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The Demon of Elderstay: The New Dark Saga
Magical makeovers are a messy business.
But how was junior arcane lecturer Gerome to know his attempt to improve a part of his anatomy would open a portal to the Shade Planes? Or, worse, unleash the all-powerful “Harbinger of the New Dark” – fondly or not nicknamed Al?
Utterly broke and burdened with demon (literally), Gerome begrudgingly joins a shady nobleman’s quest to free the stronghold of Elderstay from a powerful curse. His dysfunctional crew – the insufferable siblings Bijan and Najib, the perpetually moody Polly, and the enigmatic green-skinned Sha-sha – have more problems than they can wave a wand at. Walking corpses and ritual blood circles aside, Gerome is running out of time. At any moment, Al might break free and end the world. As for the horrors that await them in Elderstay?
Let's just say the "New Dark" is the least of their worries…
In this humorous dark fantasy novel, The Demon of Elderstay spins a witty, emotionally deep, thoroughly unorthodox hero’s journey with action, magic, and a thrilling story that will stay with you for years to come.
But how was junior arcane lecturer Gerome to know his attempt to improve a part of his anatomy would open a portal to the Shade Planes? Or, worse, unleash the all-powerful “Harbinger of the New Dark” – fondly or not nicknamed Al?
Utterly broke and burdened with demon (literally), Gerome begrudgingly joins a shady nobleman’s quest to free the stronghold of Elderstay from a powerful curse. His dysfunctional crew – the insufferable siblings Bijan and Najib, the perpetually moody Polly, and the enigmatic green-skinned Sha-sha – have more problems than they can wave a wand at. Walking corpses and ritual blood circles aside, Gerome is running out of time. At any moment, Al might break free and end the world. As for the horrors that await them in Elderstay?
Let's just say the "New Dark" is the least of their worries…
In this humorous dark fantasy novel, The Demon of Elderstay spins a witty, emotionally deep, thoroughly unorthodox hero’s journey with action, magic, and a thrilling story that will stay with you for years to come.
237 pages, Kindle Edition
Published November 1, 2024
26 people are currently reading
125 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 93 reviews
August 27, 2024
This was such a fun and witty book. I found myself laughing out loud at some moments. It was very different to things that I normally read and I definitely got some dungeons and dragons vibe.
I loved how there was a plethora of different creatures and I felt as though they were written well. I did struggle with the main character at first but when I realised that was just his personality I found it much more likeable.
The descriptions of what was happening were written well and I didn’t find myself getting lost at any point. I will definitely be reading the next instalment!
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
I loved how there was a plethora of different creatures and I felt as though they were written well. I did struggle with the main character at first but when I realised that was just his personality I found it much more likeable.
The descriptions of what was happening were written well and I didn’t find myself getting lost at any point. I will definitely be reading the next instalment!
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
July 24, 2024
A wonderful adventure filled with magic, fantasy creatures, and dark elements. This was a super quick and light read. The story follows Gerome (the gnome) and a group of noblemen on a quest to free the land of Elderstay from a demon. At times (especially towards the end), the book made me a little emotional as we understood certain reasons why things happened (i'm trying not to spoil too much haha). I love the writing style and quick jokes that characters make. I will definitely be reading more from this author!
August 1, 2024
Witty and hilarious banter; Gerome the Gnome and his resident demon will have you clutching your sides in laughter.
The Demon of Elderstay is a short, fun read. I enjoyed the writing style, especially how well the author was able to balance humor and the more heavy stuff. If I ever get to play in a D&D campaign, Gerome the Gnome would be a character I would want to embody.
I can’t wait to see what’s next in store in the next installment of the New Dark Saga.
Thank you to I. Ribbon for the ARC. This review is completely voluntary and thoughts are my own.
The Demon of Elderstay is a short, fun read. I enjoyed the writing style, especially how well the author was able to balance humor and the more heavy stuff. If I ever get to play in a D&D campaign, Gerome the Gnome would be a character I would want to embody.
I can’t wait to see what’s next in store in the next installment of the New Dark Saga.
Thank you to I. Ribbon for the ARC. This review is completely voluntary and thoughts are my own.
April 13, 2025
“It must be nice, not to have been shanked in the nether regions by life.”
I finished this a couple days ago but sat on it for a minute so that I could write a review that did it justice. For me, this book was excellent. It was so funny, but also so smart.
Gerome is a gnome (yes, he gets that a lot) who also happens to an arcane lecturer. After an attempt to *enhance* himself goes badly, he discovers he has unwittingly allowed a poweful demon to slip through a crack from the shadow planes, right into him. Now, with his unwelcome demon passenger in tow, he finds himself with a band of unlikely people of talent who have been tasked with the unsavory job of ridding the stronghold of Elderstay of a terrible curse.
When I say I loved this, I am not exaggerating in the slightest. The writing for this story was fantastic- it was witty and had me laughing out loud on multiple occasions, but it was also unexpectedly emotional. I loved Gerome. This unlikely hero, while literally being a gnome, was so relatable. His plights were those of a person who only wanted what we all want in life, to be happy. His misfortunes along the way brought a subtle underlying message of hope through despair and what it means to face your demons- in Gerome’s case, literally.
I also really enjoyed the build of the story and the way the side characters were implemented. I loved that we as readers were able to learn about them and uncover details as Gerome did. I ESPECIALLY loved that this book felt like I was sucked into a Dungeons and Dragons game. It was adventurous, comical, moving, and exciting. I’m really looking forward to the next book in this series.
If you are looking for a book with strong DnD vibes, an lgbtq+ main character, and smart, witty writing, this one is for you.
***ETA: I just listened (4/13/25) to an ALC of the audiobook for The Demon of Elderstay and it was INCREDIBLE! The narrator was phenomenal and made it such a fun and engaging experience. He brought to life the witty and hilarious Gerome in such a great way that I loved the book even more than I originally did! I loved his character voices, his pacing was excellent, and he delivered the dry sarcasm perfectly. 10/10 recommend!***
I finished this a couple days ago but sat on it for a minute so that I could write a review that did it justice. For me, this book was excellent. It was so funny, but also so smart.
Gerome is a gnome (yes, he gets that a lot) who also happens to an arcane lecturer. After an attempt to *enhance* himself goes badly, he discovers he has unwittingly allowed a poweful demon to slip through a crack from the shadow planes, right into him. Now, with his unwelcome demon passenger in tow, he finds himself with a band of unlikely people of talent who have been tasked with the unsavory job of ridding the stronghold of Elderstay of a terrible curse.
When I say I loved this, I am not exaggerating in the slightest. The writing for this story was fantastic- it was witty and had me laughing out loud on multiple occasions, but it was also unexpectedly emotional. I loved Gerome. This unlikely hero, while literally being a gnome, was so relatable. His plights were those of a person who only wanted what we all want in life, to be happy. His misfortunes along the way brought a subtle underlying message of hope through despair and what it means to face your demons- in Gerome’s case, literally.
I also really enjoyed the build of the story and the way the side characters were implemented. I loved that we as readers were able to learn about them and uncover details as Gerome did. I ESPECIALLY loved that this book felt like I was sucked into a Dungeons and Dragons game. It was adventurous, comical, moving, and exciting. I’m really looking forward to the next book in this series.
If you are looking for a book with strong DnD vibes, an lgbtq+ main character, and smart, witty writing, this one is for you.
***ETA: I just listened (4/13/25) to an ALC of the audiobook for The Demon of Elderstay and it was INCREDIBLE! The narrator was phenomenal and made it such a fun and engaging experience. He brought to life the witty and hilarious Gerome in such a great way that I loved the book even more than I originally did! I loved his character voices, his pacing was excellent, and he delivered the dry sarcasm perfectly. 10/10 recommend!***
August 9, 2024
I received an ARC copy and am leaving a review voluntarily.
This whole book is a crazy trip. I mean that both literally and metaphorically. I laughed so much during this adventure. I only recently got into Dungeons and Dragons so I’m sure there’s a few quips at it that I missed that veterans of D&D will catch.
The long and short of it? We’re tagging along with a gnome with magical knowledge (but whose skill is another story) as he joins in on a quest that promises lots of coin. But he’s utterly terrified the whole way, surrounded by living stereotypes of the D&D classes, as well as a few characters with ulterior motives and frequently escapes into a drug induced bliss.
It’s about as hilarious a scenario as it sounds like.
This book has no scruples. It makes fun of everything—religion, child death, drug use etc. it’s for that reason it falls into the dark category. If you don’t go in with the mindset of this being dark humor, you’re likely going to be uncomfortable.
The only thing that keeps it from five stars is that our main character takes a bit to grow on you. While his selfishness is absolutely part of the gag, it can be a bit too much at times.
August 25, 2024
This debut dark fantasy novel promises D&D vibes, found family, grey characters and a wise-cracking narrator. The main character Gerome the Gnome (yes, he gets that a lot) finds himself signed up to a seemingly doomed quest to liberate the city of Elderstay. He fails to really remember how he got here as he usually chooses psychoactive drugs over reality at this point. You see, Gerome is burdened with a Demon whose morally questionable commentary can only be silenced by any drugs that Gerome can get his hands on.
The book jumps straight into the action, and in just the first chapter we get a very good understanding of the dynamics of this world. We learn about the different species, the magic system and politics. We also learn that Gerome is an accomplished wizard, but thanks to his Demon, he has not been able to turn this into a successful career. Gerome often deals with high stakes encounters during his quest by popping another mushroom, helpfully supplied by his new quest-mate Polly.
I found Gerome very relatable; he's not a hero at all, he's just trying to get through the day! There's sarcastic, dry humour throughout this book, action and perils, mysteries and twists.This book combines the more ridiculous exploits of a D&D game with a horny gay gnome. The book's climax is an hilarious and descriptive action sequence that definitely needs some kind of 80s soundtrack behind it!
I got fully lost in this story, and couldn't keep my eyes off the page near the end as Gerome has some difficult choices to make. The action is fast paced and it is clear how much care and love has gone into this book. I could read it again and find clues that I missed the first time around. I really enjoyed this book and it's clear that there is much more to this world, I can't wait to read the next in the series!
The book jumps straight into the action, and in just the first chapter we get a very good understanding of the dynamics of this world. We learn about the different species, the magic system and politics. We also learn that Gerome is an accomplished wizard, but thanks to his Demon, he has not been able to turn this into a successful career. Gerome often deals with high stakes encounters during his quest by popping another mushroom, helpfully supplied by his new quest-mate Polly.
I found Gerome very relatable; he's not a hero at all, he's just trying to get through the day! There's sarcastic, dry humour throughout this book, action and perils, mysteries and twists.This book combines the more ridiculous exploits of a D&D game with a horny gay gnome. The book's climax is an hilarious and descriptive action sequence that definitely needs some kind of 80s soundtrack behind it!
I got fully lost in this story, and couldn't keep my eyes off the page near the end as Gerome has some difficult choices to make. The action is fast paced and it is clear how much care and love has gone into this book. I could read it again and find clues that I missed the first time around. I really enjoyed this book and it's clear that there is much more to this world, I can't wait to read the next in the series!
October 8, 2024
Sent on a quest by a shady nobleman, Gerome the Gnome (yes, he knows) and his ragtag group of adventurers, put together by force rather than friendship, set out to free the city of Elderstay from the demon currently holding it hostage. Seems simple, right? Guess again - this journey will be anything but easy.
This book is cosy in the weirdest way. It feels like you're playing D&D with friends, and with a chaotic DM that wants to keep you guessing the entire time. By the end of the book you feel like you've been in the story as a participant, not just someone who's reading the story.
I can't wait to see what happens next in the saga, and I know I. Ribbon will deliver time and time again as it progresses.
This book is cosy in the weirdest way. It feels like you're playing D&D with friends, and with a chaotic DM that wants to keep you guessing the entire time. By the end of the book you feel like you've been in the story as a participant, not just someone who's reading the story.
I can't wait to see what happens next in the saga, and I know I. Ribbon will deliver time and time again as it progresses.
October 7, 2024
A funny and witty dark fancy adventure, with a group of misfits on a quest.
I loved the D&D vibes of this, and the banter between Gerome and his demon inhabitant. I enjoyed the range of creatures and magic types and the use of necromancy.
It has great dark humour, nothing should be taken too seriously, and the characters were entertaining.
I loved the D&D vibes of this, and the banter between Gerome and his demon inhabitant. I enjoyed the range of creatures and magic types and the use of necromancy.
It has great dark humour, nothing should be taken too seriously, and the characters were entertaining.
July 3, 2025
The Demon of Elderstay follows a snarky, down-on-his-luck gnome lecturer with a drug habit who gets swept up in a dangerous quest to cleanse the cursed Elderstay alongside a mismatched adventuring party.
While the book is undeniably witty and the premise original, it just wasn’t quite for me. I struggled to connect with the characters, and at times the pacing felt rushed. The story itself had promise and moments of charm, but overall it didn’t fully pull me in. Fans of sarcastic antiheroes and chaotic party dynamics will likely enjoy it a lot.
While the book is undeniably witty and the premise original, it just wasn’t quite for me. I struggled to connect with the characters, and at times the pacing felt rushed. The story itself had promise and moments of charm, but overall it didn’t fully pull me in. Fans of sarcastic antiheroes and chaotic party dynamics will likely enjoy it a lot.
September 17, 2024
Such a fun read!
A dark, humorous fantasy with action and adventure.
A ragtag bunch of fantastical beings on a mission to infiltrate the possessed city of Elderstay.
Full of witty banter, personal agendas and a dose of mystery.
I was sent this book by the author and all opinions are my own.
A dark, humorous fantasy with action and adventure.
A ragtag bunch of fantastical beings on a mission to infiltrate the possessed city of Elderstay.
Full of witty banter, personal agendas and a dose of mystery.
I was sent this book by the author and all opinions are my own.
August 18, 2024
"Go far away. Somewhere nice. Somewhere with pool boys"
I never thought I'd be on board with a demon but here I am wanting to go swimming with Al, the demon possessing our hero Gerome the Gnome.
Gerome has been sent on a quest to free the land of Elderstay from a demon whilst simultaneously keeping his own demon Al at bay.
This was such a fun read with so many laugh out loud moments. The story actually tackles some very real issues that many people face however the author was able to treat those issues with care whilst also bringing humour into the equation, that's not an easy thing to do and a testament to the author's incredible writing style. Whilst this was an easy to follow read it also was wonderfully descriptive. One line I was particularly fond of was "like pale, lemon-coloured tongues, the flames lapped the air" talk about painting a picture with words!
I just loved everything about this story, the extremely relatable characters to the impressive world building. I'm excited to see further developments of the character's and this world as the series continues. 5 star read for me.
I never thought I'd be on board with a demon but here I am wanting to go swimming with Al, the demon possessing our hero Gerome the Gnome.
Gerome has been sent on a quest to free the land of Elderstay from a demon whilst simultaneously keeping his own demon Al at bay.
This was such a fun read with so many laugh out loud moments. The story actually tackles some very real issues that many people face however the author was able to treat those issues with care whilst also bringing humour into the equation, that's not an easy thing to do and a testament to the author's incredible writing style. Whilst this was an easy to follow read it also was wonderfully descriptive. One line I was particularly fond of was "like pale, lemon-coloured tongues, the flames lapped the air" talk about painting a picture with words!
I just loved everything about this story, the extremely relatable characters to the impressive world building. I'm excited to see further developments of the character's and this world as the series continues. 5 star read for me.
August 19, 2024
This book follows Gerome the Gnome as he and a group of unlikely allies team up to answer the call of Brent......sorry LORD Brent to help free the town of Elderstay from a demon.
I really enjoyed this book! I was chuckling as early in the book as the prologue! I felt like i was reading a DnD campaign, and I was trying to figure out what was happening along with the characters. I liked seeing the character progression throughout the story and learning their backstories. The story ended in a cliffhanger that makes me excited to read the next one! If you like DnD and BG3, I think you'd really like this book!
This story has humor, magic, LGBTQA+ representation, themes of abuse, both physical and substance, and child loss.
I really enjoyed this book! I was chuckling as early in the book as the prologue! I felt like i was reading a DnD campaign, and I was trying to figure out what was happening along with the characters. I liked seeing the character progression throughout the story and learning their backstories. The story ended in a cliffhanger that makes me excited to read the next one! If you like DnD and BG3, I think you'd really like this book!
This story has humor, magic, LGBTQA+ representation, themes of abuse, both physical and substance, and child loss.
March 26, 2025
A really fun adventure. If you play D&D you'll love this. Lots of little nods to known lore, and it genuinely feels like a campaign you're playing with friends. Even if you've never played D&D but you love a funny fantasy adventure, then this book is for you. The characters all have such well written personalities. You really feel like you're along for their ride.
August 10, 2024
Definitely a fun, short read. I would recommend it to people who like Andrew Claydon, KM Merritt, or A. Lee Martinez. It has a lot of humor while still having a serious plot line with an interesting twist at the end.
Gerome is a gnome, a magical one who uses psychoactive substances to keep his demon at bay. The one in his head. That he accidentally let into this plane of existence for.... reasons. XD
Then there is Polly, our mushroom girl. Human mushroom? I think the line is blurred. She is grumpy and has the toxic spores to back her up. And also less toxic ones. There’s a reason Gerome is kinda OK with having her around.
And then there is the brooding set of armor. I’ll let you figure out what that’s about. XD
Gerome is a gnome, a magical one who uses psychoactive substances to keep his demon at bay. The one in his head. That he accidentally let into this plane of existence for.... reasons. XD
Then there is Polly, our mushroom girl. Human mushroom? I think the line is blurred. She is grumpy and has the toxic spores to back her up. And also less toxic ones. There’s a reason Gerome is kinda OK with having her around.
And then there is the brooding set of armor. I’ll let you figure out what that’s about. XD
September 1, 2024
The Demons of Elderstay is a delightful blend of dark fantasy and humor that kept me hooked from the very first page. The author's ability to seamlessly weave dark themes with lighthearted moments is truly impressive.
The world-building is rich and immersive, creating a captivating setting filled with magic, mystery, and danger. The characters are a diverse and engaging bunch, each with their own unique quirks and flaws. While the protagonist, Gerome, is initially a bit self-absorbed, his growth throughout the story is satisfying to witness.
While I did find myself getting lost in the intricate details of the magic system and world lore at times, the author's witty writing and unexpected plot twists always managed to pull me back in. The story is filled with humor, action, and a touch of the macabre, making it a truly entertaining read.
If you're looking for a fun and thrilling adventure with a dash of dark fantasy, The Demons of Elderstay is a must-read. It's a refreshing departure from the typical grimdark fantasy fare, offering a unique and enjoyable reading experience.
The world-building is rich and immersive, creating a captivating setting filled with magic, mystery, and danger. The characters are a diverse and engaging bunch, each with their own unique quirks and flaws. While the protagonist, Gerome, is initially a bit self-absorbed, his growth throughout the story is satisfying to witness.
While I did find myself getting lost in the intricate details of the magic system and world lore at times, the author's witty writing and unexpected plot twists always managed to pull me back in. The story is filled with humor, action, and a touch of the macabre, making it a truly entertaining read.
If you're looking for a fun and thrilling adventure with a dash of dark fantasy, The Demons of Elderstay is a must-read. It's a refreshing departure from the typical grimdark fantasy fare, offering a unique and enjoyable reading experience.
July 24, 2024
I had a great time reading this!
I’m a total sucker for characters that make me laugh, and Gerome — with both his external AND internal dialogue— kept me chuckling quite frequently. The irreverent narration referring to Gerome’s various escapades, as well as his observations that clearly stem from a “want of hanky panky,” had me cracking up!
This author’s writing style was very enjoyable to read. I appreciate an author who can work in different kinds of humor (self-effacing, physical, etc) into genres like fantasy because sometimes the world building can just suck the life out of the reader if not done well. In my opinion this author gave the reader plenty of lighter, humorous, punny moments along with the heavier stuff, resulting in a more balanced adventure.
After all is read, I’m left wondering about Najib and Bijan and their whole “situation,” (was ShaSha who I think she was?) as well as : what will Polly do next? What’s next for Gerome and Al?
This was very enjoyable and has me looking forward to more adventures in the New Dark Saga universe.
I’m a total sucker for characters that make me laugh, and Gerome — with both his external AND internal dialogue— kept me chuckling quite frequently. The irreverent narration referring to Gerome’s various escapades, as well as his observations that clearly stem from a “want of hanky panky,” had me cracking up!
This author’s writing style was very enjoyable to read. I appreciate an author who can work in different kinds of humor (self-effacing, physical, etc) into genres like fantasy because sometimes the world building can just suck the life out of the reader if not done well. In my opinion this author gave the reader plenty of lighter, humorous, punny moments along with the heavier stuff, resulting in a more balanced adventure.
After all is read, I’m left wondering about Najib and Bijan and their whole “situation,” (was ShaSha who I think she was?) as well as : what will Polly do next? What’s next for Gerome and Al?
This was very enjoyable and has me looking forward to more adventures in the New Dark Saga universe.
November 3, 2025
"While little consolation in my current predicament, I reminded myself that drinking a random substance out of a fountain wasn’t the worst thing I’d done for drugs."
Hilarious fantasy with a lot of fun filled adventure and a touch of grim.
I would like to thank Book Sirens for an e-ARC for this wonderful, wonderful book. I finished the book in just two sittings. That's how addictive the writing of Ira Ribbon was!
Cover Art: The first thing which I noticed is the awesome cover art by Carson Lowmiller which is depicted below -
Although, this cover art by Maxime Desmettre is also good but I liked the above one more. Once you finish the novel, you will see all the small details within that cover art.
Epic narration style: I loved the narration style of Gerome, the gnome. It is witty, sometimes self-deprecating and yet full of hope. He is confident but about his addictions. What you can expect more from a grey main character! Here is the perfect checklist -
✅Gnome, not a human
✅Queer
✅Drug addict
✅Liar
✅Expert in forbidden magic
✅Hosts a demon who is hellbent on destroying the world
Because of the narration, the book is hilarious and there were many times when I not only chuckled but laughed out loud in a public place.
Common troupes but unique execution: This book is marketed as a DND meets Terry Pratchett in one of the media. However, it does not feel that the book fell short of that high praise. With the terrific pace, the author is able to chart out the main character as well as the other supporting characters with the limited words. I had enjoyed the shady quest and the interactions of Gerome especially with the goblins. At no point of time, I felt that anything is extra. The book is optimized and gives a mindblowing experience with such less word count. Now, I am looking forward to On The Way to Maracanda.
P.S. Ira Ribbon is nice enough to give the readers a content warning for sensitive readers.
Hilarious fantasy with a lot of fun filled adventure and a touch of grim.
I would like to thank Book Sirens for an e-ARC for this wonderful, wonderful book. I finished the book in just two sittings. That's how addictive the writing of Ira Ribbon was!
Cover Art: The first thing which I noticed is the awesome cover art by Carson Lowmiller which is depicted below -
Although, this cover art by Maxime Desmettre is also good but I liked the above one more. Once you finish the novel, you will see all the small details within that cover art.
Epic narration style: I loved the narration style of Gerome, the gnome. It is witty, sometimes self-deprecating and yet full of hope. He is confident but about his addictions. What you can expect more from a grey main character! Here is the perfect checklist -
✅Gnome, not a human
✅Queer
✅Drug addict
✅Liar
✅Expert in forbidden magic
✅Hosts a demon who is hellbent on destroying the world
Because of the narration, the book is hilarious and there were many times when I not only chuckled but laughed out loud in a public place.
"I thought of Selma and Ted. Of retirement. Of pool boys. And my mum. She would have liked pool boys too."
Common troupes but unique execution: This book is marketed as a DND meets Terry Pratchett in one of the media. However, it does not feel that the book fell short of that high praise. With the terrific pace, the author is able to chart out the main character as well as the other supporting characters with the limited words. I had enjoyed the shady quest and the interactions of Gerome especially with the goblins. At no point of time, I felt that anything is extra. The book is optimized and gives a mindblowing experience with such less word count. Now, I am looking forward to On The Way to Maracanda.
P.S. Ira Ribbon is nice enough to give the readers a content warning for sensitive readers.
September 18, 2024
Thank you Ira Ribbon for this early readers copy in exchange for an honest review.
The Demon of Elderstay is the first book in the New Dark Saga. It follows Gerome the gnome as he joins a nobleman’s quest to free the city of Elderstay from a powerful curse. This quest is a rag tag bunch of magic welders, goblins, and a couple of hometown heroes. If they can break the curse, they’re promised land, money and notoriety, but Gerome has to act quickly because oooops, he accidentally summoned a demon that is now sharing his body. He has to stop Al (the demon) before it breaks loose and reigns havoc as the harbinger of the NEW DARK.
This reads like a one shot straight from a DnD basement table. Gerome is very witty and that gave me a few laughs, but all in all the other side characters were easily looked over until almost the end of the book. I liked the reveals, but I do wish that we had gotten more character development throughout the story opposed to only at the ending.
I think at the end of the day, my discourse is that I don’t know who the target audience would be.
The writing was easy to follow, as there is not a ton of lore or world building that might slow the story down a bit, which is perfect for young readers, however there are also some very mature undertones as Gerome tries to keep his demon at bay and that lends to more adult audiences. The mixture of the two almost made this difficult at times. I want more lore and world building and character development from an adult story, as a reader I want to see and feel the emotions, not to just be told about them after the fact. But with young adult books these things are often looked over for the sake of time and to keep the story plot driven.
If you’re looking for a quick story with some Superbad (Jonah Hill) vibes in a DnD setting then this is the beginning of a new series for you.
Again thank you so much to Ira Ribbon for this early copy. It was a lighthearted ride!
The Demon of Elderstay is the first book in the New Dark Saga. It follows Gerome the gnome as he joins a nobleman’s quest to free the city of Elderstay from a powerful curse. This quest is a rag tag bunch of magic welders, goblins, and a couple of hometown heroes. If they can break the curse, they’re promised land, money and notoriety, but Gerome has to act quickly because oooops, he accidentally summoned a demon that is now sharing his body. He has to stop Al (the demon) before it breaks loose and reigns havoc as the harbinger of the NEW DARK.
This reads like a one shot straight from a DnD basement table. Gerome is very witty and that gave me a few laughs, but all in all the other side characters were easily looked over until almost the end of the book. I liked the reveals, but I do wish that we had gotten more character development throughout the story opposed to only at the ending.
I think at the end of the day, my discourse is that I don’t know who the target audience would be.
The writing was easy to follow, as there is not a ton of lore or world building that might slow the story down a bit, which is perfect for young readers, however there are also some very mature undertones as Gerome tries to keep his demon at bay and that lends to more adult audiences. The mixture of the two almost made this difficult at times. I want more lore and world building and character development from an adult story, as a reader I want to see and feel the emotions, not to just be told about them after the fact. But with young adult books these things are often looked over for the sake of time and to keep the story plot driven.
If you’re looking for a quick story with some Superbad (Jonah Hill) vibes in a DnD setting then this is the beginning of a new series for you.
Again thank you so much to Ira Ribbon for this early copy. It was a lighthearted ride!
August 30, 2024
Let’s review!
The Demon of Elderstay. A dark humor novel by I. Ribbon. Book 1 of this new amazing saga!
ARC Review! (Since this is a ARC I’m not going to drop any spoilers. Just my honest review!)
Demon of Elderstay follows the adventures of Gerome the Gnome. (Yes, he gets that a LOT!)
Gerome joins a quest with a few other selected “special ones” to free Elderstay from a powerful curse that has put a dome over the town. All while Gerome has a demon of his own that he accidentally summoned while trying to improve his manhood…☠️
This book is literally laugh out loud funny. If you are into magical under the influence gnomes, walking corpses, and fireballs. This book is for you! The whole time I’m reading it I can imagine it being played out in a movie or even a TV show since this will be a multi series set! I wish there was a way to nominate books for movies because this one would be a box office hit. While I was reading this book and even after I just kept thinking about it. It is THAT good. If you are into dark fantasy and love a good laugh. This is the book for you. I cannot wait to see Gerome the Gnomes newest adventure when the next book drops in 2025! This book will not disappoint! This was such a fun read. If you need a good laugh and a great read. You need this book!
The Demon of Elderstay. A dark humor novel by I. Ribbon. Book 1 of this new amazing saga!
ARC Review! (Since this is a ARC I’m not going to drop any spoilers. Just my honest review!)
Demon of Elderstay follows the adventures of Gerome the Gnome. (Yes, he gets that a LOT!)
Gerome joins a quest with a few other selected “special ones” to free Elderstay from a powerful curse that has put a dome over the town. All while Gerome has a demon of his own that he accidentally summoned while trying to improve his manhood…☠️
This book is literally laugh out loud funny. If you are into magical under the influence gnomes, walking corpses, and fireballs. This book is for you! The whole time I’m reading it I can imagine it being played out in a movie or even a TV show since this will be a multi series set! I wish there was a way to nominate books for movies because this one would be a box office hit. While I was reading this book and even after I just kept thinking about it. It is THAT good. If you are into dark fantasy and love a good laugh. This is the book for you. I cannot wait to see Gerome the Gnomes newest adventure when the next book drops in 2025! This book will not disappoint! This was such a fun read. If you need a good laugh and a great read. You need this book!
September 19, 2024
ARC Reader copy exchanged for review:
The Demon of Elderstay is easily comparable to a quick witted one shot D&D campaign with plenty of intrigue and a plot that keeps you turning pages. Gerome is a character people can see the best of themselves as well as the worst making him a colorful character with plenty of lore to look forward to in coming books. If you’re looking for a fun and easy read that incorporates fantasy, humor, and action then grab this title - looking forward to the books that follow to get more into the background and characters development.
The Demon of Elderstay is easily comparable to a quick witted one shot D&D campaign with plenty of intrigue and a plot that keeps you turning pages. Gerome is a character people can see the best of themselves as well as the worst making him a colorful character with plenty of lore to look forward to in coming books. If you’re looking for a fun and easy read that incorporates fantasy, humor, and action then grab this title - looking forward to the books that follow to get more into the background and characters development.
October 16, 2024
10/10 fantasy read!
I absolutely LOVED this book!
The writing, the characters, the plot, everything about it was addictive, I couldn’t stop reading it.
I’m pretty sure gerome the gnome (“never gets old”) is my spirit animal, not a page went by where I didn’t chuckle at least once, the humor is so spot on and witty and exactly my kind of humor that it immediately made me fall in love with the main character.
The chapters are the exact perfect length (gnome pun unintended) and there weren’t any dull moments.
If you’re into witty gnomes that embark on dangerous journeys, you have to give this book a try, if you’re not into that, you still have to give it a try.
I can’t waittttttt for book 2!!!
Thank you so much for letting me read this is an arc!
I absolutely LOVED this book!
The writing, the characters, the plot, everything about it was addictive, I couldn’t stop reading it.
I’m pretty sure gerome the gnome (“never gets old”) is my spirit animal, not a page went by where I didn’t chuckle at least once, the humor is so spot on and witty and exactly my kind of humor that it immediately made me fall in love with the main character.
The chapters are the exact perfect length (gnome pun unintended) and there weren’t any dull moments.
If you’re into witty gnomes that embark on dangerous journeys, you have to give this book a try, if you’re not into that, you still have to give it a try.
I can’t waittttttt for book 2!!!
Thank you so much for letting me read this is an arc!
September 11, 2024
This was a quick-paced read that had me feeling like I was on a D&D adventure! As we follow our lovely Gerome the gnome, we have a lot of questions come up that don't get answered right away, and the book spends time slowly dropping little details. Which I love as it makes you want to keep reading to put the puzzle together.
The book is easy to follow along with and not feel overwhelmed as our party answers the questionable Lord Brent's call to free Elderstay from the demon, but it becomes so much more than that as the oddly put together party has a lot of their own secrets to hide. Everyone has their reasons for agreeing to fight a demon... Can anyone be trusted?
Gerome is someone you either like or don't, but he isn't just some overpowered, brave, and righteous character. He's real, with inner struggles, and his vice (drugs) causes details to be blurry for a bit that slowly start to come into focus. He has a good reason, of course. How else do you keep the demon you accidentally summoned at bay? The comments he makes here and there spare no one, which is pretty funny.
There are a few things that felt pretty obvious and didn't come as a surprise, but there was plenty of other excitement to make up for it.
At first, I felt like the characters were a little shallow, but that definitely changed the more i read, especially with how we get set up for the next book! I can't wait to continue this adventure and see how our cast of characters develops.
The book is easy to follow along with and not feel overwhelmed as our party answers the questionable Lord Brent's call to free Elderstay from the demon, but it becomes so much more than that as the oddly put together party has a lot of their own secrets to hide. Everyone has their reasons for agreeing to fight a demon... Can anyone be trusted?
Gerome is someone you either like or don't, but he isn't just some overpowered, brave, and righteous character. He's real, with inner struggles, and his vice (drugs) causes details to be blurry for a bit that slowly start to come into focus. He has a good reason, of course. How else do you keep the demon you accidentally summoned at bay? The comments he makes here and there spare no one, which is pretty funny.
There are a few things that felt pretty obvious and didn't come as a surprise, but there was plenty of other excitement to make up for it.
At first, I felt like the characters were a little shallow, but that definitely changed the more i read, especially with how we get set up for the next book! I can't wait to continue this adventure and see how our cast of characters develops.
September 6, 2024
Gerome the Gnome has a fourteen year doctorate in the arcane but through no fault of his own (he wasn’t *trying* to open a portal to the demon planes…) he finds himself broke and possessed by a demon he calls Al (after an ex-boyfriend) who wants to take over the world. So he agrees to help a nobleman reclaim the city of Elderstay from the demons currently infesting it. Of course, it isn’t that simple: his companions are a ragtag crew that he might or might not be able to trust, including a young girl with creepy spore powers, an enigmatic snake lady, and handsome Paladin-type Bijan and his mysterious armored twin Najib.
Gerome as a narrator is a snarky treasure, full of wry commentary: (“A lot of history has been written by the people who fled, rather than those who fought. I was planning on writing a lot of history.” The author’s writing style is jaunty and the story moves fast, but there’s also a surprising amount of heart and some pretty dark turns of events, and I found myself caring a great deal about Gerome. This die-hard Gnome fan is one happy reader. I look forward to seeing where the author goes with these characters!
Gerome as a narrator is a snarky treasure, full of wry commentary: (“A lot of history has been written by the people who fled, rather than those who fought. I was planning on writing a lot of history.” The author’s writing style is jaunty and the story moves fast, but there’s also a surprising amount of heart and some pretty dark turns of events, and I found myself caring a great deal about Gerome. This die-hard Gnome fan is one happy reader. I look forward to seeing where the author goes with these characters!
October 12, 2024
What a fun and quick read!
This debut novel features a collection of well written and interesting characters, an entertaining adventure filled with dark magic and different magical creatures.
The MMC, Gerome (the gnome, yes he gets this a lot) is a queer, wizard gnome. He has a wicked sense of humour and a demon named Al!
We follow Gerome as he joins a nobleman’s crew and their quest to free Elderstay from a dark curse. Whilst also battling and trying to free himself from his own demon.
DnD vibes, feels like playing with your friends. Although because I’m relatively new to DnD, some aspects or jokes and moments may have gone above my head. However cozy and fun nonetheless. I highly recommend if you like DnD and BG3 (my love 🩷)
LGBTQA+ friendly, with a queer MMC 🫶🏼
My one struggle and what stopped it from being a 5 star read was how hard it was so click with the main character but that may just be me. I struggled a little with his selfishness.
There are also some themes of abuse, (physical and substance) and child loss.
(I received an ARC copy and am leaving a review voluntarily.)
This debut novel features a collection of well written and interesting characters, an entertaining adventure filled with dark magic and different magical creatures.
The MMC, Gerome (the gnome, yes he gets this a lot) is a queer, wizard gnome. He has a wicked sense of humour and a demon named Al!
We follow Gerome as he joins a nobleman’s crew and their quest to free Elderstay from a dark curse. Whilst also battling and trying to free himself from his own demon.
DnD vibes, feels like playing with your friends. Although because I’m relatively new to DnD, some aspects or jokes and moments may have gone above my head. However cozy and fun nonetheless. I highly recommend if you like DnD and BG3 (my love 🩷)
LGBTQA+ friendly, with a queer MMC 🫶🏼
My one struggle and what stopped it from being a 5 star read was how hard it was so click with the main character but that may just be me. I struggled a little with his selfishness.
There are also some themes of abuse, (physical and substance) and child loss.
(I received an ARC copy and am leaving a review voluntarily.)
October 17, 2024
I think it’s safe to say… Gerome has been having a time of it recently.
The Demon of Elderstay promises a D&D style adventure, and delivers wholeheartedly. As a TTRPG player, I definitely felt the D&D energy behind this story, even so much as I could imagine it playing out around a table. The frustrations of a reluctant group of adventurers thrust together feels very real, and Ribbon has captured that classic vibe of ‘these are the last people you would want to save the world, but there is no one else… so good luck.’
The party all have their own tragic state of affairs going on, and I found the story more sympathetic than humorous. Gerome’s snark and wit served less to make me laugh and more to make me empathise with the poor gnome and the disastrous turn his life has taken. I do very much enjoy his demon though, as awful as I’m sure Al is.
The resolution of the Elderstay mission is satisfying, but even more satisfying is the intrigue of the epilogue — leaving plenty of space for the story to blossom into its promised trilogy. I am looking forward to book two and hopefully more worldbuilding and character development as the series continues.
The Demon of Elderstay promises a D&D style adventure, and delivers wholeheartedly. As a TTRPG player, I definitely felt the D&D energy behind this story, even so much as I could imagine it playing out around a table. The frustrations of a reluctant group of adventurers thrust together feels very real, and Ribbon has captured that classic vibe of ‘these are the last people you would want to save the world, but there is no one else… so good luck.’
The party all have their own tragic state of affairs going on, and I found the story more sympathetic than humorous. Gerome’s snark and wit served less to make me laugh and more to make me empathise with the poor gnome and the disastrous turn his life has taken. I do very much enjoy his demon though, as awful as I’m sure Al is.
The resolution of the Elderstay mission is satisfying, but even more satisfying is the intrigue of the epilogue — leaving plenty of space for the story to blossom into its promised trilogy. I am looking forward to book two and hopefully more worldbuilding and character development as the series continues.
May 10, 2025
I stumbled upon this book through Instagram, lured in by the promise of D&D vibes—and, considering my current Baldur’s Gate obsession, I couldn’t resist.
I was immediately hooked from the prologue! The humour was right up my alley. Gerome starts off a little crass and perhaps rude in the opening chapter, especially given his drug dependence, but as the story unfolded and his complexities unravelled, I was fully on board. He’s an absolute riot, and his retelling of events either had me laughing out loud or gasping in shock.
Fantasy audiobooks can sometimes be a minefield for me - so many names, creatures, magic systems to keep track of - but this was so easy to follow while still being completely immersive. A huge part of that was down to John York’s phenomenal narration. His ability to give each character a distinct voice meant I was never confused about who was speaking, and once the gang arrived in Elderstay, a particularly tense confrontation had me on the edge of my seat as his performance was so perfect.
So much happened in these 202 pages that it felt like a full-length epic, keeping me guessing and reevaluating allegiances right alongside Gerome. Every time I thought I’d picked a favourite from the group tasked with liberating Elderstay, something would happen to make me rethink everything.
Now, here’s my only gripe: the epilogue. Not because it was bad - oh no, it was fantastic. But it set up the next book so well that I’m now stuck waiting (rather impatiently) for its release.
I highly recommend this one! I know I’ll be revisiting again in preparation for the next instalment.
I was provided with a copy of the audiobook by the author, but there was no obligation to leave a review.
I was immediately hooked from the prologue! The humour was right up my alley. Gerome starts off a little crass and perhaps rude in the opening chapter, especially given his drug dependence, but as the story unfolded and his complexities unravelled, I was fully on board. He’s an absolute riot, and his retelling of events either had me laughing out loud or gasping in shock.
Fantasy audiobooks can sometimes be a minefield for me - so many names, creatures, magic systems to keep track of - but this was so easy to follow while still being completely immersive. A huge part of that was down to John York’s phenomenal narration. His ability to give each character a distinct voice meant I was never confused about who was speaking, and once the gang arrived in Elderstay, a particularly tense confrontation had me on the edge of my seat as his performance was so perfect.
So much happened in these 202 pages that it felt like a full-length epic, keeping me guessing and reevaluating allegiances right alongside Gerome. Every time I thought I’d picked a favourite from the group tasked with liberating Elderstay, something would happen to make me rethink everything.
Now, here’s my only gripe: the epilogue. Not because it was bad - oh no, it was fantastic. But it set up the next book so well that I’m now stuck waiting (rather impatiently) for its release.
I highly recommend this one! I know I’ll be revisiting again in preparation for the next instalment.
I was provided with a copy of the audiobook by the author, but there was no obligation to leave a review.
August 31, 2024
The Demon of Elderstay is the first book in The New Dark Saga. This is a story of a dysfunctional group of adventurers who signed up to help free Elderstay from a powerful curse. (With the promise of a hefty reward) We are told this story through the first person POV of the witty and substance addicted main character, Gerome the Gnome.
I honestly LOVED The Demon of Elderstay, and I need the second book like Gerome needs his Yaydust!
The Demon of Elderstay was a very good read. While reading, I often felt as if I was on the adventure with them! The pace was perfect, not too slow, not too fast. The story was amazing. The characters were diverse, and each one of them had such a strong personality. Even the "bad" characters were admirable. I would definitely recommend this to anyone who likes to read. I think anyone would get a good read out of this book!
The Demon of Elderstay does have some content warnings, so I definitely advise reading those before you pick up the book just in case.
I honestly LOVED The Demon of Elderstay, and I need the second book like Gerome needs his Yaydust!
The Demon of Elderstay was a very good read. While reading, I often felt as if I was on the adventure with them! The pace was perfect, not too slow, not too fast. The story was amazing. The characters were diverse, and each one of them had such a strong personality. Even the "bad" characters were admirable. I would definitely recommend this to anyone who likes to read. I think anyone would get a good read out of this book!
The Demon of Elderstay does have some content warnings, so I definitely advise reading those before you pick up the book just in case.
May 26, 2025
the demon of elderstay 🔥
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Gerome the gnome has no business being this iconic.
The Demon of Elderstay is witty, wonderfully weird, and packed with magical misadventures. It had banter, found family vibes, great humour and was super heartwarming. The demon sidekick was the best comic relief with the perfect amount of darkness.
I loveddd the balance between humor and emotion! I actually got choked up toward the end, which I didn’t expect from a book that had me cackling 5 mins before.
The pacing was quick, the dialogue sharp, and the cast unforgettable. This feels like Dungeons & Dragons meets Good Omens with a twist of absolute chaos and heart.
If you love quirky fantasy, found family dysfunction, morally grey magic, and cursed characters you want to hug and hex simultaneously, this one’s for you.
#gnomeswithtrauma #magicalmayhem #banterandbloodshed #thedemonofelderstay #bookreview #fantasyreads #foundfamilyfeels #readthisnow #ineedbooktwo
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Gerome the gnome has no business being this iconic.
The Demon of Elderstay is witty, wonderfully weird, and packed with magical misadventures. It had banter, found family vibes, great humour and was super heartwarming. The demon sidekick was the best comic relief with the perfect amount of darkness.
I loveddd the balance between humor and emotion! I actually got choked up toward the end, which I didn’t expect from a book that had me cackling 5 mins before.
The pacing was quick, the dialogue sharp, and the cast unforgettable. This feels like Dungeons & Dragons meets Good Omens with a twist of absolute chaos and heart.
If you love quirky fantasy, found family dysfunction, morally grey magic, and cursed characters you want to hug and hex simultaneously, this one’s for you.
#gnomeswithtrauma #magicalmayhem #banterandbloodshed #thedemonofelderstay #bookreview #fantasyreads #foundfamilyfeels #readthisnow #ineedbooktwo
October 15, 2025
Sometimes, taking copious amounts of drugs are the best way to handle a problem. Maybe. It’s certainly the route Gerome the Gnome (yes, he gets that a lot) attempts to deal with his problems. Might have been a factor in leading him to the Demon-possessed city of Elderstay, however, with a hob-nob group of ‘heroes’ and supporters consisting of elderly wizards and pitiful goblins.
I’ve never read a humorous dark fantasy before, but I certainly enjoyed the ride. Gerome is the most unreliable narrator I’ve experienced in quite some time, and with his entire cohort consisting of shady or shoddy characters, it was a fun question to consider who would mess up first. Descriptive, funny, and yet darkly foreboding, this book carefully walked a fine line between comedy and dread, even through its explosive ending.
Book #2 will be out at the end of the year and I’m looking forward to continuing Gerome’s quirky missteps.
I’ve never read a humorous dark fantasy before, but I certainly enjoyed the ride. Gerome is the most unreliable narrator I’ve experienced in quite some time, and with his entire cohort consisting of shady or shoddy characters, it was a fun question to consider who would mess up first. Descriptive, funny, and yet darkly foreboding, this book carefully walked a fine line between comedy and dread, even through its explosive ending.
Book #2 will be out at the end of the year and I’m looking forward to continuing Gerome’s quirky missteps.
August 25, 2024
Thank you Ira Ribbon for this ARC; this is my honest and unfettered review.
What a perfect quick read in between the ginormous fantasy books I keep voluntarily burdening myself with lmao
This book is cute af in a dark humor af way—so obviously a 5 stars from me. Our mmc is extremely human, despite being a gnome, and responded to scary situations (internally and externally) in a way that a real person with a balance between a sense of self preservation and a realistic amount of compassion might.
It reads like someone took their D&D campaign (am I using that term right lol) and culminated it into a 200 page book, successfully!
Do I wish they’d fvcked? Yeah, but that’s a me problem.
I’ll be coming back for book 2!
What a perfect quick read in between the ginormous fantasy books I keep voluntarily burdening myself with lmao
This book is cute af in a dark humor af way—so obviously a 5 stars from me. Our mmc is extremely human, despite being a gnome, and responded to scary situations (internally and externally) in a way that a real person with a balance between a sense of self preservation and a realistic amount of compassion might.
It reads like someone took their D&D campaign (am I using that term right lol) and culminated it into a 200 page book, successfully!
Do I wish they’d fvcked? Yeah, but that’s a me problem.
I’ll be coming back for book 2!
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