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NPCs

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NPCs

By: Drew Hayes
Narrated by: Roger Wayne
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About this listen

What happens when the haggling is done and the shops are closed? When the quest has been given, the steeds saddled, and the adventurers are off to their next encounter? They keep the world running, the food cooked, and the horses shoed, yet what adventurer has ever spared a thought or concern for the Non-Player Characters?In the town of Maplebark, four such NPCs settle in for a night of actively ignoring the adventurers drinking in the tavern when things go quickly and fatally awry. Once the dust settles, these four find themselves faced with an impossible choice: pretend to be adventurers undertaking a task of near-certain death or see their town and loved ones destroyed. Armed only with salvaged equipment, second-hand knowledge, and a secret that could get them killed, it will take all manner of miracles if they hope to pull off their charade. And even if they succeed, the deadliest part of their journey may well be what awaits them at its end.

©2014 Andrew Hayes (P)2014 Tantor
Action & Adventure Epic Epic Fantasy Fantasy Fiction Literature & Fiction Comedy Adventure Witty Funny Feel-Good LitRPG
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loved it great listen, nice story will be getting the next in the series, brilliant

great listen

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Would you listen to NPCs again? Why?

Yes - the narrator was very good and I think I'd pick up more references on a second listen.

What was one of the most memorable moments of NPCs?

It was in the final scenes, so I don't want to spoil the story.

Have you listened to any of Roger Wayne’s other performances? How does this one compare?

No, but will be looking out for them in the future: he narrated the book well and included a great range of character voices.

Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?

The characters' initial decision to leave, and Thistle's backstory.

Any additional comments?

Looking forward to getting the next book in the series!

Great adventure (and gaming) story

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What made the experience of listening to NPCs the most enjoyable?

As someone who has a history I enjoyed the 'metaness' of the book. I could recognise the player characters as ramped up versions of characters in games I have played and the titular NPCs unaware of fantasy tropes were an enjoyable way to reflect on the absurdities of fantasy stories in general.

Fun and a little bit meta

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Really enjoyed this book, was a cool and entertaining viewpoint on a 'classic' D&D type based world.

D&D like novel

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Reading the reviews made me hesitant to try this book, but it surprised me with its entertaining and earnest characters with fairly realistic consequences for action taken. The concept takes some interesting turns but can feel like it takes you out of your expectations which some may not like. I for one really would like to listen to much more.

A short but compelling story

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