I'm quite pleased to have gotten this set in for review, however, because Dragons & Treasures may very well be my favorite book of the series. To do it justice, I am reviewing that book in its own review (as I did for the others) and this review will be an overview of the books and the features and quality of the boxed set, itself.
The Young Adventurer's Guide series is a beautifully-crafted collection that strikes the perfect balance between rich fantasy lore and accessibility for new and young players. With each book, you’re welcomed into the world of Dungeons & Dragons, not with the heavy crunch of rule sets, but with the thrill of immersive storytelling and striking visuals. From the intriguing constructs and magic items of Artificers & Alchemy to the enigmatic realms of Places & Portals, every page is designed to spark the imagination, without overwhelming you with numbers or stats. Whether it's learning about fearsome dragons or discovering new lands and the challenging and monstrous encounters awaiting there, each guide offers a treasure trove of inspiration for both experienced Dungeon Masters and aspiring players to weave their own stories into the fabric of these epic worlds.
And so... a boxed set. (Those in the know will know to expect a set of books... and that they would be boxed.) Yes, that's what you get here. I must say, however, that I was quite impressed by just how solid the box actually is. It's constructed of a thick pasteboard (which is observable in the cutaways for grabbing the books with thumb and finger to easily remove them, which is also a nice detail) and has a nice weight and rigidity to it, even without the books inside. The inside of the box is red, while the outside is nicely covered with a printed paper cover and decorated in a similar fashion to the books, themselves, with the front cover, back cover, spine and top framed with the same stylized decorative printed frame as the books. The Dungeons & Dragons logo (red) and the collection's title "The Young Adventurer's Collection" (white) is printed in gloss, while "Box Set 2" is not. The image on the front of the box is the image used in Dragons & Treasures for the "Emerald Dragon" Encounter section and is a very nice choice. I especially like the fact that one of the dragon's horns extends a bit over the frame**. The image on the back cover of the box is the same as the first illustration in Artificers & Alchemy - found on the page opposite the title page. The books fit perfectly in the box and, all together present a pretty package, making a fitting addition to the bookshelf / display case of any D&D collector.
Of course, you can't have a Box Set without a set! Here are the four halfling-sized tomes that are included in Dungeons & Dragons: The Young Adventurer's Collection - Box Set 2...
Artificers & Alchemy
...offers an imaginative journey into the world of invention and potion-craft, blending magic and technology in captivating ways. With chapters that span from enchanted weapons like the clever "Snicker-Snack," (inspired by Lewis Carroll's Jabberwocky) to the odd but fascinating section on "Peculiar Phenomena," the book provides both inspiring content and occasional curiosities that don’t fully connect to its theme. Nonetheless, readers will appreciate the exploration of constructs, magical artifacts, and the Artificer class itself, along with the encouragement to design custom items. While it avoids game mechanics, it piques the imagination of both new and veteran D&D players. Whether you’re into infusing items or dreaming up your next campaign, this book brims with inspiration.
Beasts & Behemoths
...expands the Young Adventurer's Guide series with a focus on the wild and fearsome creatures of the Dungeons & Dragons universe. Divided into size categories, from Tiny to Gargantuan, the book covers thirty-five distinct creatures, each accompanied by beautiful illustrations, danger levels, and useful tips for encounters. This volume stands out for its detailed entries on lycanthropes, Metallic Dragons, and a range of iconic monsters like trolls, gnolls, and medusas. While lacking game mechanics, it offers legendary examples and encounter scenarios to fuel players’ imagination. It's an informative tool, especially for newcomers or Dungeon Masters wanting to control the lore players can access.
Places & Portals
...is a valuable guide in the Young Adventurer's Guide series that explores how adventurers travel between different realms in the Dungeons & Dragons multiverse. The book dives into the nuances of traveling through fantasy worlds, with chapters on various realms such as the Forgotten Realms, Mirror Worlds (featuring the Astral Plane, Feywild, and more), and Spelljammer, where magic drives space exploration. It offers practical advice on transportation, navigation, and survival, from foraging to resting in inns or campsites. Dungeon Masters will appreciate the balance of information that enriches the lore without spoiling surprises for players. The final chapter, "A Realm of Your Own," is a great resource for creating custom realms, maps, and lairs.
Dragons & Treasures
...is a stellar addition to the Young Adventurer’s Guide series, especially for those fascinated by dragons and their legendary hoards. This book takes readers through the three types of true dragons—Chromatic, Metallic, and Gem—and delves into their unique traits, habitats, and personalities. It covers stages of a dragon’s life cycle, including how some dragons choose to transcend life and death. The book also explores the powerful Draconis Fundamentum, dragons' heightened senses, and Draconic language, with useful phrases and alphabet illustrations for adventurers. Treasure lovers will appreciate the sections on dragon hoards, including "Hoard Magic," which enhances the items within these legendary piles of treasure. Readers will find invaluable guidance on fighting dragons, detailed descriptions of Epic threat-level dragons like Bahamut and Dragotha, and tools to craft their own dragon-themed stories. The book is brimming with lush, detailed artwork and includes multiple rich, in-game flavored Encounters (most unlabeled***). Filled with awe-inspiring illustrations and immersive content, this one is perfect for DMs and players alike. A must-read for anyone wanting to enrich the "Dragons" side of their D&D experience, offering inspiration for new adventures. So, in the end, as it so often does, it comes down to a question of value. The retail price of this box set is $34.99 USD, while the individual books included retail between 9.30 and 10.99, for a combined retail price of 40.27. Yes, your price may vary based on sales and discounts and such, but based solely on the retail prices at this time*****, buying the boxed set is a savings of $5.28 USD... plus you get the very nice box, to boot!Whether you're gift shopping for an aspiring D&D player (such as a younger siblings wanting to sit in on your game) or you're a DM shopping for yourself for some books to inspire some upcoming (mis)adventures for your party, possibly even to loan to a player during gameplay (after all, with the crunchy mechanics absent, this could serve as "local knowledge")... Dungeons & Dragons: The Young Adventurer's Collection: Box Set 2 would make a wonderful holiday gift and a nice addition to any collector's display shelf.
* I have been reviewing the Dungeons & Dragons: A Young Adventurer's Guide series for a while now, but I wasn't aware that there was a first boxed set released. However, I now have gotten my hands on Box Set 2, which contains four books: Artificers & Alchemy, Beasts & Behemoths, Places & Portals and one I hadn't yet reviewed: Dragons & Treasures.
** Having a bit of the image extending beyond the bounds of the frame is (and passing over or through the text of the title) is a recurring treatment for the front covers of the books in the series, giving the artwork a more lively feel.
*** The Young Adventurer's Guides typically feature several "Encounter" sections with a couple of paragraphs giving a feel for an in-game scenario. While only one is labeled in Dragons & Treasures, there are several similar sections, which I have listed in my review of that book (see link below).
**** Yes, I too, sometime wonder why I have so many asides and footnotes, but let's try to stay focused, shall we?
***** As of this writing, but the individual books and the Box Set were on sale on Amazon, but this could have changed by the time you read this.
