In the 1980s, Dungeons & Dragons created a short-lived series of romance novels in a “Choose Your Own Adventure” style to reach a more female audience.
Dungeons and Dragons Heartquest Series: Fantasy Meets Romance
In 1983, Dungeons in Dragons created romance novels for a young audience called “Heartquest Books” to expand its audience to a broader range.
TSR Wizards of the Coast published six short novels in 1983 and 1984. Four romance novelists used pseudonyms to write the books. They cast young women as protagonists in various character classes from D&D.
The Heartquest Series had stepback, die-cut covers. Larry Elmore, known for his fantasy artwork, created the covers for the first four editions, which provided the signature D&D style.
Each book combined romance and fantasy elements, offering readers an interactive experience similar to participating in a Dungeons and Dragons campaign. The books are in a “Choose Your Own Adventure” style, which allowed readers to experience the thrill of participating in a D&D campaign and shaping their destiny.
Sales and Legacy
The HeartQuest series didn’t perform as well as expected and was canceled after six volumes.
However, today they are rare and highly sought-after paperbacks; the last two volumes are especially so.
Subsequently, over the last forty years, romance evolved into an intriguing game mechanic in Dungeons & Dragon campaigns. This has resulted in popular D&D romances gaining significant online attention.
The Heartquest Book Series
It can be quite challenging to come across Dungeons and Dragons romance books, and they can also be quite pricey. If you are an avid book collector and are considering buying them, we have provided a chart with the current prices listed on the web.
As mentioned, the last two parts of the series are extremely rare and we were unable to find any sellers. We wish you the best of luck in your search!
| TITLE | AUTHOR | PUB DATE | COVER ARTIST/ILLUSTRATOR | PRICE |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ring of the Ruby Dragon | Jeannie Black | 1983 | Larry Elmore/Jim Holloway | $60-$200 |
| Talisman of Valdegarde | Madeleine Simon | 1983 | Larry Elmore/Jim Holloway | $100-$500 |
| Secret Sorceress | Linda Lowery | 1983 | Larry Elmore/Jim Holloway | $40-$200 |
| Isle of Illusion | Madeleine Simon | 1983 | Larry Elmore/Jim Holloway | $50-$250 |
| Moon Dragon Summer | Linda Lowery | 1984 | Ben Otero/Valerie A. Valusek | $200- ??? |
| Lady of the Winds | Kate Novak | 1984 | Ben Otero/Valerie A. Valusek | $200- ??? |