Baldur's Gate 3: Astarion

Not T.Kingfishers best, but still very entertaining. You can tell that there were some pretty tight guidelines from Larian and some things feel rushed, but overall it's a good book. Would've profited from an extra 100 pages for more build up.

This book has no reason to exist. And I strongly believe that's why it failed. Writing canon has challenges that I acknowledge and I truly don't mind adjustments, as long as they don't change the overall character. Unfortunately, even while I do believe Astarion felt like his character in regards to snarky remarks and jokes, we were left with nothing more. His character has been developed and shown with detail and precision within the game. The most interesting part of his story has been his route in the game, he starts as insufferable and ends as a truly hurt and broken survivor of abuse, who hopefully breaks the circle. While I do get that a book of 300 pages solely about him being beaten, exploited and hurt isn't a fun read and truly one I would have skipped, it is still such an integral part of his past, that I do not fathom why it was washed down like it has been. I did enjoy the banter between his "siblings", I did enjoy their rivalry and yet camaraderie, but when it came to Cazador Kingfisher didn't go the route she has to go if she wants to include this part of his life. Then again, as I said, all that is what didn't need to be told *again*, as we already know all of that. So why not stick to the part of him growing up, moving to Baldur's Gate or even end there, where he is left to die? I believe that would have been a much safer ground. Question remains however: is it necessary to publish it as a book? Mind you, that hasn't been her idea. If she hadn't taken the job, someone else would have. Would they have included a better version of his abusive past? We can only speculate. I don't think fiction needs a reason to exist, stories are allowed to be told. In this particular case it isn't necessary. His story already exists. It is evident that this is only a cashgrab and that it is Astarion and not Gale, whose backstory is also tragic and sad, or Karlach or Wyll or anyone really, just shows this was never about the left over story that still needs to be told. That though is not a fault to the author. That being said, the general writing is typical Kingfisher style that I personally enjoy. I've read all her horror novels and am a big fan of those. She handles original work (surprise!) much better than IP work. The lack of an actual story to tell is sadly palpable in this book, as it is random scene hopping, no overall actual plot and shoehorned emotional depth that feels out of place (and unfortunately out of character). I really had been happy when two of my favourite things coming together have been announced, but now I'm once more reminded that companies just want the easy money and bet on that initial feeling. I truly think Kingfisher would have been able to write a coherent and gripping as well as saddening story if she had taken the time and been given the possibility to co-write with Astarion's creator.