The Chronicles of Exandria: The Mighty Nein Part 2 - Review of the Book

      Calum Petrie reviews The Chronicles of Exandria: The Mighty Nein Part 2…

      When you decide to indulge yourself (or someone special) with a premium product that leans towards the expensive side, it is crucial to ensure that you are obtaining good value for your money. Additionally, there's the desire to guarantee that the item aligns with interests and is the right choice.

      Dungeons & Dragons has experienced significant growth over the past few years, reaching unprecedented levels of popularity and attracting more players than ever before. It's clear that a key contributor to this surge is not Stranger Things, but rather Critical Role.

      Critical Role is a live-play Dungeons and Dragons campaign featuring professional voice actors, helmed by the incredibly talented Matthew Mercer. This home game evolved into a Twitch stream, which then transformed into a podcast, a comic book series, and an Amazon Prime TV series. There’s no doubt that Critical Role has grown into a phenomenon in its own right, complete with a vast fanbase.

      I’m sharing my thoughts today after receiving a copy of The Chronicles of Exandria: The Mighty Nein – Part 2, an exceptional art book that offers fans insights into the enchanting universe of Critical Role Season 2.

      I received the hardback edition, priced at a substantial £84.99 ($149.99 US or $199.49 CAN), and the collection exudes quality and meticulous craftsmanship. Upon opening this beautiful hardback book, the inside cover reveals an exquisite grey and black map illustrating the Dwendalian Empire in Wildemount.

      The book is structured as a chronicle of the adventuring group, The Mighty Nein, as seen through the eyes of their historian, Iva Deshin. It’s a delightful way to immerse yourself in the world and experience an adventure through the stories and artwork showcased in this volume, all from the perspective of a local in this fantastical realm.

      I could go on for pages detailing how delightful it is to browse through this collection, but since art is both personal and subjective, I wouldn’t want to impose my opinions on the contents; that's a journey best experienced individually. Brew a cup of tea, make yourself comfortable, and settle in with a fantasy playlist while you dive into this rich world of imagination and intricate storytelling.

      This edition features not only a beautifully embossed hardback book (yes, I should mention it is indeed embossed), but it also comes in a robust hardback case that includes an impressive dungeon master’s screen adorned with a stunning illustration of the Mighty Nein party on a ship.

      Additionally, there’s a sizeable envelope containing a detailed engraved commemorative coin representing the Bright Queen of the Kryn Dynasty within Xhorhas. The package also includes a lovely assortment of postcards from iconic locations in Wildemount, a map of Xhorhaus, where the party established their headquarters, and a collection of posters depicting significant settings and events from the show.

      The hardback edition is precisely the premium item I mentioned earlier, and if you know anyone who is a Critical Role fan, this is undoubtedly something they would cherish. It serves as an excellent conversation starter, enhances the ambiance, and enriches the imagery conjured while watching or listening to Critical Role. Some may feel inspired to revisit specific episodes that correspond with the artwork.

      Critical Role has evolved into more than just a venue for outsiders to watch a group of voice actors engage in a tabletop role-playing game; it has cultivated a community and certainly encourages creativity. If more volumes like this emerge from similar productions, I am entirely supportive of them.

      Calum Petrie – You can follow me on X @Cetrie