They would have very diverse tastes. I can’t be the only one who is still obsessed with Baldur’s Gate 3. Since its release in August, there hasn’t been a week that’s gone by that I haven’t at least thought about the Dungeons and Dragons-inspired RPG. The companions are by far my favorite part of the incredibly detailed game. Larian Studios did a fantastic job creating characters who seem truly alive. Each of them has their own complex background, emotions, thoughts, and opinions. Getting to know them throughout the adventure is truly a pleasure. Given who I am, it wasn’t long into my second playthrough that I began considering what types of books they would all enjoy. Before I share my thoughts, a quick disclaimer. I’m going to try and avoid any major spoilers in these recommendations. However, I did consider some of their backstories in my thoughts. I would say there’s nothing past what you would get in ten hours of playtime. For this reason, we’re only going to discuss the first 4 companions you get at the very beginning of the game. If you are incredibly averse to any spoilers whatsoever, you may want to avoid reading my reasoning. If not, let’s begin with…
Lae’zel
“And I Darken” by Kiersten White
This gritty alternate history questions what would have happened if Vlad the Impaler had been a ruthless teenage girl. Lada and her brother, originally from Transylvania, are sent to the Ottoman Empire to serve as political hostages. Unfortunately, they both fall in love with the same prince, resulting in a complicated (and honestly quite messy) love triangle. Though some may call this a historical romance, the sheer number of killings makes this something unique. How far will the power-driven protagonist go to ensure her future?
This book is not for the faint of heart. It is honestly exceptionally violent, which, as strange as it may sound, is part of what makes it perfect for Lae’zel. You only need to talk to the Githyanki woman once to see just how intense she is. Anything less than frankly brutal would be a disservice to her. Just like Lae’zel, no one would ever accuse Lada of being more bark than bite. Strangely, I think Lada and Lae’zel would get along exceptionally well. Both of them are frankly savage and speak with weapons rather than words. Both of them love their people and would do almost anything for them. And both are thrust into strange situations that they don’t really understand. The similarities between the two women and their situations make this something that I think the bloodthirsty warrior would love to read.
Shadowheart
“The Glass Spare” by Lauren DeStefano
Wil Heidle is the fourth child and only daughter of the world’s wealthiest king. All her life, she has been kept hidden from the world, ostensibly to serve as a spy for her father’s ruthless ambitions. However, a sudden attack reveals that her touch has the power to turn anyone into gemstones. After an accident with her powers forces her to go into exile, she searches the land trying to find someone to help her unravel the mysteries of her gift. That’s when she discovers Loom, a banished prince who is strangely immune to her touch. As their relationship grows, so too does the danger surrounding them.
Only a truly edgy book would fit our favorite cleric. Without any specific spoilers, let’s just say that fate has not always been the kindest to Shadowheart. Because of this, I truly think she would scoff at any book that didn’t fit her pain-based mentality. While Wil may not be as hardcore as the headstrong healer, she certainly has some grit to her. Additionally, Shadowheart’s story revolves a lot around finding truth amid a web of lies, just as Wil’s does. And while Wil does not have memory loss like Shadowheart, she still has to search to discover what she can believe. Even without the connections to her own story, I believe Shadowheart would appreciate the atmosphere of this dark fantasy tale.
Gale
“The Color of Magic” by Terry Pratchett
Rincewind the failed wizard ends up accidently going on adventures with the tourist that he’s supposed to be introducing to the illustrious city of Ankh-Morpork. Instead of running away with the money as he intended, the two of them end up being captured a remarkable number of times (did I mention that Rincewind is truly not a very good wizard?), meeting a litany of increasingly eccentric characters, seeing the edge of the world itself and much more. And of course, through it all, they’re accompanied by Rincewind’s walking, sentient luggage.
Even though Gale is about as far from Rincewind’s power level as possible, I think he would appreciate the hapless protagonist. Rincewind may not be very good at actually performing magic, but he has an extensive knowledge of the arcane that even the wizard from Waterdeep would have to respect. Not only that but the way he comments on all the ridiculous events surrounding him is very reminiscent of the way Gale reacts to some of his own encounters. I also think that Gale would appreciate the general tone of the novel. Given that he’s a rather optimistic guy, the lighthearted satire of Pratchett’s first novel is perfect for him. I can definitely imagine him laughing out loud at some of the humor in this frankly hilarious book.
Astarion
“The Coldest Touch” by Isabel Sterling
Elise Beaumont is able to see the future in the most horrible way. Whenever she comes in contact with someone, she sees their death. Luckily, Clare Montgomery is there to help her figure out how to harness this unwanted gift. Unluckily, she is a vampire. Though Elise is very suspicious, she’s forced to accept her undead companion’s help when a serial killer begins rampaging their town. Together, they have to solve the mystery of who is committing these horrible crimes, while figuring out their own confused feelings for each other at the same time.
I think Astarion would absolutely adore this Sapphic paranormal romance. First of all, the tone is absolutely right up his alley. Just like him, I would describe it as slightly sardonic. I also think that he would empathize with the struggles that the main characters go through. Both Elise and Clare feel a strong sense of isolation throughout the book due to their intractable natures. They also both are very uncertain about their feelings. On top of all that, Clare is a great example of a vampire who isn’t really the biggest fan of her circumstances. She’d much rather have been allowed to live her life as it was originally destined to be. At the risk of spoiling too much, I’ll just say that these are all feelings with which Astarion is very familiar. I think he would be able to see himself in the two confused teens.
Though there are more companions to discover and many more books to recommend, we’ll stop there for now. The Forgotten Realms may be alluring, but there are many other worlds and stories out there that are just as good. Find your favorite character above and visit a world that I think they would enjoy. You may discover a new favorite along the way.
