Baldur’s Gate 3 Is Getting A Novel Featuring Everyone’s Favorite Vampire, And That’s Just The Start

Penguin Random House has announced a new publishing initiative expanding the Baldur’s Gate 3 universe into print. The program, launched in collaboration with Larian Studios and Wizards of the Coast, will bring multiple books based on the acclaimed 2023 RPG to shelves, with four titles planned for 2026 and additional releases scheduled for 2027 and beyond.

The centerpiece of the initiative is Baldur’s Gate 3: Astarion, a prequel novel scheduled for release on September 29, 2026, published by Random House Worlds. The novel is written by award-winning, New York Times bestselling fantasy author T. Kingfisher, known for works including Hemlock & Silver and Swordheart. Kingfisher collaborated with game writer Stephen Rooney to ensure the novel maintains authenticity within the game’s world and lore.

The story follows the beloved character Astarion during his years of servitude to the vampire lord Cazador Szarr, offering a dark, tragic backstory that precedes the events of the original game. This addresses significant demand from the passionate Baldur’s Gate 3 fanbase, which has produced extensive fan fiction exploring character backgrounds.

Beyond the Astarion novel, the publishing program includes several other releases: a reproduction of the in-game grimoire Necromancy of Thay, an official coloring book, and a cookbook. These additional titles reflect the broader effort to capitalize on the game’s massive cultural impact—Baldur’s Gate 3 has attracted over 15 million players since its 2023 launch and achieved Game of the Year honors at all five major award ceremonies.

Baldur’s Gate 3 Is Getting A Novel Featuring Everyone’s Favorite Vampire, And That’s Just The Start

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