The newest 5e book, Candlekeep Mysteries, is out. I know that lots and lots of people just buy every release, but if you don't, I am going to give my first impressions of the book, and if it is worth it. Full disclosure: I have not used any of the content in a game yet, and some of my opinions tend to change once I use the material. As always, this post wasn't paid for by Wizards of the Coast, although I wish it were, and I am not employed by Wizards of the Coast, but I again, I wish I were.
I preordered this off of Amazon, and while I try to buy from my FLGS, but they are only open three days a week now due to the pandemic, and the other one in town I boycott because of an attempted rip-off of another 5e preorder many moons ago. I didn't really want to wait months until I would get around to getting it, so I got it from the devil of the internet and actually got a super pristine copy with the regular cover a day before it released. The fact that I didn't get it at my FLGS brings me to my first point: the cover, particularly the alt cover.
I am not really big on collectable things at all, and I don't usually go for alt covers. Saying that, the regular cover of this book is one of the derpier covers I have seen in a long time. Something about the background of the art is super off putting to me, but I think that it might be because I am comparing it to the absolutely stunning alt cover. While I haven't seen it in person, I am starting to regret not getting it, just because it is perhaps the best alt cover from a 5e release yet. I may still pick it up, just to have. One reason I don't often spring for alt covers, is because my books tend to get a lot of wear and tear, and I absolutely despise things like D&D Beyond for my own use.
Now that the cover is ... er... covered, I want to get to the real important part: the contents. I feel like as a source book for Candlekeep, which this is, it is very well done. It fills in enough blanks about the location without being oppressive and constrictive, and it also answers some minor questions I have had over the years about the location. That alone makes this an absolute must buy if you are playing in the Realms. The only section that is 100% source book in the traditional sense, is about six or so pages, but it is just enough to keep it open ended. This is also a pretty cool poster map that I really like.
Outside of that, there are 17 short adventures from levels 1-16. Each one is linked to a book you would find in the library, and I have to say, it is a really unique way to extend the sourcebook portion of the book into the adventures. Since this is an anthology, the adventures all have really different feels to them, and I really think it would be difficult not to find a way to weave them into basically any campaign. I hate spoilers, so I don't want to delve to far into it. I do want to note that I feel like all of these could easily also work in basically any setting, especially Eberron (Morgrave University anyone?).
I would say this is a heavy must buy for a DM that runs in the Forgotten Realms, particularly in published 5e campaigns. This book gives you insights on Candlekeep, as well as things to do in Candlekeep that can easily involve all members of the party. I also feel like this book does a pretty good job of fleshing it out just enough to allow for DMs to make it their own.
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