For years, Critters have followed the adventures of Critical Role’s adventuring parties Vox Machina, The Mighty Nein, and Bells Hells. These three groups have ventured throughout the world of Exandria to kick butt and steal audiences' hearts… and they’re all out of butt. Those stories have been filled out through Critical Role’s expansion into other forms of storytelling, such as its animated adaptations, comics, and novels.

However, for every great story that’s been told about Exandria’s mightiest heroes, there are plenty of other opportunities to tell stories about the enemies and allies that Critical Role’s parties have met over the years. Thankfully, the latest book set in Exandria seeks to do just that. Enter Critical Role: The Mighty Nein — Stories Untold, by Critical Role and various authors.

Published by Random House Worlds, The Mighty Nein - Stories Untold is an anthology that explores some of the characters that The Mighty Nein have fought with (and against) throughout Campaign 2. Though there is some overlap and cameos from the Nein themselves, each chapter delves into side characters like Dairon and Essek — both of whom appear in 2025’s adaptation of the second campaign, The Mighty Nein.

As someone who isn’t up to date on everything about Campaign 2 but thoroughly enjoyed the TV series, I can safely say there’s plenty to enjoy in this anthology without knowing Critical Role’s second campaign inside and out. On the contrary, Stories Untold seems to dips its toes into the canon laid out by its animated adaptation while still offering extra insight into moments that Campaign-watchers will enjoy. This anthology already feels like the best of both worlds.

Each chapter (and the character perspective it focuses on) is more than strong enough to stand on its own. While it certainly helps to know the intricacies of the source material, the expertise of each author involved in the anthology draws you into the story. “Dreams of Drowning” by Nino Cipri, which follows Avantika, a character who plays a significant role in Fjord’s story in Campaign 2 but has yet to be introduced in The Mighty Nein, is a prime example of this.

Cipri weaves a tale of tragedy, heartbreak, and the call to something greater than oneself. It’s a typical Dungeons & Dragons adventure that would entice any reader to root for the protagonist to succeed — though this chapter follows one of The Mighty Nein’s many enemies. The fact that you’re convinced to care anyway, despite knowing where Avantika ends up and the harm she inflicts on others, shows how seriously each author takes seeing these characters as protagonists in their own right.

Furthermore, it isn’t just the written word that has its place in Stories Untold. While the vast majority of the stories are prose, “Super Weasel” by Chase K shakes things up by chronicling the adventures of Jester’s pet weasel, the crimson-furred Sprinkle. Even that tale has a delightful narrative twist showing that no matter how small or large their role is in The Mighty Nein’s journey, each character has a story worth reading about.

Ultimately, the stories of Vox Machina, The Mighty Nein, and Bells Hells will be what draws most Critters' attention. Yet as Stories Untold proves, all three Campaigns aren’t just about these adventuring parties anymore — but the world of Exandria as a whole. That means even ye olde humble potion seller has a story worth hearing about, and, for those of us who are able to appreciate the adventure in the mundane, this anthology is the gift that keeps on giving.

Critical Role: The Mighty Nein - Stories Untold by Critical Role, Betsy Aoki, Kiri Callaghan, Dani Carr, Mae Catt, Mike Chen, Rin Chupeco, Nino Cipri, Nadia El-Fassi, and Chase K *is available to purchase now at your local bookstore and other retailers. *