Dungeons & Dragons: Honor Among Thieves: The Druid’s Call kicks off with us getting a look at how Doric was initially treated and this gives us a great insight into where the character has come from. Dungeons & Dragons: Honor Among Thieves: The Druid’s Call takes the approach of us with the adult Doric as she get in with the Druids and then gives us flashbacks as to what has got her to this point. This approach is cleverly done as we get to see her character build up and what she is about. The contrasts to the people and place she first new and then the other characters that she meets and places she see are neatly handled. This give us great character development from the start but at the same time we get brilliant world building from the outset really giving us a look into parts of Faerûn.
Her adventures are done with humour and a wonderment that leaps off the page. As Doric meets new people we get her POV on what she is seeing and we also get to see her surprise at how she is treated! The cast of character is also done brilliantly, from her first meeting with Simon the wannabee Sorcerer, through to her friends, Liavaris, Jowenys, Open, Torrieth, Sunmuir etc all have a different take on her and all different three-dimensional characters. This means that Doric is in a bit if a culture change but it works brilliantly for the character as we get to see how she adjust to her new colleagues. We get to how she adjust to this and you can see how her character develops and this sheds light on her other appearances.
Her ability to transform into an Owl Bear is cleverly handled. This really shows how far she had developed but also shows what her personality is like that really suits the people she has been learning from. The humour flows thick and fast though Dungeons & Dragons: Honor Among Thieves: The Druid’s Call with her unintentionally put her foot in it, her bear transformations, her parents farm gate etc make for great examples so the book has a light fun feel! You will find your ribs breaking with the jokes from the very start of things.
Dungeons & Dragons: Honor Among Thieves: The Druid’s Call is full of world building to the brim really giving us a look at various races, cultures, events etc that have been taking place. It really builds the worlds and with the POV of Doric we get to see as someone who hasn’t seen it before. The elves and Druids she encounters open her eyes to the way of things and really show her how things can be. This turns her into the character that we see in Dungeons and Dragons: Honor Among Thieves. At the same time Doric’s abilities continue to grow really expanding out from what they are. Her ability to shape change is cleverly explored showing us her natural talent for the job.
All of the characters are developed and come across as individuals. This brilliantly contrasts with the characters of Doric who is finding out about herself. The collection of friends and mentors we get to see all teach her about her powers and herself. This really develops the characters in a natural way. From this we can see how she becomes the character that we see in Dungeons & Dragons: Honor Among Thieves. Her abilities are off the scale and we see how she develops these skills. Dungeons & Dragons: Honor Among Thieves: The Druid’s Call really shows how she learns these abilities and what she can do with them. From the outset the Johnston really makes it clear though; she is mischievous and her nature pops up nicely really keeping a fun aspect to everything that is going on from the start leading to unexpected plot twist you won’t see leaping off the page.
The nature of Doric does lead to unintentional humour as she is sometimes oblivious to those around her. This makes for a great three-dimensional nature of the characters as she learns what other about her might also be doing. The makes for a great character ark as she develops herself. The other characters around her from her elf friend Torrieth through to her Druid friends Jowenys, Open etc are all learning about her as well and the back and froing between the different groups of people is cleverly handled as well with them all having their own motivations and desires. Faerûn is neatly explained as well so if you are not knowledgable about things you will not get lost. Brace yourself as Johnson never hesitates to introduce you to new things at every turn.
Her ability to turn into an Owl Bear goes to the heart of the character. The book does a great job of getting that across and Johnston really shows the character as she is brilliantly. The characters that Doric meets and their impact is also clearly show in how she develops. Her indifference to Simon the Sorcerer is brilliantly handled and is hilarious. This of course is done out her naivety in part which also adds to the running gags start and explains what we see in Dungeons & Dragons: Honor Among Thieves and all the things they know. This ties in perfectly with their second encounter in Dungeons & Dragons: Honor Among Thieves really laying the groundwork of their relationship. Her opinion of Simon and how she interacts with him and her attitude is hilarious and will have your ribs breaking with humour. At the same time we get to see Doric on her learning curve and the flashbacks really pan out her character. The book is full of humour and Doric’s subtle leaving the gate open really shows her mischievous nature is there.
Dungeons & Dragons: Honor Among Thieves: The Druid’s Call works brilliantly and serves as a great introduction to the character of Doric. It is a blast right from the beginning. The world building and character development is perfectly handled. This combines with humour of the book into a tale that is rib breaking humour from the outset, daring do by Doric, The Elves, druids etc, epic world building as we explore Faerûn, adventurer at every turn keeping you on your toes from the start and action packed from the outset. Crisp high five! Brilliant and highly recommended. Get it if you spot it.
Magic & Meteors 
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