Penguin Random House has launched an ambitious publishing program based on Larian's blockbuster Dungeons & Dragons game, with multiple releases scheduled across 2026 and beyond. The initiative arrives as the video game continues its cultural dominance following its 2023 launch, which has now topped 15 million players worldwide.
The flagship entry is "Baldur's Gate 3: Astarion," penned by award-winning fantasy author T. Kingfisher and arriving September 29, 2026. The novel zeroes in on the pale elf rogue during his years under the tyrannical control of vampire lord Cazador Szarr, offering a dark prequel to the game's main narrative. To maintain authenticity, Stephen Rooney, a senior writer on the original game, reviewed the manuscript for consistency with the established lore. Neil Newbon, who provided both the voice acting and motion capture performance for Astarion in the game, will narrate the audiobook edition.
The publishing slate extends well beyond the Astarion novel. Clarkson Potter will release "Baldur's Gate 3: The Necromancy of Thay" on July 21, 2026, a grid-paper notebook designed as a faithful replica of an in-game quest artifact. The book features foil stamping, an embossed skull cover, and decorative clasps meant to evoke the forbidden tome players encounter during their adventure.
Two additional titles from Ten Speed Press round out the 2026 schedule. "The Official Baldur's Gate 3 Coloring Book," due August 11, features 40 black-and-white line illustrations by Jaki King depicting characters, monsters, and locations from the game. Later that fall, "A Feast for a Tenday: The Official Baldur's Gate Cookbook" launches November 3 with 65 recipes from Andrew Wheeler. Organized by course and camp location, the cookbook marks certain dishes as suitable for sharing or romancing companions, complete with full-color photography and original artwork.
Penguin Random House indicated the initiative will continue into 2027, with further announcements expected in coming months. All titles are currently available for preorder through major retailers.
The expanded media push arrives as Baldur's Gate 3 fades from Larian's immediate pipeline. The studio has moved forward to develop new games under its Divinity banner, though the franchise itself remains in active development elsewhere. HBO is currently in production on a live-action television adaptation set after the game's conclusion, a decision that has sparked debate within the fanbase over how to narratively bridge the game's numerous branching endings and character outcomes. Hasbro has separately confirmed plans for a video game sequel, though whether that represents a direct "Baldur's Gate 4" continuation or a separate story remains unconfirmed.
Author Emily Chen: "These books give players something tangible while the TV show and potential sequel marinate, though a cookbook tied to camp meals feels almost too on-the-nose for a game this committed to character romance."
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