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Dungeons & Dragons: Honor Among Thieves

Dungeons & Dragons: Honor Among Thieves: The Road to Neverwinter

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Every adventuring party has a starting quest. Join Edgin Darvis and his team of heroic (well, occasionally heroic) heisters in this official prequel to the film Dungeons & Dragons: Honor Among Thieves.

A thrilling original novel, set before the events of Dungeons & Dragons: Honor Among Thieves.

288 pages, Hardcover

First published February 28, 2023

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About the author

Jaleigh Johnson

36 books276 followers
Jaleigh Johnson lives and writes in the wilds of the Midwest. Her middle grade debut novel The Mark of the Dragonfly is a New York Times bestseller. Her other books from Delacorte Press include The Secrets of Solace, The Quest to the Uncharted Lands, and The Door to the Lost. She has also written fiction for Dungeons and Dragons, Marvel, and Assassin's Creed. Johnson is an avid gamer and lifelong geek.

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5 stars
475 (29%)
4 stars
769 (47%)
3 stars
336 (20%)
2 stars
41 (2%)
1 star
3 (<1%)
Displaying 1 - 30 of 284 reviews
Profile Image for Meags.
2,273 reviews562 followers
April 3, 2023
4 Stars

I’m totally new to the world of D&D but I decided to be a good little reader and tackle this prequel story BEFORE I saw the big screen extravaganza that is Dungeons & Dragons: Honor Among Thieves.

This story sets the scene, introducing most of the main characters in the film, showing how they met and highlighting some of their earliest adventures together, as a rag-tag group of thieves and outcasts.

I liked the characters a great deal, particularly enjoying the dynamic between main character Edgin the Bard (leader of the group) and Holga (barbarian warrior woman), who share a great (but unspoken) sense of camaraderie, bonding over their shared adoration of Edgin’s daughter Kira, whom they have raised together.

Adding to the fun mix is Forge (the charming but dubious con-artist) and Simon (the half-elf sorcerer), who Edgin and Holga welcome into the found-family fold in amongst their exciting, sometimes ill-conceived plans to loot and plunder from the rich and unworthy.

Overall, this was a fun and quick fantasy read, made all the more enjoyable and immersive through a fantastic audio performance, by the legend that is Fred Berman (the guy who brought Kaz Brekker to life!!).

P.S. – I have since seen the film and had a fricken blast watching this world and these characters come to life!
Profile Image for Micah.
54 reviews2 followers
March 12, 2023
Five stars feels high for this but as I was reading I couldn't help but think A) D&D novel writing has come a long way since the late 80's/early 90's and B) Dungeons & Dragons novels certainly don't get much better than this. My expectations were low, considering this is a prequel book for the upcoming movie.

This was a quick read and tons of fun. I think great care was taken to make it read like a novelization of a D&D game. I'm not sure I've gotten that distinct feeling from a D&D novel before, even though I quite enjoy the Drizzt books. It is paced very well, and each act feels like a different adventure that you'd find in a compendium adventure source book.

The action scenes are well written, and the party feels both low level and bumbling but simultaneously capable of handling everything thrown their way. While not the most complex or nuanced characters, each character had a little more depth than I expected.

I don't really have anything bad to say about this. I think a familiarity of D&D and an interest in the upcoming movie enhanced my enjoyment of this but I think this could be an enjoyable novel for most fantasy fans.
Profile Image for  Bon.
1,318 reviews164 followers
April 18, 2023
This was delightful, I say as someone with zero Dungeons and Dragons knowledge. I can't account for how well the worlds and lore are represented, but this was such a fun sword and shield vibe and it helped my mood immensely. I loved the various characters, the heist plot, and found family vibes. Those three ingredients are my favorite combo. The narrator did a fine job giving everyone different voices and accents, too. Very fun.
Profile Image for Ronie Reads.
1,256 reviews16 followers
September 17, 2023
Was searching for an adventure. What I found is a campaign, of a bard and his friends. Just wanting to collect funds through a performance. Yet others see the value of his adventures spirit.

17th of September 2023 and I've gotten around to watching the movie. May I say it's a job well done.
Profile Image for Lauren Stoolfire.
4,016 reviews278 followers
June 3, 2023
Dungeons & Dragons: Honor Among Thieves: The Road to Neverwinter by Jaleigh Johnson was so much of fun. The author did a fantastic job of capturing the characters voices from the movie and it really fits the tone. I also really like how the story is bookended with Edgin telling his daughter Kira the main story of one of their adventures and how the group came together. If you enjoyed the movie, I highly recommend this prequel novel. I hope we'll get to see more of these characters in the future. whether that's onscreen or in print.
Profile Image for Heather.
5 reviews1 follower
March 17, 2023
This was a light-hearted and fun read. The adventures felt just like how things might go sitting around a table rolling dice with you friends. Make the perfect plan, watch it crash and burn, improvise.
Profile Image for Maurice Spurgeon.
108 reviews
June 19, 2023
Not a bad book. Kinda slow at times, but the last 3rd was quite good. Still preferred the movie, but not a bad companion novel to the film

6.5/10
Profile Image for Matti.
85 reviews75 followers
April 11, 2023
I found this book to be a little bland in its writing and slow to get through, but overall okay. It felt a bit like reading about someone else's D&D game, which is about what I expected, it's just something that needs to be done very well for me to get invested. I also don't think this story needs the framing device of Edgin telling his daughter a bedtime story at all. That aside, it establishes the characters (who I like a lot for the most part) and leads into the movie well enough, so it's a good time 👍
Profile Image for Alex.
74 reviews
March 15, 2023
Si os digo que he llorado con este libro, ¿cómo os quedáis? Porque yo mal, desde luego.

Parece una tontería que un libro que cuenta la historia de origen de algunos de los personajes de una película haya podido llegarme tanto, y en realidad no es para tanto, pero yo qué sé, es leer a Holga y ser lágrimas.

El típico grupo de D&D, con sus idas, venidas y mil parafernalias, se va de aventuras y a robar (pero sólo a quien lo merece, ante todo humildad), todo mientras te cuenta el pasado de cada uno. Y vaya pasados. No quiero profundizar mucho en esto porque arranco a berrear, y no es plan.

¿Quieres ver la peli de D&D: Honor entre ladrones, pero antes conocer a algunos de sus protagonistas? ¿O simplemente quieres profundizar mejor en ellos después de verla? Sea como sea, y aunque no vayas a ver la película, este libro es simple, rápido y muy directo, pero si eres una persona llorica como aquí un servidor ve con cuidado (que quizá sea yo el único del mundo, también te digo).

Me faltan el cómic y el libro de Doric (que tienen pintaza ambos, para qué mentir).

Que salga la peli ya, por favor.
Profile Image for Alli.
24 reviews4 followers
March 25, 2023
You can return books to stores after you’ve read them. They won’t know.
Profile Image for Abby Jane.
102 reviews26 followers
March 8, 2023
I’m a simple woman; I see Chris Pine with a salt-and-pepper beard on a book cover, and I immediately buy said book.
This book was everything I wanted it to be—a fun origin story of a ragtag team of thieves that’s full of sneakery, dungeons, monsters, and a lot of heart. It’s a shorter novel (not even 300 pages), but the editing & pacing was incredibly tight, and I was surprised by the story’s quality and character development. It oozed classic D&D adventure. So much fun.
April 4, 2023
I really enjoyed this book both because I was excited for the upcoming movie and because I’m an avid Dungeons & Dragons player. I appreciated the little nuances that the book offered related to the game but I don’t feel like it was detracting from the story I could literally picture of the banter between the characters unfolding on the screen, and the writing was very well done, and I did not feel like the book lingered at any point everything continued to build, and I really enjoy the pace of the book. I’m not a big reader, and I was able to finish this book very quickly, I would highly recommend anybody interested in the genre or if they enjoy the movie pick this book up to get to know the characters a little bit better even after the fact
Profile Image for Trever.
282 reviews8 followers
April 4, 2023
Really enjoyed this one. It does a great job of capturing the feel of D&D, instead of being just another generic fantasy novel, and it serves as a nice intro to the movie characters - You get to see them meeting up, going on their first capers together, etc. It doesn't really have a plot, per se, it's mainly just an extended series of escalating capers, but still it's an enjoyable read, and pleasantly unpretentious. Recommended.
Profile Image for Greg Wright.
98 reviews
March 16, 2023
Serviceable book that gets the voice of the actors very right, uses greater Realmslore effectively, while remaining extremely approachable for new readers. Audiobook performance was not my favorite.
29 reviews
March 12, 2023
Surprisingly delightful, hit just the right spot between a D&D podcast and a cozy domestic fantasy. It leans into a lot of tropes and conveniences of tabletop storytelling that honestly didn't bother me at all. Just a good freaking time!
Profile Image for Matthew Ferry.
8 reviews
March 13, 2023
A surprisingly fun movie tie-in that has plenty of nods to long-time D&D players without requiring knowledge of the game to be enjoyable. Made me excited for the movie!
3 reviews
March 1, 2023
Reading this felt just like playing D&D. The world and its characters are lovingly crafted. The party reminds me of every D&D party I've ever been in, with quick witted comments, and a companionship that runs deep.
125 reviews1 follower
March 2, 2023
It felt like joining familiar friends for a great D&D session. So many nods to the greater lore and fun characters. Loved it.
Profile Image for Peter Smith.
9 reviews
March 3, 2023
It was a very fun read. It gives a nice back story to much of the principal characters for the upcoming movie. I'd read more of this adventuring group.
Profile Image for Frank.
7 reviews
April 10, 2023
"Honor Among Thieves: The Road to Neverwinter" by Jaleigh Johnson is a captivating prequel to the popular "Honor Among Thieves" movie, published on February 28, 2023. This novel takes us on an enthralling adventure with a group of skilled characters before the events of the movie, diving deep into their lives as they navigate dangerous dungeons, encounter powerful foes, and unravel the secrets of a mysterious mansion. Fans of the movie and Dungeons & Dragons enthusiasts alike will find this book a delightful addition to their collection.

One of the most impressive aspects of this book is the creation of likable and fully established characters. Each character feels like a living, breathing person rather than a mere character sheet, allowing readers to become emotionally invested in their stories. Johnson successfully captures the essence of the movie's characters, providing a solid foundation for their on-screen adventures.

The Harpers, a secretive organization of spies and agents who work behind the scenes to maintain balance and justice, play a significant role in the story. Edgin's past involvement with the Harpers adds a layer of intrigue and complexity to the plot, further engaging the reader.

The story offers a fresh perspective on the movie's world, providing additional depth and context for the characters' actions and motivations. It ticks all the boxes a D&D player would love to see in a story, with exciting battles, clever problem-solving, and a richly detailed world. This prequel is a testament to Johnson's ability to expand the movie's universe while maintaining its original charm.

In both the book and the movie, Edgin is portrayed as a character who never uses bard abilities, but rather focuses on his rogue-like skills. This comes over as a bit confusing, but my take on this is that he actually only depicts himself as a bard and does not really follow the character class. His longing for his late wife Zia, who was killed due to his involvement with the Harpers, adds a layer of emotional depth and personal motivation to his character, which makes him all the more engaging and relatable.

The adventures covered in the book are diverse, fun, and well-paced, striking a perfect balance between humor and emotional topics. This keeps the reader engaged and invested in the story, eager to see what happens next.

In summary, "Honor Among Thieves: The Road to Neverwinter" is a fantastic prequel to the movie, successfully expanding the universe and providing a deeper understanding of the beloved characters. Johnson's skillful storytelling and the seamless integration of the movie's elements make this book a must-read for fans and a solid 4.5 out of 5 stars.
Profile Image for Jeremy Brewer.
89 reviews2 followers
March 20, 2023
This book was a surprising delight! I had a blast from beginning to end.

In Honor Among Thieves: The Road to Neverwinter, Jaleigh Johnson writes a great little prequel novel to warm up D&D fans for the upcoming bigscreen movie, "D&D: Honor Among Thieves". Don't be mislead by this books size, or the bizarre drawing of Chris Pine on the cover. What's inside counts!

Edgin is a retired hero, grieving the death of his wife and trying to figure out how to raise their daughter Kira alone in a world of monsters and villains. As he trudges along he manages to gather a ragtag crew of some pretty spectacular misfits around him. Not only helping him with his daughter, but helping him to become the leader he is meant to be, Edgin and crew quickly find themselves going on daring heists, working for a better life they all dream of.

What's hilarious is that each heist almost always ends up sending Edgin reluctantly back into the hero's life as well. At only 275 pages, this book is filled with wit, humor, action, charm, monsters, magic, heists, rescues, escapes, beautiful daddy/daughter moments, character growth, themes of grief, friendship, community, purpose, swords and daggers, magic, treasure, and more. I laughed, I actually teared up once or twice, and found myselves dying to see this crew on the big screen!

This book feels like a D&D campaign with your best friends turned into a novel. I can't wait to see this crew on the screen. They are destined for the greatness they seek! I sincerely hope there are more books to come as well!
Profile Image for Amy Braun.
Author 36 books351 followers
March 30, 2023
A fun prequel to the Dungeons & Dragons: Honor Among Thieves movie. It's a pretty simple read, mostly focusing on how the characters came together and formed their band of troublemakers. Much of the book is focused on action and banter, and this is something that can be read just to have fun.

The heroes are a collection of tropes and different personalities, though they do all work together. They're all charming, though I have a soft spot for Holga, the barbarian who loves her potatoes.

The author had a good time playing around with some of the creatures and magic found in Dungeons & Dragons, which added to the charm. That sense of enthusiasm comes through, even if the prose can be a little too cheesy at some points.

This is a popcorn book in its purest form and is something to read if you're looking to be entertained. It's a low stakes adventure that can be enjoyed in one long sitting or over a weekend to have fun, and is great for anyone who knows what it's like to have an adventuring party find monsters instead of loot.
Profile Image for Richard Radgoski.
455 reviews11 followers
March 17, 2023
Overall, this is like 3.75 but its entraining and a good primer for the movie which I am very much looking forward to.

Its Edgin's story (Bard, Chris Pine in the movie) and it lays the background for how many of these characters came together. We'll definitely see Holga (Barbarian), Simon (Sorcerer), and Forge (Thief) butI'm unsure where Kira is for the movie. Kira is Edgin's daughter and she gets involved in the 'crew' at a young age. I cringe about that, as does Edgin, but she has her merits.

Beside the reasons why the crew comes together, we have their adventure where they attempt to steal something pretty powerful from a Dragonborn Mage. Without going into any details, it very much feels like a D&D adventure along with a pretty wild 'final confrontation'.

My biggest beef is that there wasn't a map included in the book. Neither a map of the Sword Coast of Faerun nor of any of the scene locations. Publisher, this is the most mapped game in the world, its a huge miss not to include a map.

The novel did what I wanted -kept me entertained while I waited for the movie.

383 reviews6 followers
May 28, 2023
So much D&D fun

Okay. So. This book is the story of how the band of thieves met and became a party. It's very D&D.
Which is good because the movie felt like a D&D game.
It's also wildly hilarious and I enjoyed that more than I did the D&D parts of it.
It helps that, based on the dedication, the author seems to be a DM. Because there really isn't a substitute for writing about D&D than playing it.
This book was so delightful. And if you enjoyed Edgin, Kira, and Holga specifically (the others are in it but those three are the backbone of the book), then you're in for a delightful ride. Because Edgin is telling this story to Kira as a bedtime story. So there's also a lovely frame narrative going on.
Profile Image for Francisco.
543 reviews20 followers
July 14, 2023
A fun and breezy read that serves as prequel to the recent D&D Honor Among Thieves movie, it basically tells the story of how the members of the "party" in that film met and how they got to be at the point in the story where the film starts (more or less).

We also get a couple of adventures with the characters, which are in keeping with the style of story in the film, humorous but also action packed and quite entertaining. The main plot revolves around a heist at a Wizard's house party to steal a precious artifact where not everything is as it seems, in fact everything is not what it seems.

As in the film this doesn't require much previous knowledge of the world of the Forgotten Realms or any game playing experience, there are references to places and people that long time fans might know, such as Elminster, Neverwinter or beasties like the Beholder, but nothing that is prerequisite to the story. A fun, light book that you can easily pick up if you want more of the film characters and to spend a little more time in their world.
Profile Image for Vlad G..
64 reviews
April 4, 2023
I greatly enjoyed this adventure and introduction to the bulk of the party responsible for the events unfolding in Honor Among Thieves. Full of delightful moments and excellent banter, The Road to Neverwinter captures all those moments during a game session that make for stories players and game masters enjoy going over again and again. The characters are delightfully depicted, the odds and monsters that they face capture the imagination in great ways, and I was more than ready to dive into the next book, into watching the movie, and hoping to get more books covering the adventures of Edgin, Holga, and their crew/family. One of my favorite books of the year so far!
Profile Image for Adrian Puertas.
47 reviews2 followers
July 7, 2023
"No me creo que esté diciendo algo así, pero ha llegado el momento de hacerme el héroe, Simon"

Que manera tan viva de plasmar el mundo y historia de D&d. Encantado con los personajes, con sus pequeñas obsesiones y ambiciones. Incluso para alguien que nunca ha oido hablar de este mundo puedo asegurar que le encantará. Lo importante de este libro no es donde se situa, sinó sus personajes y el camino que van superando todos juntos.

Y por último, supongo que me encantan las situaciones tremendamente absurdas y surrealistas. Esas en las que no sabes que pasos has dado para verte metido en tan tremendo lío, que no sabes como han podido suceder, que además te provocan una sensación de incredulidad mientras te sacan una sonrisa.
Profile Image for Faye (Bookishfaye).
443 reviews22 followers
April 27, 2023
Very cozy high fantasy & has some Legends and Latte’s vibes for sure. This book follows a traumatized bard & a traumatized barbarian coming together in a platonic found family to raise a child together. They collect a little band of misfits and then do some heists/commit some crime together (yes the child is also involved in this thievery). This is a really cute prequel to the film & leads up to it nicely. It reads like a cozy bedtime story (quite literally) & I enjoyed it a lot! At times I did feel as though it dragged on a bit, but for the most part I really liked it!
Displaying 1 - 30 of 284 reviews

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