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Fighting Fantasy #40
Dead of Night
Imagine a world governed by the creatures of chaos - a world full of evil, devoid of freedom and order. This is the threat which casts a shadow over your planet, and you, demon-stalker, have made it your duty to eliminate these demons and save the world.
Mass Market Paperback
First published January 1, 1989
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Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews
July 17, 2014
The demon hunter becomes the hunted
13 July 2013
When I started reading this game book I sort of groaned as it seemed to be another one of those fantasy/horror ones that have been repeatedly done before, however it actually turned out to be a lot better than I expected. Okay, the theme of the book, namely that you are a demon-hunter who is out to rescue your parents from the hands of an evil demon lord may seem a little too familiar, but it does of differs from a number of the other books I have seen. First of all you are a very experienced warrior (which is the case with a number of the books at this end of the series) but the goal is more to rescue your parents, while saving the world only comes in at a close second. Mind you, having a arch-enemy written into the story also changes it a bit as well (namely because most of the antagonists don't actually have a personal vendetta against you).
Another difference with this book is that you start off with a number of talents, or powers if you will, that help you through the book. However, you are a knight templar, or more like a paladin for those familiar with Dungeons & Dragons terminology, and you have picked up these powers during your career as a demon-hunter. The powers are a little strange though because some of them suggest that you have picked them up because you have been fighting demons for so long that you have taken on some of their traits. There is also a new statistic called the Evil score, which sort of suggests that if you do certain actions then you become progressively more evil. This leads to a couple of times where you must 'test your evil', failure meaning that you effectively 'go over to the dark side'.
I suspect that the reason that they ended up having only fantasy stories, and also mixing horror into these stories, at this end of the series is probably because these are the ones that proved to be popular. As such I suspect it has more to do with money than anything else because if the science-fiction ones didn't sell all that well then I guess they are not going to be making many more. It is a shame because a part of me liked the science-fiction ones. Also there is the super-hero and the post apocalyptic books, of which one was only ever written for each genre. Mind you, when I was reading these books originally I was only ever interested in the fantasy ones, and also ones that were suggestive of your adventures in the earlier ones. However, the ones at this end seem to be a lot of 'save the world' sort of adventures as opposed to the ones at the beginning, such as the Forest of Doom or The City of Thieves (or even Island of the Lizard King). Still, I am gradually making my way through them and hopefully can get on to some of the other game book series within a year or so.
13 July 2013
When I started reading this game book I sort of groaned as it seemed to be another one of those fantasy/horror ones that have been repeatedly done before, however it actually turned out to be a lot better than I expected. Okay, the theme of the book, namely that you are a demon-hunter who is out to rescue your parents from the hands of an evil demon lord may seem a little too familiar, but it does of differs from a number of the other books I have seen. First of all you are a very experienced warrior (which is the case with a number of the books at this end of the series) but the goal is more to rescue your parents, while saving the world only comes in at a close second. Mind you, having a arch-enemy written into the story also changes it a bit as well (namely because most of the antagonists don't actually have a personal vendetta against you).
Another difference with this book is that you start off with a number of talents, or powers if you will, that help you through the book. However, you are a knight templar, or more like a paladin for those familiar with Dungeons & Dragons terminology, and you have picked up these powers during your career as a demon-hunter. The powers are a little strange though because some of them suggest that you have picked them up because you have been fighting demons for so long that you have taken on some of their traits. There is also a new statistic called the Evil score, which sort of suggests that if you do certain actions then you become progressively more evil. This leads to a couple of times where you must 'test your evil', failure meaning that you effectively 'go over to the dark side'.
I suspect that the reason that they ended up having only fantasy stories, and also mixing horror into these stories, at this end of the series is probably because these are the ones that proved to be popular. As such I suspect it has more to do with money than anything else because if the science-fiction ones didn't sell all that well then I guess they are not going to be making many more. It is a shame because a part of me liked the science-fiction ones. Also there is the super-hero and the post apocalyptic books, of which one was only ever written for each genre. Mind you, when I was reading these books originally I was only ever interested in the fantasy ones, and also ones that were suggestive of your adventures in the earlier ones. However, the ones at this end seem to be a lot of 'save the world' sort of adventures as opposed to the ones at the beginning, such as the Forest of Doom or The City of Thieves (or even Island of the Lizard King). Still, I am gradually making my way through them and hopefully can get on to some of the other game book series within a year or so.
January 28, 2013
I loved this book. The story is great and the special skills add just the right amount of spice to the basic F&F game rules. There are no bits were you get killed of without any good reason. The part were you have to defend the house is great it really is.
Great memories.
Great memories.
December 17, 2015
Definitely one of the good titles within the Fighting Fantasy series, with a dark fantasy streak to it which I appreciated. I regretted it being very short compared to other titles, but it doesn't have fallbacks or silly moments, and it's, all in all, a solid title. Also, great artwork, which never hurts!
February 5, 2019
I love Chaos, and I love how it's realized in this book, how things gradually creep darker and more malevolent as you move on.
January 10, 2021
I’ve now read all of Stephen Hand’s three Fighting Fantasy gamebooks (though I didn’t manage to complete Shadow Warriors) and have been bowled over by the quality of his entries. His three books, with their literate prose, gripping narratives, encounters that aren’t just run of the FF mill, and superb Martin McKenna artwork, are some of the best in the entire series. A shame he hasn’t done more. Is he still out there somewhere? Hand co-wrote this one with Jim Bambra, who only made this one contribution to the series.
February 11, 2024
A great entry in the series. This gamebook has a clear objective, a fleshed out setting, unique encounters, and good illustrations. The pacing and sense of progression are great as you move along the map, which immerses you in a gritty medieval world. The special powers are well integrated. You really get the sense that you're battling demons intent on tricking you. The twist at the end is a little underwhelming, but it is a rare sour moment in an otherwise well-written gamebook. I found myself snooping down alternate paths simply out of curiosity; high praise.
August 23, 2024
One of the best books in the range. Really dark and gothic and definitely not one of the easier to complete. It helps too that one can complete the book without having to follow a narrow path to victory. Great subplots and encounters. It's a shame the authors didn't write more, but irrespective, search out and buy this book as you will not regret it.
January 15, 2023
Despite some mild editing issues, an absolutely classic gamebook in terms of sheer atmosphere and flavour. Full review: https://refereeingandreflection.wordp...
June 4, 2020
Didn't like it :(
Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews