Since first exploding onto the gaming scene in 1997,Diablohas revolutionized the dungeon crawler genre and established itself as one of the most essential action role-playing franchises out there. Set in the scare-heavy world of Sanctuary,Diablofocuses on the eternal war between the High Heavens and the Burning Hells, an apocalyptic feud that often makes its way to the living realm.
The immense hype surroundingthe upcomingDiablo 4confirms the series is showing no signs of slowing down, more than 25 years since it first wowed gamers. In that time, the fan interest inDiablohas opened the gate to additional world-building media, including tie-in books. Of the many novels set in the explosive dark fantasy world ofDiablo, some standout as a cut above the rest.
6Book of Cain by Flint Dille
ForDiablo 3fans,Book of Cainis an immersive experience, presented as if it is the actual Book of Cain within the game. Author Flint Dille has fun bringing to life the character ofDeckard Cain, a key figure in the Brotherhood of the Horadrim.
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Expanding greatly on the lore surrounding the third installment in the beloved video game series,Book of Cainimmerses readers in the troubled world of Sanctuary and the threats posed both above and below it. No stone was left unturned in giving this book the right worn-out journal aesthetic. Even more impressively, the book reveals Cain’s talent as an illustrator, boasting many finely-tuned sketches that give the book a visual boost.
5Legacy of Blood by Richard A. Knaak
This thrilling entry into the much-loved franchise ties in withthe endlessly re-playableDiablo 2. It follows the increasingly hellish journey of Norrec Vizharan. A treasure-hunting mercenary, Vizharan manages to get his hands on the armor of the aptly-named Warlord of Blood, Bartuc.
The creepily ensouled suit of armor leads to a world of trouble for Vizharan, as he finds himself on the run from a variety of monstrous demons who want the armor for themselves. Called by the armor, Norrec’s donning of it re-awakens the magic of Bartuc, one of the grimmest, most brutal warriors to have ever walked the Earth. In turn, the reader is subjected to an increasingly bloodthirsty thrill ride in the first ofDiablo’s many book tie-ins over the years.
4Moon of the Spider by Richard A. Knaak
The groundbreakingly action-packedDiabloseries moves into horror territory with this sinister tale of an ancient evil re-awakening. The story revolves around the increasingly maddened Lord Aldric Jitan seeking to revive a long-sleeping monstrosity.
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Fortunately, charismatic necromancer Zayl is on the case, unraveling the conspiracy. Between the twists and turns regarding Zayl’s allies and the fearsome Astrogha, this creepy mystery is a must-read forDiablofans. While Astrogha is technically a pet of the monstrous Diablos, this story puts the enormous arachnid to good use as a hellish antagonist that poses a potentially game-changing threat to Sanctuary.
3The Kingdom of Shadow by Richard A. Knaak
The ghostly city of Ureh comes into play in thistreasure-hunting, swords and sorcery thriller. Every 2000 years, when the stars align, Ureh is reborn, providing a chance at riches and glory for anyone gutsy enough to attempt the journey there.
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Dragonlancemastermind Richard A. Knaak infuses the journey of sorcerer Quov Tsin into Ureh with a suspenseful, building dread. Initially greeted as heroes by the residents of the resurrected city, Tsin and his band of mercenaries soon find themselves in a grim situation. The gradual descent into fear that Tsin and the others undergo here makes the aptly-titledKingdom of Shadowone ofDiablo’s most engrossing and unsettling entries.
2Storm of Light by Nate Kenyon
The toxic influence of theBlack Soulstonerears its ugly head again, this time seeping into the Silver City. The once happy realm gradually finds itself succumbing to division and despair, which the archangel Tyrael must step in to prevent.
The stakes are raised high in this action-packed extravaganza. Tyrael reforms the Horadrim in a gutsy bid to pull off a heist in the Heavens. Should it work, the Black Soulstone’s apocalyptic threat to the High Heavens should be neutralized. Should it fail, though, they’ll have the forces of both good and evil to contend with. This high stakes thriller provides the intensity of a good heist story with more of the epic, supernatural action that fans have come to love from the series.
1The Order by Nate Kenyon
ThisDiablo 3tie-in follows the journey ofDeckard Cain, the last remaining Horadrim. The fallen order of mages boast a rich, complicated history for readers to discover that adds greatly to the thrills and suspense on offer inDiablo 3.
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Cain’s troubled journey is rocked by the troubling revelation that the Horadrim aren’t down to just him yet. It prompts a litany of mysteries that need to be answered, including where the rest of the Horadrim are and, more importantly, why they’ve remained in hiding for so long. Like so many ofDiablo’s plot lines, there are prophecies and foretelling of the End of Days to sift through and uncover in this suspenseful, complex epic.
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