World of Darkness Fiction Questions

[shadowlight]

I don't really know much about the White Wolf's World of Darkness setting(s?), but I'm getting more interested with the new rulebooks coming out. I've seen that they've published several novels, and I'm hoping some of you can answer a couple of questions for me.

First of all, I've checked White Wolf's website, but I can't seem to find a list of all the novels they've published. Any ideas where I could find one?

Second (and more importantly) are there any of their novels that you'd recommend? I'm particularly interested in the Werewolf stuff, but I'm willing to try anything.

Thanks!

 

[Umbran]

I don't know of a list myself, but there is something you should note - most fo th novels will have little to do with the new rulebooks. White Wolf wiped the slate clean in going to World of Darkness 2.0, and many of the things you'llsee published in the older novels won't exist in the new game world, or will exist only in substantially altered form.

Certainly, none of the metaplot of the old novels will be carrying over to the new game. For all we know, the basic nature of werewolves will be different under the new rules.

 

[ShadowDenizen]

Well, as noted, the "new" WoD may differ subtansially from the old. They have a new Vampire series due out, but I have no interest in it.

Alot (most) of this is probably out of print, but you might be able to find some at local bookstores still, or on Ebay. If you're looking for some of the "old" WoD fiction, I would recommend:

"The Immortal Eyes" trilogy for Changeling
The "Dark Kingdoms" trilogy for Wraith
"When will you howl?" and "Drums around the Fire", both short-fiction for Werewolf
"Truth until Paradox" for Mage
"Essential World of Darkness" and "Quintessential World of Darkness", both contain short novels for each of their fiction lines.

 

[shadowlight]

I don't know of a list myself, but there is something you should note - most fo th novels will have little to do with the new rulebooks. White Wolf wiped the slate clean in going to World of Darkness 2.0, and many of the things you'llsee published in the older novels won't exist in the new game world, or will exist only in substantially altered form.

Certainly, none of the metaplot of the old novels will be carrying over to the new game. For all we know, the basic nature of werewolves will be different under the new rules.

That's good to know!

There's a new set of novels coming out soon, so hopefully they'll cover the new setting.

 

[shadowlight]

I would recommend:

"The Immortal Eyes" trilogy for Changeling
The "Dark Kingdoms" trilogy for Wraith
"When will you howl?" and "Drums around the Fire", both short-fiction for Werewolf
"Truth until Paradox" for Mage
"Essential World of Darkness" and "Quintessential World of Darkness", both contain short novels for each of their fiction lines.

Thanks for the recommendations! I'll give them a look!

 

[ShadowDenizen]

Be sure to let us know what you think.
In general WW fiction ran the gamut from bad to mediocre, to decent. (FWIW, I've started reading the Exalted novels of late.)

Especially check out the "Kindred of the East" fiction piece, the "Silver Crown", and "Beyond the Shroud." (They're all in either the Essential or Quintessential WoD collections.)

 

[Kesh]

"When will you howl?" and "Drums around the Fire", both short-fiction for Werewolf

That first one is actually "When will you Rage?" I also recommend a novella called "The Silver Crown." I still need to read the Apocalypse book I bought...

 

[Welverin]

Second (and more importantly) are there any of their novels that you'd recommend?

I liked Mouseferatu's Gehenna The Final Night.

 

[Mouseferatu]

I liked Mouseferatu's Gehenna The Final Night.

I appreciate that, deeply. I'm proud of the work I did on that book.

I must say, however, that if Shadowlight hasn't read any WoD fiction, Gehenna may not be the best novel to start with. It's the end of the line, after all, but more importantly, it assumes a basic knowledge of the WoD. Don't get me wrong, people who don't know the WoD can enjoy it--I've spoken to a number of them. But it's better if you have some background.

I'd suggest at least learning the basics of the setting from the rulebooks, if not reading a novel or two, before picking up mine.

I do hope you get to it eventually, though. I'd love to hear what you think.

Incidentally, I enjoyed Bruce Baugh's Lasombra trilogy. It, too, works better with some background knowledge, but it's a good read.

 

[shadowlight]

I must say, however, that if Shadowlight hasn't read any WoD fiction, Gehenna may not be the best novel to start with. It's the end of the line, after all, but more importantly, it assumes a basic knowledge of the WoD. Don't get me wrong, people who don't know the WoD can enjoy it--I've spoken to a number of them. But it's better if you have some background.

That's good to know. I'll check it out if I can make it through one or two of the compilations first.

By the way, I read a few pages out of the new WoD core rulebook today and it was surprisingly gripping! I can't wait to read more!