The Fallbacks Are Getting Another D&D Novel

The Fallbacks, a D&D adventuring group that first appeared in a Penguin Random House novel published in 2024, will get a second book later this year. Penguin Random House has announced The Fallbacks: Dealing With Dragons, a new D&D novel featuring the misfit Fallbacks adventuring team that's set in the Forgotten Realms. The group first appeared in The Fallbacks: Bound for Ruin and made a cameo appearance in artwork in the 2024 Dungeon Master's Guide.

Dealing With Dragons will be written by Jaleigh Johnson, who also wrote the first novel. The new book will be released on July 29, 2025.

A description of the novel is below:

The Fallbacks might not be Faerun’s first choice for saving the day, but if the money’s right they’ll get the job done. In this ragtag band of adventurers, each member plays a vital role: Tess the disciplined elven thief; Anson the courageous fighter; Lark the cunning bard; Baldric the wily cleric; Cazrin the inquisitive wizard; and Uggie, their pet monster who eats garbage. Squint a little and they’re the heroes Faerun needs.

Fresh off a harrowing journey into the infinite dungeon of Undermountain and the defeat of a powerful undead lich (with the help of a giant hungry worm or two), the adventurers are now a proven and dedicated team, ready for a new adventure which will take them to strange new realms.

 

[Von Corellon]

First Fallbacks novel was great, really enjoyed. And you’ll see characters from the novel as iconics in the new 2024/5 DnD core set artwork - and the explanatory videos on YouTube.

 

[Henadic Theologian]

It occurred to me Fallbacks: Dealing With Dragons might be where they explain why all of a sudden Purple Dragon Knights are Amethyst Dragon Riders.

 

[Ruin Explorer]

That is one of the worst book summaries I've ever seen in my life, it summaries the previous book, says nothing about the actual book in question to get you excited for it.

There are actually a shocking number of blurbs for sequel novels which end up doing this, basically "We know you love the characters, so read this one!" without giving anyone who didn't read the previous novel anything to care about. It's been a thing for decades.

 

[Henadic Theologian]

There are actually a shocking number of blurbs for sequel novels which end up doing this, basically "We know you love the characters, so read this one!" without giving anyone who didn't read the previous novel anything to care about. It's been a thing for decades.

It's terrible marketing.

 

[Dire Bare]

That is one of the worst book summaries I've ever seen in my life, it summaries the previous book, says nothing about the actual book in question to get you excited for it. I mean all we learn is they go to new realms, that could be anywhere.

Oh good lord. That's because it's not a summary, but a teaser. Woke up on the wrong side of the bed this morning?

 

[Henadic Theologian]

Oh good lord. That's because it's not a summary, but a teaser. Woke up on the wrong side of the bed this morning?

It's technically called the blurb, and it goes on the back of the book, it's not a teaser which would say a small part of the book, something with action most likely.

A blurb it's basically the sales pitch that gives you an idea of what the book is about, it's job is to intrigue and hook you so you want to read more. This blurb doesn't do that, it just sums up the last book and says their going to knew Realms. No mention of goals, enemies, or what Realms they are visiting, it's completely hookless.

Look at Spelljammers Memories Wake's blurb for example. Hooks to intrigue you galore and give you at least a starting idea about what the novel is about.

And I'm not mad, just annoyed.

I mean the title tells me more about the books story then the blurb. Dealing with Dragons tells me there is somekind of deal being made with Dragons. It's not killing Dragons or Battling Dragons or defying Dragons, it's Dealing With Dragons.

You add in the change to Purple Dragon Knight and this seems very likely to be about whatever occurs to create the alliance between Purple Dragon Knights and Amethyst Dragons.

I also think Purple Dragon Knights are one of the new factions in FRPG.

The Fallbacks even have a fighter in the party.

But the blurb gives no hints to anything. You got to piece together from a verity of things.

 

[Birmy]

View attachment 394663

Off topic, but this trilogy really cemented Junior High Me's love for Shadowrun as a setting.

 

[DarkCrisis]

Off topic, but this trilogy really cemented Junior High Me's love for Shadowrun as a setting.

Me too.