Fantasy Forest

Fantasy Forest is a series of ten gamebooks published by TSR, Inc. from 1983 to 1984. The books are works of children's literature; eight of them are set in the fantasy world of the Dungeons and Dragons role-playing game, and two are set in TSR's science fiction world of Star Frontiers. Each book has about 80 pages.

1. The Ring, the Sword, and the Unicorn

Written by James M. Ward

Illustrated by Mario Macari, Jr.

Cover Art by Jeff Easley

This book starts in a contemporary setting, and the only book in the series to do so. The main character, or You, tries to prove that there is a magical world in the forest behind your backyard. Gives added meaning to the cartoonish illustration on the back of the first six books, which pictures a child (presumably a boy) jubilantly stepping into a forest, his house in the background.

2. Ruins of Rangar

Written by Michael Carr

Illustrated by Michael Fishel

Cover Art by Jeff Easley

This book introduces the good knight Gregor and his struggle with the evil skeleton king, Nightshade. You are his brother, Erik, a younger boy accompanying him. In addition elves, dwarves, magic users, and zombies, this book includes lesser known creatures that are featured in the Dungeons and Dragons Monster Manual, such as stirges and an umberhulk. Well-respected TSR artist Jeff Easley's cover painting features a boy on a brown, winged horse being chased by the mosquito/bird-like stirges.

3. Shadowcastle

Written by Michael Gray

Illustrated by Mario Macari, Jr.

Cover Art by Clyde Caldwell

Once again, this book features Nightshade and Sir Gregor, the Good Knight of the Golden Dragon, as he is referred to in this book. You are a girl, Molly, who is out picking berries when a halfling stumbles across her and asks for her help in rescuing his brother from the evil Nightshade. Includes creatures like bullywogs, an umberhulk, and various elementals (water, rock) magically summoned to aid the forces of good. Well-respected TSR artist Clyde Caldwell's cover painting features Molly, Thistle (the halfling), and a dragon that appears to be entirely made out of fire. While there is no such creature in the book, there are elementals and there is a red dragon (actually a good wizard in disguise). In the interior illustrations of the book, Macari Jr.'s slightly more cutesy characters present a mild contrast to Michael Fishel's work in the previous book.

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