Author: Sean Gibson
Genre: Adult, Fantasy, Epic Adventure, Comedic Fantasy
Publisher: Parliament House
Format: eBook
ASIN: B08C5MF84S
ISBN: 9781663524911
Summary: Sure, you think you know the story of the fearsome red dragon, Dragonia. How it terrorized the village of Skendrick until a brave band of heroes answered the noble villagers’ call for aid. How nothing could stop those courageous souls from facing down the dragon. How they emerged victorious and laden with treasure.
But, even in a world filled with epic adventures and tales of derring-do, where dragons, goblins, and unlicensed prestidigitators run amok, legendary heroes don’t always know what they’re doing. Sometimes they’re clueless. Sometimes beleaguered townsfolk are more hapless than helpless. And orcs? They’re not always assholes, and sometimes they don’t actually want to eat your children.
Heloise the Bard, Erithea’s most renowned storyteller (at least, to hear her tell it), is here to set the record straight. See, it turns out adventuring isn’t easy, and true heroism is as rare as an articulate villager.
Having spent decades propagating this particular myth (which, incidentally, she wrote), she’s finally able to tell the real story—for which she just so happened to have a front-row seat.
Welcome to Erithea. I hope you brought a change of undergarments—things are going to get messy.
disclaimers
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It's All About the Madness
Narrative style: Omnicient & First
Perspective(s): Author & Bard Heloise
This book is utter madness. And I mean that in the best of ways. What starts out as an omniscient retelling of a grand adventure to slay the dragon (complete with big pretty words and sweeping drama), slowly turns to an in-depth view of swamps and bog men, goblins astounded by magical sleight of hand, and a town (village!) of complete and utter morons who are the biggest cheapskates and yet still feel entitled to the full benefit of deserving celebrity heroes who will work for free.
The Part About the Dragon was (Mostly) True is everything you’d expect from a comedic spoof on fantasy adventures of old, and Gibson delivers. He plays beautifully with the voice of the omniscient storyteller who speaks of the grand adventure to the encampment, of the hundreds of goblins to be slain and how our heroes battle with honor and heroic gestures. And in the next chapter the truth behind the bard’s tale comes to light as they flick a booger off their fingers, magic up cow mumuus for everyone to wear, and scream at snails for daring to move too slow.
Adventuring is not nearly as heroic as it sounds.
What I Loved
I pretty much loved everything about this story. The heroes (sort of) are absolutely wonderful characters and I grew to love each and every one of them.
What really made it a delight though was the rock giant Borg. Always living about two minutes behind the rest of the group, his ill-timed interjections became an endearing part of the tale.
And as a counter to Borg’s sweet, endearing soul was the wizard Whiska whose idea of conversation is yelling at people exactly what’s wrong with them all the time–with no mercy I might add.
All the personalities were wonderful, and I love how Gibson flipped the tables on typical fantasy races to give each one more of that not-so-human-but-still-human quality.
If Douglas Addams Wrote High Fantasy
This would have been it. I recommend this book to anyone who needs a hearty laugh, who must fill today’s quota on face-palming, and mostly anyone who loves fantasy adventures and wants to learn what it’s really like for heroes. It’s a clean, fun adventure with an absolutely insane cast of characters who you can’t help but fall in love with.
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Reviewer Bio
K. J. Harrowick is a freelance developer, graphic designer, technical coach, and author of the science fantasy novel, Bloodflower. You can find her reviews on Goodreads, Hàlon Chronicles, Bookish Valhalla, and occasionally Amazon and Book Sirens.