A Practical Guide to Monsters

by
Nina Hess

writing as
Zendric

Mirrorstone, August 2007, 80 pp.
ISBN: 978-0-7869-4809-3

Genre: Young Reader
Subgenres: Fantasy / Instructional

World: DragonLance
Reviewed: 6/6/2010

Reviewed by: Conan Tigard

Book Cover

Excerpt

Synopsis

Zendric is a high wizard and master of magic. He has created a this information book for his apprentices to study while he is away on an adventure. To become a true wizard, a being must know every little thing about the monsters that inhabit their world. This book will enable his apprentices to do so.

Zendric writes and draws pictures about the following subjects:

Monster Protection

Additional Defense

Armor

 

Creepy Crawlers

Remorhaz, Thri-kreen, Ankheg, Phase Spider & Bulette

 

Flying Fiends

Griffin, Chimera, Manticore, Yrthak, Harpy Gargoyle

 

Viperous Villains

Medusa, Yuan-ti, Behir, Ormyrr, Frost Worm & Purple Worm

 

Sneaky Shapeshifters

Werewolf, Werebear, Wererat, Wereboar & Doppleganger

 

Gruesome Goblinoids

Goblin, Hobgoblin & Bugbear

 

Mammoth Monsters

Troll, Ettin, Giant (Fire Giant, Storm Giant & Frost Giant), Ogre & Ogre Mage

 

Unsightly Dead

Vampire, Ghost, Zombie, Ghoul, Nightwalker, Lich, Mummy, Skeleton & Shadow

 

Awful Aberration

Beholder, Ettercap, Chuul, Otyugh, Rust Monster, Athach & Grick

 

Otherworldly Outsiders

Rakshasa, Nightmare, Azer, Xorn & Couatl

A Practical Guide to Monsters is the informational book about the monsters that inhabit the world of Dungeons & Dragons. It is written by Nina Hess as Zendric, a High Wizard and Master of Magic. This book is intended for young readers 10 and up.

Review

I remember reading about Zendric in some of the Knights of the Silver Dragon books. But that was quite a while ago and I don't remember much about him. I think he was their mentor, or something. Well, anyway, he has compiled a study guide about monsters for his apprentices to study while he is away.

This book is packed with informative information about every type of monster in the fantasy realm of DragonLance. There are diagrams of each type of monster, a paragraph or two about each one, and a nice list of fact. These facts that are listed for each monster are as follows: Maximum Height, Maximum Weight, Habitat, Society, Diet, Language, Attack Methods, and Best Defense.

I found that after reading about a monster, and sometimes longing to meet one, I couldn't wait to turn the page and see what type of monster was to follow. I was never disappointed, except for when I finished the book and there were no more monsters to be had. I think my favorite is the Griffin. I have always liked this half-lion, half-eagle creature. So very cool.

Nina Hess has created an expertly written book about the monsters that live in the world of DragonLance. The text is both entertaining and highly informative. If I were wandering those lands, I would want to have this book with me so I could find out how to defeat any monster I might meet. As for the artwork, it is quite stunning. Each monster is expertly drawn and beautifully colored. The combination of the great writing and the artwork make this book quite a treasure.

Overall, A Practical Guide to Monsters is an excellent source for an young wizard apprentice to study and learn about the monsters that abound in the world of DragonLance. I loved this book and anyone who enjoys fantasy like I do will too.

I rated this book a 9 out of 10.