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Klondaeg #1
Klondaeg The Monster Hunter
Klondaeg is the self-declared world’s greatest monster hunter. Armed with a bickering battle-axe with a split personality, he rampages through the countryside in a tireless quest to avenge his parents and slay every monster that crosses his path, is visible from his path, or even leers in the general direction of his path. Join Klondaeg on five madcap adventures, full of werewolf garden gnomes, geriatric heroes, steam-powered spaceships, conveniently timed flashbacks, and battles with cave rats and demons alike. If you have a monster problem, Klondaeg’s your Dwarf.
122 pages, Kindle Edition
First published May 19, 2012
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240 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 37 reviews
March 8, 2018
I liked this book, but I’ve been struggling with the review because these sorts of books just don’t lend themselves well to my reviewing system. A 150-page book just doesn’t have the page time to devote to intricate world building or super in-depth character development, there’s just not enough time. The point of this book was a light-hearted comedy that’s more like a novella than a novel, and I’m grading it as such.
Plot:
Klondaeg is a Dwarf, and a monster hunter. When he was young his parents were killed by monsters – he’s not sure which monster, so in his book, they’re all guilty and deserve killing.
The plot is broken up into smaller stories that come together at the end. The book opens with Klondaeg fighting an undead magma goat in a silver mine. He ends up defeating it but is puzzled about how the magma goat even got there in the first place, and tries to investigate its origins. He’s captured by Gnomes who are involved in the goat fiasco and put in prison, while in prison he meets a shapeshifter and they escape. The shapeshifter and he discuss the possible meaning behind the magma goats being undead and conclude that it has to be sorcery and blasphemy that are bringing the goats back to life – which could cause a lot of Smoting by the Goddess Perpleskga (Goddess of the Gnomes). They have to stop whoever is behind it before the Goddess gets too angry.
He goes on to help out a washed-up hero who’s been prophesized to die within a week which leads him to an Oracle. Mayhem ensues.
He also meets up with (or is kidnapped by, depending on your perspective) a bird-person who desperately needs the help of the legendary Klondaeg the Monster Hunter.
These all come together by the end, I was really hoping they would because the mini adventures are very short and the plots aren’t completely tied up when we move from one situation to the next.
Final Score: 11/15
Character:
So our main character is Klondaeg, and he’s a fairly simple man. He’s a kill first ask no questions later kinda guy with no qualms slaughtering every monster he sees. He’s a bit obsessive, actually, thinking of little else besides killing monsters. I found his sentient and dual personality axe to be the highlight of the book for me.
Sinister and Dexter are two personalities that live in a double-headed axe named Kings Rest. They have polar opposite personalities best demonstrated in battle. After killing lots and lots of Gnomes, “Dexter was humming a jaunty battle tune, and Sinister kept apologizing to the corpses”.
The random banter between the two personalities of the axe, along with Klondaeg’s personality made for an entertaining mix.
Final Score: 11/15
World Building:
Right from the start, you know you’re in for a high level of fantasy creatures and magic since there’s a Dwarf fighting an undead magma goat. The ridiculous nature of the world building goes on from there and doesn’t get any less crazy.
I think my favorite bit is Perplesgka, The Goddess of Things That Make No Sense…. “Perpleskga’s domains included the silent g, the platypus, the sounds houses make at night, old peoples’ stories, the taste of water in the next village over, and, most relevantly, the Gnomes, her chosen people”.
There are gnomelobo’s, who are a werewolf type transformation of a gnome… except it’s only about the size of a fox and wears a pointy hat.
Since gnomelobo’s are starting to be a bit of a problem, any shapeshifting gnome is starting to be put into prison, including on of the characters Klondaeg meets along the way, Clayborn.
When gnomes die they turn into clay, and can be used as a weapon by their brethren to continue on with the battle.
Crocospawn are kind of like mermaids mixed with crocodiles – they have the lower half of a mermaid and the upper half of a crocodile. The way they breed is vicious, their eggs are almost irresistible to the standard mermaid, and when they eat them 1 egg becomes many eggs, then they hatch and eat their way out of the mermaid.
Final Score: 12.5/15
Pacing:
This was very, very fast paced, almost a little too fast for me. I’d be getting into one storyline and it was already moving onto another – which is why I’m glad it tied together at the end because I felt like the book raced along. There’s absolutely no “filler” material in here, there were lots of battles, lots of monsters, and lots of mayhem and you don’t always know who to trust. A lot happened in a very short book, so if you’re looking for something to keep you entertained on every page and don’t want a slow burn book in any way, this one would be that.
Final Score: 12/15
Writing:
This was a pretty clean edition, I didn’t catch any editing errors. I liked the writing style, it was quick and funny where it needed to be. Sometimes when reading comedies there are a lot of jokes that just don’t work for me because they seem forced or beat you over the head with it.
Although this was somewhat reminiscent of Pratchett (mostly in the naming of things), it’s def its own thing – although I would recommend it to people who like Pratchett, there are similarities.
Final Score: 13/15
Originality:
This was a very original kind of book, I haven’t read anything quite like that before. The character was original as was his weapon of choice. The animals/monsters in the world like gnomelobo’s and crocospawn were entirely Steve’s creation, so kudos there.
Final Score: 14/15
Personal Enjoyment:
When I read this I was in just the right mood for it, I had hit a stream of super dark books and I was just not feeling reading another one. This book hit a sweet spot for me.
Final Score: 8.5/10
Audience:
Comedy
Fast Paced
Shorter
Non human POV
Sentient Weapons
Lots of Monsters
Lots of violence
Final Score: 82/100
Plot:
Klondaeg is a Dwarf, and a monster hunter. When he was young his parents were killed by monsters – he’s not sure which monster, so in his book, they’re all guilty and deserve killing.
The plot is broken up into smaller stories that come together at the end. The book opens with Klondaeg fighting an undead magma goat in a silver mine. He ends up defeating it but is puzzled about how the magma goat even got there in the first place, and tries to investigate its origins. He’s captured by Gnomes who are involved in the goat fiasco and put in prison, while in prison he meets a shapeshifter and they escape. The shapeshifter and he discuss the possible meaning behind the magma goats being undead and conclude that it has to be sorcery and blasphemy that are bringing the goats back to life – which could cause a lot of Smoting by the Goddess Perpleskga (Goddess of the Gnomes). They have to stop whoever is behind it before the Goddess gets too angry.
He goes on to help out a washed-up hero who’s been prophesized to die within a week which leads him to an Oracle. Mayhem ensues.
He also meets up with (or is kidnapped by, depending on your perspective) a bird-person who desperately needs the help of the legendary Klondaeg the Monster Hunter.
These all come together by the end, I was really hoping they would because the mini adventures are very short and the plots aren’t completely tied up when we move from one situation to the next.
Final Score: 11/15
Character:
So our main character is Klondaeg, and he’s a fairly simple man. He’s a kill first ask no questions later kinda guy with no qualms slaughtering every monster he sees. He’s a bit obsessive, actually, thinking of little else besides killing monsters. I found his sentient and dual personality axe to be the highlight of the book for me.
Sinister and Dexter are two personalities that live in a double-headed axe named Kings Rest. They have polar opposite personalities best demonstrated in battle. After killing lots and lots of Gnomes, “Dexter was humming a jaunty battle tune, and Sinister kept apologizing to the corpses”.
The random banter between the two personalities of the axe, along with Klondaeg’s personality made for an entertaining mix.
Final Score: 11/15
World Building:
Right from the start, you know you’re in for a high level of fantasy creatures and magic since there’s a Dwarf fighting an undead magma goat. The ridiculous nature of the world building goes on from there and doesn’t get any less crazy.
I think my favorite bit is Perplesgka, The Goddess of Things That Make No Sense…. “Perpleskga’s domains included the silent g, the platypus, the sounds houses make at night, old peoples’ stories, the taste of water in the next village over, and, most relevantly, the Gnomes, her chosen people”.
There are gnomelobo’s, who are a werewolf type transformation of a gnome… except it’s only about the size of a fox and wears a pointy hat.
Since gnomelobo’s are starting to be a bit of a problem, any shapeshifting gnome is starting to be put into prison, including on of the characters Klondaeg meets along the way, Clayborn.
When gnomes die they turn into clay, and can be used as a weapon by their brethren to continue on with the battle.
Crocospawn are kind of like mermaids mixed with crocodiles – they have the lower half of a mermaid and the upper half of a crocodile. The way they breed is vicious, their eggs are almost irresistible to the standard mermaid, and when they eat them 1 egg becomes many eggs, then they hatch and eat their way out of the mermaid.
Final Score: 12.5/15
Pacing:
This was very, very fast paced, almost a little too fast for me. I’d be getting into one storyline and it was already moving onto another – which is why I’m glad it tied together at the end because I felt like the book raced along. There’s absolutely no “filler” material in here, there were lots of battles, lots of monsters, and lots of mayhem and you don’t always know who to trust. A lot happened in a very short book, so if you’re looking for something to keep you entertained on every page and don’t want a slow burn book in any way, this one would be that.
Final Score: 12/15
Writing:
This was a pretty clean edition, I didn’t catch any editing errors. I liked the writing style, it was quick and funny where it needed to be. Sometimes when reading comedies there are a lot of jokes that just don’t work for me because they seem forced or beat you over the head with it.
Although this was somewhat reminiscent of Pratchett (mostly in the naming of things), it’s def its own thing – although I would recommend it to people who like Pratchett, there are similarities.
Final Score: 13/15
Originality:
This was a very original kind of book, I haven’t read anything quite like that before. The character was original as was his weapon of choice. The animals/monsters in the world like gnomelobo’s and crocospawn were entirely Steve’s creation, so kudos there.
Final Score: 14/15
Personal Enjoyment:
When I read this I was in just the right mood for it, I had hit a stream of super dark books and I was just not feeling reading another one. This book hit a sweet spot for me.
Final Score: 8.5/10
Audience:
Comedy
Fast Paced
Shorter
Non human POV
Sentient Weapons
Lots of Monsters
Lots of violence
Final Score: 82/100
June 21, 2018
Writing an engaging story that combines comedy and fantasy can be tricky. These themes share some common traits: there’s an unknown variable in magic that prepares the reader to be mystified, which is has a similar structure to setting up a humorous scene for a surprise punchline. But the themes don’t always mix well. While reading a comedy, I often wonder if the author is sacrificing certain story elements in exchange for a timely and humorous scene. Who has time for a deep dive into a character’s background when it breaks up the rhythm and cadence of a well-executed joke? It’s a thin tightrope to walk, but the rewards for its success can be plentiful. In Steve Thomas’ witty Klondaeg the Monster Hunter, the early focus on humor was entertaining enough for me to ignore the underdeveloped plot, yet I was surprised and charmed at how quickly the story fleshed out by journey’s end.
Klondaeg is a heroic dwarven warrior, adorned in metal armor, who carries a double-bladed axe. If you are wondering if each blade of the axe talks and argues with itself, then you are correct! Sinister is the clever axe blade, while Dexter is the “slice-first-and-apologize-later” type. There’s a lot of humor to mine from these two bickering souls stuck inside a weapon, which is good thing, because Klondaeg isn’t much of a conversationalist. He only seems comfortable when he has a monster to chase and kill, and we’re mostly left in the dark for why that is. The three personalities are enough to carry the thin plot from scene to scene, and the author tends to jump from one confrontation to another, filling in the back story later. This can be advantageous, as it’s fun to join Klondaeg in the midst of harrowing scenario, while the reader is left to puzzle things out. The pacing is swift and the dialogue sharp.
We are first introduced to Klondaeg as he faces off against an undead magma goat(!). He soon gets tangled up in numerous adventures involving shapeshifting gnomes, bionic space-faring birds, prophets, crocodile-mermaid hybrids, demon spawn, prison cells, and worst of all, dinner parties. Although Klondaeg is a simple man with a singular goal, he is endearing. His bravery and prowess are enough to keep him alive through most battle scenarios, yet it’s the ‘thinking and planning’ aspects of life that seem to trip him up. (In other words, a near-polar opposite of Liam Perrin’s main character in the comic Arthurian fantasy Sir Thomas the Hesitant.)
The book is split into five sections. Thomas calls them “episodes,” and I think that is apt, as they each can be consumed in about the time it takes to watch a sitcom, or read a good comic book. Klondaeg drifts from one monster-hunting scenario to the next, and we barely get more than a single line about his background or motivations, but it still works well as a lighthearted and funny tale. The finale surprised me as it brought most of the (surviving) characters back for a gripping final episode, and it brought quite a few laughs as well as some heart.
There’s future volumes of Klondaeg written, and I’d like to explore his story further. I hope that Thomas spends a little more time on character development, as well as showing us a bit more about what the surrounding world has to offer. For the time being, I can easily recommend Klondaeg the Monster Hunter for anyone who enjoys the lighter side of fantasy, creative battle scenarios, and more than a few laughs.
7.0 / 10
Klondaeg is a heroic dwarven warrior, adorned in metal armor, who carries a double-bladed axe. If you are wondering if each blade of the axe talks and argues with itself, then you are correct! Sinister is the clever axe blade, while Dexter is the “slice-first-and-apologize-later” type. There’s a lot of humor to mine from these two bickering souls stuck inside a weapon, which is good thing, because Klondaeg isn’t much of a conversationalist. He only seems comfortable when he has a monster to chase and kill, and we’re mostly left in the dark for why that is. The three personalities are enough to carry the thin plot from scene to scene, and the author tends to jump from one confrontation to another, filling in the back story later. This can be advantageous, as it’s fun to join Klondaeg in the midst of harrowing scenario, while the reader is left to puzzle things out. The pacing is swift and the dialogue sharp.
We are first introduced to Klondaeg as he faces off against an undead magma goat(!). He soon gets tangled up in numerous adventures involving shapeshifting gnomes, bionic space-faring birds, prophets, crocodile-mermaid hybrids, demon spawn, prison cells, and worst of all, dinner parties. Although Klondaeg is a simple man with a singular goal, he is endearing. His bravery and prowess are enough to keep him alive through most battle scenarios, yet it’s the ‘thinking and planning’ aspects of life that seem to trip him up. (In other words, a near-polar opposite of Liam Perrin’s main character in the comic Arthurian fantasy Sir Thomas the Hesitant.)
The book is split into five sections. Thomas calls them “episodes,” and I think that is apt, as they each can be consumed in about the time it takes to watch a sitcom, or read a good comic book. Klondaeg drifts from one monster-hunting scenario to the next, and we barely get more than a single line about his background or motivations, but it still works well as a lighthearted and funny tale. The finale surprised me as it brought most of the (surviving) characters back for a gripping final episode, and it brought quite a few laughs as well as some heart.
There’s future volumes of Klondaeg written, and I’d like to explore his story further. I hope that Thomas spends a little more time on character development, as well as showing us a bit more about what the surrounding world has to offer. For the time being, I can easily recommend Klondaeg the Monster Hunter for anyone who enjoys the lighter side of fantasy, creative battle scenarios, and more than a few laughs.
7.0 / 10
May 25, 2018
Disclaimer: I won a free Kindle copy of this book in a Goodreads giveaway.
Okay, so Klondaeg is, as the title says, a monster hunter. He’s a dwarf, not too bright, prone to charging directly into battle yelling and waving his axe, the King’s Rest. The two blades of his axe, Dexter and Sinister, both talk, and each has its own personality.
And he hunts monsters. Because monsters killed his parents.
And that's it, really. There's not much of a plot. The book is written as a series of shorter episodes, which follow one to the next, but there's no strong overarching story to latch onto beyond the obvious Klondaeg hunting monsters looking for the ones that got his parents. He doesn't really grow and change over the course of the book. No one does, unless they wind up killed or something.
It tries to be funny, and, to be fair, it does succeed at times. I didn't laugh out loud while reading this, but I did grin once or twice. This seems like something dreamed up and written in between weekly Dungeons and Dragons sessions. It's not particularly bad, nor is it particularly good. It's harmless, inconsequential fluff. I’m neither for nor against it. It just is.
Okay, so Klondaeg is, as the title says, a monster hunter. He’s a dwarf, not too bright, prone to charging directly into battle yelling and waving his axe, the King’s Rest. The two blades of his axe, Dexter and Sinister, both talk, and each has its own personality.
And he hunts monsters. Because monsters killed his parents.
And that's it, really. There's not much of a plot. The book is written as a series of shorter episodes, which follow one to the next, but there's no strong overarching story to latch onto beyond the obvious Klondaeg hunting monsters looking for the ones that got his parents. He doesn't really grow and change over the course of the book. No one does, unless they wind up killed or something.
It tries to be funny, and, to be fair, it does succeed at times. I didn't laugh out loud while reading this, but I did grin once or twice. This seems like something dreamed up and written in between weekly Dungeons and Dragons sessions. It's not particularly bad, nor is it particularly good. It's harmless, inconsequential fluff. I’m neither for nor against it. It just is.
March 20, 2018
I had an absolute blast with this. There are multiple memorable scenes, but my favorite part is the final section entitled "More by Steve Thomas" because it means I'll get to spend more time with Mr. Thomas and with Klondaeg. I didn't lose any weight while reading Klondaeg The Monster Hunter, but I increased my maximum push-ups by 5.2%. This means that while my body mass remained the same, I grew smaller and more dense - becoming more like Klondaeg in other words. Graa...!
July 7, 2012
Klondaeg is such a fun read! Anyone who wants some wit, humor and fantasy (it's somewhat Munchkin-esque - very genre-conscious and self-mocking, but with the basis to pull it off). I read this and "Smite Me, Oh Dark One" and found much to laugh out loud about. Thomas' work is full of humor and adventure and well worth the price. "Smite Me Oh Dark One" had the fabulous bonus of being narrated by the "antagonist" of the universe that both books are set in. Readers who enjoyed it are sure to be pleased at Acerbus' return in "Klondeag". But there's plenty new to love, my favorite of which is the 'schizophrenic' and quite vocal enchanted axe! The pages without the axe (I'm not going to tell you why or how) were quite distressing, but Klondeag's bloodthirstiness and peculiar practicality (he does have a very simple philosophy after all) will keep readers amused while they wait for the conclusion of Klondaeg's epic quest to avenge the death of his parents. And you won't believe all the trouble ... um... epic adventures ... he finds along the way, or the way everything ties together - the Goddess Perpleksga would be proud. On that note, don't forget that the 'g' in Klondaeg is silent, and enjoy the ride! :)
July 5, 2018
I was sent a digital copy of this book in return for a fair and honest review. This is my first book by this author (Steve Thomas). Steve pitched it as a “comedic fantasy adventure romp” so I had a little idea what I was in for. Plus, the cover tips its hand here, too.
We meet Klondaeg (Pronounced with a silent g. Long story – read the book!), a dwarf who is on a mission to wipe out all monsters. For him it is revenge since a monster killed his parents. Which monster? He’s not sure so he decides to get rid of them all, just to be sure. Klondaeg is joined by his two-headed battle axe, King’s Rest, which is more than an axe (again, long story, read the book).
I quickly realized what this book was trying to be. First of all, it was not trying to be an epic, high fantasy. It was not a book focusing on political intrigue, romantic interests, or deep soul searching. In fact, I suspect the book was not trying to fit into any mold. At first I took the book as a simple story of a dwarf on a focused mission. As it went on, I realized that I set the bar to low with that description.
It is a “comedic fantasy adventure romp”. As I settled into the book, realizing what it was trying to be, I found it to be a quick, fun read. And as it went along, I let myself enjoy the ride, chuckle in places (and roll my eyes in others). Before I knew it, Klondaeg started to flesh out to be more developed character. Especially well done was the explanation for his back-story that told what had happened to his parents and how he came to have his axe.
I fully recognize that this book will not be for everyone. I can also tell that some people will rate this book based on a scale that is not fair, comparing it against books that it is very un-like. I also suspect that some people will not give it a chance.
For me, it was a likeable character in a story that was, at times, ridiculous, implausible and bizarre. But I think that was what the author was going for.
Thank you, Steve, for sending this to me. Well done! 4.2 / 5 stars.
We meet Klondaeg (Pronounced with a silent g. Long story – read the book!), a dwarf who is on a mission to wipe out all monsters. For him it is revenge since a monster killed his parents. Which monster? He’s not sure so he decides to get rid of them all, just to be sure. Klondaeg is joined by his two-headed battle axe, King’s Rest, which is more than an axe (again, long story, read the book).
I quickly realized what this book was trying to be. First of all, it was not trying to be an epic, high fantasy. It was not a book focusing on political intrigue, romantic interests, or deep soul searching. In fact, I suspect the book was not trying to fit into any mold. At first I took the book as a simple story of a dwarf on a focused mission. As it went on, I realized that I set the bar to low with that description.
It is a “comedic fantasy adventure romp”. As I settled into the book, realizing what it was trying to be, I found it to be a quick, fun read. And as it went along, I let myself enjoy the ride, chuckle in places (and roll my eyes in others). Before I knew it, Klondaeg started to flesh out to be more developed character. Especially well done was the explanation for his back-story that told what had happened to his parents and how he came to have his axe.
I fully recognize that this book will not be for everyone. I can also tell that some people will rate this book based on a scale that is not fair, comparing it against books that it is very un-like. I also suspect that some people will not give it a chance.
For me, it was a likeable character in a story that was, at times, ridiculous, implausible and bizarre. But I think that was what the author was going for.
Thank you, Steve, for sending this to me. Well done! 4.2 / 5 stars.
June 10, 2018
A fun bite-sized set of episodic adventures following a dwarf who has a literal (mythic) axe to grind with monsters. I think this would appeal to readers of Kings of the Wyld, a bit more lighthearted, but similar tone with a tongue firmly planted in cheek about the genre.
July 17, 2012
4.5 stars
Klondaeg The Monster Hunter takes place in the same universe that Steve Thomas created in his short story Smite Me, Oh Dark One. He continues to use this particular realm to tell stories of humorous fantasy. Klongaeg is a dwarf whose obsession is killing monsters. With a sentient ax that has two distinct personalities, one for each face, he is pretty constantly engaged in amusing banter.
This is not a book for someone who is looking for a serious dark fantasy, it is fantastic for people who want a series of light reads. Klondaeg is a straightforward character whose goal is to destroy all monsters in hopes of getting revenge on the one that killed his parents. As he travels he meets up with all kinds of people that help him along the way. They are generally interesting characters that expose a new facet of Klondaeg's character.
As I really enjoyed Smite Me this book was right up my alley and from my understanding there is another collection being written right now. I'm very much looking forward to seeing what other adventures are in store for Klondaeg and his crew.
Klondaeg The Monster Hunter takes place in the same universe that Steve Thomas created in his short story Smite Me, Oh Dark One. He continues to use this particular realm to tell stories of humorous fantasy. Klongaeg is a dwarf whose obsession is killing monsters. With a sentient ax that has two distinct personalities, one for each face, he is pretty constantly engaged in amusing banter.
This is not a book for someone who is looking for a serious dark fantasy, it is fantastic for people who want a series of light reads. Klondaeg is a straightforward character whose goal is to destroy all monsters in hopes of getting revenge on the one that killed his parents. As he travels he meets up with all kinds of people that help him along the way. They are generally interesting characters that expose a new facet of Klondaeg's character.
As I really enjoyed Smite Me this book was right up my alley and from my understanding there is another collection being written right now. I'm very much looking forward to seeing what other adventures are in store for Klondaeg and his crew.
July 13, 2012
Klondaeg the Monster Hunter is a dwarf, that carries King's Rest~his axe, all the while battling undead magma goat. Klondaeg believes his battle with undead magma goat was started by a gnome. Gnomes are not known to be friendly creatures and mostly keep to themselves. Klondaeg is asked to hunt a gnomelobo yet is warned that gnomelobos are dangerous. Klondaeg and Dalvinus work together well and knows the only plan Klondaeg subscribes to is crush them. Dalvinus respects Klondaeg yet wishes he would have more than one plan in his arensal. Dalvinus also talks with the Gods about Klondaeg with his mission to kill all of the monsters. Klondaeg was also hired by Princess Avia for a job. She also fights by Klondaeg side as well. Klondaeg offers up prayers to O'Plenty and Perpleksga before his next series of battles. Can Klondaeg stop the gnomelobo? Can Klondaeg help Princess Avia? Will Klondaeg continue fighting monsters? Your answers await you in Klondaeg the Monster Hunter.
August 15, 2018
This was a fun fast read. It is kinda difficult to review though, due to the length it lacked much world building or character development. Klondaeg was the same through out. He was like a poor dwarf Batman, his parents were killed by monsters so he geared up and started killing monsters.
It was broken down into a series of short stories about Klondaeg fighting an assortment of monsters and making some friends along the way. Of the people he met Dalvinus was my favorite. An older warrior who now would rather talk his way through situations instead of fighting for fear of not living up to the legend of his name. Clayborn was pretty cool too. Gnomes were definitely different in this book than the ones I am used to.
There was a lot of unique and original in this story. The Crocospawns, and Gnomelobos were newly created creatures that I have never encountered in any of my reading. Both were pretty awesome in my opinion as well. The Crocospawns are half mermaid half crocodile and the Gnomelobos are gnome werewolves. Klondaeg's ax named King's Rest was another highlight of this book.
The world building was pretty limited to learning about the gods in the beginning and the species of creatures you encounter throughout Klondaeg's journey.
Overall it was a good fun story. For the most part I enjoyed it but it did lack the detail that I enjoy. This is definitely due to the length, it just wasn't long enough to include everything I would have wanted in it. At this point I am not sure if I will be reading the next book in this series, but I will definitely be giving this author another try some time soon with The Sangrook Saga.
It was broken down into a series of short stories about Klondaeg fighting an assortment of monsters and making some friends along the way. Of the people he met Dalvinus was my favorite. An older warrior who now would rather talk his way through situations instead of fighting for fear of not living up to the legend of his name. Clayborn was pretty cool too. Gnomes were definitely different in this book than the ones I am used to.
There was a lot of unique and original in this story. The Crocospawns, and Gnomelobos were newly created creatures that I have never encountered in any of my reading. Both were pretty awesome in my opinion as well. The Crocospawns are half mermaid half crocodile and the Gnomelobos are gnome werewolves. Klondaeg's ax named King's Rest was another highlight of this book.
The world building was pretty limited to learning about the gods in the beginning and the species of creatures you encounter throughout Klondaeg's journey.
Overall it was a good fun story. For the most part I enjoyed it but it did lack the detail that I enjoy. This is definitely due to the length, it just wasn't long enough to include everything I would have wanted in it. At this point I am not sure if I will be reading the next book in this series, but I will definitely be giving this author another try some time soon with The Sangrook Saga.
January 29, 2018
Klondaeg is a funny, nonsensical fantasy which plays with all of the genre's clichés without apology. The two-headed axe is great, with witty dialogue and commentary. Klondaeg is a dwarf who is unabashedly single-minded, the only tool in his box being "smash it with an axe and see what happens".
The various side-characters are all well-written, with a fascinating array of personalities.
I'd like to give 4.5 out of 5, as I think there were some slow parts which could have been shortened or added some humour. So I give it a very solid 4/5, and a hearty recommendation!
The various side-characters are all well-written, with a fascinating array of personalities.
I'd like to give 4.5 out of 5, as I think there were some slow parts which could have been shortened or added some humour. So I give it a very solid 4/5, and a hearty recommendation!
May 26, 2018
A fun read written with style, wit and a very wry and dry humour.
I am always pleased to discover a new author that appeals to me and Steve Thomas with Klondaeg does so on many levels. His gods are petty and vindictive and his monsters are nasty. His characters are odd and interesting. Steve is writing in a trope laden genre and tries, successfully, to avoid these tropes giving us tales that entertain and amuse, sometimes even laugh-out-loud amuse.
If I had any criticism it would be “The book is too damn short!”
I am always pleased to discover a new author that appeals to me and Steve Thomas with Klondaeg does so on many levels. His gods are petty and vindictive and his monsters are nasty. His characters are odd and interesting. Steve is writing in a trope laden genre and tries, successfully, to avoid these tropes giving us tales that entertain and amuse, sometimes even laugh-out-loud amuse.
If I had any criticism it would be “The book is too damn short!”
December 12, 2018
This was an enjoyable light-hearted read. Our hero, Klondaeg, has vowed to kill every monster he encounters, usually with his talking two-headed ax. His stated rationale is because a monster killed his parents. He doesn't know which monster, thereby all should be smote. He is renown throughout his world, although no ballads have yet been composed extolling his feats, somewhat to his chagrin.
I knew I was in for a treat when I actually laughed at some of the descriptions of the various gods at the beginning of the book.
I knew I was in for a treat when I actually laughed at some of the descriptions of the various gods at the beginning of the book.
February 15, 2018
I won a kindle copy of this book in a Goodreads giveaway. I have to say it is an entertaining book. To me it is a D&D adventure with a Dwarf Barbarian leading the little party thru the adventure, stopping whenever there is a monster to kill it while the rest of the party tries to keep up and keep the adventure on track. No real depth to the story, just a fun read. Who wouldn't find a story with a two headed axe with a mind in each head that talks entertaining....
June 28, 2018
It was okay while it lasted and it wasn’t long.
To be fair, the setup and the first part work great. The world shows great potential and the hero could be very funny. The fun doesn’t last, there is too little variance in the jokes. It is essentially the same joke repeated again and again.
The book ends before becoming too boring, but I don’t really want to know more about the heroes right now. Maybe some time later.
To be fair, the setup and the first part work great. The world shows great potential and the hero could be very funny. The fun doesn’t last, there is too little variance in the jokes. It is essentially the same joke repeated again and again.
The book ends before becoming too boring, but I don’t really want to know more about the heroes right now. Maybe some time later.
August 16, 2021
Klondaeg is a monster hunter. He hunts and kills monsters. His magical axe is imbued with two souls who are often at odds with one another and their banter is humorous. There isn't a lot of character development, and for what this book is (a simple, fun set of adventures), there doesn't need to be. That's what sequels are for.
If you're just looking to unwind and have a good time, you'll find it here. Read the book. It's a good one.
If you're just looking to unwind and have a good time, you'll find it here. Read the book. It's a good one.
February 11, 2022
I won this book a while back (2018 seems like last year doesn't it?) I a Goodreads giveaway. This is the first book I've read by the author.
I honestly have no idea what to think of this book. I see that it is geared at 12 year Olds and that may explain much of my confusion. It was funny and very odd, at times it seemed to be for adults and then it would feel like a preteen book. It was fun and I may read the others but it won't be for a long time.
I honestly have no idea what to think of this book. I see that it is geared at 12 year Olds and that may explain much of my confusion. It was funny and very odd, at times it seemed to be for adults and then it would feel like a preteen book. It was fun and I may read the others but it won't be for a long time.
October 5, 2018
Klondaeg is a bearded wrecking ball with just enough awareness to ensure that he's only knocking down monsters. A simple, powerful protagonist whom one might refer to as a hero, if one didn't know any better.
The telling was intriguing and hilarious. My only regret is not having read it sooner. If you're looking for a quick and brutal romp through humorous fantasy, look no further.
The telling was intriguing and hilarious. My only regret is not having read it sooner. If you're looking for a quick and brutal romp through humorous fantasy, look no further.
November 27, 2019
Dry fantasy farce
If you’re looking for a regular novel then you’ll be disappointed. But if you’re willing to read a farce, then you will enjoy this book. Think Discworld with a fierce and simple minded dwarf.
It started slow and took a while to get really clever, so 3 stars instead of four. But the last portion was witty enough that I’ll try the next in the series.
If you’re looking for a regular novel then you’ll be disappointed. But if you’re willing to read a farce, then you will enjoy this book. Think Discworld with a fierce and simple minded dwarf.
It started slow and took a while to get really clever, so 3 stars instead of four. But the last portion was witty enough that I’ll try the next in the series.
October 11, 2021
I won this in the giveaways but this is absolutely something I would read on my own. Klondaeg is a fun and funny read, also very quick, I believe it was under two hundred pages. Quick reads like this are double edge swords as there isn't a ton or room for world or character building but Thomas did well compacting it and keeping it light hearted.
July 31, 2018
Simply Entertaining!
This was the perfect read for me after a stressful day at work. It will be a book that I will read again soon. I recommend this work to people looking for a nice break from drama.
This was the perfect read for me after a stressful day at work. It will be a book that I will read again soon. I recommend this work to people looking for a nice break from drama.
July 10, 2018
Not Terry Pratchett by any means, but fun nonetheless.
August 31, 2018
Hysterically funny
Definitely worth making into a D&D module, a giggle fest worthy of mead. I've never heard of a Dwarven barbarian monster Hunter before but this is a worthy start.
Definitely worth making into a D&D module, a giggle fest worthy of mead. I've never heard of a Dwarven barbarian monster Hunter before but this is a worthy start.
January 2, 2019
I liked it funny in parts. Predictable at times though the hero even knows its predictable. I'll probably read all the klondaegh stories.
January 22, 2019
I won this book in a Goodreads giveaway. This one just wasn't for me.
May 28, 2025
I reaaaally wanted to like it but simply didn't. I don't know why it didn't vibe with me, but something was just not working.
November 21, 2014
This light-hearted fantasy, full of familiar tropes and situations to the genre, all manicured and fresh, is a tale worth your time. I had too much fun reading these episodic adventures which were woven into a brilliantly designed complete narrative. Thomas, cleverly funny throughout, manages to produce a fantasy tale that is both rich in characterization and flawlessly executed in plot. It's a short book, and I'm never one to spoil twists and revelations, so I'll keep it short and simple. Read this book.
There are no shortages of action nor a dearth of laughs within these (digital/paper) pages. I genuinely found myself smiling while reading each of these tales. And while I'm more geared toward darker, brutal fantasy, this playful romp with gnomes and bird-people and wicked magicians was nothing short of absolute enjoyment.
I was reminded of Piers Anthony's Xanth tales (minus the puns) and Pratchet's Discworld novels in how perfectly Klondaeg's world was built and brought to life.
The short of it is: Klondaeg journeys on a quest to end all monsters, aided by a talking axe and a group of fantastical entities. Filled with a deep-seated humor organic to the story, Klondaeg is a character to follow.
Spectacularly imagined and executed. I highly recommend this novella. Easily 5/5 Stars.
There are no shortages of action nor a dearth of laughs within these (digital/paper) pages. I genuinely found myself smiling while reading each of these tales. And while I'm more geared toward darker, brutal fantasy, this playful romp with gnomes and bird-people and wicked magicians was nothing short of absolute enjoyment.
I was reminded of Piers Anthony's Xanth tales (minus the puns) and Pratchet's Discworld novels in how perfectly Klondaeg's world was built and brought to life.
The short of it is: Klondaeg journeys on a quest to end all monsters, aided by a talking axe and a group of fantastical entities. Filled with a deep-seated humor organic to the story, Klondaeg is a character to follow.
Spectacularly imagined and executed. I highly recommend this novella. Easily 5/5 Stars.
August 23, 2012
No one wants to tangle with this dwarf!
I received a copy of this book a while back and it sat, waiting patiently, on my iPad for several months before I got around to reading it. Let me just say that I wish I would have read it sooner!
The story focuses on Klondaeg, a fearless monster-killing dwarf who roams the countryside, along with his talking axe, looking for bigger and badder things to kill. He encounters a colorful mix of characters, from the princess of the bird people to a mischievous creature called Clayborn. I was never really certain if he was bad or good!
This is a fun fantasy adventure story that sweeps you in and has you sitting on the edge of your seat as Klondaeg battles his numerous foes. I thought the story was very well written. I found myself laughing out loud quite a few times as Klondaeg's gruff nature doesn't particularly care for a monster-free world.
I didn't really have any criticques for this story. I didn't see any editing mistakes or typos, but that was probably because I was too caught up in the dwarf's exploits to care. :) My only gripe? I wish it was longer!
Treat yourself to a fun read. You won't be disappointed!
I received a copy of this book a while back and it sat, waiting patiently, on my iPad for several months before I got around to reading it. Let me just say that I wish I would have read it sooner!
The story focuses on Klondaeg, a fearless monster-killing dwarf who roams the countryside, along with his talking axe, looking for bigger and badder things to kill. He encounters a colorful mix of characters, from the princess of the bird people to a mischievous creature called Clayborn. I was never really certain if he was bad or good!
This is a fun fantasy adventure story that sweeps you in and has you sitting on the edge of your seat as Klondaeg battles his numerous foes. I thought the story was very well written. I found myself laughing out loud quite a few times as Klondaeg's gruff nature doesn't particularly care for a monster-free world.
I didn't really have any criticques for this story. I didn't see any editing mistakes or typos, but that was probably because I was too caught up in the dwarf's exploits to care. :) My only gripe? I wish it was longer!
Treat yourself to a fun read. You won't be disappointed!
January 24, 2014
Klondaeg's philosophy in life is simple: kill all the monsters. With the help of his trusty talking double-headed axe, King's Rest (the name is literal), he goes about attempting to do just that, in the hopes of eventually taking revenge on the unknown monster who killed his parents. Along the way, he encounters supposedly extinct bird people, a hero resigned to the prophecy of doom upon his head, gnome werewolves, and undead magma goats.
This is a funny, well-written and fast-moving tale that takes on a lot of the major fantasy tropes, including magical weapons, prophecies, gods, heroes, and pretty much every fantasy race there is (and some completely new ones) and turns them upside down. It's silly, but beneath the silliness there's clever wordplay, engaging characters, exciting adventures and fight scenes, and some impressively creative worldbuilding (you have to love a pantheon that includes a Goddess of Whatever Passes For Love These Days).
Highly recommended, and when you finish it, be sure to have the sequel, Klondaeg and the Klondaeg Hunters, on hand so you can dive right in.
This is a funny, well-written and fast-moving tale that takes on a lot of the major fantasy tropes, including magical weapons, prophecies, gods, heroes, and pretty much every fantasy race there is (and some completely new ones) and turns them upside down. It's silly, but beneath the silliness there's clever wordplay, engaging characters, exciting adventures and fight scenes, and some impressively creative worldbuilding (you have to love a pantheon that includes a Goddess of Whatever Passes For Love These Days).
Highly recommended, and when you finish it, be sure to have the sequel, Klondaeg and the Klondaeg Hunters, on hand so you can dive right in.
June 10, 2012
On my blog, I actually give this a 4.5.
Since one is a short story, and they are in the same world, I'm combining reviews.
I enjoyed both of these. They're very funny, merrily poking at epic fantasy while, you know, writing epic fantasy. I've been on a humor/fantasy kick lately, so these were right up that alley. I liked the over-lapping between the stories, and the gods that there were greatly amused me.
Something about Smite Me didn't quite snag me enough to give a huge rating, but I did like it. Klondaeg amused me more. I really liked the banter between the King's Rest, and anyone else. Plus, gnomes are funny. And the silent G thing.
All that being said, the stories didn't quite smack me around enough to rave about them, but that could be the real life crazy distracting me. I really did enjoy them. So, 4 to Smite Me, Oh Dark One and 4.5 for Klondaeg the Monster Hunter.
Since one is a short story, and they are in the same world, I'm combining reviews.
I enjoyed both of these. They're very funny, merrily poking at epic fantasy while, you know, writing epic fantasy. I've been on a humor/fantasy kick lately, so these were right up that alley. I liked the over-lapping between the stories, and the gods that there were greatly amused me.
Something about Smite Me didn't quite snag me enough to give a huge rating, but I did like it. Klondaeg amused me more. I really liked the banter between the King's Rest, and anyone else. Plus, gnomes are funny. And the silent G thing.
All that being said, the stories didn't quite smack me around enough to rave about them, but that could be the real life crazy distracting me. I really did enjoy them. So, 4 to Smite Me, Oh Dark One and 4.5 for Klondaeg the Monster Hunter.
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