10 Books To Read If You Love Critical Role

Published Oct 3, 2026, 12:00 PM EDT

Carrie is a Senior Writer at ScreenRant who previously managed Geek to Geek Media and wrote for SwitchRPG. She is particularly knowledgeable when it comes to WoW, Diablo, and cozy games. She has a passion for supporting the indies and always enjoys sharing her passions with others through her writing.

For many fans of Critical Role, despite the plethora of content that the show provides, there's still always that little itch for more. Thankfully, there are numerous books that can solve that problem, either by capturing the same feeling and fantasy genre or even being put out by the team at Critical Role regarding the lore of these epic characters we have come to love from each campaign.

Whether you're a fan of the animated shows, The Legend of Vox Machina or The Mighty Nein, or have followed the ongoing Dungeons & Dragons campaigns of Critical Role over the past ten years, the stories told have captured our hearts and imaginations. Now, if you're wanting even more from Exandria or similar feelings of fantasy worlds, there are several books perfect to add to your 'To Be Read' pile.

The Way Of Kings, Book One Of The Stormlight Archive

By Brandon Sanderson

The cast of Critical Role has made no secret of their love of all things Brandon Sanderson, with many of the cast members mentioning The Stormlight Archive as well as the rest of the titles in Sanderson's overarching Cosmere on several occasions.

There are many similarities between Matt Mercer's Exandria and Sanderson's Cosmere, particularly when it comes to the detailed world-building and magic systems. While there are many incredible books in the Cosmere, if you want something that feels close to Critical Role, starting with The Way of Kings is recommended.

Homeland, Book One Of The Dark Elf Trilogy — The Legend Of Drizzt Series

By R.A. Salvatore

Although not Exandria, many Dungeons & Dragons players are familiar with the universe of the Forgotten Realms. The Legend of Drizzt series is set within that world and follows the main character Drizzt Do'Urden, a dark elf ranger, as he leaves the Underdark to live a life of honor and peace on the surface world. It's about exploring, adventure, and all the excitement that DnD is known for.

Although the first book in the series is technically The Crystal Shard, starting with Homeland puts you back at the chronological beginning, telling of Drizzt's origin story. Of course, with 39 novels plus short story collections in the main The Legend of Drizzt series, trying to complete the entire catalog could be a big commitment.

Dragons Of Autumn Twilight, Book One Of The Dragonlance Chronicles

By Margaret Weis And Tracy Hickman

Again, sharing the same Dungeons & Dragons roots as Critical Role, we have the epic tales of The Dragonlance Chronicles. Dragonlance originated as a DnD campaign originally created by Laura and Tracy Hickman and later expanded on by Tracy Hickman and Margaret Weis in the fantasy novel series, The Dragonlance Chronicles.

Although its start was much different than how Critical Role evolved over time through the improvised storytelling of actual-play games viewed by millions, the epic setting is one that is hard to forget.

Tusk Love

By Thea Guanzon, Inspired By Laura Bailey's Jester Lavorre

In Campaign 2 of Critical Role, The Mighty Nein's Jester Lavorre quickly becomes a bit obsessed with a spicy romance novel she comes across called Tusk Love. Now, that book actually exists, and everyone who giggled excitedly while Jester shared the book around the party can read it for themselves. Although perhaps it should be read behind closed doors.

Granted, this is definitely not like any other book on this list. It's a romantic fantasy that features plenty of steamy scenes that Jester Lavorre loves. However, fans of The Mighty Nein could enjoy reading a book that was inspired by Laura Bailey's imagination.

Critical Role: The Mighty Nein — Stories Untold

By Critical Role Team, Betsy Aoki, Kiri Callaghan, Dani Carr, Mae Catt, Mike Chen, Rin Chupeco, Nino Cipri, Nadia El-Fassi, and Chase K, With A Forward By Taliesin Jaffe

Campaign 2, Critical Role: The Mighty Nein introduced many now-beloved side characters in the world of Exandria who may have had comparatively smaller roles in the series, but have their own stories nonetheless. Characters like the adorable Pumat Sol, the lovable Essek Theylyss, and even Sprinkle all get their own short stories in the book The Mighty Nein — Stories Untold.

There's even one thrilling story, Fight For The Soul, regarding Uk'otoa and the Wildmother's fight for Fjord.

Critical Role: Vox Machina — Stories Untold

By Critical Role Team, Jess Barber, Martin Cahill, Rebecca Coffindaffer, Aabria Iyengar, Sam Maggs, Sarah Glenn Marsh, Rory Power, Nibedita Sen, Izzy Wasserstein, And Kendra Wells, With A Forward By Liam O'Brien

Just like the previous entry, Critical Role has also released a Vox Machina — Stories Untold collection of short stories that looks at the perspectives of many of the side characters that were introduced to us in the very first campaign.

Here, we learn more about the Sun Tree, Raishan, Doty, Lady Kima, and many more. Everyone's favorite merchant, Shaun Gilmore, looks at what his life should be like after Vax admits his love for another. Kaylie's feelings about her father are explained through her history. We even get a story about Trinket the bear after the events of Vox Machina.

Critical Role: The Mighty Nein — The Nine Eyes Of Lucien

By Madeleine Roux

Campaign 2's most villainous and corrupted tiefling, Lucien, gets his very own book in the Critical Role novel series. The Nine Eyes of Lucien is a full-length novel focusing on the antagonist's life both before and after meeting up with the Mighty Nein.

Beginning with a backstory of growing up in Shadycreek Run and the quest that inevitably led to the terrifying Nonagon, we eventually see his side of things as he comes face to face with our heroes of The Mighty Nein and his eventual demise.

Of course, having a full novel that explores the story from the viewpoint of one of the cruelest villains of the series is an interesting perspective, and will likely make you want to go back and rewatch The Mighty Nein.

Critical Role: Bells Hells — What Doesn't Break

By Cassandra Khaw

Campaign 3, Bells Hells, did a beautiful, albeit depressing, job of tying together the events and characters of this final storyline back to the first campaign through Laudna's tragic history. In Critical Role: Bells Hells — What Doesn't Break, we see what Laudna experienced in the years in between those two campaigns.

This is particularly poignant for those of us who love diving deep into the lore of Critical Role's world, although anyone who has familiarity with at least the story of Bells Hells will get a lot out of seeing the added depth that Laudna's backstory brings to the table.

Critical Role: Vox Machina — Kith & Kin

By Marieke Nijkamp

Even if you only know Critical Role from the animated series, The Legend of Vox Machina, this story is one that fans will enjoy. Kith & Kin focuses on the half-elf twins, Vax'ildan and Vex'ahlia, and serves as a prequel to their adventures with the party in Vox Machina.

Bouncing between the viewpoint of their childhood and the hardships they've experienced as young adults, we truly see the connection that these twins have to each other and why they share such a deep bond. It gives a greater insight into the choices that these siblings make for each other during the Critical Role actual-play sessions, and even explores some of the most iconic moments of the series.

Critical Role: The Mighty Nein — Children Of Empire

By Nibedita Sen

The most recent full-length novel that gives us a deep-dive look into the lore of Critical Role isn't even available yet. Children of Empire will be released on November 10, 2026, and is said to be set chronologically between campaign 2 and campaign 3, which is surprising that it's not origin stories for Beau and Caleb.

Instead, this appears to be looking at Caleb and Beau's return to the empire as they begin working together and researching more about the Cerberus Assembly and Ludinus Da'leth. We can't wait to see how this expands the lore of Ludinus and what insights it will give into the ultimate story arc of Critical Role.

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  Azune Nayar