Rather enjoyable first book

Not a bad beginning to a new series. The book is longer than average and at some point the story dragged on a bit. Also, the meaning of the riddle in stone was a bit anticlimactic, I must say. Well, perhaps not the meaning itself, but the was the message was coded. This could have been done in a bit more clever way. Also, clearly the author struggled a bit to create suspense in the action, but all in all was enjoyable, so you should definitely give it a go.

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Not bad

The story follows a unlikely hero Edmund, a librarian who sets out on a quest to basically better himself and impress a girl. Needless to say it quickly all goes wrong and it ends up becoming a disaster.

First the good points: the plot and basic story are fairly original. I enjoyed the story for the most part although it drags in places.

The bad points: I found the writing style a little light for the material. A rather painful life changing event happens at one point to Edmund, which is just brushed over. To be fair, it does trigger a character change but I just didn't quite believe it. There a few times in the story I was left wondering 'why do that.'

The author uses the inner monologue to explain what the character is thinking. I can't work out if it the reader's fault (Fleet Cooper) or its overused but it make the character seem unintentionally schizophrenic in places.

There are a few clichés in the book, especially the two main bag guys. Every time they speak I reminded of Mr Wint and Mr Kidd from Diamonds are Forever.

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Dark fantasy

Found this by accident on Audible and I'm very glad I did. Edmund is not even a typical anti-hero (they are still inclined to have something going for them). He is fat, middle aged, stammers and is a librarian!
Having been totally humiliated one night, he spots a poster from the King promising that whoever brings back a particular relic, will become Lord of the Northern Lands. Amongst his books he has a diary from the lord who owned the relic, and so his travels begin.
He meets up with all kinds of bad guys, Trolls and particularly unpleasant Goblins - beautifully spoken by Fleet Cooper. It is very bloody, there are some terrible scenes of torture, but at times it is also very funny. Edmund's arguments with himself are entertaining.
There are some loose ends which promise a sequel, so that is something to look forward to.

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Gripping yarn with an unusual hero

I am really loving this series about a "fat, stuttering librarian" who turns out to be so much more. I find Fleet Cooper's pronunciation very odd on occasion 'pawlm' and 'cawlm' for palm and calm. This is an accent that I have not encountered before and it distracts me a bit but I am getting used to it.

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Very tough start but a good unusual dark horror

The beginning is very tough to go through. The main character is pretty annoying and his decisions and inaction are infuriating. But it's his development as a character from that that is great. Worth sticking with

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I was sorry to get to the end

A good story beautifully narrated, can't wait for the sequel, a must listen to for those of us that like magic, goblins and really nasty baddies.

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Dark Fantasy...Wonderful...

An unusual hero, totally believable whose decision to leave his village has a domino effect of devastating consequences.
There's a wonderful mix of of goblins, trolls and elves with a definitive dark undertone having a flavour of the Brother Grimm Fairy Tales of old, I loved it.
I was standing by Edmund all the way, even though he tended to argue with himself before making a decision it was like his old self arguing with the emerging new Edmund.
Relished the cacophony of individual characters I especially enjoying the nefarious Goblins and the realm they lived in.
A wonderful début, can't wait till the next instalment, on my automatic reading list..
A must for fantasy fans who like it dark and epic.

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Enjoyable and not run of the mill

Any additional comments?

Lovely main character - not a swashbuckler hero but engaging. A really good listen (and the next 2 books are also excellent) with a gentle pace to the story but no dull bits. A few plot twists but not contrived.

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