Turns out reading multiple books at once can lead to a brief
glut of reviews.
NPCs is a fun and engaging fantasy with an emphasis on light-hearted
adventure and a wry look at tabletop gaming. For the most part it’s a
traditional fantasy set in an RPG type world, and you don’t need to be an
aficionado of D&D or Pathfinder or Critter to easily get the references.
We follow our not-so-heroic quartet of adventurers Grumph
the half-orc, Gabrielle the human, Thistle the gnome, and Eric (also human).
Together, to protect their hometown, they pick up the mantle of an unfinished quest when four foolish
fellows accidentally combine forest foraging and booze and manage to kill
themselves with ignorance. Unfortunately, this entails highly probable
death, and trying to get to grips (as NPCs) with how this adventuring business
actually works.
Along the way they encounter a variety of foes and
challenges, and the pace manages to tick along nicely without becoming frantic
and breathless. There’s a nice sense of irony and amusement, and it’s a
relaxing read. I often found myself reading more than intended, and given my
reading speed can be somewhat glacial now this was a very good thing.
The beginning was interesting, the middle was fun, and while
I won’t spoil anything of the ending I did like that as well.
It’s also worth noting this is the first in a series. I do
plan on reading the rest later, but as the Deathgate Cycle will attest (minimum
of 16 year gap between first and second instalments) it may take me a while
with my current reading list.
NPCs gets a recommendation from me.
Thaddeus
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