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Bard Tidings
The spirit of a warrior lies deep inside a bard. Deep down. Way, way down.
Jonas wakes up each day regretting his position as the king’s bard. He dreams of escaping the kingdom and returning to life as a traveling musician with his best friend Elrick. But when his love Bree is taken prisoner in the castle, he and Elrick must act. Their attempts at rescue go horribly wrong, and the king marks them for death. Now they must flee the kingdom with a hefty reward on their heads.
Meanwhile, the king’s soldiers march to war, placing Bree’s hometown in their path of destruction. Jonas must go from lute player to monster slayer as they travel through dangerous lands on a desperate quest to stop an army.
Their adventures throw them in league with fearsome lycans, stabby assassins, and a cursed warrior. With their help they must survive a pursuing dragon, slay a sorcerer, defeat an army, and of course, compose the perfect song along the way.
Can Jonas and his friends survive the journey and save an innocent town before it’s too late?
Jonas wakes up each day regretting his position as the king’s bard. He dreams of escaping the kingdom and returning to life as a traveling musician with his best friend Elrick. But when his love Bree is taken prisoner in the castle, he and Elrick must act. Their attempts at rescue go horribly wrong, and the king marks them for death. Now they must flee the kingdom with a hefty reward on their heads.
Meanwhile, the king’s soldiers march to war, placing Bree’s hometown in their path of destruction. Jonas must go from lute player to monster slayer as they travel through dangerous lands on a desperate quest to stop an army.
Their adventures throw them in league with fearsome lycans, stabby assassins, and a cursed warrior. With their help they must survive a pursuing dragon, slay a sorcerer, defeat an army, and of course, compose the perfect song along the way.
Can Jonas and his friends survive the journey and save an innocent town before it’s too late?
246 pages, Kindle Edition
Published June 6, 2023
12 people are currently reading
106 people want to read
About the author
Paul Regnier
26 books77 followersPaul Regnier is a speculative fiction author. He believes one of the closest things to magic on this earth is imagination. His favorite type of story is filled with adventure, humor, and heartfelt moments between characters. He likes to dream up worlds of fantasy, sci-fi, mystery, and the supernatural. Sometimes they end up in a book.
Paul is the writer of Monster Therapist, Bard Tidings, the Luke and Bandit cozy mystery series, the Paranormia series, and the Space Drifters series.
Paul lives in Treasure Valley, Idaho, with his wife and two children.
Paul is the writer of Monster Therapist, Bard Tidings, the Luke and Bandit cozy mystery series, the Paranormia series, and the Space Drifters series.
Paul lives in Treasure Valley, Idaho, with his wife and two children.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 36 reviews
June 29, 2023
4.5 stars // read June 2023
Jonas discovers that being the royal bard isn't all it's cracked up to be when he finds himself on the run from a tyrannical king and an angry dragon. Overall, a fun fantasy adventure that doesn't take itself too seriously.
Jonas discovers that being the royal bard isn't all it's cracked up to be when he finds himself on the run from a tyrannical king and an angry dragon. Overall, a fun fantasy adventure that doesn't take itself too seriously.
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July 23, 2024Dnf 51% because I was bored
April 20, 2024
2.5/5
+ quick to read, easy to follow and understand
+ sometimes fun / funny
- shallow characterization
- uneven pacing
- overwrought descriptions coupled with blocks of exposition
- utterly predictable
- almost instantly forgettable
+ quick to read, easy to follow and understand
+ sometimes fun / funny
- shallow characterization
- uneven pacing
- overwrought descriptions coupled with blocks of exposition
- utterly predictable
- almost instantly forgettable
June 12, 2023
It's rare that a fantasy book rises to the top of my all-time favorites these days. My brain just tunes into science fiction and dystopian tales more easily. But somehow Bard Tidings captured everything that I loved about the Dungeons & Dragons story vibe that I loved as a teen and then TOPPED that with unrelenting, delightful humor and heart. All the chuckles over clever puns and ironic situations of old classic fantasy authors like Robert Asprin, Piers Anthony, and Terry Brooks. It was exactly what I needed as a relief from the angst, tragedy, and cynicism of social media.
Jonas, the bard and main character, is an earnest guy. He puts up with a lot to pursue his musical career, is shy about his crush on his best friend's sister, and faces danger with courage once he has no other option (ha ha!).
The story opens with Jonas working as the king's bard -- what a primo job, right? And yet it's obvious that the working conditions aren't what he was hoping for. A cold room within earshot of the wails of prisoners in the dungeon sure makes it hard to sleep. In fact, he's planning to sneak away that very night with his best friend, even though his contract with the king isn't up yet.
I was anticipating the fun of a quest for better employment, and maybe the king chasing after him and his buddy, the court jester Elrick, but the plot twists start right away and just keep coming. I won't spoil it, but I loved how Jonas's story just flows from one encounter to the next, and a little band of travelers is formed. They meet challenge after challenge, accumulating enemies left and right -- and thankfully a few friends, too.
My favorite part is a bit of a spoiler, so all I will say is that when Jonas meets Flyngard we get some built-in, on-going hilarity that enriches the entire book. Their dialogue was enough to keep me laughing all the way through. But a fantasy book does not thrive on witty banter alone.
There are ninjas, cave grabbers (scary!), rock giants, an evil sorcerer king, a stuck-up prince, a plucky barmaid, and of course a mighty dragon! This is an adventure on par with "The Princess Bride" and "Dungeons & Dragons: Honor Among Thieves" and I hope that Paul Regnier writes more adventures with Jonas, Flyngard, and their entertaining band of friends!
Jonas, the bard and main character, is an earnest guy. He puts up with a lot to pursue his musical career, is shy about his crush on his best friend's sister, and faces danger with courage once he has no other option (ha ha!).
The story opens with Jonas working as the king's bard -- what a primo job, right? And yet it's obvious that the working conditions aren't what he was hoping for. A cold room within earshot of the wails of prisoners in the dungeon sure makes it hard to sleep. In fact, he's planning to sneak away that very night with his best friend, even though his contract with the king isn't up yet.
I was anticipating the fun of a quest for better employment, and maybe the king chasing after him and his buddy, the court jester Elrick, but the plot twists start right away and just keep coming. I won't spoil it, but I loved how Jonas's story just flows from one encounter to the next, and a little band of travelers is formed. They meet challenge after challenge, accumulating enemies left and right -- and thankfully a few friends, too.
My favorite part is a bit of a spoiler, so all I will say is that when Jonas meets Flyngard we get some built-in, on-going hilarity that enriches the entire book. Their dialogue was enough to keep me laughing all the way through. But a fantasy book does not thrive on witty banter alone.
There are ninjas, cave grabbers (scary!), rock giants, an evil sorcerer king, a stuck-up prince, a plucky barmaid, and of course a mighty dragon! This is an adventure on par with "The Princess Bride" and "Dungeons & Dragons: Honor Among Thieves" and I hope that Paul Regnier writes more adventures with Jonas, Flyngard, and their entertaining band of friends!
June 12, 2023
Yes this cover is stunning and looks like it may be in the world of the Witcher but don't be afraid as it actually reads for a young audience around 15-17.
This is a clean fantasy all from the point of view of a young bard who thought working for the king would make his career only to find out it's a death wish. There are dragons and trolls, spiders and evil sorcerers. And you will have a great time with this ill equipped hero. 3.75/5 ⭐
This is a clean fantasy all from the point of view of a young bard who thought working for the king would make his career only to find out it's a death wish. There are dragons and trolls, spiders and evil sorcerers. And you will have a great time with this ill equipped hero. 3.75/5 ⭐
January 22, 2025
If there ever was a book that had a hook at the end of every chapter, it would be this one.
I. Could. Not. Stop.
With a crew of plebians rising to infamy through mishap, rumor, and noble deed, this story of Jonas and friends has the atmosphere of a classic fantasy adventure complete with unlikely heroes, magical artifacts, irate dragons, vengeful kings, evil sorcerers, monster infested mountains, assassin guilds, and talking chainmail.
Plus, pairing a peace-loving bard with a healthy sense of self-preservation and a stalwart warrior with a penchant for epic quests is riotously entertaining and provided deep moments of character development on both sides.
Shot through with themes of courage, overcoming adversity, and the power of sacrificial kindness (and music!), this book has both heart and humor in due measure with good, clean fun, bittersweet romance, and one of the best kinds of endings.
I. Could. Not. Stop.
With a crew of plebians rising to infamy through mishap, rumor, and noble deed, this story of Jonas and friends has the atmosphere of a classic fantasy adventure complete with unlikely heroes, magical artifacts, irate dragons, vengeful kings, evil sorcerers, monster infested mountains, assassin guilds, and talking chainmail.
Plus, pairing a peace-loving bard with a healthy sense of self-preservation and a stalwart warrior with a penchant for epic quests is riotously entertaining and provided deep moments of character development on both sides.
Shot through with themes of courage, overcoming adversity, and the power of sacrificial kindness (and music!), this book has both heart and humor in due measure with good, clean fun, bittersweet romance, and one of the best kinds of endings.
September 14, 2024
I was searching for 'reluctant bard as the hero' and this book came up under the suggestions. I wanted something lighter to read after working my way through another book with really serious themes. Bard Tidings delivered. The characters were engaging, the quest was filled with danger (but nothing graphic or too drawn out), and the romance was really minimal. I enjoyed the banter between Jonas and Flyngard, the enchanted chainmail. It leaves itself open for sequel, but works as a stand alone. It's a good book for younger readers or adults that just want a feel good adventure that's a quick easy read.
June 6, 2024
Such a fun book! My gosh, so many laugh-out-loud moments. I read it in one sitting—and I was super tired too—but I just couldn't stop. I appreciate banter, wit, and a well-crafted plot, and this one had all three. Sincerely hoping there are more books in this storyworld!
June 8, 2023
A thoroughly enjoyable book that I hope turns into a long series. It is very well written with excellent pacing. The characters are relatable and likable (except for the villains of course). I found myself both wanting more adventure for the characters to experience, and to get to know each of them more- which says a lot for me. I think out of everything I loved I enjoyed their adventures the most. I highly recommend this book as well as the author’s Space Drifters series- that one had me laughing out loud throughout it. This book is a great adventure tale to escape in and left me wanting more.
September 23, 2023
Reluctant Hero Quest.
Solid first person tale with adventurous twists. Looking forward to the next one.
One niggling detail; maples go yellow and red in autumn. Dogwoods bloom white in early spring, at least in OUR world.
Solid first person tale with adventurous twists. Looking forward to the next one.
One niggling detail; maples go yellow and red in autumn. Dogwoods bloom white in early spring, at least in OUR world.
June 11, 2023
There’s something about a reluctant hero with a likeable personality I can get behind.
Jonas is alone in the world, a young man with one skill: music. He loves playing his lyre and writing songs of conquest and battle and love, but the life of a traveling bard isn’t easy. At some point he meets up with a jester named Elrick whose energetic and adventurous spirit rubs off on him.
Desiring stability and better pay, the two performers decide to apply their crafts at the castle of Mulraith, a sorcerer king. They’ve discovered, though, a difficult life on the road is preferable to being under the thumb of an evil king. They, along with Elrick’s barmaid sister, Bree, plan an escape, but you’ve heard how plans against evil sorcerers usually go. No? Well, it’s not pretty.
Jonas is no hero. He’s just a guy with a lyre and a growing love for his best friend’s sister. So, when Mulraith’s son decides she’s what he wants, Jonas steps on some toes and maybe (spoiler) breaks his lyre over a prince’s head.
This sparks the king’s ire and gets the three of them sentenced to death by–I’m giving too much away, but there might be firebreathing, magical items and beasts, and an adventure that sends a bard down a path to becoming a hero whether he likes it or not.
My favorite character who rounds out (or squares, since he makes 4 to) their merry band (of barmaid, jester, and bard) is the cursed Sir Flyngard. Without his help, the three would definitely not have made it out alive, but his heroic heart inspires Jonas and eventually might convince him somewhere deep, way down deep inside, he’s a hero too.
I enjoyed this fantasy adventure story and would probably summarize the whole thing to share my enthusiasm, so I’ll stop there before I give anything truly epic away. Jonas loves Bree, she’s got a subtle power of her own. And Elrick is comical yet a hero in his own right whose brash behavior leads him to a pact he’ll hopefully not come to regret.
I’d recommend Bard Tidings to anyone teens or older who enjoyed the new D&D movie, light comedic moments, fantastical creatures, magic, adventure like that of LOTR, and reluctant heroes. Peril, adventure, music, battle, and friendship are hallmarks of the story. Enjoy!
I did receive an advanced reader copy, but this review is all my own because I wanted to share my thoughts on it and I ended up buying it so my kids and husband could enjoy it too.
Jonas is alone in the world, a young man with one skill: music. He loves playing his lyre and writing songs of conquest and battle and love, but the life of a traveling bard isn’t easy. At some point he meets up with a jester named Elrick whose energetic and adventurous spirit rubs off on him.
Desiring stability and better pay, the two performers decide to apply their crafts at the castle of Mulraith, a sorcerer king. They’ve discovered, though, a difficult life on the road is preferable to being under the thumb of an evil king. They, along with Elrick’s barmaid sister, Bree, plan an escape, but you’ve heard how plans against evil sorcerers usually go. No? Well, it’s not pretty.
Jonas is no hero. He’s just a guy with a lyre and a growing love for his best friend’s sister. So, when Mulraith’s son decides she’s what he wants, Jonas steps on some toes and maybe (spoiler) breaks his lyre over a prince’s head.
This sparks the king’s ire and gets the three of them sentenced to death by–I’m giving too much away, but there might be firebreathing, magical items and beasts, and an adventure that sends a bard down a path to becoming a hero whether he likes it or not.
My favorite character who rounds out (or squares, since he makes 4 to) their merry band (of barmaid, jester, and bard) is the cursed Sir Flyngard. Without his help, the three would definitely not have made it out alive, but his heroic heart inspires Jonas and eventually might convince him somewhere deep, way down deep inside, he’s a hero too.
I enjoyed this fantasy adventure story and would probably summarize the whole thing to share my enthusiasm, so I’ll stop there before I give anything truly epic away. Jonas loves Bree, she’s got a subtle power of her own. And Elrick is comical yet a hero in his own right whose brash behavior leads him to a pact he’ll hopefully not come to regret.
I’d recommend Bard Tidings to anyone teens or older who enjoyed the new D&D movie, light comedic moments, fantastical creatures, magic, adventure like that of LOTR, and reluctant heroes. Peril, adventure, music, battle, and friendship are hallmarks of the story. Enjoy!
I did receive an advanced reader copy, but this review is all my own because I wanted to share my thoughts on it and I ended up buying it so my kids and husband could enjoy it too.
September 2, 2023
Synopsis: Jonas works as the king’s bard, but it’s NOT as awesome as it sounds. On the day that he and his best friend, Elric, decide to run away from the tyrannical, sorcerer king, their plans go awry. Now they have to escape from being fed to a dragon, along with Elric’s sister (who Jonas has growing feelings for). One adventure turns into another, and another… and another.
My take: This book is hilarious! The banter, the grim but realist outlook, and the quips of characters had me laughing for the entire story. I appreciate that this is a clean fantasy (hard to find in today’s market), and the only thing “Christian” about this story is the occasional “pray to the Eternal One.” It’s not drowning in either element, allowing for a just a good story. I enjoyed the character development and the many different arcs they all went through. This was a very enjoyable read that I will definitely reread.
My take: This book is hilarious! The banter, the grim but realist outlook, and the quips of characters had me laughing for the entire story. I appreciate that this is a clean fantasy (hard to find in today’s market), and the only thing “Christian” about this story is the occasional “pray to the Eternal One.” It’s not drowning in either element, allowing for a just a good story. I enjoyed the character development and the many different arcs they all went through. This was a very enjoyable read that I will definitely reread.
June 8, 2023
Ever since I began playing D&D I now look at all fantasy novels as if they were novelized campaigns.
Appropriate since one of the reasons I wanted to read this book is because I play a bard as one of my characters.
So after starting the book I quickly realized that this isn't a D&D bard. Jonas is an ordinary medieval bard.
Despite the core mechanics and world building, having nothing to do with TTRPGs this is still a fantastic fantasy. There are dragons, giants, lycans, sorcerers and a whole host of generic, not trademarked fantasy tropes.
There is one thing like d&d though. Even in fantasy novels it's not a good idea to split the party. Jonas is an entertaining first person narrator but he is not the comedian. Elrick the jester steals all the scenes he's in and quickly became my favorite character.
Jonas and his friends are thrust into this adventure and have encounters so random I'm not sure the author wasn't rolling a d100 on a random encounter table. Despite the randomness though each encounter does ultimately aid the plot and brings these unlikely adventurers to victory.
*I was given a free copy in exchange for an honest review. The above review is my honest opinion on the provided book.*
Appropriate since one of the reasons I wanted to read this book is because I play a bard as one of my characters.
So after starting the book I quickly realized that this isn't a D&D bard. Jonas is an ordinary medieval bard.
Despite the core mechanics and world building, having nothing to do with TTRPGs this is still a fantastic fantasy. There are dragons, giants, lycans, sorcerers and a whole host of generic, not trademarked fantasy tropes.
There is one thing like d&d though. Even in fantasy novels it's not a good idea to split the party. Jonas is an entertaining first person narrator but he is not the comedian. Elrick the jester steals all the scenes he's in and quickly became my favorite character.
Jonas and his friends are thrust into this adventure and have encounters so random I'm not sure the author wasn't rolling a d100 on a random encounter table. Despite the randomness though each encounter does ultimately aid the plot and brings these unlikely adventurers to victory.
*I was given a free copy in exchange for an honest review. The above review is my honest opinion on the provided book.*
July 10, 2023
Jonas is the royal bard to a very evil king. His friend is the jester. Both suffer humiliation and degradation at the hands of the nobles, knights, and the king - time to get out!
Their escape ends them in a cage heading to be a dragon's meal, but the Eternal One intervenes and thus begins their journey of being more than they ever wanted to be. Jonas is locked into a suit of armor with the spirit of its knight trapped within, and his friend (and love) Bree finds a circlet that helps her to use her gift for illusions more strongly. Elrick steals the dragon's gold and hands a necklace about his neck that makes him a Lycan (part wolf). Together they must defeat the evil king who is trying to take over the world.
Sometimes the trouble that Jonas gets into is just too much. But, because of this he begins to become the person that he never really wanted to be.
There are fun moments and lots of dangerous moments. The romance was sweet and I often wondered if it was one-sided!
This is a clean read although there is a lot of violence and danger.
Their escape ends them in a cage heading to be a dragon's meal, but the Eternal One intervenes and thus begins their journey of being more than they ever wanted to be. Jonas is locked into a suit of armor with the spirit of its knight trapped within, and his friend (and love) Bree finds a circlet that helps her to use her gift for illusions more strongly. Elrick steals the dragon's gold and hands a necklace about his neck that makes him a Lycan (part wolf). Together they must defeat the evil king who is trying to take over the world.
Sometimes the trouble that Jonas gets into is just too much. But, because of this he begins to become the person that he never really wanted to be.
There are fun moments and lots of dangerous moments. The romance was sweet and I often wondered if it was one-sided!
This is a clean read although there is a lot of violence and danger.
June 8, 2023
This is an amazing book!
Every chapter is it’s own adventure (which would make it the perfect toilet read BTW) and riveting in its own right. The journey Jonas, Elric and Bree go on is epic but what makes Bard Tidings stand out is the humor. Regnier drops comic relief into the narrative and dialogue like a master painter brushes the finishing strokes. Total princess bride vibes and I loved every minute.
Content: I cannot express how exciting it is to have this novel out and it’s clean! For others who might be cautious about certain content, Bard Tidings has good and evil magic, dragons, enchantments, illusionists, and one good guy who can turn into a wolf.
I definitely recommend this to all ages, especially to young readers looking for a clean read!
Every chapter is it’s own adventure (which would make it the perfect toilet read BTW) and riveting in its own right. The journey Jonas, Elric and Bree go on is epic but what makes Bard Tidings stand out is the humor. Regnier drops comic relief into the narrative and dialogue like a master painter brushes the finishing strokes. Total princess bride vibes and I loved every minute.
Content: I cannot express how exciting it is to have this novel out and it’s clean! For others who might be cautious about certain content, Bard Tidings has good and evil magic, dragons, enchantments, illusionists, and one good guy who can turn into a wolf.
I definitely recommend this to all ages, especially to young readers looking for a clean read!
August 1, 2023
A warrior assassin bard
An unlikely hero who only wants to entertain with his lute manages to find himself on a great adventure. Not that he wants any part of adventuring or fighting or anything that hints at danger. He only wants to entertain with the music he loves and live a peaceful life with his true love. Many twists and surprising allies are part of his and his friends' journey.
Paul Regnier's writing has a charm that is rare, humor, interesting characters, edge of your seat excitement along with a hint of Terry Pratchett. If you like dragons, magic, and weird creatures you will enjoy this book.
An unlikely hero who only wants to entertain with his lute manages to find himself on a great adventure. Not that he wants any part of adventuring or fighting or anything that hints at danger. He only wants to entertain with the music he loves and live a peaceful life with his true love. Many twists and surprising allies are part of his and his friends' journey.
Paul Regnier's writing has a charm that is rare, humor, interesting characters, edge of your seat excitement along with a hint of Terry Pratchett. If you like dragons, magic, and weird creatures you will enjoy this book.
June 10, 2023
What a great read. No matter what genre Regnier is writing in it makes for a fun and grand adventure. This is no exception the story grabs you right from the start when Jonas is trying to figure out what to perform for the king. I loved all the characters and creatures that showed up along the way Really enjoyed this story. Hopefully we get to read more adventures about the warrior bard.
June 9, 2023
I read an ARC of this novel and it was great! A fun, fantasy adventure read for fans of fantasy, humor, and D&D. It has beautiful writing with great main characters and an all-star supporting cast of characters. I highly recommend it =D
June 12, 2023
I really like Paul Regnier's sense of humor! This book has his typical style, but a totally different kind of story. There's a dragon, a fair maiden or 2, and several other surprises along the way. :) Try it, you'll like it!
July 24, 2023
A wonderfully fun entry into the worlds of fantasy and adventure, this book had me hooked from the beginning and kept me turning pages through the end. The characters are fantastic, the world-building is great, and the bits of humor throughout the more serious storyline are laugh-out-loud funny.
August 1, 2023
This is a really fun story! Some things to know before you dive in: it's not an epic fantasy with pages of lore and worldbuilding, it doesn't have super hardcore emotional character arcs, and the plot is pretty light and straightforward... but IT WORKS. It really does. If you're looking for that really hardcore epic fantasy stuff, maybe look elsewhere. But if you're looking for a fast-paced fantasy, with lots of action and adventure, with fun quests and scenarios, with characters that are witty, amusing, and loveable, this is for you.
It's FUN. The plot is pretty straightforward, but it weaves together perfectly into a great culmination at the end that makes everything feel nice and resolved, and mission accomplished! The scenarios are a lot of fun. The protagonist is literally whisked into terrible scenario after terrible scenario, and it just works. Everything flows together well. The characters are a delight. They're not super deep, but they're amusing, and I think that's charming. They do have their wants and desires, even if it's only to get the girl at the end. I honestly loved the magical-armor dude the most, because his character arc was actually pretty deep. He was light and comical throughout, and he takes a pretty hard hit as the book progresses. I thought that was super well done, and I was definitely cheering him on!
I loved that the story was clean!!!!! I usually read books for young readers because I don't like violence, gore, and cursing in content I read. This book was totally fine. It had some violence, but nothing particularly graphic (some blood, I guess). It's just an exceptionally written story that doesn't depend on SHOCK value, and I love that about it~~
It's beautifully written, too. The style is crisp, clean, and the sentences and paragraphs keep moving you forward at a quick pace. I love it! It's also very humorous. You can read the wit and humor through the character's voice/narrator voice throughout the text. It really was a delight.
Last but not least, I loved the encouragement at the end. Despite it not being super "deep" of a story, it still made me feel empowered toward the end, like I could go tackle anything, and like I should never give up. I love-love-love stories like that! I love feeling uplifted at the end of the book.
I highly recommend this book. And I will absolutely be shuffling through this author's backlist to see if he's got other good stuff for me~~
It's FUN. The plot is pretty straightforward, but it weaves together perfectly into a great culmination at the end that makes everything feel nice and resolved, and mission accomplished! The scenarios are a lot of fun. The protagonist is literally whisked into terrible scenario after terrible scenario, and it just works. Everything flows together well. The characters are a delight. They're not super deep, but they're amusing, and I think that's charming. They do have their wants and desires, even if it's only to get the girl at the end. I honestly loved the magical-armor dude the most, because his character arc was actually pretty deep. He was light and comical throughout, and he takes a pretty hard hit as the book progresses. I thought that was super well done, and I was definitely cheering him on!
I loved that the story was clean!!!!! I usually read books for young readers because I don't like violence, gore, and cursing in content I read. This book was totally fine. It had some violence, but nothing particularly graphic (some blood, I guess). It's just an exceptionally written story that doesn't depend on SHOCK value, and I love that about it~~
It's beautifully written, too. The style is crisp, clean, and the sentences and paragraphs keep moving you forward at a quick pace. I love it! It's also very humorous. You can read the wit and humor through the character's voice/narrator voice throughout the text. It really was a delight.
Last but not least, I loved the encouragement at the end. Despite it not being super "deep" of a story, it still made me feel empowered toward the end, like I could go tackle anything, and like I should never give up. I love-love-love stories like that! I love feeling uplifted at the end of the book.
I highly recommend this book. And I will absolutely be shuffling through this author's backlist to see if he's got other good stuff for me~~
March 29, 2024
This was a well-written and delightful read. It was pretty funny in parts and a bit romantic in others. I loved the characters, how they were like a found family, and how they found themselves on their quest.
Jonas is the royal bard and becomes an adventurer with his friends. I love how Elrick develops and finds himself along the way, and Bree, too. Bree and Elrick are brother and sister, and Jonas has a crush on Bree.
They get fed up with being the little guy, so to speak, and Jonas decides to try to do something about it when he wants to protect Bree. Anyway, after the foolish yet brave act of Jonas attempting to protect his fair maiden from the slimy King's son, etc., they find themselves about to be dragon food when things get out of hand some more. They somehow find themselves a way out, and then their real adventure begins.
We meet Flynguard in the dragon's cave, and he's one of my favorite characters. I love how Flynguard and Jonas develop separately and together throughout the story. I think Flynguard may be one of my favorite, if not my favorite of the characters in this book.
I hope to read and hear more about Flynguard, Jonas, and their little group's adventures in future books.
I received a free copy of this book to give feedback and read. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
Jonas is the royal bard and becomes an adventurer with his friends. I love how Elrick develops and finds himself along the way, and Bree, too. Bree and Elrick are brother and sister, and Jonas has a crush on Bree.
They get fed up with being the little guy, so to speak, and Jonas decides to try to do something about it when he wants to protect Bree. Anyway, after the foolish yet brave act of Jonas attempting to protect his fair maiden from the slimy King's son, etc., they find themselves about to be dragon food when things get out of hand some more. They somehow find themselves a way out, and then their real adventure begins.
We meet Flynguard in the dragon's cave, and he's one of my favorite characters. I love how Flynguard and Jonas develop separately and together throughout the story. I think Flynguard may be one of my favorite, if not my favorite of the characters in this book.
I hope to read and hear more about Flynguard, Jonas, and their little group's adventures in future books.
I received a free copy of this book to give feedback and read. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
November 15, 2023
I’m married to a bard of sorts…he plays the guitar and creates songs with clever lyrics to make me laugh. Granted these songs are more the length of a jingle or perhaps just a couple of measures…but it gets the job done and I’m thoroughly entertained. Which leads me to the point of this post…I read a book this week, I know…shocking!?!🤓 Paul Regnier penned a fun adventure following a Bard and his unexpected journey to hero. With classic Paul Regnier wit peppered throughout this tale, you’ll find yourself on a quest with Jonas the Bard and his crew of merry men…no..his troop of entertainers…not quite right…ummm his fellowship of escapees…hmmm let’s just say you need to read this book with fun characters, plot twists, adventure, action, creepy caves and exotic creatures for a tale that I didn’t want to see ending so soon. I’m hoping there’s a sequel, cause this story feels like it just got started!
@pauljregnier
Also…love the cover art!!!
#bardtidings #pauljregnier #bardtales #bardhero #dungeonsanddragons #princessbride #thecourtjester #magicalfun #adventurestories #questsquad #cleanreads #entertainingread
@pauljregnier
Also…love the cover art!!!
#bardtidings #pauljregnier #bardtales #bardhero #dungeonsanddragons #princessbride #thecourtjester #magicalfun #adventurestories #questsquad #cleanreads #entertainingread
August 3, 2023
Another winner from Paul Regnier. While Bard Tidings could be described using terms like "light-hearted" and "comedic" it still manages to create meaningful characters the reader cares about, and nail-biting tension.
The story begins by focusing on really establishing the three main characters, their hopes and fears, and putting them in situations that build a very strong sympathy for them. With the reader now firmly invested at the end of act 1, it launches into a wild adventure filled with dragons, wolf people, giant spiders, and many more fantastical elements.
The use of a bard, a jester, and a barmaid as the heroes of a fantasy story was an inspired idea. I built a real affection for these characters.
I read half of this book in the first day. The only reason it took me a week to finish it was because the weekend was over and I had to work (isn't that just typical).
Regnier is my go-to author for fun but meaningful adventures.
The story begins by focusing on really establishing the three main characters, their hopes and fears, and putting them in situations that build a very strong sympathy for them. With the reader now firmly invested at the end of act 1, it launches into a wild adventure filled with dragons, wolf people, giant spiders, and many more fantastical elements.
The use of a bard, a jester, and a barmaid as the heroes of a fantasy story was an inspired idea. I built a real affection for these characters.
I read half of this book in the first day. The only reason it took me a week to finish it was because the weekend was over and I had to work (isn't that just typical).
Regnier is my go-to author for fun but meaningful adventures.
June 10, 2023
This was so much fun! It was exactly the kind of upbeat and humorous fantasy novel that I'm always looking for. I loved the characters, the setting, and the fact that there was a good message too.
I love a story that I can sink into and feel at home in, and this was exactly that. I felt like I was right there, traveling alongside these reluctant and unlikely heroes on their action-packed adventure. There was never a dull moment. It was fast-paced, exciting, and impossible to put down. If you're a fan of this genre, you're sure to love Bard Tidings. I can't recommend it highly enough!
I received an advanced copy of this book and voluntarily reviewed it. All thoughts and comments are my honest opinion.
I love a story that I can sink into and feel at home in, and this was exactly that. I felt like I was right there, traveling alongside these reluctant and unlikely heroes on their action-packed adventure. There was never a dull moment. It was fast-paced, exciting, and impossible to put down. If you're a fan of this genre, you're sure to love Bard Tidings. I can't recommend it highly enough!
I received an advanced copy of this book and voluntarily reviewed it. All thoughts and comments are my honest opinion.
May 24, 2024
I had high hopes for this book. The first half is entertaining and amusing, and though the dialogue is somewhat awkward and there are some minor plausibility issues (horses not reacting to wolves, eyes adjusting to darkness while a light is lit, etc.), I was really enjoying it. But about halfway through, Jonas gets separated from his companions and the plot becomes predictable; problems are quickly and easily overcome, without consequences for choices. I started skimming, and things got more interesting again in the last 25%, but plot holes did me in. The subtitle is "A Humorous Fantasy Novel," so maybe it's meant to be a farce of the fantasy genre, like Men in Tights was of Robin Hood, and I just didn't get it. Some of my friends really liked it, but it wasn't a good fit for me.
July 10, 2023
𝑻𝒉𝒆𝒓𝒆 𝒊𝒔 𝒏𝒐 𝒑𝒂𝒍𝒂𝒄𝒆 𝒔𝒐 𝒈𝒓𝒂𝒏𝒅, 𝒏𝒐 𝒋𝒐𝒖𝒓𝒏𝒆𝒚 𝒔𝒐 𝒈𝒍𝒐𝒓𝒊𝒐𝒖𝒔, 𝒏𝒐 𝒗𝒊𝒄𝒕𝒐𝒓𝒚 𝒔𝒐 𝒔𝒘𝒆𝒆𝒕 𝒂𝒔 𝒎𝒚 𝒍𝒐𝒗𝒆 𝒇𝒐𝒓 𝒚𝒐𝒖. 𝒀𝒐𝒖, 𝒎𝒚 𝒍𝒐𝒗𝒆, 𝒂𝒓𝒆 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝒈𝒓𝒆𝒂𝒕𝒆𝒔𝒕 𝒂𝒅𝒗𝒆𝒏𝒕𝒖𝒓𝒆.
THIS. BOOK. IS. AMAZING.
From a simple castle bard to being a great warrior.
From doing everyday life to going on a quest.
I enjoyed every page from this book! This is my first Paul Regnier book story and definitely won't be the last.
I loved the humor. Flyngard is a favorite but all of the other characters are awesome. 😊
I'm glad that I have read this before my KU subscription ends. Now, I need a physical copy of this one. 😁
THIS. BOOK. IS. AMAZING.
From a simple castle bard to being a great warrior.
From doing everyday life to going on a quest.
I enjoyed every page from this book! This is my first Paul Regnier book story and definitely won't be the last.
I loved the humor. Flyngard is a favorite but all of the other characters are awesome. 😊
I'm glad that I have read this before my KU subscription ends. Now, I need a physical copy of this one. 😁
October 25, 2023
5 stars!! My husband read it first and I was jealous of all the snickering and “oh my gosh, yes”-es that I was eager to finish my current book and read this one next!
It had everything I needed in a great adventure! And the humor all throughout just MADE it for me. Great writing and such great lessons. I just loved everything about this so much.
Being that my favorite character was Flynguard, I really need a second book of that continued adventure😩 but this was a perfect read, I will be telling everyone to read this!
It had everything I needed in a great adventure! And the humor all throughout just MADE it for me. Great writing and such great lessons. I just loved everything about this so much.
Being that my favorite character was Flynguard, I really need a second book of that continued adventure😩 but this was a perfect read, I will be telling everyone to read this!
November 6, 2023
If you're looking for a light-hearted, fast-paced adventure story that is, most prominently, clean, "Bard Tidings" is for you. Woven with allusions to a religious basis, "Bard Tidings" is the kind of novel I wish I'd had as a young adult. I definitely feel like it fits into the YA category, though I didn't see it listed as such, and once I realized this, I settled into fully enjoying the creative ride.
February 1, 2025
*4.5 stars, rounded up
Jonas, Elrick, and Bree are awesome. The trouble and mishaps and somehow surviving insane odds thanks to people or things they tripped over was FANTASTIC. I look forward to reading more by Mr. Regnier! Maybe even a sequel to this to see how a certain enchantment might end ...? ;)
Jonas, Elrick, and Bree are awesome. The trouble and mishaps and somehow surviving insane odds thanks to people or things they tripped over was FANTASTIC. I look forward to reading more by Mr. Regnier! Maybe even a sequel to this to see how a certain enchantment might end ...? ;)
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