cazador Szarr. And he was supposed to drink fine wine, not rat blood. Alas—the city of Baldur’s Gate cares little for what’s supposed to happen.

Though he has been powerless to resist his master’s bidding, haunting the nighttime streets to fetch warm blood, Astarion has never surrendered his hope. One day, this nightmare must end. He just has to find out how.

When the vampire lord announces a twisted competition for his favor, an opportunity presents itself in the form of a rare prize . . . and an unlikely alliance. The blood of a dead god is buried deep beneath Baldur’s Gate, and, to get it, Astarion will need the help of a handsome Aasimar paladin named Hahn den Suriel.

There are just a few problems. Astarion is not supposed to trust his fellow spawn. He’s not supposed to go out into the city for his own ends rather than the vampire lord’s. And he’s certainly not supposed to strike a deal with a stranger whose golden eyes can snare even a blackened, undead heart.

But the city of Baldur’s Gate cares little for what’s supposed to happen.

2 editions

73pctGeek reviewed Astarion by T. Kingfisher

Surprisingly good

4 stars

The veil over Astarion Acunin’s life is partially lifted, and glimpses of what could have been, and what actually was are revealed.

This didn’t really illuminate much of the parts of Astarion’s life, his years studying and then corrupting the law, that I was hoping to read about. Instead, it alternates between his childhood, and some decades before the events of Baldur’s Gate 3 take place (a guess).

It’s a fast, fun read, and if one shaved off a few serial numbers, it could be almost adjacent to her Saint of Steel series. However, this is absolutely a Forgotten Realms/Baldur’s Gate 3 book, and Kingfisher nails both the world, and Astarion himself. By its nature, this book can’t really change too much, so the plot is actually cleverly inconsequential while still being fun. There are little jokes and mentions particularly pleasing for D&D and BG3 players, and even …

The veil over Astarion Acunin’s life is partially lifted, and glimpses of what could have been, and what actually was are revealed.

This didn’t really illuminate much of the parts of Astarion’s life, his years studying and then corrupting the law, that I was hoping to read about. Instead, it alternates between his childhood, and some decades before the events of Baldur’s Gate 3 take place (a guess).

It’s a fast, fun read, and if one shaved off a few serial numbers, it could be almost adjacent to her Saint of Steel series. However, this is absolutely a Forgotten Realms/Baldur’s Gate 3 book, and Kingfisher nails both the world, and Astarion himself. By its nature, this book can’t really change too much, so the plot is actually cleverly inconsequential while still being fun. There are little jokes and mentions particularly pleasing for D&D and BG3 players, and even small bits of fan service like redacted showing up.

Set before the game, while Astarion could never end on a high note, I found the ending satisfyingly bitter. As an avid BG3 player, and one who was entranced the moment a certain elven rogue held a dagger to my character’s throat, Kingfisher did good. And the Author’s Note at the end is a delight.