LORD OF NECROPOLIS (Ravenloft Books)

DeWeese's comparison of Azalin's opinion of himself with other liches is telling -- evil though he is, Azalin still has that awful Lawful streak in him which causes him to rank himself above other liches who are greater wizards (or scientists) than he, merely because they seek knowledge and not power. One might say that all Azalin really needs is to get in touch with his inner child, but that is one experiment one hopes that he doesn't try undertaking again!

Paired with the first book of Azalin's story, King of the Dead, Lord of the Necropolis makes for a moving tale of sympathy for a monster. Together they are not exactly "Notre Dame de Paris," but who today has the time to read fifty pages of a book before coming to its anti-hero (besides which, the hunchback bell-ringer of Ravenloft is featured in "Tower of Doom"!). DeWeese's tales of Azalin's pathetic existence are quite acceptable to me.


Sympathy for the Undead   November 8, 1999
Like other readers I was confused a bit by the ending -- on my first reading. By the third time it was much clearer and the utter demoniac cruelty of The Voices which had tormented Azalin for centuries became horribly poignant as they obliged him to sow the seeds of his own, his brother's, and his son's destruction.

DeWeese's comparison of Azalin's opinion of himself with other liches is telling -- evil though he is, Azalin still has that awful Lawful streak in him which causes him to rank himself above other liches who are greater wizards (or scientists) than he, merely because they seek knowledge and not power. One might say that all Azalin really needs is to get in touch with his inner child, but that is one experiment one hopes that he doesn't try undertaking again!

Paired with the first book of Azalin's story, King of the Dead, Lord of the Necropolis makes for a moving tale of sympathy for a monster. Together they are not exactly "Notre Dame de Paris," but who today has the time to read fifty pages of a book before coming to its anti-hero (besides which, the hunchback bell-ringer of Ravenloft is featured in "Tower of Doom"!). DeWeese's tales of Azalin's pathetic existence are quite acceptable to me.


A great conclusion to "King of the Dead"   May 14, 1998
 1 out of 1 found this review helpful

I can ask for nothing more than this book gave me. The conclusion of the tale of Azalin, Lich Lord of Darkon, is truly done with great skill by Gene DeWeese. The book not only ties loose ends from "King of the Dead", it tells the ultimate truth, and reveals the true nature of the Dark Powers. A must read for fans of Ravenloft, or anyone who has read the first novel.


King Azalin's swansong is his greatest triumph!   April 3, 1998
 7 out of 7 found this review helpful

This novel, though complete on its own, really requires the reader to be familiar with the character of Azalin. This will already be the case with those who play the AD&D game (in particular, the award-winning Ravenloft campaign setting), or those who have read the prequel, 'King of the Dead' (by the same author).

Following 'King of the Dead', the author has improved upon his style and delivery -- though it may be presumptuous of me to say so, I believe that 'Lord of the Necropolis' is far superior to its prequel, both in plot and description. This is in part thanks to the lack of limitations on the author's part (the story of 'King' was practically already written by the makers of AD&D) and also to the writer's commendable imagination.

The plot of 'Lord' is at first glance incredible (an undead wizard king goes back in time, with the intention of saving his son and killing a vampire), but the smooth form employed by the writer lends a strange credence to the novel. Not only does 'Lord' conveniently answer unresolved issues in 'King', it also flawlessly blends with the events described in another book by a P N Elrod (this being the thoroughly enjoyable 'I, Strahd'). Although the conventional reader may balk at the many references to magic and illusion, anybody even vaguely familiar with Dungeons & Dragons will find this book good entertainment. And, if the reader already is a fan of Darkon, Azalin, and the Kargat, 'Lord' is an unmissable addition to his Ravenloft library!