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Being Fiction
Gilbert Betters is not the Chosen One. He doesn’t know magic. He’s never been on an epic adventure or participated in a heroic quest. He is, in a few words, just some kid from Nebraska.
But when he’s unceremoniously pulled into a bizarre fantasy world—complete with magic, dragons, and sandwich generators—a suspicion arises, and it only grows stronger when he learns that a world-threatening tyrant is rising to power. When the truth about Earth is revealed, Gilbert is certain.
He’s a protagonist.
He’s read fantasy books before, and he knows his way around a story. This is clearly some kind of inciting incident. He has all the makings of a Hero…or at least, he has the backstory of one. The rest is a work in progress.
Thrown into a baffling new land, as lively and eccentric as it is relentless, Gilbert befriends wizards, librarians, and one highly intelligent butterfly to combat the looming threat of tyranny. All the while, he must confront questions of his own reality and decide just how much he’s willing to sacrifice to find a home again.
But when he’s unceremoniously pulled into a bizarre fantasy world—complete with magic, dragons, and sandwich generators—a suspicion arises, and it only grows stronger when he learns that a world-threatening tyrant is rising to power. When the truth about Earth is revealed, Gilbert is certain.
He’s a protagonist.
He’s read fantasy books before, and he knows his way around a story. This is clearly some kind of inciting incident. He has all the makings of a Hero…or at least, he has the backstory of one. The rest is a work in progress.
Thrown into a baffling new land, as lively and eccentric as it is relentless, Gilbert befriends wizards, librarians, and one highly intelligent butterfly to combat the looming threat of tyranny. All the while, he must confront questions of his own reality and decide just how much he’s willing to sacrifice to find a home again.
- GenresFantasy
564 pages, Kindle Edition
Published September 1, 2023
6 people are currently reading
52 people want to read
About the author
T. G. Sparrow
1 bookT. G. Sparrow lives in the Pacific Northwest with his partner, two cats, and a persistent feeling that he's forgetting something.
When he’s not writing, he enjoys doing other (more sensible) things, like playing games and watching shows. Hiking is fun too, because he lives in the Pacific Northwest where hiking must always be fun. He also likes biking, skiing, jumping, drawing, kayaking, exploring, and lots of other things that end in -ing, like living and breathing and singing in the car. He’s not good at some of these things, but he enjoys them anyway. T. G. Sparrow firmly believes it’s important to love at least a few things you’re not good at.
You know what else T. G. Sparrow is not good at? Writing his bio. But he’s trying, and at the end of the day, isn’t that all any of us can do? We try.
When he’s not writing, he enjoys doing other (more sensible) things, like playing games and watching shows. Hiking is fun too, because he lives in the Pacific Northwest where hiking must always be fun. He also likes biking, skiing, jumping, drawing, kayaking, exploring, and lots of other things that end in -ing, like living and breathing and singing in the car. He’s not good at some of these things, but he enjoys them anyway. T. G. Sparrow firmly believes it’s important to love at least a few things you’re not good at.
You know what else T. G. Sparrow is not good at? Writing his bio. But he’s trying, and at the end of the day, isn’t that all any of us can do? We try.
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Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews
January 12, 2024
Very rarely do I read a book that breaks the rating scales, and this is one of them! Easily in my top 10 reads this year, "Being Fiction" is the high-stakes YA fantasy that I have been searching for all year.
Imagine enjoying a beautiful day, leaning against a sturdy tree as you indulge in a new fantasy adventure novel, only to find yourself (and the tree) in a wizard's laboratory seconds later. Gilbert Betters, a young man from Nebraska, found himself in just that scenario, being confronted by wizards demanding to know his name and if he is the one from the prophecy. Gilbert, being just Gilbert, is sad to report that he is not the prophesied "Chosen One," but being an avid reader, Gilbert wonders if he could BECOME the hero of the story.
From the first page, I was hooked. It was the character names that got me: Mardulo Vot Ponterous the Brilliant, Bundersquash Borum Balbagoose the Studious, and of course, Gigglebrit. This book had all the elements of a great fantasy with a touch of absurdism. However, behind the fun, the deeper themes of friendship, perseverance, and found family kept me turning the pages.
It is rare that I finish a 600-page book fully satisfied and not criticizing that the book had too much chaff. This manuscript is so tight, there is not one scene that could be cut out because it didn't contribute to the story. I loved every moment in this world with these characters. T. G. Sparrow is a breath of fresh air in the YA Fantasy genre.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I'm leaving this review voluntarily.
Imagine enjoying a beautiful day, leaning against a sturdy tree as you indulge in a new fantasy adventure novel, only to find yourself (and the tree) in a wizard's laboratory seconds later. Gilbert Betters, a young man from Nebraska, found himself in just that scenario, being confronted by wizards demanding to know his name and if he is the one from the prophecy. Gilbert, being just Gilbert, is sad to report that he is not the prophesied "Chosen One," but being an avid reader, Gilbert wonders if he could BECOME the hero of the story.
From the first page, I was hooked. It was the character names that got me: Mardulo Vot Ponterous the Brilliant, Bundersquash Borum Balbagoose the Studious, and of course, Gigglebrit. This book had all the elements of a great fantasy with a touch of absurdism. However, behind the fun, the deeper themes of friendship, perseverance, and found family kept me turning the pages.
It is rare that I finish a 600-page book fully satisfied and not criticizing that the book had too much chaff. This manuscript is so tight, there is not one scene that could be cut out because it didn't contribute to the story. I loved every moment in this world with these characters. T. G. Sparrow is a breath of fresh air in the YA Fantasy genre.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I'm leaving this review voluntarily.
September 8, 2023
I read this aloud to my eleven-year-old son and he loved it! Join Gilbert as he delves into this new world and tries to figure out whether he's the Chosen One, or just some random guy who got sucked out of Nebraska by some hapless wizards. Sparrow is adept at building fantastical worlds, probing beloved tropes, and creating characters who feel like family. Great for fans of Terry Pratchett and those who love British humor.
July 12, 2024
Dnf 15%
This was not for me.
That being said, it might be for you.
There's a story here with warmth and humour. Just not mine.
This was not for me.
That being said, it might be for you.
There's a story here with warmth and humour. Just not mine.
September 8, 2023
This was hilarious right from the beginning, here we have a Gilbert, a boy in Nebraska, minding his own business, trying to find the perfect spot to read his fantasy novel. He settles down under a tree, oh let me mention, this tree has been bemoaning the fact that he is stationary, I mean, he has a point, why, as Tree muses, can't he move like all the other creatures? So starts this really fun read. So, suddenly both Gilbert and Tree are sucked into....well, another world. No, not like Alice who fell through a rabbit hole, they dinkum was sucked into the ground and spat out into a world that even Gilbert's novels paled to compare to. And so begins an adventure Gilbert could never have imagined, a world of real magic, much to his delight. All due to the experiment of a crazy professor and golly was the professor a hoot! While trying to summon Pottleswee Plugg Thudigarde to stop Hobblebosh from taken over the world, he ended up with Gilbert instead, and Tree...
This is a very tongue in cheek fun account of what if it were real. Very clever use of prose, very cleverly written and very cleverly utilised to the fullest. Yes, the names too, so outlandish they made me giggle. In fact, this book made me giggle more times than I can count. But it's not all laughter and silliness, there's a real plot with a real storyline, ok, a whacky one but still, a proper story. Where everything a fantasy novel is all about is in this book, evil wizards, magic, dragons, heck ALL magical creatures, even a magical butterfly...A great read of discovery, of truths and of the ordinary having the ability to be extraordinary. Astonishingly enough, this is the author's first publication and I will look out for any other books written by him.
This is a very tongue in cheek fun account of what if it were real. Very clever use of prose, very cleverly written and very cleverly utilised to the fullest. Yes, the names too, so outlandish they made me giggle. In fact, this book made me giggle more times than I can count. But it's not all laughter and silliness, there's a real plot with a real storyline, ok, a whacky one but still, a proper story. Where everything a fantasy novel is all about is in this book, evil wizards, magic, dragons, heck ALL magical creatures, even a magical butterfly...A great read of discovery, of truths and of the ordinary having the ability to be extraordinary. Astonishingly enough, this is the author's first publication and I will look out for any other books written by him.
September 2, 2023
First of all I got this e-book free as an ARC, a thank you to the author for this. As always my thoughts are my own.
And I nearly didn't read this book which would have been a shame because it got really, really good.
My problems at the beginning were that I didn't like the naming of the characters, the names are (intentionally) silly and I was rolling my eyes at that.
Second I had my doubts that anyone of the wizards took the murdering bad guy seriously; and at the start that may well have been the case.
What saved the book were the relationships the characters had. Over the course of the book we see them becoming friends and found family, and I seldom have read it done so well. You go with them trough their ups and downs, victories and failures and it is awesome. Everyone of them growths in character or learns a valueable lesson. Be it about loyality, takeing others for granted or simply listening and understanding other opinions.
And the story around them is as suprising and insane (and sometimes dark: murdering bad guy and being lost in another world) as a story can be if you throw magic and magic beasts at it.
If you have a few hours you're not going wrong with this little gem.
And I nearly didn't read this book which would have been a shame because it got really, really good.
My problems at the beginning were that I didn't like the naming of the characters, the names are (intentionally) silly and I was rolling my eyes at that.
Second I had my doubts that anyone of the wizards took the murdering bad guy seriously; and at the start that may well have been the case.
What saved the book were the relationships the characters had. Over the course of the book we see them becoming friends and found family, and I seldom have read it done so well. You go with them trough their ups and downs, victories and failures and it is awesome. Everyone of them growths in character or learns a valueable lesson. Be it about loyality, takeing others for granted or simply listening and understanding other opinions.
And the story around them is as suprising and insane (and sometimes dark: murdering bad guy and being lost in another world) as a story can be if you throw magic and magic beasts at it.
If you have a few hours you're not going wrong with this little gem.
September 24, 2023
Being Fiction was funny and interesting right from the start! I knew as soon as I learned the wizards names that I was in for a treat and boy was I right! Gilbert is not your typical hero, much better is he in fact, and his problems are not the typical problems either!
Being Fiction is full of great characters, interesting plot twists, humor and adventure!
I loved pretty much everything about this book... The names are one of my favorite parts of this book! The character arcs and the way nothing goes the way I think it will makes it that much better!!
my only complaint is that some points seemed very drawn out, but it is an adventure novel and so it's to be expected, it honestly reminded me a lot of the way "The Lord of the Rings" is written and so I can't flaw it for that because who doesn't love "The Lord of the Rings"? Other then that there was a bit of language I thought could have been left out.
All in all I loved it and will definitely be recommending it to friends and family!
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
Being Fiction is full of great characters, interesting plot twists, humor and adventure!
I loved pretty much everything about this book... The names are one of my favorite parts of this book! The character arcs and the way nothing goes the way I think it will makes it that much better!!
my only complaint is that some points seemed very drawn out, but it is an adventure novel and so it's to be expected, it honestly reminded me a lot of the way "The Lord of the Rings" is written and so I can't flaw it for that because who doesn't love "The Lord of the Rings"? Other then that there was a bit of language I thought could have been left out.
All in all I loved it and will definitely be recommending it to friends and family!
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
September 1, 2023
Imagine, if you will, your life gets turned inside out and you learn everything you think you know is indeed fiction. You are a character in a book, a resident of a place created by an author on a fancy of flight. That's were we find our main character (or one of them anyway), Gilbert. Transported from a grassy hill in Nebraska to a land of magic, wizards, and now a sentient tree (who not for nothing became my favorite character).
Being Fiction, to me, boils down to a tale of discovery - who you are and what makes you...YOU and what really makes a home. It has elements of sacrifice, deep friendship, found family, and endless charm. Fans of Terry Pratchett should really enjoy this alternate world.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Being Fiction, to me, boils down to a tale of discovery - who you are and what makes you...YOU and what really makes a home. It has elements of sacrifice, deep friendship, found family, and endless charm. Fans of Terry Pratchett should really enjoy this alternate world.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
March 20, 2024
My top fiction read in a while! If you’re like me, a millennial that misses the magic of reading Harry Potter for the very first time, then this is the book for you!
The story follows a young Gilbert finding himself in a magical and whimsical world with funnily named wizards, who must defeat a tyrant lime (you read that right!) to save the world.
Here’s what made this my top read:
The book makes you care for the characters and their quirks. You find yourself empathizing and rooting for them. It’s packed with a lot of twists and humor! The combat scenes leave you at the edge of your seat and I found myself tensed every time (thanks game of thrones for this newfound anxiety)
The world building section might be a slower read relative to the action and humor packed nature of the book but it’s 100% worth the patience.
I’m excited to read more from the author!
The story follows a young Gilbert finding himself in a magical and whimsical world with funnily named wizards, who must defeat a tyrant lime (you read that right!) to save the world.
Here’s what made this my top read:
The book makes you care for the characters and their quirks. You find yourself empathizing and rooting for them. It’s packed with a lot of twists and humor! The combat scenes leave you at the edge of your seat and I found myself tensed every time (thanks game of thrones for this newfound anxiety)
The world building section might be a slower read relative to the action and humor packed nature of the book but it’s 100% worth the patience.
I’m excited to read more from the author!
July 3, 2023
Goodness gracious this story.
I did enjoy it. Many times I felt it was long winded but also that it was necessary. There were several twists that I didn’t expect but was pleased with the ending. I look forward to reading more from this author.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
I did enjoy it. Many times I felt it was long winded but also that it was necessary. There were several twists that I didn’t expect but was pleased with the ending. I look forward to reading more from this author.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
July 23, 2023
This was an excellent read. The story was well thought out and the characters were whimsical and interacted well together. I loved going on the journey with Gilbert and really enjoyed the story arc of Tree. There were twists and turns that kept the story fresh. I would love to read more by this author...especially if it is just a short prequel about the wizards.
July 7, 2024
The idea was interesting (a kid who loves books is pulled into a fantasy world, so he recognizes right away what's going on), but wow the humor just did not work at all for me. Instead of funny, it was just painfully bad to me. DNF.
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January 18, 2024DNF at 16%. It was weird and whacky and probably a blast to read out loud, but did not hold my interest. When I put it down, I had no desire to go back to it.
Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews