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bookbeard's review
5.0
The World of Critical Role is one of storytellers. From Matt's fictional world and the player characters within, to the lives of the cast and how they came together. And in telling their story, this book provides some wonderful insights into both worlds that make Critical Role.
This book walks a bit if a fine line, as the book has several distinct audiences. It's clearly for fans of the show first and foremost, as it goes into in depth discussions of character backstories and motivations. It covers items that have become important to the characters, and critical moments in their lives. In this, they do very well at giving insight that fans might not be aware of, like a look behind the curtain.
The next audience would be those interested in the business and community sides of the Critical Role production. In this way, I think it does well. The interviews with the cast members that make up the majority of the book's material are very well done. They give a picture of what it was like for the crew from it's inception, through the expansion into what it is today.
Lastly, and this is a bit different, they try and include enough information for someone who is interested in Critical Role, but unfamiliar with D&D or the show's structure. They start with a description of how D&D works, and at time will explain why rolls are important, and what impact they have on the game. In this I think they do well in boiling down a very daunting task. They focus on how this is a unique storytelling medium, and don't get bogged down in describing the intricate details or rules of the game.
For me reading this book, as a fan of the show, and interested in the characters and the people, this book was a delight to read. I learned things about the characters and players that helped me to understand them better, and feel closer to this hobby I love. It was comforting. And I cannot overstate how beautiful the artwork is. Stunning.
I would recommend this book for any fan of CR, and to those who are interested in it, and looking to understand why so many people love it.
If I had one note, it's that I wish it had a statement somewhere of at what point in Campaign 2 it covers. I am not caught up with the second campaign, and skipped a page or two that contained clear spoilers.
This book walks a bit if a fine line, as the book has several distinct audiences. It's clearly for fans of the show first and foremost, as it goes into in depth discussions of character backstories and motivations. It covers items that have become important to the characters, and critical moments in their lives. In this, they do very well at giving insight that fans might not be aware of, like a look behind the curtain.
The next audience would be those interested in the business and community sides of the Critical Role production. In this way, I think it does well. The interviews with the cast members that make up the majority of the book's material are very well done. They give a picture of what it was like for the crew from it's inception, through the expansion into what it is today.
Lastly, and this is a bit different, they try and include enough information for someone who is interested in Critical Role, but unfamiliar with D&D or the show's structure. They start with a description of how D&D works, and at time will explain why rolls are important, and what impact they have on the game. In this I think they do well in boiling down a very daunting task. They focus on how this is a unique storytelling medium, and don't get bogged down in describing the intricate details or rules of the game.
For me reading this book, as a fan of the show, and interested in the characters and the people, this book was a delight to read. I learned things about the characters and players that helped me to understand them better, and feel closer to this hobby I love. It was comforting. And I cannot overstate how beautiful the artwork is. Stunning.
I would recommend this book for any fan of CR, and to those who are interested in it, and looking to understand why so many people love it.
If I had one note, it's that I wish it had a statement somewhere of at what point in Campaign 2 it covers. I am not caught up with the second campaign, and skipped a page or two that contained clear spoilers.
schwarmgiven's review against another edition
4.0
So, the greatest D&D Table of All Time wrote a book...and to review, here are the top 5 D&D Tables of all Time:
1. Critical Role - Mercer
2. Ptolus - Cook
3. Greyhawk - Gygax
4. PAX - Perkins
5. Ben's RPG Pile - Ben
Fight me.
This book has some background, some player motivation, some interesting moments--basically a CR highlight reel. A bit self congratulatory at times, but I am not sure what else this could be--these guys have done SO much for our community & this book is a good way to introduce that to people not familiar with CR or just starting out--worth checking out and supporting.
1. Critical Role - Mercer
2. Ptolus - Cook
3. Greyhawk - Gygax
4. PAX - Perkins
5. Ben's RPG Pile - Ben
Fight me.
This book has some background, some player motivation, some interesting moments--basically a CR highlight reel. A bit self congratulatory at times, but I am not sure what else this could be--these guys have done SO much for our community & this book is a good way to introduce that to people not familiar with CR or just starting out--worth checking out and supporting.
e4enthusiastic's review
5.0
Love the story of how it came to be! The audio book is also worth a listen!
subdivisionsx1's review
4.0
A chronicle of how this group of voice actors have managed to take the TTRPG world by storm and create one of the most tight-knit communities out there. The events from the early days of the show to now are documented with insight from each of the members of the crew. Very wholesome read if you're into the fandom, and an interesting one if you're not quite familiar with what either Dungeons and Dragons or Critical Role is.
This book contains spoilers that cover the entirety of Campaign 1 and Campaign 2 up to episode 60-70, and it is not exclaimed anywhere. Skip the sections that go in depth on the world of Exandria and the campaigns to remain spoiler free (would love spoiler annotations in the book itself though).
This book contains spoilers that cover the entirety of Campaign 1 and Campaign 2 up to episode 60-70, and it is not exclaimed anywhere. Skip the sections that go in depth on the world of Exandria and the campaigns to remain spoiler free (would love spoiler annotations in the book itself though).
winterlelie's review
5.0
*shouts from the rooftops* I love Critical Role so freaking much!! That's it, that's the review. With 2 exclamation marks, you know I'm not messing around. No but really, what an absolutely gorgeous book.
thesandramills's review
5.0
A wonderful overview of Critical Role from inception to present, featuring cast interviews, photos, and character breakdowns. I’ll be honest, any Critter probably knows or has seen a lot of the content from online archives or the Between the Sheets series. But it is still a great read and resource to have. Campaign spoilers abound, so don’t make it your intro to the series (unless you don’t care about those things).
quinlbr88's review
4.0
If I weren't a Critical Role fan, then I would probably rate this lower. That pretty much sums it up. This is not a title for the casual observer, but a good choice for a collector of all things CR.
I think Between the Sheets is a better way to get to know the cast. It was fun to relive Campaigns 1 & 2 though. Plus, the art and photos were stunning.
I think Between the Sheets is a better way to get to know the cast. It was fun to relive Campaigns 1 & 2 though. Plus, the art and photos were stunning.