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The Once and Future Idiot
Erlin, the cleverest man in Albion, is keeping a there's no such thing as magic.
This doesn't stop him from enjoying a comfortable job as the king's inquisitor, where he pretends to keep the kingdom safe from witches, warlocks, and anything else that frightens the superstitious people of Tomelac.
Erlin's carefree life falls apart when he’s ordered to tutor Prince Garth, a clueless boy who has never learned a thing. When Erlin uncovers a plot to assassinate the prince, the two of them are forced to flee the kingdom.
As they travel together, Erlin begins to see potential in the young man as a future king. But their journey is complicated by the arrival of Morrigin, a mysterious woman who confounds Erlin at every turn, causing him to question everything he knows.
Deciding that Garth is the best hope for the dark times that have come to Albion, Erlin takes on the impossible task of teaching the prince while leading him through a world more dangerous—and more magical—than he ever wanted to believe.
"Readers will love this fast-paced fantasy adventure.” —Kathryn Dare, Portland Book Review
"Adam D. Jones is at the height of his comic powers in this delightful retelling!" - Bonnie Wheeler, Arthurian scholar and founding editor of Arthuriana
This doesn't stop him from enjoying a comfortable job as the king's inquisitor, where he pretends to keep the kingdom safe from witches, warlocks, and anything else that frightens the superstitious people of Tomelac.
Erlin's carefree life falls apart when he’s ordered to tutor Prince Garth, a clueless boy who has never learned a thing. When Erlin uncovers a plot to assassinate the prince, the two of them are forced to flee the kingdom.
As they travel together, Erlin begins to see potential in the young man as a future king. But their journey is complicated by the arrival of Morrigin, a mysterious woman who confounds Erlin at every turn, causing him to question everything he knows.
Deciding that Garth is the best hope for the dark times that have come to Albion, Erlin takes on the impossible task of teaching the prince while leading him through a world more dangerous—and more magical—than he ever wanted to believe.
"Readers will love this fast-paced fantasy adventure.” —Kathryn Dare, Portland Book Review
"Adam D. Jones is at the height of his comic powers in this delightful retelling!" - Bonnie Wheeler, Arthurian scholar and founding editor of Arthuriana
412 pages, Paperback
Published November 1, 2024
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7 people want to read
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Displaying 1 of 1 review
December 7, 2024
This book is beautiful. Truly magnificent honestly. I purchased this book on a whim because the author had commented and recommended it on threads and I’m so unbelievably glad I did.
After reading some heavy books, with dark undertones this one was the PERFECT contrast for me.
The story is a comedy about a man who cons his way into being the court inquisitor for a tyrannical king in his kingdom by convincing him that he dispatches evil mages and helps to save his kingdom from dark magic (random droughts, crops not yielding, sickness, normal things that happen).
The MMC in actuality is a cowardly laugh who reads a lot and has perfected his acting.
He finds himself on a mission from the king while having to “actually work” to help a city in need where its leader has been killed. As opposed to him just pretending to work and spin a story he gets the simple minded prince as his apprentice and it leads them both on a beautiful, character developing quest with hints towards characters and mindsets such as King Arthur and the Morrigan within the pages.
I have not laughed this hard in so long and my heart has never been more full. This is an easy, light hearted, fully feel-good story and it is INCREDIBLY worth every second and every cent. The sheer amount of heroism and kindness shown by the main characters just warmed me to my soul and in the midst of a chaotic world, reading this truly made me at peace.
“Might does not make right”
After reading some heavy books, with dark undertones this one was the PERFECT contrast for me.
The story is a comedy about a man who cons his way into being the court inquisitor for a tyrannical king in his kingdom by convincing him that he dispatches evil mages and helps to save his kingdom from dark magic (random droughts, crops not yielding, sickness, normal things that happen).
The MMC in actuality is a cowardly laugh who reads a lot and has perfected his acting.
He finds himself on a mission from the king while having to “actually work” to help a city in need where its leader has been killed. As opposed to him just pretending to work and spin a story he gets the simple minded prince as his apprentice and it leads them both on a beautiful, character developing quest with hints towards characters and mindsets such as King Arthur and the Morrigan within the pages.
I have not laughed this hard in so long and my heart has never been more full. This is an easy, light hearted, fully feel-good story and it is INCREDIBLY worth every second and every cent. The sheer amount of heroism and kindness shown by the main characters just warmed me to my soul and in the midst of a chaotic world, reading this truly made me at peace.
“Might does not make right”
Displaying 1 of 1 review