HYPE: Kith & Kin, Our First Novel, Explores Vex and Vax’s Past in a Never-Before-Told Story!

NOVEL ALERT! Yeah, we said NOVEL! We are wildly excited to continue our partnership with our friends at Penguin Random House and their imprint Del Rey with our next project Kith & Kin!

We’re throwing it back to years before Vex, Vax, and Trinket joined Vox Machina in this tale written by the incredible Marieke Nijkamp (This Is Where It Ends, Even If We Break, The Oracle Code).

Introducing Kith & Kin author Marieke Nijkamp! Photography by Karin Nijkamp.

Speaking of throwbacks, we have a special one direct from the Archives of Laura Bailey to celebrate this grand occasion alongside a few words from our favorite graph paper twins. The shirts really help us tell them apart.

Photography by Heirlume Photography

No matter how many stories we tell or characters we play, the twins are always going to be near and dear. For me, they’re the bedrock that so much of all this is built on. I’m always thrilled to spend time with them again. —Liam O’Brien (Vax’ildan)

I’ve always been an avid reader and specifically a huge fan of fantasy novels. It means so much to me to be able to do a deep dive with the twins and explore their relationship in this new way. I can’t wait to curl up with this book again and again. —Laura Bailey (Vex’ahlia)

And now, without further ado, enjoy the absolutely gorgeous cover art by Nikki Dawes (@nikkidawesdraws) and dive into the story summary below!

Written by the #1 New York Times bestselling author Marieke Nijkamp, Critical Role: Vox Machina – Kith & Kin will follow a brand-new story, featuring the cunning ranger Vex’ahlia and the conning rogue Vax’ildan (and, of course, Trinket) years before they meet Vox Machina. After leaving the unwelcoming refuge of Syngorn, the twins become entangled in a web spun by the Clasp, and for the first time Vex and Vax find themselves on opposite sides of a conflict that threatens the home they have carried with each other for years.

This story lands in the canon timeline of Exandria before any of the events of both the home and livestreamed campaign and even prior to Vox Machina’s first meetings in Vox Machina Origins, our comic book series with Dark Horse Comics. Simply put, even if you’ve never met Vox Machina before, you can dive in right away and breathe in that fresh book scent without missing a beat. If you’ve already joined Vox Machina on any of their adventures, this novel grants a nostalgic return to these characters we love.

You can pre-order your very own copy of Critical Role: Vox Machina — Kith & Kin right now or find it on shelves October 26, 2021. We highly recommend supporting your local bookstore if at all possible. You can find a local independent bookstore near you using Indie Bound’s store locator, here.

Check out criticalrolebooks.com for more information or to sign up for a newsletter with all the latest updates on Critical Role books from Penguin Random House.