Dave Gross

Dave Gross is a versatile writer and editor known for his significant contributions to fantasy gaming literature and media. He has authored numerous novels in established franchises including Pathfinder Tales and Forgotten Realms, while also working as a game designer and magazine editor. As Editor-in-Chief of both Star Wars Insider and Amazing Stories magazines, Gross helped shape science fiction and fantasy publishing in the early 2000s. He played a key role at Paizo Publishing when they acquired the Star Wars Insider license from Wizards of the Coast in 2002. His novel writing career includes launching Paizo's Pathfinder Tales line with Prince of Wolves (2010), followed by other entries like Master of Devils, Queen of Thorns, and Lord of Runes. In the Forgotten Realms setting, he authored notable works including Black Wolf (2001) and Lord of Stormweather (2003). Beyond novels, Gross has maintained involvement in game development, joining Beamdog as lead writer for Baldur's Gate: Enhanced Edition in 2012. His work spans multiple facets of fantasy gaming and literature, from tabletop RPGs to digital games and tie-in fiction.

Readers consistently rate Dave Gross's Pathfinder Tales novels 4+ stars on Goodreads and Amazon, with Prince of Wolves and Queen of Thorns receiving the highest ratings. Readers highlight: - Complex character relationships, particularly the dynamic between Varian and Radovan - Integration of humor without undermining serious plots - Knowledge and respectful handling of source material - Strong dialogue and pacing Common criticisms: - Dense world-building can be challenging for readers unfamiliar with Pathfinder - Some find the plotting formulaic within franchise constraints - Minor complaints about overuse of certain character quirks Ratings breakdown: Goodreads: - Prince of Wolves: 3.89/5 (891 ratings) - Queen of Thorns: 3.92/5 (456 ratings) - Master of Devils: 3.85/5 (382 ratings) Amazon: - Prince of Wolves: 4.2/5 - Queen of Thorns: 4.4/5 - Master of Devils: 4.1/5 One reader noted: "Gross excels at making licensed fiction feel personal and character-driven rather than just moving game pieces around."

Black Wolf - Set in the Forgotten Realms' Sembia region, this novel follows a nobleman who must confront dark family secrets and supernatural threats while navigating deadly political intrigues.

Lord of Stormweather - The final book in the Sembia series chronicles the story of Talbot Uskevren, who must defend his family's legacy and mansion against those who would destroy both.

Prince of Wolves - First novel in the Pathfinder Tales line following Count Varian Jeggare and his bodyguard Radovan as they investigate disappearances in the gothic horror realm of Ustalav.

Master of Devils - A Pathfinder Tales novel where Radovan and Count Jeggare become separated in the dragon empires of Tian Xia, each facing distinct challenges in a land inspired by Asian mythology.

Queen of Thorns - This Pathfinder Tales entry sends Count Jeggare and Radovan to the elven nation of Kyonin, where they become embroiled in conflicts between different elven factions.

Lord of Runes - A Pathfinder Tales adventure where Radovan and Count Jeggare investigate a mysteriously abandoned border fort while confronting dangers tied to ancient runic magic.

R.A. Salvatore writes extensively in the Forgotten Realms setting with a focus on action-driven narratives and detailed combat sequences. His Drizzt Do'Urden series demonstrates deep knowledge of gaming worlds and fantasy combat mechanics.

James Sutter served as executive editor for Pathfinder Tales and wrote novels in the same universe as Gross. His background combines game design with novel writing, resulting in stories that understand both gameplay mechanics and narrative requirements.

Ed Greenwood created the Forgotten Realms setting and writes novels that explore its deep lore and political intrigue. His work shows similar attention to world-building details and established fantasy settings that Gross demonstrates.

Paul S. Kemp writes sword and sorcery tales in shared worlds including Forgotten Realms and Star Wars. His novels feature similar themes of intrigue and character development in established fantasy universes.

Richard Lee Byers produces game-related fiction for both Forgotten Realms and Pathfinder settings. His writing demonstrates comparable expertise in translating gaming mechanics into narrative form while maintaining setting consistency.