An Unexpected Hero is one of those books that sneaks up on you—not because it’s a perfect tale, but because it’s so earnestly weird, fun, and packed with unexpected charm that you can’t help but enjoy the ride.
At first glance, Danny is the last person you’d bet on to save a fantasy world. He’s a washed-up rockstar playing dive bars for soccer moms, and even when he’s tossed through a portal into a strange new realm (classic isekai style), he’s still… well, kind of a disaster. A pathetic, clueless bard with no musical talent and even fewer prospects. But that’s exactly what makes his journey so entertaining.
When Danny hits rock bottom, he makes a desperate bargain with a wonderfully grotesque hag named Phlegm, gaining a magical lute he doesn’t know how to use. From there, the book dives into its LitRPG elements, with Danny’s progress tracked by a delightfully snarky “blue screen” narrator—think sarcastic Siri meets Dungeon Crawler Carl’s AI, full of meta humor and pop culture zingers.
Danny’s growth is slow and full of setbacks (and honestly, some of those dragged on), but the heart of the story really lies in his relationship with Curr, a stoic, socially inept barbarian who unintentionally steals every scene. Curr’s blunt observations about Danny’s inadequacies are delivered with such deadpan honesty that they become laugh-out-loud moments. And despite being a walking slab of muscle and rage, Curr’s loyalty and dry wit give the story surprising emotional weight. Their friendship, though one-sided at first, becomes one of the book’s most satisfying arcs.
The world itself is absurd, colorful, and unapologetically silly—which actually works in its favor. Bruno and Castle aren’t afraid to get ridiculous, and that sense of playfulness gives the story its charm. From bizarre creatures to quirky side characters like Garvis the halfling and Lilla the elf warrior/dream girl, there’s never a dull moment—even when the plot meanders.
Screenie, the narrator, is hands-down my favorite part of the book. Its relentless sass, fourth-wall-breaking jabs, and relentless critique of Danny’s incompetence make for some of the sharpest and funniest dialogue I’ve read in a while.
That said, the book isn’t without its flaws. The pacing lags at times, Danny’s growth feels a little uneven, and the humor—while often spot-on—sometimes tries a bit too hard. Still, it’s clear the authors had a blast writing this, and that infectious energy translates to the page.
If you’re into LitRPGs with heart, humor, and a loveably useless protagonist, An Unexpected Hero delivers a uniquely enjoyable experience. It may not be perfect, but it’s the kind of messy, endearing adventure you’ll remember fondly. I’d definitely be curious to see where Danny’s journey goes next.