Death of a Darklord

Ravenloft: The Covenant, Book 1

By: Laurell K. Hamilton

Narrated by: Nick Sullivan

Death of a Darklord focuses on a young woman who finds that she has a talent for magic in a land and a family unforgiving of such abilities. Her tragic attempts to redeem herself in the eyes of her family involve aiding them on their quest to end the dark magic that has destroyed a neighboring town.

©1995 TSR, Inc., c. 2006 Wizards of the Coast, Inc. (P)2012 Audible, Inc.

The Covenant, Book 1

If you could sum up Death of a Darklord in three words, what would they be?

Strange, intriguing, different

What did you like best about this story?

The story line is interesting but like most first books of a series, it's all about padding out the characters and trying to establish a new world and the story line that it's going to follow, I enjoyed the book, I love this author and fiction. An easy read, however, I'm intrigued how the author is going to follow up.

Which character – as performed by Nick Sullivan – was your favorite?

I liked the twins the most

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

Yes, I have been an audiobook fan for years and listen to them when I drive, I found myself listening to this one when I was walking the dogs as well.

Any additional comments?

I enjoyed the book, I don't want to give away anything but was a bit sad that so many main characters left the story, I'm hoping that they may come back in the future and I am intrigued to see how the magic progress.

Enjoyable, but pretty middle of the road...

Any additional comments?

I'm a big fan of Hamilton's work so I had high hopes for this book. The story while fun and based in the Ravenloft universe was pretty quiet for most of the book. There was a lot of talking, and a lot of people going over how the felt again and again, but not much happened. Then things get really interesting, but just when they do. The book ends. With lots of questions. The last 2 hours or so of the listen are great fun though and I enjoyed the magical plot twists. I just wish there was more time spent on the expanding evil, and less time about how everyone felt about it.

I just wish there was something more to it

Although I felt a lot of this book had promise, I saw a majority of the characters were left behind by the end of the book. I really like where I thought many of the stories were going but in the end, Im not sure if any of them truly got wrapped up. With that said, the performance was enjoyable and it definitely presents itself as a Ravenloft book.

ending was a bit... abrupt

I wanted more story development for Elaine, she was the most interesting focal point and it seems later books won't be about her. it ended in... well everyone loses sort of way. I would have liked the story to he fleshed out better. i want to know how nobody noticed before hand of the weird mutations until the resurrection failure. noone looked at all... seriously? story was good but to me is unfinished.

An exciting story and introductory of the magics!

What did you love best about Death of a Darklord?

I liked the most that it was definitely dramatic story with several interesting characters that changes as the story progresses. I also liked the narrator.

What other book might you compare Death of a Darklord to and why?

Of course I would recommend Ravenloft: I, Strahd - The Memoirs of a Vampire thanks to the narrator, but otherwise there are not many similarities. This is better compared to books like the first chrestomanci or harry potter books. It's about discovering that Elaine is "the chosen one". It's not so much about the actual wonder of magic though as it is with those books.

Which character – as performed by Nick Sullivan – was your favorite?

Johnatan probably. He's the father and head of a household of magic users. He battles his prejudices of magic when he discovers that his adopted daughter develops a dangerous talent for it. It's even more interesting because she gives him more and more reason to fear her growing magical abilities as the story goes on.

Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?

When Johnatan tries to comfort his daughter and lie to her about his fear of her magic, she reads his mind (whenever it was by accident is ambiguous) and tells him that she can read his mind and that he's lying - which is followed by him calling her a witch. It sparks off the bullet point when the book starts getting really interesting.

Any additional comments?

It's a book with a dull beginning and there's not a continuation on it on Audible as of yet. I definitely recommend it.

Favorite author

The story is well written and I couldn’t stop listening. She is a master storyteller

Interesting take as the 1st step into RVenloft

Looming into the Ravenloft series knowing Strahd and Lord Soth I knew this was going to be a change of pace. Was hopeful the story would pull me in but felt it was the overall setting that held my interest. From researching into running a campaign in D&D Domain of Dread hearing a couple names related to the lore held my interest but was not as interested compared to the Strahd & Soth related books I have listened too.

plot twist

was not disappointed! this writer always surprises me. it was a pleasure to go on this terrorizing adventure.

read this at 17 just different at 45

this was a good but I stumbled through it and some areas. One of the things with the narration is that it hasn't matured in time. I read the book at 17 18 years old and now we're reading it it just doesn't seem to have that hold me. it doesn't have the same shock value as it did before. I enjoyed the characters I feel like there's almost an over narration of some of the scenes. I also think that the ending was very abrupt and doesn't leave you on a cliffhanger as much as you feel as though the story was condendedt for some strange reason and you don't feel that feeling of overall closure. Regardless ravenloft is a great series and I feel it's almost defeating the purpose of having these books converted to audio to give them a harsh review really doesn't do justice to their significance. So I will say it is worth reading but not on the top of the list as maybe a Strahd ,Azalin or a Knight of the Rose book.

waste of credit

Laurell Hamilton is one of my favorite author but I do not like this book at all. I could not wait to reach the ending. But then the ending was a disappointment also. I'm no sure if I'm going to buy the next of this series.