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Finally, finally got this shipped to me (Amazon I'm glaring at you!) and read it through.

Now, I'm very glad to say that this module sure a theme and style all its own. Mixing horror into D&D has met with... Variable success in the past. but the Gamemastery setting and style seems to support it well.

Having said that, this is a b%&!# of a 'first adventure' for any new player (or even new character) and I buy my 1st Level modules in case someone asks to play D&D without prior experience. By that reasoning, I gotta mark this down, since it's a very tough, very grisly and very downbeat adventure.

Not that it's a bad one. in fact I really like it. But presenting it to a newbie isn't going to be easy.

Otherwise, another high quality and interesting product. Almost a bold act putting out a grim murder mystery/survival horror module aimed at 1st Level characters, and it is pulled off with some class.

Classic and enjoyable story. It whips along at a fine pace and doesn't dwell on the details, instead going straight into the next interesting event or alien landscape.

CotB doesn't demand anything of you while reading it, simply presenting some science-fiction and fantasy adventures of all around good guy Michael Kane, a worthy enough protagonist who takes being thrust into the dazzling alien world of Mars with an approriate style and grace.

Only the fact that it is so heavily a homage to Burrough's own Martian novels prevents me giving this five stars. But that isn't to say that it's not a great little book, and as good a choice as any from the Planet Stories range.

I can only say that after the pre-read hype (word of mouth, forum discussion and the introduction writing) I was both prepared for the worst and hoping for the best here.

Thankfully I didn't get what I feared I might, some better-than-men feminist power-trip... Though maybe it appeared as such back when it was written.

Jirel is a well-rounded character. Simple, true, but with the right amount of guts, inner conflict and charm. Not like the copy/paste 'hard girls' I seem to see in films these days, but an actually compelling woman warrior. Very refreshing.

The stories themselves are fine, fun and benefit from the prose style of the 'cosmic weird' writers of H.P.L's circle. I like it, a lot of effort goes into conveying weirdness and wonder, something I enjoy.

Definitely enjoyable, it is only a shame I didn't get a chance to read these stories before now

This is a pre-play review, since it'll be a while before my players at as far as Dragonfall. Nonetheless, I've read and assessed the module and have to give due praise.

All the usual Paizo features are to be found, good production values, nice art and a solid layout for combat statistics and such.

In addition, it has a fairly grand feel to it all, if perhaps not such a great incentive on its own to go on this 'suicide run' to Dragonfall itself, but I think by 11th level the DM can contrive good reasoning for it.

The behind-the-scenes notes are appreciated, as is the link to Pathfinder #4. I feel that Galorian is shaping into a very nice setting and this product highlights that.

While I can't account for the balance of encounters, they seem fair and well-designed. High-level magic and monsters feature as you'd expect however, so good DM management is a must. But honestly it's not something that should be an issue by 11th level.

Overall I can't fault it. I'm reluctant to over-rate and praise products needlessly. But for the price, page-count and intent, GoDF fulfills all its goals very very nicely. Highly recommended.

I took my time reviewing this book. It is a little more in-depth and detail heavy than any of the previous GM modules I've looked at, and I wanted to have a fully-formed opinion on its many aspects before saying my piece.

Right, that said, it's bloody good! Once again it's set to be played in the sweet spot of level 6, and can be easily varied around that with no hard work.

The plot is designed to feel 'fun', kinda Indy or Mummy-like, which is great if your players will enjoy that kinda thing. hopefully the momentum won't stop once you hit the dungeon...

Speaking of the dungeon, it enjoys itself plenty. The rival team makes things interesting and the varied and interesting monsters make sure that about every character class should see use.

No real flaws, EwtP really packs 32-pages... I'm only beginning to regret that Paizo can't release this kind of adventure more often. I don't give 5 stars because I'm a fanboy... I give it because it truly is a great product.

It also gives you a glimpse of another part of the world, as well as my favourite new toy... The double-barrell wand-rifle! Awesome.

Okay, I'll admit that despite Gygax's place in rpg history, I've not enjoyed his writing all that much before. Clearly lots of good ideas, but he seemed to have a hard time getting them onto paper in an organized and enjoyable fashion.

That said, I can only endorse TAM as a great yarn. It feels fresh, but obviously holds to a classic sword 'n' sorcery prose, even if it is a murder/mystery! Quite a combination.

Solid characters and some very strong scenes help this move along, all the while giving you the chance to explore and enjoy Gygax's new world.

It is exactly the book I wanted to read at the time I read it, and I can see myself reading it again soon.

This is one wicked little module. Perhaps not for everyone, as it is grim, gruesome and gloomy... All the more fitting that it starts out as a comical diversion for the hardened adventurer!

Now, without spoiling too much, let me just skirt the specific details here. The module is an 'event' adventure, but is pretty much tied to Falcon's Hollow too. Not that it can't be lifted, but I figured it should be mentioned.

There will be casualties... Lots of them... In nasty ways. Can't really avoid saying this. It is a rather nasty module in places, and certainly not for the fairytale fantasy crowd (despite being full of fae!) who like to keep things light. It'd take some rewriting to fit that style.

But if you don't mind a little dark and macabre nastiness, then this is a fun module. Not as deadly to PCs as some have been either, but amidst the chaos and entrails it might be hard to tell!

You have been warned... But hopefully not warned off.

Being very much to my tastes, CotBV gets the highest mark I've given thus far. It has advantages over some of the previous modules I've reviewed, being set at 6th Level and allowing some variety around that range, without being too easy or just a string of TPK's waiting to happen.

Anyway. It looks lovely, it reads well, it's nicely laid out and certainly fills 32 pages better than I'd expect.

The adventure is just great. I normally dislike 'sub-systems' for story progress... But it works here, and the whole thing rattles along without making your life as DM more complicated.

The material is good, with the challenge of two months to tame the land providing a solid hook that prompts players to use mental muscle as well as physical.

So top marks for a top adventure.

This module goes a long way to establishing elements of the setting. The kobolds are covered in great depth, and details for the town and wilderness are welcome.

The concerns I have are what hurts it.

Firstly, it has the 'bugbear next to the trolls next to the liche' syndrome to the dungeon encounters. Totally unrelated monsters less than 50' from each other always rubs me the wrong way, no matter how much a trope of the dungeon setting it is.

Secondly, there are some utterly evil encounters... Far too tough for beginning heroes, unless there's maybe 7-8 of them and they're okay with casualties. I do suggest to anyone planning on being DM for this module that you carefully weigh up what your players can and can't deal with.

Otherwise, it is a strong product, as pretty as all the Paizo ones and far better laid out than the WotC ones that use the tactical encounter set-up.

This review is pre-play, but the adventure is both short and simple enough for me to be able to gauge it without play.

I'm pretty sure it has to be the best 1st Level adventure I've seen for 3.5. It is well laid out and pretty, as is the Paizo standard so it seems. I also find their chapter layout easier to use than the tactical encounter set-up of WotC's official releases.

The book was bought as a prospective 1st game ever, but thankfully this small, short and intriguing little story is good enough for the old hands. It is not far-reaching or over-long, but has a few loose ends to lead to more, just right to me.

There's really no negatives that don't come down to being limits of the page count. I'd certainly have preferred a few more details here and there, but for 16-pages Haunted Forest is very complete.

It's the first GM module I've bought, but likely not to be the last.