Larian Studios’ acclaimed role-playing game Baldur’s Gate 3 is expanding into publishing with a new line of official books set for release in 2026. The initiative, developed in partnership with Random House Worlds and Wizards of the Coast, will bring multiple titles to fans, including a prequel novel focused on the fan-favorite character Astarion.
The first book, titled Baldur’s Gate 3: Astarion, will be written by award-winning, New York Times bestselling fantasy author T. Kingfisher and is scheduled to launch on September 29, 2026. The story explores Astarion’s years in servitude to the vampire lord Cazador Szarr, taking place before the events of the 2023 video game. To ensure authenticity within the game’s established lore, senior writer Stephen Rooney of Baldur’s Gate 3 consulted on the project.
An audiobook version of the novel will be released alongside the print edition, narrated by Neil Newbon, the actor who provided both voice and performance capture for Astarion in the game. Newbon received recognition for his portrayal at The Game Awards in 2023.
Additional titles in the 2026 lineup include a faithful reproduction of the in-game item Necromancy of Thay, set for release on July 21, 2026, published by Clarkson Potter. Later in the year, Ten Speed Press will publish The Official Baldur’s Gate 3 Coloring Book on August 11, featuring 40 black-and-white line drawings of characters, settings, and creatures from the game, illustrated by Jaki King. The series concludes with A Feast for a Tenday: The Official Baldur’s Gate 3 Cookbook, arriving on November 3, 2026.
According to Penguin Random House, the publishing program aims to bring the game’s immersive world, deep narrative, and memorable characters to readers through a variety of formats. The company noted that Baldur’s Gate 3 has reached over 15 million players since its launch in 2023.
