In 2009, EA released “Dragon Age: Origins.” For the first time, players were introduced to the world of Thedas and tasked with protecting it against the monstrous Darkspawn scourge that periodically arose. Two years later, “Dragon Age II” was released. This time, players became Hawke, a human who becomes a legend over the course of a decade of strife. Following the same breakneck pace, only 3 years after “II,” “Dragon Age: Inquisition” graced our screens. We followed the Inquisitor as they tried to close the Breach, a tear in reality that allowed demons to come forth. Then, there was silence. For the past 10 years, fans have been waiting for a new “Dragon Age” title. And it is finally happening. On October 31st, EA will release “Dragon Age: The Veilguard,” a direct sequel to “Inquisition.” Whether you’re waiting that final week for the game to finally be released or you’ve been playing a while and are trying to prolong the experience, these books are for you. From canon-accurate novels to my favorite dark fantasy, any of these next titles will help you stay connected to “Dragon Age.”
If you want a refresher on the world:
“Dragon Age: The World of Thedas”
Whether you’re new to Thedas or you haven’t played for years, there are many options for you. My favorite is the official guide, “Dragon Age: The World of Thedas.” BioWare did an absolutely fantastic job with this book. If “The Veilguard” is going to be your first dive into a “Dragon Age” game, the official guide gives you all the background you could ever need. As it says in the description, it has everything possible on the “regions, religions, monsters, magic, and more” of the incredibly detailed world. Sprinkled throughout the book are sections written in-universe, adding a layer of story-telling and humanity to the dump of information. While the writing is definitely good, the art truly makes this title shine. Nearly every page has breathtaking artwork on it, and there’s at least 1 full page spread every 5 pages or so. This read is worth it just for the beauty of the art within.
If you’re looking more for stories than facts, consider starting at the very beginning with “The Stolen Throne” by David Gaider. This novel is a direct prequel to the first game, “Dragon Age: Origins.” You follow Maric as he tries to fill the shoes left behind by his recently murdered mother, the Rebel Queen. Surrounded by enemies, he has to find a way to survive while also fighting to win back the stolen throne of Ferelden. David Gaider is a superb author, having written for games like Dragon Age and even Knights of the Old Republic (also a really great game) for decades. I’d highly recommend this read if you want to see where it all began. If, however, you want something closer to when “The Veilguard” will take place, “Tevinter Nights” may be the one for you. Written by various authors, all of the short stories within take place after the third game, “Dragon Age: Inquisition.” You’ll truly get a feel for how intense of a world Thedas in throughout these stories about monsters, betrayals, politics, and more.
If you want more dark fantasy:
“Ash Princess” by Laura Sebastian
The intensity of Thedas is one of the things that draws a lot of people to “Dragon Age.” Sometimes, I want a book that will help me escape the gruesome realities of our world. In that case, fluffy books like “The Tea Dragon Society” are the place to go. Other times, I want to lean into those truths and grapple with them in my own way. That is where “Dragon Age” and other dark fantasy comes in. If you like “Dragon Age” because it does not shy away from exposing the darker aspects of life, you may like “Ash Princess” by Laura Sebastian.
Just like “Dragon Age,” “Ash Princess” takes place in an absolutely brutal world. This book is not for the faint of heart. Though it is considered YA, I have to give trigger warnings for terrible abuse, torture, (non-graphic) rape, slavery and racism. If any of those topics bother you, I would skip out on this book. If you can handle those, then meet Princess Theodosia. At only 6 years old, during the coup to take her kingdom, she witnessed her mother’s murder. Ever since, she has lived in fear as a captive of the current tyrannical king, doing everything she can to just survive. One day, however, after being forced to do the unthinkable, her rage at the injustice of it all takes over. She becomes determined to save her people and herself from the hellish world they’ve been forced into. Not only is the general vibe very similar to “Dragon Age,” but the specifics of what Theodosia has to live through remind me of the Fereldan Rebellion that occurs before “Origins.” This book of political intrigue, sacrifice, and genocide will absolutely not disappoint.
If you like the Darkspawn:
“Hell Followed With Us” by Andrew Joseph White
For some, part of what draws them to “Dragon Age” isn’t only the setting, but the villains. Though there are many different villains within the series, the darkspawn are perhaps the most overarching and deadly. As the wiki says, “They are bloodthirsty, exceptionally numerous and willing to indiscriminately kill or corrupt all in their path.” What better scourge could you ask for than one that is full of soulless killing machines who periodically rise to destroy all in their path? Personally, what I find most fascinating about the darkspawn is that they began as humans. Tevinter magisters expanded beyond their area and tried to touch the realm of the gods. In response, when they entered the Fade, they were corrupted, becoming the first darkspawn. Now, they infect any living being they’re near with the “Taint,” leaving more monsters in their wake. If you also like the concept of monsters that once were human, “Hell Followed With Us” by Andrew Joseph White is the book for you.
Benji has to escape the evangelical Christian cult he was raised in when they begin the apocalypse and infect him with a horrible disease, all while grappling with his identity as a trans boy. He finds a ragtag group of other queer teens, known as the ALC, that accept him as he is. Unfortunately, the bioweapon the cult placed within him is slowly turning him into a monster that is strong enough to destroy the world as we know it. Benji has to try and contain the monster within while also trying to decide if his new friends are any better than the cult he previously left. This apocalyptic dystopian tale is another that is not for the sensitive among us. While it is a great tale of queer perseverance, identity, and what it truly means to be a monster, it is very intense. I would not read this book if any of the following bother you: body horror, gore, violent death, abuse, infectious diseases (there are a lot of parallels to COVID-19), religious trauma, transphobia or religious cults. If, however, you want a gut-wrenching book that leans into the idea of people becoming monsters, this is the one for you.
If you like ambiguity in good versus evil:
When I was younger, I very much wanted stories that were concretely good versus evil. I wanted to be practically blasted in the face with the knowledge of who was in the right. As I’ve aged and grown to see more and more of the grey, however, I tend to lean towards stories where good and evil are not as easy to see. “Dragon Age” absolutely fills this niche. Many of the choices you have to make, like who to choose for the King of Orzammar, have no clear answers. Both sides have pros and cons, both sides good and evil. I love the blurring of the lines of morality. If that’s also your favorite part about “Dragon Age,” you may like “Dark Rise” by C.S. Pacat.
Set in 1821 England, Will has to flee after his mother is murdered. Though he is able to maintain his cover for a short period of time, he is quickly kidnapped and thrown into a world of magic that he barely understands. After many years, the Dark King is once again set to return. According to the Stewards of Light, Will has a vital role to play in keeping him at bay. Not only does this tale also have the concept of a threat that goes dormant much like the blights that plague Thedas, but Will has to suddenly figure out exactly who is the good guy and how much free will he truly has. The author themselves has said, “This story is a classic battle of good and evil in a world full of ambiguities, reversals and twists, where nothing is as it seems.” Like “Dragon Age,” there is no overarching omniscient point of view that makes everything clear as day. We have to choose who to believe, as everything we learn is told through a variety of different viewpoints. The ambiguity is part of the charm in this fantasy series.
If you like the relationship between the Mages and the Templar:
“The Last Magician” by Lisa Maxwell
Much like how you have to choose between the Stormcloaks and the Imperials in “Skyrim,” in “Dragon Age: Inquisition,” you have to pick between the Mages and the Templar. There are pros and cons to both sides, so it’s really more what storyline you want to follow. Regardless of which side you pick, the interactions between them are some of my favorite parts of “Inquisition.” I love the type of relationship where one side is both hated and loved like the mages are. They’re simultaneously considered dangerous, something to be contained and controlled, and coveted, something to strive for. If you also appreciate the nuance in that position, you may like “The Last Magician” by Lisa Maxwell.
Esta, a mageus with the ability to slow the flow of time, lives in an alternate universe where magic is slowly dying. Trapped in modern-day Manhattan by The Brink, a barrier that leeches away a person’s magic if touched, she is tasked with going back in time to steal the book that may hold the secret to magic itself. Alone in 1901, she infiltrates one of the city’s most notorious gangs. Her mission only becomes more difficult after that, however, as she has to contend with The Order, a high society group determined to contain and control the city’s mages. Just like in “Dragon Age,” The Order speaks about mages as if they are dangerous vermin. Yet at the exact same time, their methods to accomplish the goal of containment are very questionable. Though I really enjoyed this book, I’d like to issue a public service announcement about the one part of this book that really bothered me. If you meet someone for the first time and they kiss you against your will, it is not a meet-cute. Talk to a trusted adult, because that is a felony. Other than that and some period-appropriate sexism, homophobia and racism, this book is a gem.
Honorary mention in this category goes to “The Fifth Season” by N.K. Jemisin. The author herself has stated that she was inspired by the mage/templar relationship in “Dragon Age.” Only read this one, however, if you’re ready for something a little bit more intense, as it is an adult novel.
Before you know it, October 31st will have come and gone and you’ll be more than ready for “Dragon Age: The Veilguard.” Join me and thousands of others in uniting disparate companions into the legendary Veilguard. Remember, however, to put the game down every once in a while. It’ll still be there when you return. If you miss it too badly, try picking up one of the titles above. They’ll all give you the same feel as “Dragon Agee,” so that the adventure can continue even off the screen. As always, happy reading!
