Fans of Critical Role's second campaign are in for a spicy treat. Penguin Random House announced that it will publish the media empire's latest novel, fang love. The fictional, raunchy romance that began as an inside joke about the popular real-life work has taken on a new, very real life thanks to its association with traditional publishing.
Written by New York Times bestselling author Thea Guazon, fang love is based on the recent resurgence of the romance genre, along with A court of roses and thorns and fourth wing. While it is not set in the world of Exandria, fang love has held a special place in the hearts of many Critical Role fans, appearing throughout the adventures of the Mighty Nein and making a guest appearance in the Vox Machina Legends animated series. Romantic fans of the actual work lamented that Laura Bailey's tiefling character, Jester Lavorre, made allusions to the book while she pursued her romantic interest, Fjord (played by Bailey's real-world husband, Travis Willingham).
According to the description on the Critical Role book page, the novel's plot follows the beats one would expect from Jester's favorite romance. Guinevere, Jester's self-insert, is the daughter of an ambitious merchant (much like the character himself), determined by birth to marry into a noble house and “live quietly like the obedient life of a lord.” But she wants more. When her caravan is attacked by bandits, Guinevere is saved by the stoic Oskar (main Jester Fjords fantasy canon), who thinks she is little more than a “spoiled child.” The two must put aside their differences to survive on the dangerous Amber Road, doing everything in their power to ignore their growing passion as they must choose between the life they have chosen for themselves or the one they make for themselves.
fang love It will be the seventh Critical Role book published in association with the big five publishers Penguin Random House. His previous publications include prequel novels such as Kith and kin by Marieke Nijkamp, Lucien's nine eyes by Madelein Roux and What doesn't break by Cassandra Khaw; next to the official exquisite exandria cookbook, The world of critical paper production guide, and Mad Libs Critical Role. fang love will debut in July 2025 and will be available for $30 wherever books are sold.