What do you think?
Rate this book
This Is How We Roll
The magic of tabletop RPGs lives in the creativity of the players. Given the chance to explore gender, relationships, and queer existence across vast worlds with completely different sets of rules, queer players throughout the years have found acceptance, camaraderie, and joy by rolling the dice and kicking ass. This anthology celebrates that TTRPG rite of passage with a diverse lineup of queer authors who are just as mighty with their pens as with swords? and shields? and spells! This collection of fourteen stories includes critically acclaimed authors such as New York Times Bestseller Marieke Nijkamp, New York Times Bestseller Andrew Joseph White, Pura Belpré Honor winner Jonny Garza Villa, LAMBDA Literary Award winner Rebecca Podos, LAMBDA Award finalist Linsey Miller, Indie Bestseller Margaret Owen, and Morris Award finalist Akemi Dawn Bowman.
320 pages, Hardcover
First published September 16, 2025
13 people are currently reading
2488 people want to read
About the author
Rosiee Thor
16 books466 followersRosiee Thor began their career as a storyteller by demanding to tell their mother bedtime stories instead of the other way around. They spent their childhood reading by flashlight in the closet until they came out as queer. Now, they write stories for all ages, including young adult novels Tarnished Are The Stars and Fire Becomes Her, the picture book The Meaning of Pride, and tie-in novels for franchises like Life is Strange and Firefly. Their short fiction appears in many anthologies, including the Lambda award nominated Being Ace, and they are the editor of Why On Earth: An Alien Invasion Anthology. Their debut cozy mystery, The Dead & Breakfast, is forthcoming from Berkley Press. Rosiee lives in Oregon with a dog, two cats, and an abundance of plants. You can find them online at www.rosieethor.com or on social media @rosieethor.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 55 reviews
September 20, 2025
It's been a while since I've last read an anthology, but I was really excited about the tabletop RPG theme of this one and it includes multiple authors that I absolutely love, so I needed it. This collection features 12 short stories for young adults, all written by queer authors and prominently featuring a diverse and inclusive cast of characters. I've read from 7 out of 12 of these authors before and I was particularly excited to read stories by two of my all-time favorite writers, Andrew Joseph White and Margaret Owen. With that said, I think it's a bit of a missed opportunity that the anthology really only contained the stories themselves. There was no introduction, not to the collection as a whole and also not to each story, and there were also no additional texts by the authors. The latter isn't really necessary in a collection like this, but it would have been a nice way to give a little glimpse behind the scenes with the authors explaining where they got their ideas for instance. But a general introduction or an editor's note was really missing for me, because why wouldn't there be one? But alright. It's all about the stories anyway and the majority of them were pretty good. An anthology is always a mixed bag for me, but I didn't actively dislike a single one in here. Some were just okay, but most were good, a select few even great. I'm gonna elaborate:
Gathering the Party by Anna Meriano: A solid start to the collection, because, as the title suggests, it was about a group of people who had to get together first. The main character just began the new school year and felt a bit lost, but she started a tabletop gaming club and found new friends. They first had to learn how to work together as a group, how to be flexible with other people and how to rely on each other, and it was a wholesome start.
Captain's Log by M.K. England: A group of friends regularly plays a tabletop game, one member wrote down every session in a creative writing exercise and now he shares his work with one of his mates. I really liked how they reflected on their past moments together and how they now realized their feelings over it. It was a creative and meaningful way to include the in-game scenarios and not every story managed to do that well.
Oathbreaker by Andrew Jospeh White: AJW is one of my favorite authors and I couldn't wait to get to his story. I recognized his style from miles away and I could easily have matched author and story if I didn't know beforehand. There's an autistic trans main character (of course) who just came out to his dad and the TTRPG is used to explain the situation. The real conflict was worked into the in-game and, eventually, sorted out through the in-game experience. It was sweet how tabletop was a family hobby in this story and it was overall one of my favorites. I don't think that it was necessary that the in-game fantasy world was so anti-trans, though.
Sneak Attack by Tara Sim: It was about a friend group that's been playing together for a while and the struggles that come with players leaving or returning to the group over time. The in-game reflected the real life in this story too, but I think that everything was resolved a bit too easily in the end.
You are my Favorite Song by Jonny Garza Villa: This was almost entirely in-game and only got interrupted by player comments every now and then. That approach didn't work for me at all and not just in this story. I just never cared as much for the fantasy in-game world as for the players. But it was cute how two in-game characters fell in love first and their respective players realized their feelings then too.
Camp I by Jamie Pacton: I really liked this one. It was set in a catholic girl's camp where the days are packed with good Christian activities so no one ever thinks about devilish things, like kissing other girls. The main character joins a semi-legal D&D group because she has a crush on one of the girls there, and it was just very fun and wholesome. And it even had some sapphic yearning. The author just described how the girls were playing and the in-game was not written out and I preferred that very much to the previous story. I've never read from Jamie Pacton before, but I will definitely check out her other books now.
Camp II by Rebecca Podos: This had a sci-fi setting and it felt very different because of that, but I think that the futuristic spaceships kinda clashed with the D&D world. At least in a short story like this. The little connection to Camp I was cute, though.
Silvery Barbs by Linsey Miller: This had a group playing via video call, but the story fell flat for me, because it was very messy. There were different chats and people talking and the in-game and this story had 6 or 7 characters, and it was just too chaotic to enjoy.
Haunts for Heathens by DeAndra Davis: Another story featuring a main character raised in a religious home and now trying to find their own way with the help of D&D. But here the main character was also writing college applications and she wrote a screenplay based on D&D for a competition. The story was alright, but it had the weirdest miscommunication for no reason.
Five Times the Wizard Almost Died, and One Time She Did by Margaret Owen: Another case of me loving the author and Margaret Owen really delivered, because this was also my favorite story of the whole collection. It was about a group that just started playing together and then the story spanned over multiple years. Some lines were absolutely hilarious and made me laugh out loud, but it was also a serious story about figuring out one's sexuality and how relationship dynamics can change over time. I also kinda lost it at the Dungeon Meshi (Delicious in Dungeon) references, because I LOVE that series and now I know that one of my favorite authors does too.
Pippin and Genie's Grand Adventure by Marieke Nijkamp: My second favorite came right after my top favorite story of this anthology. This had an autistic main character struggling with social anxiety and with speaking and with their sexuality. I loved how the story specifically talked about how a TTRPG might help with these issues or at least how one may learn important things through the game. There are clear rules, but also endless possibilities and players are able to experiment with gender or body type or personality. It was super wholesome while also having an impact.
Always a Merchant, Never a Rogue by Akemi Dawn Bowman: The idea was really cool. The story was playing with the thought that the in-game world still exists when no one is playing and the main character was basically an NPC. But, as I said before, I just didn't care as much about any in-game content, and the cool idea didn't really land for me in such a small amount of pages.
Overall, there were many nice stories in here with many different approaches to the theme. I realized pretty fast which ones worked for me and which didn't, and so I clearly enjoyed some more then others. I must say that I wouldn't recommend this anthology to someone who has never heard about TTRPGs and knows nothing about them. As I said, there's no introduction and most of the stories don't explain much either. But if the theme already sounds appealing to you, then you can't do anything wrong with This Is How We Roll. Some stories were truly great and it was awesome to read so many different views on a more niche hobby. My TOP 3 stories were by Margaret Owen, Marieke Nijkamp and Andrew Jospeh White, or let's say TOP 4 because I also want to mention Jamie Pacton again.
Huge thanks to NetGalley and Page Street Publishing for providing a digital arc in exchange for an honest review.
Gathering the Party by Anna Meriano: A solid start to the collection, because, as the title suggests, it was about a group of people who had to get together first. The main character just began the new school year and felt a bit lost, but she started a tabletop gaming club and found new friends. They first had to learn how to work together as a group, how to be flexible with other people and how to rely on each other, and it was a wholesome start.
Captain's Log by M.K. England: A group of friends regularly plays a tabletop game, one member wrote down every session in a creative writing exercise and now he shares his work with one of his mates. I really liked how they reflected on their past moments together and how they now realized their feelings over it. It was a creative and meaningful way to include the in-game scenarios and not every story managed to do that well.
Oathbreaker by Andrew Jospeh White: AJW is one of my favorite authors and I couldn't wait to get to his story. I recognized his style from miles away and I could easily have matched author and story if I didn't know beforehand. There's an autistic trans main character (of course) who just came out to his dad and the TTRPG is used to explain the situation. The real conflict was worked into the in-game and, eventually, sorted out through the in-game experience. It was sweet how tabletop was a family hobby in this story and it was overall one of my favorites. I don't think that it was necessary that the in-game fantasy world was so anti-trans, though.
Sneak Attack by Tara Sim: It was about a friend group that's been playing together for a while and the struggles that come with players leaving or returning to the group over time. The in-game reflected the real life in this story too, but I think that everything was resolved a bit too easily in the end.
You are my Favorite Song by Jonny Garza Villa: This was almost entirely in-game and only got interrupted by player comments every now and then. That approach didn't work for me at all and not just in this story. I just never cared as much for the fantasy in-game world as for the players. But it was cute how two in-game characters fell in love first and their respective players realized their feelings then too.
Camp I by Jamie Pacton: I really liked this one. It was set in a catholic girl's camp where the days are packed with good Christian activities so no one ever thinks about devilish things, like kissing other girls. The main character joins a semi-legal D&D group because she has a crush on one of the girls there, and it was just very fun and wholesome. And it even had some sapphic yearning. The author just described how the girls were playing and the in-game was not written out and I preferred that very much to the previous story. I've never read from Jamie Pacton before, but I will definitely check out her other books now.
Camp II by Rebecca Podos: This had a sci-fi setting and it felt very different because of that, but I think that the futuristic spaceships kinda clashed with the D&D world. At least in a short story like this. The little connection to Camp I was cute, though.
Silvery Barbs by Linsey Miller: This had a group playing via video call, but the story fell flat for me, because it was very messy. There were different chats and people talking and the in-game and this story had 6 or 7 characters, and it was just too chaotic to enjoy.
Haunts for Heathens by DeAndra Davis: Another story featuring a main character raised in a religious home and now trying to find their own way with the help of D&D. But here the main character was also writing college applications and she wrote a screenplay based on D&D for a competition. The story was alright, but it had the weirdest miscommunication for no reason.
Five Times the Wizard Almost Died, and One Time She Did by Margaret Owen: Another case of me loving the author and Margaret Owen really delivered, because this was also my favorite story of the whole collection. It was about a group that just started playing together and then the story spanned over multiple years. Some lines were absolutely hilarious and made me laugh out loud, but it was also a serious story about figuring out one's sexuality and how relationship dynamics can change over time. I also kinda lost it at the Dungeon Meshi (Delicious in Dungeon) references, because I LOVE that series and now I know that one of my favorite authors does too.
Pippin and Genie's Grand Adventure by Marieke Nijkamp: My second favorite came right after my top favorite story of this anthology. This had an autistic main character struggling with social anxiety and with speaking and with their sexuality. I loved how the story specifically talked about how a TTRPG might help with these issues or at least how one may learn important things through the game. There are clear rules, but also endless possibilities and players are able to experiment with gender or body type or personality. It was super wholesome while also having an impact.
Always a Merchant, Never a Rogue by Akemi Dawn Bowman: The idea was really cool. The story was playing with the thought that the in-game world still exists when no one is playing and the main character was basically an NPC. But, as I said before, I just didn't care as much about any in-game content, and the cool idea didn't really land for me in such a small amount of pages.
Overall, there were many nice stories in here with many different approaches to the theme. I realized pretty fast which ones worked for me and which didn't, and so I clearly enjoyed some more then others. I must say that I wouldn't recommend this anthology to someone who has never heard about TTRPGs and knows nothing about them. As I said, there's no introduction and most of the stories don't explain much either. But if the theme already sounds appealing to you, then you can't do anything wrong with This Is How We Roll. Some stories were truly great and it was awesome to read so many different views on a more niche hobby. My TOP 3 stories were by Margaret Owen, Marieke Nijkamp and Andrew Jospeh White, or let's say TOP 4 because I also want to mention Jamie Pacton again.
Huge thanks to NetGalley and Page Street Publishing for providing a digital arc in exchange for an honest review.
November 4, 2025
This was a super fun collection of short stories! I have not played dungeons and dragons but I could still relate to so many of these characters. The cast of characters is super diverse and I really loved it. We need to be highlighting and celebrating queer voices especially right now. I wasn’t familiar with any of these authors before but I’d like to be now. I especially really liked “Oathbreaker” it was really moving. A lot of these highlighted the persecution or prejudice that queer people face, but I liked that they all ended well.
August 21, 2025
If you love Dungeon & Dragons and play it in any form, then read this book. I mean, just look at that awesome cover! The beautiful dice are also featured throughout the book itself.
Behind each chapter, a new and unique short story awaits you in this fantastic world. The characters are all very complex, whether in the game or in reality. I especially liked the diversity throughout the book. It was just so much fun to immerse myself in the world of D&D, and it makes me want to play. A really great and entertaining book! And a must-read for every D&D lover.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for this ARC in exchange for an honest review!
Behind each chapter, a new and unique short story awaits you in this fantastic world. The characters are all very complex, whether in the game or in reality. I especially liked the diversity throughout the book. It was just so much fun to immerse myself in the world of D&D, and it makes me want to play. A really great and entertaining book! And a must-read for every D&D lover.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for this ARC in exchange for an honest review!
October 2, 2025
4.3⭐️
🖤YA queer TTRPG themed anthology
🖤Mental Health Rep
🖤Lots of D&D play and story
If this book had been in my school’s library, I think my life would be shaped a lot differently today. I think these stories are so incredibly important in the YA space, reminding growing humans that we don’t all fit in the same cookie cutter molds- that we are all unique, different and going through our own struggles together.
I loved this anthology, it definitely reignited the TRRPG/D&D fire under me- I gotta play again and soon! 🤣
Thank you to the author, Netgalley, Storygram Tours and Page Street Publishing for the gifted ARC.
🖤YA queer TTRPG themed anthology
🖤Mental Health Rep
🖤Lots of D&D play and story
If this book had been in my school’s library, I think my life would be shaped a lot differently today. I think these stories are so incredibly important in the YA space, reminding growing humans that we don’t all fit in the same cookie cutter molds- that we are all unique, different and going through our own struggles together.
I loved this anthology, it definitely reignited the TRRPG/D&D fire under me- I gotta play again and soon! 🤣
Thank you to the author, Netgalley, Storygram Tours and Page Street Publishing for the gifted ARC.
September 28, 2025
Big thanks to NetGalley and Page Street Publishing for providing a digital arc in exchange for an honest review.
Overall rating was a 3.5/5
CW for religious bigotry. This was a fun queer D&D anthology. While not all stories were my cup of tea, I enjoyed seeing how everyone created their stories. Top favorite was Oathbreaker! Even at the end of the book, I couldn’t stop thinking about it and how many chills I got.
Overall rating was a 3.5/5
CW for religious bigotry. This was a fun queer D&D anthology. While not all stories were my cup of tea, I enjoyed seeing how everyone created their stories. Top favorite was Oathbreaker! Even at the end of the book, I couldn’t stop thinking about it and how many chills I got.
August 3, 2025
Thank you to Page Street YA and Netgalley for providing the e-arc! All opinions are my own.
4.25 stars.
A short story collection about TTRPGs featuring one of my favourite authors? Sign me up! I was so excited to get started and I was not disappointed. As is always the case, some stories worked better for me than others, but overall I think this was such a nicely balanced anthology in terms of representation, writing styles and within-campaign and outside-campaign settings. I also loved how some stories were very much about queerness and how TTRPGs allow you to figure stuff out about yourself, whilst others were moreso about the game itself or other issues with queerness being a given. There were a couple stories that had some significant spelling mistakes, like in the there-their-they’re category (although some were in Discord messages which may have just been on purpose?), so I hope they will be resolved in the next round of edits.
Gathering the Party by Anna Meriano: I loved this one! I think it’s a good start for this collection and I liked how it still felt like an adventure whilst taking place in the real world.
Captain’s Log by MK England: cute but not my favourite. I loved that it was an RPG with a sci-fi setting and I liked the tone of voice in the log, but the real world setting felt a bit rushed.
Oathbreaker by Andrew Joseph White: I adored how the MCs worries in his personal life were able to be resolved through the game, it felt very realistic and the D&D campaign sounded so cool. I’m so excited to read something by AJW soon!
Sneak Attack by Tara Sim: I wish there had been a better balance between campaign and real world and I didn’t love the set-up of this. If my friends did this I’d be pissed lol
You Are My Favourite Song by Jonny Garza Villa: in this one the balance between campaign and real world also felt off and for some reason the RPG scenes (which was almost the entire story) were SO confusing that I cannot remember a single thing from this 3 days later.
Camp I by Jamie Pacton: love love love! Gay girls at camp being nerdy and falling in love yes please. I loved the writing in this and the connection between the two main girls felt very real. Gotta pick up something by this author soon!
Camp II by Rebecca Podos: this was so fun! It took me a second to realise that the real world setting was sci-fi but once that hit I really liked it, it felt fresh within this anthology. I also liked that D&D was the catalyst for friendship and connection without being a major part of the story.
Silvery barbs by Linsey Miller: this one was so confusing. I still don’t understand who was talking to who when (there were like 3 voice chats and a few different Discord chats going on at the same time?) and the conflict didn’t seem to have a reason to me.
Haunts for Heathens by DeAndra Davis: I think this story was too short to believably include such a major miscommunication and I didn’t understand why they didn’t just talk about it even before the miscommunication, but I really enjoyed the writing style and the difference between the MCs home life and her TTRPG friends was really well done.
Five Times the Wizard Almost Died, and One Time She Did by Margaret Owen: MARGARET OWEN MY BELOVED! I loved the writing style in this because Owen’s style always feels refreshingly and naturally funny. I liked the characters and the way the conflict resolved. The campaign sounded fantastic. The one thing I couldn’t understand is why NO ONE spoke up about the GMs railroading and unfair treatment of her sister’s PC ONCE. I get that it’s part of the GMs personal character arc but if I had a DM who did this - JAIL. Also XP levelling in this economy? Ew. (Fits the GMs style though.)
Pippin and Genie’s Grand Adventure by Marieke Nijkamp: so sweet! I’m a sucker for friendship blossoming through TTRPGs and this specific system sounds so fun.
Always a Merchant, Never a Rogue by Akemi Dawn Bowman: spectacular give me 14 of them RIGHT NOW. I loved the NPC book by Patrick Ness and this story was even more meta than that one. Pls Ms Bowman a whole novel like this pls?
4.25 stars.
A short story collection about TTRPGs featuring one of my favourite authors? Sign me up! I was so excited to get started and I was not disappointed. As is always the case, some stories worked better for me than others, but overall I think this was such a nicely balanced anthology in terms of representation, writing styles and within-campaign and outside-campaign settings. I also loved how some stories were very much about queerness and how TTRPGs allow you to figure stuff out about yourself, whilst others were moreso about the game itself or other issues with queerness being a given. There were a couple stories that had some significant spelling mistakes, like in the there-their-they’re category (although some were in Discord messages which may have just been on purpose?), so I hope they will be resolved in the next round of edits.
Gathering the Party by Anna Meriano: I loved this one! I think it’s a good start for this collection and I liked how it still felt like an adventure whilst taking place in the real world.
Captain’s Log by MK England: cute but not my favourite. I loved that it was an RPG with a sci-fi setting and I liked the tone of voice in the log, but the real world setting felt a bit rushed.
Oathbreaker by Andrew Joseph White: I adored how the MCs worries in his personal life were able to be resolved through the game, it felt very realistic and the D&D campaign sounded so cool. I’m so excited to read something by AJW soon!
Sneak Attack by Tara Sim: I wish there had been a better balance between campaign and real world and I didn’t love the set-up of this. If my friends did this I’d be pissed lol
You Are My Favourite Song by Jonny Garza Villa: in this one the balance between campaign and real world also felt off and for some reason the RPG scenes (which was almost the entire story) were SO confusing that I cannot remember a single thing from this 3 days later.
Camp I by Jamie Pacton: love love love! Gay girls at camp being nerdy and falling in love yes please. I loved the writing in this and the connection between the two main girls felt very real. Gotta pick up something by this author soon!
Camp II by Rebecca Podos: this was so fun! It took me a second to realise that the real world setting was sci-fi but once that hit I really liked it, it felt fresh within this anthology. I also liked that D&D was the catalyst for friendship and connection without being a major part of the story.
Silvery barbs by Linsey Miller: this one was so confusing. I still don’t understand who was talking to who when (there were like 3 voice chats and a few different Discord chats going on at the same time?) and the conflict didn’t seem to have a reason to me.
Haunts for Heathens by DeAndra Davis: I think this story was too short to believably include such a major miscommunication and I didn’t understand why they didn’t just talk about it even before the miscommunication, but I really enjoyed the writing style and the difference between the MCs home life and her TTRPG friends was really well done.
Five Times the Wizard Almost Died, and One Time She Did by Margaret Owen: MARGARET OWEN MY BELOVED! I loved the writing style in this because Owen’s style always feels refreshingly and naturally funny. I liked the characters and the way the conflict resolved. The campaign sounded fantastic. The one thing I couldn’t understand is why NO ONE spoke up about the GMs railroading and unfair treatment of her sister’s PC ONCE. I get that it’s part of the GMs personal character arc but if I had a DM who did this - JAIL. Also XP levelling in this economy? Ew. (Fits the GMs style though.)
Pippin and Genie’s Grand Adventure by Marieke Nijkamp: so sweet! I’m a sucker for friendship blossoming through TTRPGs and this specific system sounds so fun.
Always a Merchant, Never a Rogue by Akemi Dawn Bowman: spectacular give me 14 of them RIGHT NOW. I loved the NPC book by Patrick Ness and this story was even more meta than that one. Pls Ms Bowman a whole novel like this pls?
October 24, 2025
Huge thanks to Netgalley and the publisher (Page Street YA) for the chance to read this! I don't feel fair reviewing an anthology as a whole, so I am going to review each story individually. (This was a very mixed bag, as anthologies usually are for me.)
Gathering the Party by Anna Meriano
4 stars
We follow Zora, recently injured, riddled with anxiety as she and her younger brother Zep set up a Table Top Role Playing Game club at their high school, drawing in three other people for their first day. However, their pretend adventure turns into a real one, bonding the club from the start.
Review
I really liked this one. I wasn't sure I was going to at first - mostly because Zora takes a moment for me to get used to her (likely because I see a little too much of myself in her) - but I really did. The group that is built here is fun, diverse and cohesive. I would honestly love to read more of their adventures. Because it's really focused on creating characters, it's not getting into the actual gameplay, which could be solved if it was a continuing story. (I would LOVE for it to be a continuing story.)
Captain's Log by M.K. England
3 stars
Colin reads his character's recap to co-player Sean and has a gay awakening.
This was...okay. I liked the whole Captain's Log thing, and it's a nice way to bring the RPG aspect into a short story - but it is also a short story that doesn't take a lot of time making you care about the actual people. I'm much more invested in Captain Brin and Zari than I am Colin and Sean. (And I am, admittedly, put out with the biphobic comment of 'I am at least bisexual.' Because, guess what, folks, that's not how it works.)
Oathbreaker by Andrew Joseph White
4.75 stars
Simon is trans. He knows this. His character, Landry, is trans. He knows this. He just doesn't know how to repair the rift that coming out caused between him and his dad. But a one shot with his dad's TTRPG team might be the place to start.
I liked this story a lot. A lot, a lot. It's the first time we actually get to see gameplay in this anthology, and it worked so well as a counterpart to the real life drama going on. I would have liked more to the story, because things are starting to be resolved but not there yet.
Sneak Attack by Tara Sim
3.25
Cassian - Skyler - left Valyn - Tabby. He left her. He left their party, he left their RPG, he left their relationship. Or…well, they broke up after an argument. But now he's back. He's back in story, he's back in the RPG. But…what does that mean?
I wanted to like this more than I did. The characters - both the TTRPG ones and the actual characters - seem interesting and likable. But we are dropped into this with no idea who these people are, with no idea about their backstory and with no idea why we should even care. Pretty much all of this very short (11 pages) story is taken up by the romance between Skyler and Tabby and their characters Cassian and Valyn - their romance, their argument and breakup (that happened two months ago) and it's just… It's too abrupt for me to really like it much and it's too focused on a romance that they give me to reason I should care about for me to - well - care. (I am not into second chance romances for a reason and the quickest way for me to not care about a romantic relationship is to have them already together at the start of the story.)
You Are My Favorite Song by Jonny Garza Villa
2.5 stars
Uani is a young bard who has left his (rich) home and (wealthy) family for a world saving adventure with a ragtag crew. He is also falling in love with Toro, the minotaur leader of the ragtag crew.
This was a very … odd story. The structure of this one in the actual RPG aspect is… weird. Really, really weird - because it is a first person perspective and I have been reading the RPG sections as kind of the story as the Dungeon Master tells it. This…is not that. Also, this is almost solely the RPG aspect. There's few indications that this is a TTRPG - mostly in the DM asking for rolls. This is a story. And in being a story, the actual story within a story is much more fleshed out than the story itself. Honestly, I just think this story would have worked better as a straight up fantasy in a queer fantasy anthology instead of as a TTRPG story. (And, being 100% honest, this was way, way too sappy of a romance for me to really like it as a romance.)
(Please note: These next two authors - Pacton and Podos - recently teamed up to write a book (Homegrown Magic) that has been criticized for having anti-Semitic stereotypes and tropes. I am trying to read their stories without that knowledge to fairly review these on solely their merits.)
Camp I by Jamie Pacton
2 stars
Packed off to an all girls Catholic summer camp, Cat takes refuge in a TTRPG crew - and her crush on one of the girls running it.
It's really funny to me that this is the story they decided to follow up the last one with because while that one is all RPG, this one is… It's not no RPG - because the girls are playing it, but there's no story to go with it. Honestly, they could have been doing nearly anything to bond and…the story would not have changed. - And when I say 'no story to go with it' what I mean is that there's no DM telling the tale, there's just one of the girls, saying 'the magic worked and the enemy flees'. It's a little…disappointing. They were trying to tug at the heart strings at the end, but…I didn't know these people well enough to care. Everything stayed topical and I couldn't have even told any of the other four girls apart to be honest. (Now, if this had been a full length novel, given room to breathe and to be, that might have been something.)
Camp II by Rebecca Podos
2.75
In the far future, while taking part in the first in-person inter-ship program for youths, apparently 16 year olds still play D&D.
I almost regret that this was not a sequel to Camp I. If the people that put this book together didn't want us to think it was, they should have named it something different (like Camp 2386) or at least spaced them out so one wasn't right after the other. (Though…) Beyond that: what's the character version of info-dumping? You know, where you introduce four characters in the space of one and a half paragraphs? And make the readers constantly flip back to try to figure out who the characters are? Because we get a healthy does of that. Otherwise, I kind of like this. I don't love the main character and am glad the story is short and I don't have to spend any more time in his head - but, also, I do kind of adore all the rest of the characters and would be into this being a full length story. (It's also, just like the last one, telling the TTRPG aspect of it as 'telling' instead of a written type story, which…isn't great, but I think the characters are strong enough that I do not mind.)
Silvery Barbs by Lindsey Miller
1 star
A group of friends plays a RPG over voice chat using distorters so no one knows who each character is and the main character angsts over…being ace?
I…really, really did not like this story. Not for any major reason besides the writing style - and the three or more conversations going on at once giving me a headache - the complete lack of any sense of what they are talking about (apparently there is a party. In fact, there is two parties, but one party is the party and the other is the RPG party but they are both called the party. What is either party? No clue.) and the main character being EXTREMELY insufferable and all hating everything because she is alloromantic and asexual and she doesn't want to have to explain that to anyone that she wants to date and she, apparently, has to be all 'I hate romance but I secretly love romance but I cannot tell anyone' so…she has something else to angst over? Honestly, this story was a mess for me. (Also, I need explanations as to why/how these two people that are unrelated (though I thought they were sibs at first) and still in high school (?) are apparently living together. What? (Side Note: this girl has a very skewed and unhealthy idea of what asexuality is and she really needs to get her head on straight before she winds up either hating herself (with some good old internalized acephobia) or pretends that she's not ace and winds up faking it her entire life.)
Haunts for Heathens by DeAndra Davis
2.25
Alisha is excited to submit her screenplay idea to her school for a college scholarship - the only way she can escape her very restrictive, very religious family. But when Stevie, enemy and competitor, befriends her, things get complicated.
I love the idea behind this. It doesn't have much gameplay, but it brings a TTRPG into the 'real world' in a way that was fun and fresh. My issue was how much I dislike Alisha. I just find her personality very aggravating and because of that, it was difficult for me to really enjoy the story.
Five Times the Wizard Almost Died, and One Time She Did by Margaret Owen
1.25 stars
Ella is brand new to TTRPG - but she gets to be introduced through her sisters gaming group and…well, is the titular wizard.
I could have LOVED this story. Ella is likable, the group of friends are likable, it has a mid-story pivot from almost romance and there is some casual rep. (Demisexual, mlm, and I think non-binary. (It's been like three days since I read it because I read it right before bed and forgot to review it the next day, so don't quote me on this.) And it does feel like a pretty tight group of friends. However, Ella's older sister Grace is horrible. This story is only twenty pages long and I do not remember the last time I hated a character this much in that short a time as Grace. She is flat out nasty to Ella and entitled towards everyone. And she, apparently, gets her 'character development' at the end of the story by apologizing off screen. We have to sit through her terrible attitude for over a year in story, but she doesn't have to apologize on screen, so we can actually see if she deserves to be forgiven. (Spoiler: I believe most of her friends did not forgive her, so that's got to tell you something.)
Pippin and Genie's Grand Adventure by Marieke Nijkamp
4 stars
Pippin is neurodivergent and going to a program focusing on helping autistic teens build social skills. Genie is going there, too, and introduces Pippin to the wonderful, inclusive world of TTRPG.
This story has a lot in common with the first one: it is more about introducing someone to TTRPG instead of actually playing them. But this is also more what I was expecting stories in this anthology to be: inclusive and, really, offering people that are different a place to belong. It does take a little while to get to that point and there's a big deal in the past over something that, if Pippin had been surrounded by decent people, would not have been a big deal. (Like it wasn't currently.) But, I did enjoy the excitement and discovery from both Pippen and Genie over TTRPG's.
Always a Merchant, Never a Rogue by Akemi Dawn Bowman
5 stars
Merchant Effie dreams of adventure. One day, when she finds Rune stealing from her, telling the guards she must stop the Iron Curse, Effie teams up with her to save the realms.
This story was hilarious. Not that it was exactly comedic, but it is basically the tale of two NPC's when the people in our world no longer play the game. All the little nods to TTRPG's are so fun - but what really got me with this story is that it is about writing your own destiny. These two girls don't want to sit in the lives that they have been forced in, they want to make their own choices and I thought that they way they were breaking 'the rules' without even thinking about it at first was awesome. While I was never expecting a story like this in this anthology, it was a stellar way to wrap up. (Also, I would love this to be a whole novel. I would totally read it.)
Actual Anthology Rating: 2.89
This review has been cross-posted between Goodread, Netgalley and The Storygraph.
Gathering the Party by Anna Meriano
4 stars
We follow Zora, recently injured, riddled with anxiety as she and her younger brother Zep set up a Table Top Role Playing Game club at their high school, drawing in three other people for their first day. However, their pretend adventure turns into a real one, bonding the club from the start.
Review
I really liked this one. I wasn't sure I was going to at first - mostly because Zora takes a moment for me to get used to her (likely because I see a little too much of myself in her) - but I really did. The group that is built here is fun, diverse and cohesive. I would honestly love to read more of their adventures. Because it's really focused on creating characters, it's not getting into the actual gameplay, which could be solved if it was a continuing story. (I would LOVE for it to be a continuing story.)
Captain's Log by M.K. England
3 stars
Colin reads his character's recap to co-player Sean and has a gay awakening.
This was...okay. I liked the whole Captain's Log thing, and it's a nice way to bring the RPG aspect into a short story - but it is also a short story that doesn't take a lot of time making you care about the actual people. I'm much more invested in Captain Brin and Zari than I am Colin and Sean. (And I am, admittedly, put out with the biphobic comment of 'I am at least bisexual.' Because, guess what, folks, that's not how it works.)
Oathbreaker by Andrew Joseph White
4.75 stars
Simon is trans. He knows this. His character, Landry, is trans. He knows this. He just doesn't know how to repair the rift that coming out caused between him and his dad. But a one shot with his dad's TTRPG team might be the place to start.
I liked this story a lot. A lot, a lot. It's the first time we actually get to see gameplay in this anthology, and it worked so well as a counterpart to the real life drama going on. I would have liked more to the story, because things are starting to be resolved but not there yet.
Sneak Attack by Tara Sim
3.25
Cassian - Skyler - left Valyn - Tabby. He left her. He left their party, he left their RPG, he left their relationship. Or…well, they broke up after an argument. But now he's back. He's back in story, he's back in the RPG. But…what does that mean?
I wanted to like this more than I did. The characters - both the TTRPG ones and the actual characters - seem interesting and likable. But we are dropped into this with no idea who these people are, with no idea about their backstory and with no idea why we should even care. Pretty much all of this very short (11 pages) story is taken up by the romance between Skyler and Tabby and their characters Cassian and Valyn - their romance, their argument and breakup (that happened two months ago) and it's just… It's too abrupt for me to really like it much and it's too focused on a romance that they give me to reason I should care about for me to - well - care. (I am not into second chance romances for a reason and the quickest way for me to not care about a romantic relationship is to have them already together at the start of the story.)
You Are My Favorite Song by Jonny Garza Villa
2.5 stars
Uani is a young bard who has left his (rich) home and (wealthy) family for a world saving adventure with a ragtag crew. He is also falling in love with Toro, the minotaur leader of the ragtag crew.
This was a very … odd story. The structure of this one in the actual RPG aspect is… weird. Really, really weird - because it is a first person perspective and I have been reading the RPG sections as kind of the story as the Dungeon Master tells it. This…is not that. Also, this is almost solely the RPG aspect. There's few indications that this is a TTRPG - mostly in the DM asking for rolls. This is a story. And in being a story, the actual story within a story is much more fleshed out than the story itself. Honestly, I just think this story would have worked better as a straight up fantasy in a queer fantasy anthology instead of as a TTRPG story. (And, being 100% honest, this was way, way too sappy of a romance for me to really like it as a romance.)
(Please note: These next two authors - Pacton and Podos - recently teamed up to write a book (Homegrown Magic) that has been criticized for having anti-Semitic stereotypes and tropes. I am trying to read their stories without that knowledge to fairly review these on solely their merits.)
Camp I by Jamie Pacton
2 stars
Packed off to an all girls Catholic summer camp, Cat takes refuge in a TTRPG crew - and her crush on one of the girls running it.
It's really funny to me that this is the story they decided to follow up the last one with because while that one is all RPG, this one is… It's not no RPG - because the girls are playing it, but there's no story to go with it. Honestly, they could have been doing nearly anything to bond and…the story would not have changed. - And when I say 'no story to go with it' what I mean is that there's no DM telling the tale, there's just one of the girls, saying 'the magic worked and the enemy flees'. It's a little…disappointing. They were trying to tug at the heart strings at the end, but…I didn't know these people well enough to care. Everything stayed topical and I couldn't have even told any of the other four girls apart to be honest. (Now, if this had been a full length novel, given room to breathe and to be, that might have been something.)
Camp II by Rebecca Podos
2.75
In the far future, while taking part in the first in-person inter-ship program for youths, apparently 16 year olds still play D&D.
I almost regret that this was not a sequel to Camp I. If the people that put this book together didn't want us to think it was, they should have named it something different (like Camp 2386) or at least spaced them out so one wasn't right after the other. (Though…) Beyond that: what's the character version of info-dumping? You know, where you introduce four characters in the space of one and a half paragraphs? And make the readers constantly flip back to try to figure out who the characters are? Because we get a healthy does of that. Otherwise, I kind of like this. I don't love the main character and am glad the story is short and I don't have to spend any more time in his head - but, also, I do kind of adore all the rest of the characters and would be into this being a full length story. (It's also, just like the last one, telling the TTRPG aspect of it as 'telling' instead of a written type story, which…isn't great, but I think the characters are strong enough that I do not mind.)
Silvery Barbs by Lindsey Miller
1 star
A group of friends plays a RPG over voice chat using distorters so no one knows who each character is and the main character angsts over…being ace?
I…really, really did not like this story. Not for any major reason besides the writing style - and the three or more conversations going on at once giving me a headache - the complete lack of any sense of what they are talking about (apparently there is a party. In fact, there is two parties, but one party is the party and the other is the RPG party but they are both called the party. What is either party? No clue.) and the main character being EXTREMELY insufferable and all hating everything because she is alloromantic and asexual and she doesn't want to have to explain that to anyone that she wants to date and she, apparently, has to be all 'I hate romance but I secretly love romance but I cannot tell anyone' so…she has something else to angst over? Honestly, this story was a mess for me. (Also, I need explanations as to why/how these two people that are unrelated (though I thought they were sibs at first) and still in high school (?) are apparently living together. What? (Side Note: this girl has a very skewed and unhealthy idea of what asexuality is and she really needs to get her head on straight before she winds up either hating herself (with some good old internalized acephobia) or pretends that she's not ace and winds up faking it her entire life.)
Haunts for Heathens by DeAndra Davis
2.25
Alisha is excited to submit her screenplay idea to her school for a college scholarship - the only way she can escape her very restrictive, very religious family. But when Stevie, enemy and competitor, befriends her, things get complicated.
I love the idea behind this. It doesn't have much gameplay, but it brings a TTRPG into the 'real world' in a way that was fun and fresh. My issue was how much I dislike Alisha. I just find her personality very aggravating and because of that, it was difficult for me to really enjoy the story.
Five Times the Wizard Almost Died, and One Time She Did by Margaret Owen
1.25 stars
Ella is brand new to TTRPG - but she gets to be introduced through her sisters gaming group and…well, is the titular wizard.
I could have LOVED this story. Ella is likable, the group of friends are likable, it has a mid-story pivot from almost romance and there is some casual rep. (Demisexual, mlm, and I think non-binary. (It's been like three days since I read it because I read it right before bed and forgot to review it the next day, so don't quote me on this.) And it does feel like a pretty tight group of friends. However, Ella's older sister Grace is horrible. This story is only twenty pages long and I do not remember the last time I hated a character this much in that short a time as Grace. She is flat out nasty to Ella and entitled towards everyone. And she, apparently, gets her 'character development' at the end of the story by apologizing off screen. We have to sit through her terrible attitude for over a year in story, but she doesn't have to apologize on screen, so we can actually see if she deserves to be forgiven. (Spoiler: I believe most of her friends did not forgive her, so that's got to tell you something.)
Pippin and Genie's Grand Adventure by Marieke Nijkamp
4 stars
Pippin is neurodivergent and going to a program focusing on helping autistic teens build social skills. Genie is going there, too, and introduces Pippin to the wonderful, inclusive world of TTRPG.
This story has a lot in common with the first one: it is more about introducing someone to TTRPG instead of actually playing them. But this is also more what I was expecting stories in this anthology to be: inclusive and, really, offering people that are different a place to belong. It does take a little while to get to that point and there's a big deal in the past over something that, if Pippin had been surrounded by decent people, would not have been a big deal. (Like it wasn't currently.) But, I did enjoy the excitement and discovery from both Pippen and Genie over TTRPG's.
Always a Merchant, Never a Rogue by Akemi Dawn Bowman
5 stars
Merchant Effie dreams of adventure. One day, when she finds Rune stealing from her, telling the guards she must stop the Iron Curse, Effie teams up with her to save the realms.
This story was hilarious. Not that it was exactly comedic, but it is basically the tale of two NPC's when the people in our world no longer play the game. All the little nods to TTRPG's are so fun - but what really got me with this story is that it is about writing your own destiny. These two girls don't want to sit in the lives that they have been forced in, they want to make their own choices and I thought that they way they were breaking 'the rules' without even thinking about it at first was awesome. While I was never expecting a story like this in this anthology, it was a stellar way to wrap up. (Also, I would love this to be a whole novel. I would totally read it.)
Actual Anthology Rating: 2.89
This review has been cross-posted between Goodread, Netgalley and The Storygraph.
October 2, 2025
A powerful YA anthology that combines queerness with roleplaying games.
Favourites of this anthology for me were:
• "Gathering the Party" by Anna Meriano
Session zero for a new rpg-based school club isn't going well until it turns into an impromptu LARP based around problem-solving. Several queer characters, but queerness isn't the focus.
• "Oathbreaker" by Andrew Joseph White
A parent/child relationship is strained after the child comes out as trans. Both father and son are at least socially awkward if not autistic, and they have trouble communicating. An interaction in an rpg allows them to finally reconnect.
• "Pippin and Genie's Grand Adventure" by Marieke Nijkamp
After an emotional breakdown Pippin must attend a facility to help autistic people cope. Pippin is further on the spectrum than you usually see in main characters, but they're exposure to Genie and a highly structured rpg is profoundly transformative.
Favourites of this anthology for me were:
• "Gathering the Party" by Anna Meriano
Session zero for a new rpg-based school club isn't going well until it turns into an impromptu LARP based around problem-solving. Several queer characters, but queerness isn't the focus.
• "Oathbreaker" by Andrew Joseph White
A parent/child relationship is strained after the child comes out as trans. Both father and son are at least socially awkward if not autistic, and they have trouble communicating. An interaction in an rpg allows them to finally reconnect.
• "Pippin and Genie's Grand Adventure" by Marieke Nijkamp
After an emotional breakdown Pippin must attend a facility to help autistic people cope. Pippin is further on the spectrum than you usually see in main characters, but they're exposure to Genie and a highly structured rpg is profoundly transformative.
September 9, 2025
Thank you Page Street Publishing and Toppling Stacks Tours for the free gift!
This anthology is full of heartwarming, beautifully told stories that capture the way tabletop roleplaying games can shape identity, belonging, and connection.
I loved how each piece was written with care and love toward people from all walks of life—queer, autistic, disabled, anxious—and how the stories showed the unique ways roleplaying can give teens a voice in a world that often feels stacked against them. The anthology did such a lovely job of highlighting the richness of stepping into fictional worlds and how that can help us navigate the complexities of the real one. Even if you don’t personally identify with the characters, these stories serve as moving glimpses into other perspectives and remind us of the power of community, imagination, and empathy.
As a fan of Dungeons & Dragons, I especially loved seeing how these characters found themselves through fantasy adventures and how those moments of roleplay helped them work through the harder, messier rules of everyday life. It was both affirming and inspiring.
Overall, this is a tender, inclusive, and empowering collection I’d recommend to anyone who loves RPGs, character-driven storytelling, or heartfelt anthologies that celebrate belonging
This anthology is full of heartwarming, beautifully told stories that capture the way tabletop roleplaying games can shape identity, belonging, and connection.
I loved how each piece was written with care and love toward people from all walks of life—queer, autistic, disabled, anxious—and how the stories showed the unique ways roleplaying can give teens a voice in a world that often feels stacked against them. The anthology did such a lovely job of highlighting the richness of stepping into fictional worlds and how that can help us navigate the complexities of the real one. Even if you don’t personally identify with the characters, these stories serve as moving glimpses into other perspectives and remind us of the power of community, imagination, and empathy.
As a fan of Dungeons & Dragons, I especially loved seeing how these characters found themselves through fantasy adventures and how those moments of roleplay helped them work through the harder, messier rules of everyday life. It was both affirming and inspiring.
Overall, this is a tender, inclusive, and empowering collection I’d recommend to anyone who loves RPGs, character-driven storytelling, or heartfelt anthologies that celebrate belonging
December 25, 2025
“Think about it. If you could be anyone, who would you be?”
This anthology of queer stories about table top role playing games was so cool. The reason I bought it was because there were a bunch of authors I’ve enjoyed in the past who contributed. Margaret Owen, Jonny Garza Villa, Andrew Joseph White, Tara Sim and M.K. England amongst a bunch of new ones I loved being introduced to.
Since it’s an anthology of short stories it’s hard to say something that applies to everything but I do think the stories all managed to show how TRRPG can bring joy and new friendships to people. Not to mention how it can be a place of freedom and exploration of your sexuality/gender. It can be some people’s safe/inclusive space and that is a wonderful thing.
Finally, this quote really got me:
“Go for the weird ones who invite you in. There’s family and so many stories waiting for you there.”
This anthology of queer stories about table top role playing games was so cool. The reason I bought it was because there were a bunch of authors I’ve enjoyed in the past who contributed. Margaret Owen, Jonny Garza Villa, Andrew Joseph White, Tara Sim and M.K. England amongst a bunch of new ones I loved being introduced to.
Since it’s an anthology of short stories it’s hard to say something that applies to everything but I do think the stories all managed to show how TRRPG can bring joy and new friendships to people. Not to mention how it can be a place of freedom and exploration of your sexuality/gender. It can be some people’s safe/inclusive space and that is a wonderful thing.
Finally, this quote really got me:
“Go for the weird ones who invite you in. There’s family and so many stories waiting for you there.”
November 24, 2025
4 stars!!
This was so so cute, I loved this!
I really enjoyed getting a chance to read all of the different types of stories, whether it was about being queer, loving someone, or just trying to find yourself, I devoured it all
It was cool getting to see all different perspectives on how D&D changes lives and how you look at living, and I think that’s incredible
D&D truly connects people and helps them find themselves, and I loved getting to read about it here, even if it is fictional :D
This was so so cute, I loved this!
I really enjoyed getting a chance to read all of the different types of stories, whether it was about being queer, loving someone, or just trying to find yourself, I devoured it all
It was cool getting to see all different perspectives on how D&D changes lives and how you look at living, and I think that’s incredible
D&D truly connects people and helps them find themselves, and I loved getting to read about it here, even if it is fictional :D
September 12, 2025
I received a free e-arc from NetGalley in exchange for an honest opinion.
As with any anthology, some stories are better than others. However, I would say in this one they're all still really good. I've never personally played Dungeons and Dragons, so I was a bit hesitant to pick this up, but I'm a fan of Andrew Joseph White's books so I did. Even without his addition it was worth it. While I would say it's not quite detailed enough that I think I could play it, this book simplified it so I could still understand the game with barely any knowledge beyond the game.
There is quite a bit of representation in this book (including disability, sexuality, and gender). I personally think it reads at a middle school level overall, with a few exceptions, though I also may not be the best judge. As an adult always looking to find more queer books, I still very much enjoyed this.
The only trigger warning I want to point out specifically in this review is religion-related bigotry. Due to the intersection of D&D and LGBT identities being targeted by religious ideals, this shows up in several stories to various extents. I don't remember any of it being too bad personally, but it is still something to be careful of if that's a warning you need.
Overall, I'm really looking forward to reading this again when it comes out, and I definitely recommend it to anyone who plays D&D, or is even vaguely interested in it.
As with any anthology, some stories are better than others. However, I would say in this one they're all still really good. I've never personally played Dungeons and Dragons, so I was a bit hesitant to pick this up, but I'm a fan of Andrew Joseph White's books so I did. Even without his addition it was worth it. While I would say it's not quite detailed enough that I think I could play it, this book simplified it so I could still understand the game with barely any knowledge beyond the game.
There is quite a bit of representation in this book (including disability, sexuality, and gender). I personally think it reads at a middle school level overall, with a few exceptions, though I also may not be the best judge. As an adult always looking to find more queer books, I still very much enjoyed this.
The only trigger warning I want to point out specifically in this review is religion-related bigotry. Due to the intersection of D&D and LGBT identities being targeted by religious ideals, this shows up in several stories to various extents. I don't remember any of it being too bad personally, but it is still something to be careful of if that's a warning you need.
Overall, I'm really looking forward to reading this again when it comes out, and I definitely recommend it to anyone who plays D&D, or is even vaguely interested in it.
July 24, 2025
This is How We Roll features 12 short stories by your favorite queer fantasy young adult authors. All of these stories show the importance of role playing games on teens and how that impacts identity.
These stories were so cute and wholesome and sometimes sad but also so important. I am so thankful to have gotten to read this and I truly believe that this book will change teens lives and is something I wish I had growing up.
These stories were so cute and wholesome and sometimes sad but also so important. I am so thankful to have gotten to read this and I truly believe that this book will change teens lives and is something I wish I had growing up.
September 13, 2025
This Is How We Roll was a really fun anthology featuring a diverse cast of players, characters, monsters and quests! Some of the stories felt a little bit repetitive, but this will be a really fun time for any fans of roleplaying games. Because this is an anthology, there's a huge range of themes and stories so I'll cover each individually!
Gathering the Party by Ana Meriano: This was a great start to the anthology! It was a simple story, but really fun and sweet. All of the characters were super likeable, I loved the humour and also really appreciated the asexuality representation because it's still so rare in fantasy!
Captain's Log by M.K. England: I didn't realise this anthology would cover roleplay systems other than D&D, but I'm really happy that we get some sci-fi roleplaying too! This was another really sweet story, the romance was cute. Due to the fact that a lot of the stories ended up being very similar (finding romance through roleplaying games), I might have enjoyed this less if it had been later on the the anthology when I started finding it a tad repetitive.
Oathbreaker by Andrew Joseph White: This is a contender for my favourite in the anthology, the opening was really intense and beautifully written and I have no idea how AJW achieved this much tension for a D&D short story! I really liked its portrayal of how roleplaying games can bring people and families together and be used to explore your own identity. The only aspect I didn't like is that, if I were DM, I would not have made my player's god reject their identity!
Sneak Attack by Tara Sim: I was a little bit unconvinced by this one. It felt a little bit like more of the same, and I wasn't a big fan of the central conflict because I feel like it's perfectly reasonable to give up playing a roleplaying game to focus on college applications yet he was painted like he was in the wrong for doing so.
You Are My Favourite Song by Jonny Garza Villa: I don't remember this story at all actually, so I don't think I loved it. From my notes right after reading: Getting a bit tired of romance stories. Didn't find myself caring about the characters in this one and would have liked to see more of the players.
Camp I by Jamie Pacton: I really liked this one, it was so wholesome and sweet despite being quite similar to the other stories so far. All of the characters were super likeable and the ending was just so lovely!
Camp II by Rebecca Podos: This is definitely one of my favourite stories, it was so unique and creative! D&D in the future on a spaceship? Sign me up! Eliot was a really relatable and lovely main character, I liked that the parents were nice people for once and I loved the theme of D&D being a vessel to form friendships and develop confidence. I also really liked the little twist at the end, a wonderfully executed short story!
Silvery Barbs by Linsey Miller: I do remember liking this one, but I was also quite confused by the structure of it and I couldn't quite connect to the characters because of this. I did like the ace rep.
Haunts for Heathens: I did enjoy this one, but I think the miscommunication was a little unrealistic. I was sweet, but did feel a little bit like more of the same.
Five Times the Wizard Almost Died and Once She Did by Margaret Owen: I liked the coming of age aspect of this and the representation, but I was really frustrated with how the group handled the toxic DM because it should not have gone that far, I'm glad I don't have friends like that and it spoiled my enjoyment of the story.
Pippin and Genie's Grand Adventure by Marieke Nijkamp: I enjoyed this one so much! It was really sweet but also sufficiently different from the other stories and I loved the exploration of roleplaying games as a way to develop confidence and find yourself! Again, I liked the fact that the adults weren't awful in this one and were actually trying to support the main character.
Always a Merchant, Never a Rogue by Akemi Dawn Bowman: This story was absolutely brilliant, I've got to read more by this author! I loved the main characters, they were so fun and likeable. The amount of twists in such a short story was insane but worked so well! It was fun, reflective and wonderfully meta. If I had to pick a favourite overall story, it would be this one.
Overall, I did really like this anthology. I do wish there had maybe been a little more direction so fewer stories felt very similar, but I loved the use of roleplaying games to form friendships, explore identities and escape from some of the confines of reality! I liked that there was a bit of diversity of roleplaying games (though I would have appreciated more I think) and I'd definitely reccommend this to any fans of roleplaying games
Gathering the Party by Ana Meriano: This was a great start to the anthology! It was a simple story, but really fun and sweet. All of the characters were super likeable, I loved the humour and also really appreciated the asexuality representation because it's still so rare in fantasy!
Captain's Log by M.K. England: I didn't realise this anthology would cover roleplay systems other than D&D, but I'm really happy that we get some sci-fi roleplaying too! This was another really sweet story, the romance was cute. Due to the fact that a lot of the stories ended up being very similar (finding romance through roleplaying games), I might have enjoyed this less if it had been later on the the anthology when I started finding it a tad repetitive.
Oathbreaker by Andrew Joseph White: This is a contender for my favourite in the anthology, the opening was really intense and beautifully written and I have no idea how AJW achieved this much tension for a D&D short story! I really liked its portrayal of how roleplaying games can bring people and families together and be used to explore your own identity. The only aspect I didn't like is that, if I were DM, I would not have made my player's god reject their identity!
Sneak Attack by Tara Sim: I was a little bit unconvinced by this one. It felt a little bit like more of the same, and I wasn't a big fan of the central conflict because I feel like it's perfectly reasonable to give up playing a roleplaying game to focus on college applications yet he was painted like he was in the wrong for doing so.
You Are My Favourite Song by Jonny Garza Villa: I don't remember this story at all actually, so I don't think I loved it. From my notes right after reading: Getting a bit tired of romance stories. Didn't find myself caring about the characters in this one and would have liked to see more of the players.
Camp I by Jamie Pacton: I really liked this one, it was so wholesome and sweet despite being quite similar to the other stories so far. All of the characters were super likeable and the ending was just so lovely!
Camp II by Rebecca Podos: This is definitely one of my favourite stories, it was so unique and creative! D&D in the future on a spaceship? Sign me up! Eliot was a really relatable and lovely main character, I liked that the parents were nice people for once and I loved the theme of D&D being a vessel to form friendships and develop confidence. I also really liked the little twist at the end, a wonderfully executed short story!
Silvery Barbs by Linsey Miller: I do remember liking this one, but I was also quite confused by the structure of it and I couldn't quite connect to the characters because of this. I did like the ace rep.
Haunts for Heathens: I did enjoy this one, but I think the miscommunication was a little unrealistic. I was sweet, but did feel a little bit like more of the same.
Five Times the Wizard Almost Died and Once She Did by Margaret Owen: I liked the coming of age aspect of this and the representation, but I was really frustrated with how the group handled the toxic DM because it should not have gone that far, I'm glad I don't have friends like that and it spoiled my enjoyment of the story.
Pippin and Genie's Grand Adventure by Marieke Nijkamp: I enjoyed this one so much! It was really sweet but also sufficiently different from the other stories and I loved the exploration of roleplaying games as a way to develop confidence and find yourself! Again, I liked the fact that the adults weren't awful in this one and were actually trying to support the main character.
Always a Merchant, Never a Rogue by Akemi Dawn Bowman: This story was absolutely brilliant, I've got to read more by this author! I loved the main characters, they were so fun and likeable. The amount of twists in such a short story was insane but worked so well! It was fun, reflective and wonderfully meta. If I had to pick a favourite overall story, it would be this one.
Overall, I did really like this anthology. I do wish there had maybe been a little more direction so fewer stories felt very similar, but I loved the use of roleplaying games to form friendships, explore identities and escape from some of the confines of reality! I liked that there was a bit of diversity of roleplaying games (though I would have appreciated more I think) and I'd definitely reccommend this to any fans of roleplaying games
September 15, 2025
This is a really fun, queer anthology all about roleplaying games. Each story brings something slightly unique to their characters and the stories they tell.
- Gathering the Party by Anna Meriano: A cute story aptly named. This works really well as the first in the anthology because it sets a solid tone, and it only goes up from here.
- Captain's Log by M.K. England: I haven't read England's RPG romance yet, but I definitely need to rectify that. I love the way this is presented in basically session recaps as Colin realizes his feelings for Sean. Super adorable and full of the witty humor I love in England's writing.
- Oathbreaker by Andrew Joseph White: Ugh, this one managed to break my heart and mend it in one go. I love the way the author used the game to allow Simon and his dad to face their feelings.
- Sneak Attack by Tara Sim: This is another one that demonstrates how roleplaying can help navigate messy feelings. This one reminded my of my own former DM who would often sneakily introduce returning players, always for the benefit of everyone.
- You Are My Favorite Song by Jonny Garza Villa: While most of the stories so far were pretty well blended between in-game and out-of-game narration, this one is predominately in-game and it's super well done. The romance is tender and sweet and I love the little bits of humor throughout.
- Camp I by Jamie Pacton: Cute Sapphic romance about a group of girls at a church camp playing together. I love the concept of this and the sweet crush Cat develops. The gift at the end was so sweet.
- Camp II by Rebecca Podos: OF COURSE Jamie Pacton and Rebecca Podos coordinated their stories. The setting of this one is super cool, and I like the callback to Pacton's story.
- Silvery Barbs by Linsey Miller: Be still my beating Shakespearan heart. I love the way this one played with Much Ado About Nothing. The whole concept was fun and I adored the witty remarks.
- Haunts for Heathens by DeAndra Davis: Alisha is totally relatable, wanting to escape the tight hold of her religious family while also still loving them. This was really sweet with a lovely ending.
- Five Times the Wizard Almost Died, and One Time She Did by Margaret Owen: I wish I'd had this story as a teenager. Ella's thoughts on sexuality / asexuality were exactly the kind of thing I needed when I was a teen, to see that it was okay to not desire others like other people seemed to. I really felt for her with the issue with her sister too.
- Pippin and Genie's Grand Adventure by Marieke Nijkamp: I LOVE the autism rep in this story. This is another one that I wish I'd read as a kid because maybe some things would have made more sense to me. I love Pippin and I hope they have the BEST time.
- Always a Merchant, Never a Rogue by Akemi Dawn Bowman: This was such a neat twist to end the anthology. Perfectly placed story. No notes. "Let's remake the world."
Thank you so much to NetGalley and publisher for the opportunity to read and review. (Please let there be another one of these anthologies soon!)
- Gathering the Party by Anna Meriano: A cute story aptly named. This works really well as the first in the anthology because it sets a solid tone, and it only goes up from here.
- Captain's Log by M.K. England: I haven't read England's RPG romance yet, but I definitely need to rectify that. I love the way this is presented in basically session recaps as Colin realizes his feelings for Sean. Super adorable and full of the witty humor I love in England's writing.
- Oathbreaker by Andrew Joseph White: Ugh, this one managed to break my heart and mend it in one go. I love the way the author used the game to allow Simon and his dad to face their feelings.
- Sneak Attack by Tara Sim: This is another one that demonstrates how roleplaying can help navigate messy feelings. This one reminded my of my own former DM who would often sneakily introduce returning players, always for the benefit of everyone.
- You Are My Favorite Song by Jonny Garza Villa: While most of the stories so far were pretty well blended between in-game and out-of-game narration, this one is predominately in-game and it's super well done. The romance is tender and sweet and I love the little bits of humor throughout.
- Camp I by Jamie Pacton: Cute Sapphic romance about a group of girls at a church camp playing together. I love the concept of this and the sweet crush Cat develops. The gift at the end was so sweet.
- Camp II by Rebecca Podos: OF COURSE Jamie Pacton and Rebecca Podos coordinated their stories. The setting of this one is super cool, and I like the callback to Pacton's story.
- Silvery Barbs by Linsey Miller: Be still my beating Shakespearan heart. I love the way this one played with Much Ado About Nothing. The whole concept was fun and I adored the witty remarks.
- Haunts for Heathens by DeAndra Davis: Alisha is totally relatable, wanting to escape the tight hold of her religious family while also still loving them. This was really sweet with a lovely ending.
- Five Times the Wizard Almost Died, and One Time She Did by Margaret Owen: I wish I'd had this story as a teenager. Ella's thoughts on sexuality / asexuality were exactly the kind of thing I needed when I was a teen, to see that it was okay to not desire others like other people seemed to. I really felt for her with the issue with her sister too.
- Pippin and Genie's Grand Adventure by Marieke Nijkamp: I LOVE the autism rep in this story. This is another one that I wish I'd read as a kid because maybe some things would have made more sense to me. I love Pippin and I hope they have the BEST time.
- Always a Merchant, Never a Rogue by Akemi Dawn Bowman: This was such a neat twist to end the anthology. Perfectly placed story. No notes. "Let's remake the world."
Thank you so much to NetGalley and publisher for the opportunity to read and review. (Please let there be another one of these anthologies soon!)
September 17, 2025
Thanks to NetGalley and Page Street Publishing for a free eARC of this book. All opinions remain my own.
This Is How We Roll is all about tabletop gaming and the wonderful, diverse people who play them. Anthologies are always hard to review since everyone vibes with the stories in different ways. However, I was pretty pleased with this one.
1. "Gathering the Party" by Anna Meriano
After finally getting together for their first session, the group fights a real life battle with a bat. The main character is disabled after an accident.
2. "Captain's Log" by M. K. England
On the way home from marching band, the main character reluctantly shares his detailed campaign notes with another boy and realizes he has a real-life crush on him.
3. "Oathbreaker" by Andrew Joseph White
An transgender autistic teen reconciles with his also autistic father after a disastrous coming out.
4. "Sneak Attack" by Tara Sim
During the stress of senior year, two dating teens drifted apart. Through a campaign the two are able to make up and fall back in love.
5. "You Are My Favorite Song" by Johnny Garza Villa
Two players, one a barbarian and the other a bard, fall in love in real life while playing the game.
6. "Camp I" by Jamie Pacton
While at Catholic girls' camp, a girl joins a D&D campaign for the first time. During the game, she falls in love in with another girl over their shared love of the Lord of the Rings.
7. "Camp II" by Rebecca Podos
A neurodivergent (possibly with OCD) boy makes new friends through a campaign held on a spaceship headed to a new planet. This story serves as a distant sequel to "Camp I" (the same players' guide is used in both stories).
8. "Silvery Barbs" by Linsey Miller
A group of friends plays their campaign online with voice changing technology so each other has no idea who their characters are. The main character is exploring her identity as an asexual who is interested in romance.
9. "Haunts for Heathens" by DeAndra Davis
A Jamaican girl from a religious family is dismayed when her rival joins her campaign. The two both have the same idea of using the campaign to get an art school scholarship.
10. "Five Times the Wizard Almost Died, and One Time She Did" by Margaret Owen
A girl comes out from her sister's shadow while playing her sister's campaign and explores her identity on the asexual spectrum at the same time.
11. "Pippin and Genie's Grand Adventure" by Marieke Nijkamp
After a nonverbal shutdown at a party, an autistic teen goes to therapy. They make a friend who shows them the ropes of a RPG.
12. "Always a Merchant, Never a Rogue" by Akemi Dawn Bowman
Two elves from enemy groups fall in love and save their world (with some fourth wall shenanigans included).
"Here, the world lies at your feet. Here, you can be anything. Let's roll."
This Is How We Roll is all about tabletop gaming and the wonderful, diverse people who play them. Anthologies are always hard to review since everyone vibes with the stories in different ways. However, I was pretty pleased with this one.
1. "Gathering the Party" by Anna Meriano
After finally getting together for their first session, the group fights a real life battle with a bat. The main character is disabled after an accident.
2. "Captain's Log" by M. K. England
On the way home from marching band, the main character reluctantly shares his detailed campaign notes with another boy and realizes he has a real-life crush on him.
3. "Oathbreaker" by Andrew Joseph White
An transgender autistic teen reconciles with his also autistic father after a disastrous coming out.
4. "Sneak Attack" by Tara Sim
During the stress of senior year, two dating teens drifted apart. Through a campaign the two are able to make up and fall back in love.
5. "You Are My Favorite Song" by Johnny Garza Villa
Two players, one a barbarian and the other a bard, fall in love in real life while playing the game.
6. "Camp I" by Jamie Pacton
While at Catholic girls' camp, a girl joins a D&D campaign for the first time. During the game, she falls in love in with another girl over their shared love of the Lord of the Rings.
7. "Camp II" by Rebecca Podos
A neurodivergent (possibly with OCD) boy makes new friends through a campaign held on a spaceship headed to a new planet. This story serves as a distant sequel to "Camp I" (the same players' guide is used in both stories).
8. "Silvery Barbs" by Linsey Miller
A group of friends plays their campaign online with voice changing technology so each other has no idea who their characters are. The main character is exploring her identity as an asexual who is interested in romance.
9. "Haunts for Heathens" by DeAndra Davis
A Jamaican girl from a religious family is dismayed when her rival joins her campaign. The two both have the same idea of using the campaign to get an art school scholarship.
10. "Five Times the Wizard Almost Died, and One Time She Did" by Margaret Owen
A girl comes out from her sister's shadow while playing her sister's campaign and explores her identity on the asexual spectrum at the same time.
11. "Pippin and Genie's Grand Adventure" by Marieke Nijkamp
After a nonverbal shutdown at a party, an autistic teen goes to therapy. They make a friend who shows them the ropes of a RPG.
12. "Always a Merchant, Never a Rogue" by Akemi Dawn Bowman
Two elves from enemy groups fall in love and save their world (with some fourth wall shenanigans included).
"Here, the world lies at your feet. Here, you can be anything. Let's roll."
October 10, 2025
4.5*
Several years ago, I picked up "The Secret Loves of Geek Girls," thinking it would be more like this book than what it is. Don't get me wrong, I still really enjoyed it... but I've been waiting for a book like "This Is How We Roll." Inclusive D&D-based fiction? YES PLEASE. I cried twice.
I knew a lot of the names in this anthology, and found a few others I wasn't familiar with yet. Any anthology has its ups and downs, but there was only one story in here that I disliked, and that was because the premise was, in my opinion, too confusing for such a short piece and I had trouble following the narrative. All the other stories found different ways to incorporate tabletop gaming into the character arcs in sweet, fun, and funny ways. There are a few where the game narratives nudge couples together (cute!), but not every story in here is based around romantic relationships. Andrew Joseph White's story features a cross-generational game where a trans kid finally connects with his emotionally distant father through the narrative of the game (I cried), one where a pair of autistic kids use an off-brand D&D game as a framework for social interactions with clear rules (I cried), and one where an ace kid navigates a rocky relationship with her sister (I didn't cry by it was a close thing).
All but two of these stories are contemporary, with bits of D&D storyline sprinkled in, but two of them break that mold. One story follows far-future kids in deep space trying to make sense of a vintage D&D manual, while the final story in the collection follows two characters in a fantasy world. Unclear if that last one is the beginning of an adventuring party, or if it takes place between NPCs in a world abandoned by heroes, but either way I loved it.
I'm a bit behind on this review, but I strongly recommend this collection. A word of caution: while most of these stories are generally light in tone, I had some Feelings(tm) in the stories where the families were overbearingly religious. Just something for folks to be aware of going in. I'd say that this collection would be suitable for a late middle grade and young adult readership, though I, a whole a whole entire adult, quite enjoyed it and would happily reread this in the future.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC.
Several years ago, I picked up "The Secret Loves of Geek Girls," thinking it would be more like this book than what it is. Don't get me wrong, I still really enjoyed it... but I've been waiting for a book like "This Is How We Roll." Inclusive D&D-based fiction? YES PLEASE. I cried twice.
I knew a lot of the names in this anthology, and found a few others I wasn't familiar with yet. Any anthology has its ups and downs, but there was only one story in here that I disliked, and that was because the premise was, in my opinion, too confusing for such a short piece and I had trouble following the narrative. All the other stories found different ways to incorporate tabletop gaming into the character arcs in sweet, fun, and funny ways. There are a few where the game narratives nudge couples together (cute!), but not every story in here is based around romantic relationships. Andrew Joseph White's story features a cross-generational game where a trans kid finally connects with his emotionally distant father through the narrative of the game (I cried), one where a pair of autistic kids use an off-brand D&D game as a framework for social interactions with clear rules (I cried), and one where an ace kid navigates a rocky relationship with her sister (I didn't cry by it was a close thing).
All but two of these stories are contemporary, with bits of D&D storyline sprinkled in, but two of them break that mold. One story follows far-future kids in deep space trying to make sense of a vintage D&D manual, while the final story in the collection follows two characters in a fantasy world. Unclear if that last one is the beginning of an adventuring party, or if it takes place between NPCs in a world abandoned by heroes, but either way I loved it.
I'm a bit behind on this review, but I strongly recommend this collection. A word of caution: while most of these stories are generally light in tone, I had some Feelings(tm) in the stories where the families were overbearingly religious. Just something for folks to be aware of going in. I'd say that this collection would be suitable for a late middle grade and young adult readership, though I, a whole a whole entire adult, quite enjoyed it and would happily reread this in the future.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC.
September 3, 2025
A short story anthology that manages to be both cozy and emotional. Each centers around tabletop role-playing games (TTRPG), such as the real Dungeons and Dragons and the fictional Runes and Lore. There is an abundance of LGBTQ+ characters, including a lot of letters of the alphabet mafia. The stories also include autistic characters, disabled characters, and characters with anxiety, all done with care and authenticity. A lot of the romances were sugary sweet, nice and cozy. So many sapphic stories center angst and pining, especially on film, so this collection really made me happy.
This was the first physical copy of an ARC that I ever received, and it likely influenced my reading experience, but I am also definitely among the target audience. I love YA, both contemporary and fantastical, and this collection lovingly plays with both. I just started attending TTRPG game nights at my local Gay-Straight Alliance. I don’t know if there are actually any straights there, so I just call it Gay Game Night. It’s very low key, so it’s a good starting point, playing a homebrew game set in our world with the characters discovering supernatural monsters and magic. It’s not as regimented, so I feel it’s a good starting point. My character is named Althea, and one of the short stories has a minor character playing as… a character named Althea. It almost feels made for me, so I know that not everyone will enjoy this, but I had a fun time.
I know YA isn’t for everyone, and the teenage characters here feel so authentically teens. The stories fill you in on some details of TTRPG playing, rules, characters, points, dice, etc. but I still had to look up some things. I think it added to the richness of the stories, having it feel natural, no exposition dumps, but I know not everyone wants to add research to their reading. I learned a lot, realizing how beginner-focused my own Gay Game Nights are. There’s a good balance of realistic narratives and fantasy epics, so you’d have to be open to both to enjoy it.
Honestly I think that as long as the premise seems intriguing to you, you will adore this anthology. I highly recommend it as a buy or borrow.
9/10 subjectively; one of my favorite reads of the year.
This was the first physical copy of an ARC that I ever received, and it likely influenced my reading experience, but I am also definitely among the target audience. I love YA, both contemporary and fantastical, and this collection lovingly plays with both. I just started attending TTRPG game nights at my local Gay-Straight Alliance. I don’t know if there are actually any straights there, so I just call it Gay Game Night. It’s very low key, so it’s a good starting point, playing a homebrew game set in our world with the characters discovering supernatural monsters and magic. It’s not as regimented, so I feel it’s a good starting point. My character is named Althea, and one of the short stories has a minor character playing as… a character named Althea. It almost feels made for me, so I know that not everyone will enjoy this, but I had a fun time.
I know YA isn’t for everyone, and the teenage characters here feel so authentically teens. The stories fill you in on some details of TTRPG playing, rules, characters, points, dice, etc. but I still had to look up some things. I think it added to the richness of the stories, having it feel natural, no exposition dumps, but I know not everyone wants to add research to their reading. I learned a lot, realizing how beginner-focused my own Gay Game Nights are. There’s a good balance of realistic narratives and fantasy epics, so you’d have to be open to both to enjoy it.
Honestly I think that as long as the premise seems intriguing to you, you will adore this anthology. I highly recommend it as a buy or borrow.
9/10 subjectively; one of my favorite reads of the year.
August 22, 2025
Dungeons and Dragons has often been a game where people who feel like they don't fit in elsewhere can find a place where they truly belong. This collection demonstrates that perfectly with characters covering the full spectrum of gender and sexuality finding themselves and a community through this roleplaying game.
There's something for every reader in this collection. For me, I was particularly fond of Andrew Joseph White's "Oathbreaker" where newly out as trans Simon uses the game that he and his father have always bonded over to help repair their relationship. Then there was DeAndra Davis's "Haunts for Heathens" where Alisha uses playing Dungeons and Dragons with her friends as an escape from what her religious family expects from her and as inspiration for the screenplay she's working on for a scholarship all while finding out that maybe she and her largest rival have more of a connection than she thought. And Margaret Owen's "Five Times the Wizard Almost Died, and One Time She Did" where Ella navigates playing in her older sister's campaign for the first time while managing being the focus of said older sister's ire when her undiagnosed mental illness causes her to lash out in game. I was also quite fond of Linsey Miller's "Silvery Barbs" if only because it was very obviously inspired by my most favorite of Shakespeare's works - Much Ado About Nothing.
For any and all fans of ttrpgs and those who can't help being dice goblins, This Is How We Roll will delight all readers looking for a fun and heartfelt collection full of magic, mayhem, discovering who you are surrounded by your party members and closest friends.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC. All opinions are my own.
There's something for every reader in this collection. For me, I was particularly fond of Andrew Joseph White's "Oathbreaker" where newly out as trans Simon uses the game that he and his father have always bonded over to help repair their relationship. Then there was DeAndra Davis's "Haunts for Heathens" where Alisha uses playing Dungeons and Dragons with her friends as an escape from what her religious family expects from her and as inspiration for the screenplay she's working on for a scholarship all while finding out that maybe she and her largest rival have more of a connection than she thought. And Margaret Owen's "Five Times the Wizard Almost Died, and One Time She Did" where Ella navigates playing in her older sister's campaign for the first time while managing being the focus of said older sister's ire when her undiagnosed mental illness causes her to lash out in game. I was also quite fond of Linsey Miller's "Silvery Barbs" if only because it was very obviously inspired by my most favorite of Shakespeare's works - Much Ado About Nothing.
For any and all fans of ttrpgs and those who can't help being dice goblins, This Is How We Roll will delight all readers looking for a fun and heartfelt collection full of magic, mayhem, discovering who you are surrounded by your party members and closest friends.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC. All opinions are my own.
September 17, 2025
ARC provided by the publisher and Toppling Stacks Book Tours. All thoughts are my own.
This is How We Roll is a celebration of queer joy, identity, and adventure through the lens of tabletop RPGs. With fourteen stories by a powerhouse lineup of queer authors, this anthology captures the heart of what makes TTRPGs so special, the ability to explore who you are in worlds shaped by imagination, community, and a roll of the dice.
What stood out most to me was the sheer range of genres and tones across the collection. From grounded urban tales to far-flung sci-fi adventures, every story brought a unique voice and perspective. The representation is beautifully varied, and it felt like each story made space for characters to be fully themselves, whether they were casting spells or confronting inner demons.
As with any anthology, some stories resonated more with me than others. A few weren’t quite my style, but even those had moments of emotional depth or clever twists that I appreciated. Personal standouts for me were Oathbreaker by Andrew Joseph White, which felt incredibly grounded and a campaign I'd love to be in, and Camp I by Jamie Pacton, which was adorable. I also have to shout out Gathering the Party; it was a fun surprise to spot a local location referenced!
This collection is perfect for fans of TTRPGs, queer stories, or short fiction in general. It’s an ode to the joy of found family, storytelling, and claiming space at the table, both literally and figuratively.
Follow me on Instagram and on TikTok @mythicalreadsreviewer for more reviews!
November 13, 2025
Firstly, thank you to NetGalley and Page Street Publishing for providing me with a free advanced reader copy. This is an honest review and the thoughts and opinions below are my own.
I often struggle to read anthologies, but this is the year of LitRPGs and queer fic for me so how could I NOT give this book a go? And while it wasn't the easy reading page turner that I can get sucked into for two days straight, I still really enjoyed it! Sometimes, engaging in some slow reading and picking something up here and there and at bedtime for a week or two is a nice change of pace for me.
I loved reading the reviews on Goodreads after completing this one, because individual people loved different stories and characters - So much is explored in this book, and it is not surprising to see people relating to/favouring different stories. Sense of self, family dynamics, friendship shifts, self discovery, neurodiversity, LGBTQIA+ representation - it's all here.
You don't have to be a devout adventurer yourself to resonate with these stories and characters. If anything, I would encourage people who don't have any history of playing D&D and other RPGs to take a look at this one, because you just might find your interest tickled enough to try something new.
A very important lesson is taught in this book - There is a place for everyone, both at the table and in life, whoever and whatever you choose to be.
Wholesome, and will definitely come back for a reread one day.
I often struggle to read anthologies, but this is the year of LitRPGs and queer fic for me so how could I NOT give this book a go? And while it wasn't the easy reading page turner that I can get sucked into for two days straight, I still really enjoyed it! Sometimes, engaging in some slow reading and picking something up here and there and at bedtime for a week or two is a nice change of pace for me.
I loved reading the reviews on Goodreads after completing this one, because individual people loved different stories and characters - So much is explored in this book, and it is not surprising to see people relating to/favouring different stories. Sense of self, family dynamics, friendship shifts, self discovery, neurodiversity, LGBTQIA+ representation - it's all here.
You don't have to be a devout adventurer yourself to resonate with these stories and characters. If anything, I would encourage people who don't have any history of playing D&D and other RPGs to take a look at this one, because you just might find your interest tickled enough to try something new.
A very important lesson is taught in this book - There is a place for everyone, both at the table and in life, whoever and whatever you choose to be.
Wholesome, and will definitely come back for a reread one day.
October 27, 2025
This Is How We Roll!: DNF. As a TTRPG fan, I should have been just the right audience for this, but it didn't work for me. Too many of the stories felt cheesy and formulaic, and I found myself agreeing with Kirkus Reviews' assessment that the awkward recounting of game sessions doesn't have the same magic as playing them. Not sure who the best audience for this would be--maybe young teens who are interested in TTRPGs but haven't tried them yet? But there are other books I'd recommend to them more enthusiastically, like Ostertag's and Bouma's Dungeon Club series.
(Also, isn't the cover on this one odd? I can't help noticing how two of the PCs [on the upper half] are based on two of the players [on the lower half], but then the third player's PC instead resembles the DM? And the players appear to be the only ones talking, while the DM's the only one rolling? And the DM's position is not aligned to actually be using the DM screen? I don't know, none of these elements are impossible, but together they convey [to me, at least] that the publisher doesn't quite understand TTRPGs.)
--List of stories, for reference:
Gathering the Party
Captain's Log
Oathbreaker
Sneak Attack
You Are My Favorite Song
Camp I
Camp II
Silvery Barbs
Haunts for Heathens
Five Times the Wizard Almost Died, and One Time She Did
Pippin and Genie's Grand Adventure
Always a Merchant, Never a Rogue
(Also, isn't the cover on this one odd? I can't help noticing how two of the PCs [on the upper half] are based on two of the players [on the lower half], but then the third player's PC instead resembles the DM? And the players appear to be the only ones talking, while the DM's the only one rolling? And the DM's position is not aligned to actually be using the DM screen? I don't know, none of these elements are impossible, but together they convey [to me, at least] that the publisher doesn't quite understand TTRPGs.)
--List of stories, for reference:
Gathering the Party
Captain's Log
Oathbreaker
Sneak Attack
You Are My Favorite Song
Camp I
Camp II
Silvery Barbs
Haunts for Heathens
Five Times the Wizard Almost Died, and One Time She Did
Pippin and Genie's Grand Adventure
Always a Merchant, Never a Rogue
November 30, 2025
Publishing date: 16.11.2025 (DD/MM/YYYY)
Thank you to NetGalley and Page Street Publishing for the ARC. My opinions are my own.
DNF at 53%
TLDR //
A collection of D&D stories all about finding yourself, relationships, and the LGBTQ+ community. 3 stars
Quickfire likes and gripes //
Set in the D&D universe
Very LGBTQ+ positive
Sweet, and the stories weren’t too long
Could not grab my attention at all
A little too young for me
What didn’t work for me //
I realize now that as I get older I need more stakes and a more mature writing style. This didn’t really have either of those. The writing isn’t bad, just not really a style I vibe with anymore. And the stakes in these books are usually low.
The stories were a mixed bag for me (as they always are in short-story collections), and I just couldn’t connect with any of them.
I also have come to discover that reading campaigns isn’t my cup of tea.
Audience //
This book would work for:
D&D fans
A YA Audience
Someone who might be coming to terms with their LGBTQ+ identity
Final Verdict //
This book would be something for a younger me. But now, I see that I am not the intended audience. I will still recommend this to some of the younger people in my life. Giving this a temporary 3 stars in case I decide to revisit this.
Thank you to NetGalley and Page Street Publishing for the ARC. My opinions are my own.
DNF at 53%
TLDR //
A collection of D&D stories all about finding yourself, relationships, and the LGBTQ+ community. 3 stars
Quickfire likes and gripes //
Set in the D&D universe
Very LGBTQ+ positive
Sweet, and the stories weren’t too long
Could not grab my attention at all
A little too young for me
What didn’t work for me //
I realize now that as I get older I need more stakes and a more mature writing style. This didn’t really have either of those. The writing isn’t bad, just not really a style I vibe with anymore. And the stakes in these books are usually low.
The stories were a mixed bag for me (as they always are in short-story collections), and I just couldn’t connect with any of them.
I also have come to discover that reading campaigns isn’t my cup of tea.
Audience //
This book would work for:
D&D fans
A YA Audience
Someone who might be coming to terms with their LGBTQ+ identity
Final Verdict //
This book would be something for a younger me. But now, I see that I am not the intended audience. I will still recommend this to some of the younger people in my life. Giving this a temporary 3 stars in case I decide to revisit this.
September 12, 2025
Thank you to the authors and publisher for providing an eARC of this book via NetGalley.
I don't typically read a lot of anthologies/short story compilations because they tend to be hit-or-miss for me. (Full disclosure, this book caught my eye solely because I've loved Margaret Owen's other books.)
I think this anthology is a lot of fun and will appeal to readers who are interested in TTRPGs (D&D more specifically) and queer representation. As a whole, all of the stories were quite entertaining, with a couple standouts among them that resonated with me in particular for personal reasons. So really, I think there's something for everyone here. The anthology manages to strike a good balance between angsty and heartwarming. Ultimately, this anthology is a celebration of D&D, the joy of (finding) community and feeling a sense of belonging. What's not to love?
Definitely recommend checking this one out if you like stories about D&D and especially if you like stories about how D&D creates a space for queer people to explore their identities and be themselves.
I don't typically read a lot of anthologies/short story compilations because they tend to be hit-or-miss for me. (Full disclosure, this book caught my eye solely because I've loved Margaret Owen's other books.)
I think this anthology is a lot of fun and will appeal to readers who are interested in TTRPGs (D&D more specifically) and queer representation. As a whole, all of the stories were quite entertaining, with a couple standouts among them that resonated with me in particular for personal reasons. So really, I think there's something for everyone here. The anthology manages to strike a good balance between angsty and heartwarming. Ultimately, this anthology is a celebration of D&D, the joy of (finding) community and feeling a sense of belonging. What's not to love?
Definitely recommend checking this one out if you like stories about D&D and especially if you like stories about how D&D creates a space for queer people to explore their identities and be themselves.
September 13, 2025
This is the book i needed when i was a teen, filled with kids of all ages, learning about themselves, connecting to others, reconnecting with family, all through the passion of D&D, and the pain and joy of figuring out how to survive, not only as a person in this world, but as a queer youth. this anthology has a little bit of everything! from trans kids exploring their identities, and reconnecting with their parents, to gay awakenings, to learning you can be lesbian while at a church run summer camp. every story was a lesson, and i cried more than once as i read the cathartic journeys in both life, and campaign. like most Anthologies, i personally felt as though some stories were better than others... and i couldn't read one or two because they struck so close to home my anxiety shot through the roof. but this is one hundred percent a story you need to read if your an LGBTQIA+ with an unhealthy obsession with dice.
i'd like to thank Page Street Publishing | Page Street YA, and Netgalley for this Arc.
i'd like to thank Page Street Publishing | Page Street YA, and Netgalley for this Arc.
October 13, 2025
*I received an eARC from Netgalley and Page Street YA in exchange for my honest review.*
I hadn't paid attention when I requested it from Netgalley and thought it was a graphic novel! Oops. Anyway, it's actually an anthology of short stories all about queer teens roleplaying. It was a good, solid set of stories from a few authors I knew, a few I didn't. The stories fit together well and were mostly very enjoyable. A few things I didn't enjoy so much because I felt too old - like the constant misunderstandings and miscommunications of youths.
Highlights for me were:
Gathering the Party by Anna Meriano - fun and believable
Oathbreaker by Andrew Joseph White - pretty harrowing
Always A Merchant, Never A Rogue by Akemi Dawn Bowman - really interesting concept and pretty humorous
Lowlights were:
You Are My Favorite Song by Jonny Garza Villa - just kinda meh
Silvery Barbs by Linsey Miller - such a mess, I had no idea what was going on in this one, it was all over the place
Yet another book I wish had existed when I was a queer teen D&D wannabe.
I hadn't paid attention when I requested it from Netgalley and thought it was a graphic novel! Oops. Anyway, it's actually an anthology of short stories all about queer teens roleplaying. It was a good, solid set of stories from a few authors I knew, a few I didn't. The stories fit together well and were mostly very enjoyable. A few things I didn't enjoy so much because I felt too old - like the constant misunderstandings and miscommunications of youths.
Highlights for me were:
Gathering the Party by Anna Meriano - fun and believable
Oathbreaker by Andrew Joseph White - pretty harrowing
Always A Merchant, Never A Rogue by Akemi Dawn Bowman - really interesting concept and pretty humorous
Lowlights were:
You Are My Favorite Song by Jonny Garza Villa - just kinda meh
Silvery Barbs by Linsey Miller - such a mess, I had no idea what was going on in this one, it was all over the place
Yet another book I wish had existed when I was a queer teen D&D wannabe.
October 19, 2025
“Our characters are filters over ourselves, reality held at arm’s length”
This anthology gave me all the feels, so much that it’s quite complicated to put it into words. All the short stories are different, but they have that in common: In each ones, teens —and, sometimes, their parents— gather around the table, and as they play, they find themselves and their community. Every single one was touching, funny, easy to relate —even though I do not really play RPG. I loved how the characters helped them to find themselves, to communicate between each other, like another mask, but a very assumed and visible one. Each story is a patchwork of differences, a path for an individual (or a group), some ambitions, and a way for the MC to find their people. This is a love story to RP, a love story to outsiders. Reading this anthology felt very empowering, I wish I had such YA books as a teen (but I love them as an adult).
Thank you to toppling stack tour and Page Street Publishing for granting me the access to the eARC on NetGalley. My opinions are my own.
4.5/5
This anthology gave me all the feels, so much that it’s quite complicated to put it into words. All the short stories are different, but they have that in common: In each ones, teens —and, sometimes, their parents— gather around the table, and as they play, they find themselves and their community. Every single one was touching, funny, easy to relate —even though I do not really play RPG. I loved how the characters helped them to find themselves, to communicate between each other, like another mask, but a very assumed and visible one. Each story is a patchwork of differences, a path for an individual (or a group), some ambitions, and a way for the MC to find their people. This is a love story to RP, a love story to outsiders. Reading this anthology felt very empowering, I wish I had such YA books as a teen (but I love them as an adult).
Thank you to toppling stack tour and Page Street Publishing for granting me the access to the eARC on NetGalley. My opinions are my own.
4.5/5
July 23, 2025
Thank you to Netgalley and Page Street Press for an eARC in exchange for an honest review.
This was a wonderful anthology full of a variety of stories that showed the multitude of ways that Dungeons and Dragons provides a safe space for people. While it mainly focuses on queer people and the ways they find a queer-accepting world in the game, use the game as a way to explore themselves, and more, it also highlights how the game brings people together, helps people with their anxiety, brings them out of depressions. It's just such a wholesome view of the game and highlights why people love it so much and why it is so important to people.
There's a really interesting array of identities within the anthology. I was pleased to see a handful of ace and aro rep and really related to some of those writings as an aroace person myself. Andrew Joseph White's story of a young trans man reconnecting with his father through the game was incredibly poignant. There were no misses here.
This is How We Roll is necessary reading for any Dungeons and Dragons fan, but especially those who found a soft landing space in the Forgotten Realms.
This was a wonderful anthology full of a variety of stories that showed the multitude of ways that Dungeons and Dragons provides a safe space for people. While it mainly focuses on queer people and the ways they find a queer-accepting world in the game, use the game as a way to explore themselves, and more, it also highlights how the game brings people together, helps people with their anxiety, brings them out of depressions. It's just such a wholesome view of the game and highlights why people love it so much and why it is so important to people.
There's a really interesting array of identities within the anthology. I was pleased to see a handful of ace and aro rep and really related to some of those writings as an aroace person myself. Andrew Joseph White's story of a young trans man reconnecting with his father through the game was incredibly poignant. There were no misses here.
This is How We Roll is necessary reading for any Dungeons and Dragons fan, but especially those who found a soft landing space in the Forgotten Realms.
September 10, 2025
Thank you to the authors and NetGalley for giving me an ARC.
This was a collection of fictional stories showing how roleplaying games can be used for people to explore their relationships, gender, and sexuality. All of the stories had adorable characters, who were looking to find their people, and to find a world where they could be authentically themselves.
I really liked the story of DnD being used as a bonding opportunity between a dad and his recently out trans son. The dad uses the sons chosen name for the first time whilst playing and it was so lovely and heartwarming. All of the stories showed how it can be used as an escape from ordinary life, as an opportunity to discover new things about yourself, and to explore different relationships.
All of the stories were so heartwarmingly queer. I loved all of the representation and how it highlighted the potential creativity when individuals were given the opportunity for creative expression.
This was a collection of fictional stories showing how roleplaying games can be used for people to explore their relationships, gender, and sexuality. All of the stories had adorable characters, who were looking to find their people, and to find a world where they could be authentically themselves.
I really liked the story of DnD being used as a bonding opportunity between a dad and his recently out trans son. The dad uses the sons chosen name for the first time whilst playing and it was so lovely and heartwarming. All of the stories showed how it can be used as an escape from ordinary life, as an opportunity to discover new things about yourself, and to explore different relationships.
All of the stories were so heartwarmingly queer. I loved all of the representation and how it highlighted the potential creativity when individuals were given the opportunity for creative expression.
October 1, 2025
My queer, neurodivergent, D&D obsessed self absolutely loved this book! I laughed, cried, was inspired, and now have many new ideas for my own homebrew campaign. This book is an anthology with stories about being queer, trans, neurodivergent, or simply different and how people are able to translate that into TTRPGs. Each story was so beautiful and well thought-out. D&D is it’s own culture and I LOVE books where I get to experience that. This book is perfect for anyone who loves D&D or just has an interest in it and wants to learn more about it. As a player myself, I felt like I walked away understand the game more than I did before I read this. It was truly such a beautiful story about how our isolating human experiences are the ones that can make a place for us in the fantasy world.
Thank you so much to NetGalley and the publishers for giving me the chance to read this arc! I’ve been looking forward to this book for so long and it was a dream come true.
Thank you so much to NetGalley and the publishers for giving me the chance to read this arc! I’ve been looking forward to this book for so long and it was a dream come true.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 55 reviews