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Menu[Top 10] Best Tomb Raider Books That Are Excellent
BY: Justin Avery Smith
1. Tomb Raider: The Official Cookbook and Travel Guide
Props to whoever realized smell and taste were next level Tomb Raider immersion
It’s a cookbook! And a travel guide! Released last year, and created by both Square Enix and Crystal Dynamics as part of Lara’s 25-year celebration, this book features over forty recipes inspired by Lara and her adventures, with a guide to the many counties she has visited over the years. We love interacting with the sights and sounds of Tomb Raider’s diverse array of levels, but now we can finally fully immerse ourselves in Lara’s world by stimulating our very taste buds with such classics as Lara’s favorite, beans on toast.
2. The Amulet of Power
As was famously said in a deleted scene from Ange of Darkness, "Remember the amulet"
The first ever official Tomb Raider novel, it recounts what exactly happened between Lara’s apparent demise at the end of The Last Revelation, and her arrival in Paris for The Angel of Darkness. Full of supernatural action, quick pacing, and lots of travel to exciting locations, while also serving as a nice calm before the storm before Lara is forced to go on the run, it’s sure to keep readers asking what will happen next.
3. The Lost Cult
You aren't an archelologist until you've discovered long standing and evil cult
A direct follow up to The Amulet of Power, and the middle installment of a trilogy. Like in The Angel of Darkness before it, Lara must once again fight an ancient cult looking to revive a dormant evil. Except this time, one of the members happens to be Lara’s old friend and protege, who certainly isn’t harboring a soft spot for her. As the second installment, and a dark cult serving as the antagonist, this is an easy recommendation for people who want a read that’s reminiscent of Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom.
4. The Man of Bronze
He might be a man of bronze, but Lara is a golden girl!
In the final entry of this trilogy, Lara must help an ancient order repair a powerful and equally ancient bronze android to help them fight off strong forces of evil. It’s everything the conclusion to a trilogy should be with its tangible sense of payoff, refreshing stakes, and staying true to what makes the early to mid 2000s era in Lara’s history so unique and enjoyable.
5. Shadow of the Tomb Raider - Path of the Apocalypse
What will Lara become? You'' have to read if you want an idea!
Despite the title, this isn’t a novelization of the story to the game of the same name, but rather a sort of slice-of-life spin-off showing different character perspectives and relationships during the early hours of the game’s events, starting at the inciting incident when Lara takes a dagger from a Mayan temple which triggers both the death of the sun and a series of apocalyptic cataclysm. If you’re interested in getting some insight into the mindsets of some of the lesser explored characters like Trinity soldiers and the pilot Miguel before his untimely demise, this will definitely answer your questions.
6. Lara Croft: Tomb Raider
A lady should be modest, and all of you should check out this story
A novelization Lara’s first feature film starring Angelina Jolie, It takes readers through the story of Miss Croft’s race against the Illuminati to recover two pieces of The Triangle of Light, an artifact carved out of meteor five thousand years ago which gives the person who unites them the power over space and time. It’s a film that certainly falls on the better side of the infamously messy realm of video games made into movies, whcih gives the story a great starting point as is. For the reader who enjoys cheeky dialogue, character introspection, and classic adventure, this is sure a page-turner.
7. The Tomb Raider Coloring Book
If you always thought Lara should wear a brown tank top with teal shorts, this is your chance!
A different type of book from the others here, but certainly the one that lets your creativity and artistic side come out more than any other, showing that coloring books aren’t always child’s play. Featuring different scenes across Lara’s extensive history, those still in touch with their inner child and want something other than Disney characters and farm animals for their coloring needs, this is a refreshing pick up! Give Lara and her enviroments the colors you’ve been yearning to see for years.
8. Tomb Raider: The Angel of Darkness
If I had a coconut for every time I wanted to tell someone about this book...
Lifelong Tomb Raider fan, and a personal aquintance of mine, JR Milward lovingly brings this story so unique to the franchise from its digital roots and onto the page where it feels right at home.Just because it’s a fan project doesn’t mean this adaptation of Lara Croft’s sixth adventure in her original iteration is any less significant. If there’s one positive thing even longstanding detractors of this particular game can agree on, it’s that the premise and story have enough intrigue to be worthy of a Hollywood movie, and certainly of the limitless possibilities that come with any good book. If you’re a fan of crime thrillers and/or gothic dramas, this is definitely one to give a chance.
9. Tomb Raider The Library Edition Volume 1&2
Trust your instincts and pick up this book
Two entries for the price of one here. While they may be two individual books, they come together to make up a larger story of Dark Horse Comics’ telling of what happened between the events of 2013’s Tomb Raider reboot and its sequel Rise of the Tomb Raider. Providing further insight to things like Lara’s trauma following her struggle on Yamatai, her friend Sam’s fellow trauma after nearly losing her soul to Queen Himiko, and the shadowy organization Trinity. All of which helps further contextualize her motivations to find The Divine Source before Trinity.
10. Rise of the Tomb Raider - The Official Artbook
If you're like Lara and need answers about The Divine Source, this is a great place to start
Speaking of Rise, this visual companion to that game is great for those who want more detail on Lara’s snowy escapades through Siberia to retrieve The Divine Source. As one of the most photorealistic games in recent memory, it really helps readers appreciate the work that went into designing these environments with such a tangible history that makes them so believable and immersive. Whether it’s the Prophet’s Tomb, the Soviet Installation or, the lost city of Kitezh, you’ll be in awe in seeing just what it took to bring this world to life.
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