The Crystal Shard was #5 on CBR's 2020 "10 Of The Best DnD Stories To Start Off With" list — the article states that "The reason why this book is a great entry point is that it provides a great introduction to the Icewind Dale region of Faérun that is featured in a ton of other D & D products. The trilogy also has a neat familial dynamic to its party of heroes that can be used to spice up a player's party in D & D."
