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Jester
In a realm ruled by idiots, the Fool is their only hope.
You’d think an army of zombie trolls and undead ogres would catch the nobility’s attention. You’d be wrong. The rulers of Halfsock are deeply in denial. Besides, they have taxes to avoid, neighbors to plunder, and relatives to backstab.
With war looming, a goblin latrine slave named Shelly resolves to save Castle Halfsock from itself. He must assume many roles… jester, detective, spy, and political fixer. But his most challenging—especially after a lifetime spent cleaning other people’s toilets—is as a confident goblin worthy of trust, friendship, and maybe even love.
Can the least powerful person in the realm overcome his insecurities to depose rulers, forge alliances, and fend off an undead horde?
A comic tale of politics, friendship, and found family for fans of Nicholas Eames, Terry Pratchett, and J. Zachary Pike.
You’d think an army of zombie trolls and undead ogres would catch the nobility’s attention. You’d be wrong. The rulers of Halfsock are deeply in denial. Besides, they have taxes to avoid, neighbors to plunder, and relatives to backstab.
With war looming, a goblin latrine slave named Shelly resolves to save Castle Halfsock from itself. He must assume many roles… jester, detective, spy, and political fixer. But his most challenging—especially after a lifetime spent cleaning other people’s toilets—is as a confident goblin worthy of trust, friendship, and maybe even love.
Can the least powerful person in the realm overcome his insecurities to depose rulers, forge alliances, and fend off an undead horde?
A comic tale of politics, friendship, and found family for fans of Nicholas Eames, Terry Pratchett, and J. Zachary Pike.
300 pages, Paperback
Published April 14, 2025
6 people are currently reading
186 people want to read
About the author
Tim Carter
2 books37 followersTim Carter writes fantasy fiction, video games, and movies. He draws inspiration from a lifelong love of strategy and role-playing games, especially Dungeons and Dragons.
He is best known for writing the console game Sleeping Dogs, writing and producing the Dead Rising series of movies, and producing the digital series Mortal Kombat: Legacy.
He lives with his wife and two dogs in Vancouver, Canada.
He is best known for writing the console game Sleeping Dogs, writing and producing the Dead Rising series of movies, and producing the digital series Mortal Kombat: Legacy.
He lives with his wife and two dogs in Vancouver, Canada.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 37 reviews
May 27, 2025
Loved this! Perfect for fans of Travis Baldree or J. Zachary Pike. Can't' wait to see what Tim writes next. Just kidding, I already know what he's writing next and it's gonna be awesome.
Read his novella Majordomo as well! It's phenomenal!
Read his novella Majordomo as well! It's phenomenal!
December 2, 2025
Fighting depression with one book at a time.
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I love when an author can make the characters and settings feel so real that it seems you could travel there and find everyone going about their lives.
Shelly, an unlikely hero, is our guide into this part of the world. I connected with him right away and wanted to adopt him.
I admired him for persevering despite everything thrown at him.
The battle itself wasn't a fair bit of pages but ot felt bigger and more... More, if that makes sense. I could picture it in all its terrifying glory.
The actual villain doesn't have much air time but her presence and threat fills the pages as we experience everything through Shelly's eyes.
Some characters have more layers and surprises up their sleeves but are also wholly themselves.
I'm excited to see where this author's next but also crossing fingers 🤞 we meet up with everyone from this book and the previous again someday.
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I love when an author can make the characters and settings feel so real that it seems you could travel there and find everyone going about their lives.
Shelly, an unlikely hero, is our guide into this part of the world. I connected with him right away and wanted to adopt him.
I admired him for persevering despite everything thrown at him.
The battle itself wasn't a fair bit of pages but ot felt bigger and more... More, if that makes sense. I could picture it in all its terrifying glory.
The actual villain doesn't have much air time but her presence and threat fills the pages as we experience everything through Shelly's eyes.
Some characters have more layers and surprises up their sleeves but are also wholly themselves.
I'm excited to see where this author's next but also crossing fingers 🤞 we meet up with everyone from this book and the previous again someday.
May 28, 2025
Carter’s Jester is a sharp-tongued, cozy-laden fantasy story covered in muck, ridiculous politics, and heaps upon heaps of the undead. If you are a fan of Baldree, Eames or Pike, this is right up your alley - or latrine.
If I had to liken our protagonist to another fantasy character, I’d say Shelly is Tim Carter’s Tyrion Lannister - constantly underestimated and unwanted (if we are being honest), yet has the brains to befuddle all.
Book comparison - Christopher Buehlman’s The Blacktongue Thief meets Ben Hatke’s Nobody Likes a Goblin.
If I had to liken our protagonist to another fantasy character, I’d say Shelly is Tim Carter’s Tyrion Lannister - constantly underestimated and unwanted (if we are being honest), yet has the brains to befuddle all.
Book comparison - Christopher Buehlman’s The Blacktongue Thief meets Ben Hatke’s Nobody Likes a Goblin.
April 14, 2025
Thanks to the Author. I received a copy of this book in excahnge for an honest review
This book has some amazing trigger warnings. They were just so fun to read! And they set the tone for the whole book. I loved them! (And the book!). But I think that, still, some trigger warnings are needed because, if the last book I reviewed was full of nice people and gave me back some faith in humanity, this one… well, this one come in like a wracking ball (and now I am stuck with Miley Cirus song in my head).
It is full of despicable characters (well, not the main one, and not the other protagonists, we have some good people, too! Even if the MC is trying to save the whole realm from itself and from an army of undead mostly because he doesn’t want to end up eaten by some undead, but hey! Fear is a great motivator, and he is genuinely trying to do some good, so… he is good!) who are too arrogant and too greedy for their own good.
But still, Shelly is trying his best to save them all.
That said, this book has it all. It has great characters. Shelly is an amazing MC, and he is a goblin and a slave. He is the last of the lasts, because this book is also about the ones who aren’t the biggest dog around, the ones who are, indeed, the last. But everyone has the power to bring change; sometimes the change is big, sometimes not, but trying to be better is always a great motivator (as is the fear of being eaten by zombies). And I really liked that our MC is a goblin! And we have some other interesting characters, too. I think my favorite character was Buckingham; he is another good person, and he is fun to have around. And Betticia is an interesting character too!
Then, we have the plot. Full of intrigues and politics. But we also have action and some more slow moments, in which to appreciate the wit or the misfortunes of our improbable hero. And the feeling! It makes you feel and think, too, but it is not constantly in your face about a point or another (aside from Shelly being the last of the last, because really… poor Shelly!). It is a really compelling book; I had fun reading it (the humor here is pretty neat, too!), and I was never bored. The plot carried me along, and I reached the end earlier than I expected. I wanted more! I loved these characters (the good ones, I mean), I was invested in the story, and, to be really concise about it, I devoured it. It has everything I wanted and more.
And what’s even sweeter is that this is the author who wrote Majordomo. I loved that novella, and I had expectations for this book. Lots of them. And I was so happy to find them satisfied! I loved it, and if you want to read something original, with some original characters, a dash of humor and an intriguing plot, well… try this one out!
This book has some amazing trigger warnings. They were just so fun to read! And they set the tone for the whole book. I loved them! (And the book!). But I think that, still, some trigger warnings are needed because, if the last book I reviewed was full of nice people and gave me back some faith in humanity, this one… well, this one come in like a wracking ball (and now I am stuck with Miley Cirus song in my head).
It is full of despicable characters (well, not the main one, and not the other protagonists, we have some good people, too! Even if the MC is trying to save the whole realm from itself and from an army of undead mostly because he doesn’t want to end up eaten by some undead, but hey! Fear is a great motivator, and he is genuinely trying to do some good, so… he is good!) who are too arrogant and too greedy for their own good.
But still, Shelly is trying his best to save them all.
That said, this book has it all. It has great characters. Shelly is an amazing MC, and he is a goblin and a slave. He is the last of the lasts, because this book is also about the ones who aren’t the biggest dog around, the ones who are, indeed, the last. But everyone has the power to bring change; sometimes the change is big, sometimes not, but trying to be better is always a great motivator (as is the fear of being eaten by zombies). And I really liked that our MC is a goblin! And we have some other interesting characters, too. I think my favorite character was Buckingham; he is another good person, and he is fun to have around. And Betticia is an interesting character too!
Then, we have the plot. Full of intrigues and politics. But we also have action and some more slow moments, in which to appreciate the wit or the misfortunes of our improbable hero. And the feeling! It makes you feel and think, too, but it is not constantly in your face about a point or another (aside from Shelly being the last of the last, because really… poor Shelly!). It is a really compelling book; I had fun reading it (the humor here is pretty neat, too!), and I was never bored. The plot carried me along, and I reached the end earlier than I expected. I wanted more! I loved these characters (the good ones, I mean), I was invested in the story, and, to be really concise about it, I devoured it. It has everything I wanted and more.
And what’s even sweeter is that this is the author who wrote Majordomo. I loved that novella, and I had expectations for this book. Lots of them. And I was so happy to find them satisfied! I loved it, and if you want to read something original, with some original characters, a dash of humor and an intriguing plot, well… try this one out!
May 29, 2025
Man, Tim Carter doesn’t miss. Full review to come, but this was an absolute blast! Go read it!
March 18, 2025
The undead rise. Thousands shuffling at the whim of the Skeleton Queen. Death is on the march.
In an unprepared kingdom a lowly goblin latrine slave may be their only hope.
Definitely a 💩situation but a cast of heartwarming characters rise to meet it! Absurdity, surprises & great humour await! Such fun!
Wasn’t sure how I’d do with this one as I normally like things dark, grim and miserable (is this normal? lol).
It was however a breath of fresh air.
A cozy fantasy laced with sharp witted humour. One with twists, turns and frankly plenty of 💩.
A chuckling good time.
Much thanks to the author for supplying this ARC.
In an unprepared kingdom a lowly goblin latrine slave may be their only hope.
Definitely a 💩situation but a cast of heartwarming characters rise to meet it! Absurdity, surprises & great humour await! Such fun!
Wasn’t sure how I’d do with this one as I normally like things dark, grim and miserable (is this normal? lol).
It was however a breath of fresh air.
A cozy fantasy laced with sharp witted humour. One with twists, turns and frankly plenty of 💩.
A chuckling good time.
Much thanks to the author for supplying this ARC.
March 14, 2025
I had such a good time with this novel! There’s such shenanigans amidst the dark deeds.
“the Halfsock family enjoyed a rich tradition of killing and maiming one another in the pursuit of power.”
“I refuse to die at the hands of someone else’s stupidity.”
“Yes, why bother when your own will do the job.”
I am really enjoying all Tim Carter has written!
“the Halfsock family enjoyed a rich tradition of killing and maiming one another in the pursuit of power.”
“I refuse to die at the hands of someone else’s stupidity.”
“Yes, why bother when your own will do the job.”
I am really enjoying all Tim Carter has written!
April 12, 2025
Jester tells the story of a hero’s journey from lowly latrine slave to, well… hero. I love an underdog, and Sheliac of the Gorod, the main character and narrator, can definitely be considered such. I found myself immediately connecting with his character and sympathising with his lot in life. Captured as a child and brought to the castle of Halfsoc as part of a chain gang, Shelly the goblin does not have much of a future and is well aware of the fact:
“The bards love phrases like “Take charge of your destiny.” When you’re four feet tall and a slave, you might as well plan a trip to the moon”
Cleaning out the castle’s diaper cauldron daily and having to enter the sewers to remove blockages does not give him time to exercise his brain or develop his talent for wartime strategy.
“Here lay my actual day’s work: a stinking, fetid antidote to daydreams.”
As the lowliest member of the castle’s population, he also suffers more than his fair share of violence at the hands of the higher-ups. However, this story is proof that a valuable gem can float to the top of even the worst stinking cesspool, given the ability to recognise opportunity and the brains to make the most of it.
There are rumours that the Skeleton Queen is about to bring her hordes of undead zombies to take over the castle, and the incompetent leaders are poorly equipped to meet her in battle. Luckily, Shelly is able to see a glimmer of hope should the current leadership be removed, and his acumen is recognised by a kindred spirit in the form of Betticia Flowers, the wily mistress of the new Duke. Given her proximity to the Duke, this new relationship is advantageous to Shelly and sees him elevated from latrine slave to jester, complete with a new outfit and accommodation in a broom closet. He is the first to admit that he is not very funny, but Betticia has to give him some form of employment to keep him close. She wants his help in planning how best to manipulate the Duke into winning an impossible war.
Before long, another lifeline appears at the castle gates in the form of fugitive mage Buckingham, who immediately recognises Shelly’s strength of character and worth as an ally, and between the three of them, they set about ensuring the leadership of the castle does not commit the population to certain death.
In a setting where bigotry and misogyny rule, the friendships in this novel are particularly heartwarming and key to the success of the martial campaign. Shelly is falling for a female goblin slave but is not immune to human Betticia’s beauty and wiles. The bromance between Shelly and the half-vampire Buckingham takes Shelly by surprise to the extent that he is unaware just how much the attractive mage needs him and feels ashamed when Betticia points it out to him.
“Buckingham stumbled upon me, treated me decently, then saved my life. Far as I could tell, he had no ulterior motive. It struck me then that I had been blind to his needs and vulnerabilities. He needed a home. He needed friends. For a nomadic half-vampire, friendship might well have been his most valued currency. He had chosen me, and the feeling was mutual.”
The characterisation in this novel is superb. The side characters are all thoroughly believable and fully fleshed out. A handsome mage who is vulnerable and in need of friendship from a goblin slave? Unexpected. A wily mistress influencing a misogynistic castle by pulling strings in the bedchamber? Also a pleasant surprise if not completely original. Some of the background characters are more stereotypical, but necessarily so since they do not receive much page time. We know what to expect from an inquisitor and a bigoted councillor, and that is what we get.
The descriptive passages in this novel are an onslaught to the senses. The smells of the sewers, the fetid bog Shelly has to crawl through and the stench of the zombies are palpable. Meanwhile, the arrival of the Skeleton Queen and her horde of thousands of undead soldiers, trolls and giants is described cinematically as they draw nearer in waves of putrifying flesh. I was able to visualise every flesh-rotting detail, thanks to Tim Carter’s excellent writing.
I was lucky enough to be offered an advanced review copy of Jester by the author, having enjoyed his novella Majordomo, which just happens to be the winning novella in the SFINCS2 novella contest. Congratulations Tim! My review is honest, and my opinions are my own.
“The bards love phrases like “Take charge of your destiny.” When you’re four feet tall and a slave, you might as well plan a trip to the moon”
Cleaning out the castle’s diaper cauldron daily and having to enter the sewers to remove blockages does not give him time to exercise his brain or develop his talent for wartime strategy.
“Here lay my actual day’s work: a stinking, fetid antidote to daydreams.”
As the lowliest member of the castle’s population, he also suffers more than his fair share of violence at the hands of the higher-ups. However, this story is proof that a valuable gem can float to the top of even the worst stinking cesspool, given the ability to recognise opportunity and the brains to make the most of it.
There are rumours that the Skeleton Queen is about to bring her hordes of undead zombies to take over the castle, and the incompetent leaders are poorly equipped to meet her in battle. Luckily, Shelly is able to see a glimmer of hope should the current leadership be removed, and his acumen is recognised by a kindred spirit in the form of Betticia Flowers, the wily mistress of the new Duke. Given her proximity to the Duke, this new relationship is advantageous to Shelly and sees him elevated from latrine slave to jester, complete with a new outfit and accommodation in a broom closet. He is the first to admit that he is not very funny, but Betticia has to give him some form of employment to keep him close. She wants his help in planning how best to manipulate the Duke into winning an impossible war.
Before long, another lifeline appears at the castle gates in the form of fugitive mage Buckingham, who immediately recognises Shelly’s strength of character and worth as an ally, and between the three of them, they set about ensuring the leadership of the castle does not commit the population to certain death.
In a setting where bigotry and misogyny rule, the friendships in this novel are particularly heartwarming and key to the success of the martial campaign. Shelly is falling for a female goblin slave but is not immune to human Betticia’s beauty and wiles. The bromance between Shelly and the half-vampire Buckingham takes Shelly by surprise to the extent that he is unaware just how much the attractive mage needs him and feels ashamed when Betticia points it out to him.
“Buckingham stumbled upon me, treated me decently, then saved my life. Far as I could tell, he had no ulterior motive. It struck me then that I had been blind to his needs and vulnerabilities. He needed a home. He needed friends. For a nomadic half-vampire, friendship might well have been his most valued currency. He had chosen me, and the feeling was mutual.”
The characterisation in this novel is superb. The side characters are all thoroughly believable and fully fleshed out. A handsome mage who is vulnerable and in need of friendship from a goblin slave? Unexpected. A wily mistress influencing a misogynistic castle by pulling strings in the bedchamber? Also a pleasant surprise if not completely original. Some of the background characters are more stereotypical, but necessarily so since they do not receive much page time. We know what to expect from an inquisitor and a bigoted councillor, and that is what we get.
The descriptive passages in this novel are an onslaught to the senses. The smells of the sewers, the fetid bog Shelly has to crawl through and the stench of the zombies are palpable. Meanwhile, the arrival of the Skeleton Queen and her horde of thousands of undead soldiers, trolls and giants is described cinematically as they draw nearer in waves of putrifying flesh. I was able to visualise every flesh-rotting detail, thanks to Tim Carter’s excellent writing.
I was lucky enough to be offered an advanced review copy of Jester by the author, having enjoyed his novella Majordomo, which just happens to be the winning novella in the SFINCS2 novella contest. Congratulations Tim! My review is honest, and my opinions are my own.
April 14, 2025
In a realm run by idiots, their only hope is the Fool!
We have all read stories about the reluctant hero, facing peril and overwhelming odds.
But what we havent seen, is a slaved goblin helping to face down a vast army of zombie trolls. Until now.
This is a humorous, cosy, D&D , fantasy, mash up. Its very hard to draw parallels to anything else out there.
The author has created an entirely unique story with a blend of mischief, emotional impact and a wonderfully crafted band of characters.
My favourite parts of the story were Shelly (our reluctant and nervous hero) growing in confidence, finding his voice and making friends. The plucky underdog really pulled on my heart strings.
I also found quite a few "punch the air" moments and I will forever be rooting for my friend Shelly
I do wish the story was a little longer. I wanted to spend more time with the cast and the ending did feel like it wrapped very quickly.
I can see this story reaching a wide audience and it would work for people who love Travis Baldree and his novels Legends and Lattes / Bookshops and Bonedust
We have all read stories about the reluctant hero, facing peril and overwhelming odds.
But what we havent seen, is a slaved goblin helping to face down a vast army of zombie trolls. Until now.
This is a humorous, cosy, D&D , fantasy, mash up. Its very hard to draw parallels to anything else out there.
The author has created an entirely unique story with a blend of mischief, emotional impact and a wonderfully crafted band of characters.
My favourite parts of the story were Shelly (our reluctant and nervous hero) growing in confidence, finding his voice and making friends. The plucky underdog really pulled on my heart strings.
I also found quite a few "punch the air" moments and I will forever be rooting for my friend Shelly
I do wish the story was a little longer. I wanted to spend more time with the cast and the ending did feel like it wrapped very quickly.
I can see this story reaching a wide audience and it would work for people who love Travis Baldree and his novels Legends and Lattes / Bookshops and Bonedust
July 26, 2025
A politically savvy fantasy novel with a goblin protagonist? You spoil us, Tim Carter.
Hot off the release and success of novella Majordomo, Carter switches his focus from the lowly kobold to the lowly goblin latrine slave. Yes, our main character could hardly have a more unpleasant lot in life. So, when the undead Skeleton Queen threatens the land with a horde of zombies, things actually look like getting worse.
For main protagonist Shelly, it's sink or swim. Thus we delve into a court of intrigue. Political moves are played out with Shelly often the pawn. It leads to a novel that is fiendishly cunning in spades as Shelly's friendships and political gains come to a head.
As the Skeleton Queen descends upon the kingdom by the end of the novel I was fully bought in to Shelly's plight. A final act of gritted teeth and fist pumps in equal measure rounded everything off nicely.
It's a different read for sure but it was an enjoyable one, and definitely worth checking out. Thanks Tim.
Hot off the release and success of novella Majordomo, Carter switches his focus from the lowly kobold to the lowly goblin latrine slave. Yes, our main character could hardly have a more unpleasant lot in life. So, when the undead Skeleton Queen threatens the land with a horde of zombies, things actually look like getting worse.
For main protagonist Shelly, it's sink or swim. Thus we delve into a court of intrigue. Political moves are played out with Shelly often the pawn. It leads to a novel that is fiendishly cunning in spades as Shelly's friendships and political gains come to a head.
As the Skeleton Queen descends upon the kingdom by the end of the novel I was fully bought in to Shelly's plight. A final act of gritted teeth and fist pumps in equal measure rounded everything off nicely.
It's a different read for sure but it was an enjoyable one, and definitely worth checking out. Thanks Tim.
April 9, 2025
Jester is an absolute gem of a story.
If you ever wanted to look up ‘unlikely and reluctant hero of a story’ in a dictionary (or wiki, I guess), there should be a picture of Jester’s main character Shelly right next to it. Shelly is a goblin slave in Castle Halfsock and mostly works the latrine, cleans out chamberpots or has other fun jobs like this. In other words: He isn’t at the bottom of the social ladder, he is so far away from said ladder he can’t even see it. But when an army of zombies and other undead creatures threatens the only home, he knows and nobody seems to believe in this threat, he steps up, armed only with lots of wit and ingenuity.
Author Tim Carter published his first novella Majordomo last year. I didn’t know what to expect then, but I had a blast. It was different, it was tons of fun and it had even more heart. On top of that, it is brilliantly written. So, of course I was eagerly anticipating a full-length novel – and Tim Carter truly delivers. All the humor, the heart, the heartache, the wonderful characters, Tim’s clever lines,… everything that made Majordomo an instant favorite can also be found in Jester. Just more. And even better. Main character Shelly was an instant like from the very first page. Yes, he is portrayed as the definition of an underdog, but it is done convincingly. I rooted for him from the very beginning, but out of sympathy, not out of pity. The other characters are also well-written, but Shelly definitely stands out.
At its heart, Jester is a story about home or rather about the people who turn a place into a home. It’s also about finding one’s purpose and overcoming obstacles even when faced with horrific odds.
A lot of it could be considered cozy fantasy with lots of humour, but there are enough action moments in there, that the term ‘cozy-stabby fantasy’ is a great fit. I truly cannot recommend Jester enough. And Tim Carter is a very gifted writer which makes it even more of a must-read.
If you ever wanted to look up ‘unlikely and reluctant hero of a story’ in a dictionary (or wiki, I guess), there should be a picture of Jester’s main character Shelly right next to it. Shelly is a goblin slave in Castle Halfsock and mostly works the latrine, cleans out chamberpots or has other fun jobs like this. In other words: He isn’t at the bottom of the social ladder, he is so far away from said ladder he can’t even see it. But when an army of zombies and other undead creatures threatens the only home, he knows and nobody seems to believe in this threat, he steps up, armed only with lots of wit and ingenuity.
Author Tim Carter published his first novella Majordomo last year. I didn’t know what to expect then, but I had a blast. It was different, it was tons of fun and it had even more heart. On top of that, it is brilliantly written. So, of course I was eagerly anticipating a full-length novel – and Tim Carter truly delivers. All the humor, the heart, the heartache, the wonderful characters, Tim’s clever lines,… everything that made Majordomo an instant favorite can also be found in Jester. Just more. And even better. Main character Shelly was an instant like from the very first page. Yes, he is portrayed as the definition of an underdog, but it is done convincingly. I rooted for him from the very beginning, but out of sympathy, not out of pity. The other characters are also well-written, but Shelly definitely stands out.
At its heart, Jester is a story about home or rather about the people who turn a place into a home. It’s also about finding one’s purpose and overcoming obstacles even when faced with horrific odds.
A lot of it could be considered cozy fantasy with lots of humour, but there are enough action moments in there, that the term ‘cozy-stabby fantasy’ is a great fit. I truly cannot recommend Jester enough. And Tim Carter is a very gifted writer which makes it even more of a must-read.
March 19, 2025
This book was a lot of fun. Shelly, the main character, was a creative guy who could definitely take a beating and keep on going. While he was a goblin, he didn’t feel particularly…goblin-y to me? A very fun character to follow around though.
I liked the light political intrigue and the nation ruled by incompetence with one smart person (a woman!) behind the scenes trying to make things better.
I did not particular enjoy the excessive amount of poop and descriptions of sewage, but I guess when the main character is a « latrine slave » it kind of comes with the territory.
Good cast of villains, good action, nice friendships that developed throughout the novel. The romance felt a little forced, but it didn’t bother me much as it was a minor plot point.
Much stronger prose than I usually associate with self published novels; I was really able to just focus on the story rather than the prose. And I do love a story where the underdog gets to save the day.
Overall, I wholeheartedly recommend! (As long as you don’t mind some 💩)
Thanks to the author for providing an ARC in exchange for an honest review!
I liked the light political intrigue and the nation ruled by incompetence with one smart person (a woman!) behind the scenes trying to make things better.
I did not particular enjoy the excessive amount of poop and descriptions of sewage, but I guess when the main character is a « latrine slave » it kind of comes with the territory.
Good cast of villains, good action, nice friendships that developed throughout the novel. The romance felt a little forced, but it didn’t bother me much as it was a minor plot point.
Much stronger prose than I usually associate with self published novels; I was really able to just focus on the story rather than the prose. And I do love a story where the underdog gets to save the day.
Overall, I wholeheartedly recommend! (As long as you don’t mind some 💩)
Thanks to the author for providing an ARC in exchange for an honest review!
February 27, 2025
Courage is a stupid concept
April 7, 2025
Jester is an absolutely fantastic read. Set in a Dungeons and Dragons universe, the main character is a goblin slave to who dreams of being able to use his quick wit and sharp mind to improve his life. When he gets the chance, he discovers that being actually involved in the story is more dangerous than he ever imagined.
The writing is really quick and smart, the characters are ones you root for from the first page, and the political machinations are twisty and interesting and fun. I DEVOURED this book and couldn't wait to share it with other fantasy lovers in my life. Another stellar read that's quickly making Carter one of my go-to authors.
The writing is really quick and smart, the characters are ones you root for from the first page, and the political machinations are twisty and interesting and fun. I DEVOURED this book and couldn't wait to share it with other fantasy lovers in my life. Another stellar read that's quickly making Carter one of my go-to authors.
May 3, 2025
Note: Includes commentary also on Majordomo
Author Tim Carter recently won the second instalment of the SFINCS novella competition with his book Majordomo, featuring a crippled kobold overseeing the demesne of The Dark Lord. As part of one of the teams judging the competition, I can confirm both that Majordomo is a masterpiece, and that there arte definitely parallels to Jester - even if they're entirely its own separate stories. You do not need to have read Majordomo to enjoy Jester, or the other way around.
The point I'm building up to is that it will be difficult to review Jester without comparing it to Majordomo, so I won't pretend to try. I'll try not to go overboard with it, though. The two books are, after all, unrelated to each other - they may not even play out in the same setting; there's no overlap other than the prevalence of fantasy races and magical monsters, so it's impossible to say for sure.
The other big thing the books have in common is the status of the main character. In Majordomo, Jack is a crippled kobold. In Jester, Shelly is a goblin slave tasked with keeping the latrines clean. Both of them sit on the muddy ground beneath the lowest rung on the ladder of social standing.
Here's where the two stories begin to differ. Jack, from Majordomo, has an important and clearly defined role in his own circles outside of the public eye. He has pride, knowledge, and authority. Shelly, on the other hand, has nothing. When the story begins, he's just about to to get his first taste of taking pride in achieving something. Jack is what Shelly might be in another ten or twenty years - if he survives that long, of course.
After all, he is a goblin.
He's just a slave, tasked with cleaning up shit. What can he do, really?
A grave threat looms over Halfsock, where Shelly slaves (I initially wrote it's where he lives, but I'm not sure you can really call it living in his case), and every attempt by the humans in charge to deal with said threat is thwarted by greed, prejudice, in-fighting, laziness, or just plain old stupidity.
Fortunately, Shelly is still quite clever, or at least clever enough not to be blinded by prejudice. He knows what he is, and he knows no one will listen to him if he tries to warn them, much less tell them what to do. Instead, much of the story is about trying to manipulate people who are more powerful, but less competent, without them noticing.
There's death and betrayal, schemes and intrigues. Murder most foul.
Also worth noticing is that while the above might seem grim and dark, and while the underlying themes are serious, Jester is a light-hearted and funny story. Unfortunately, much of the humour didn't work for me, but since I enjoyed the humorous aspect of Majordomo, I'm going to assume that it's due to my sense of humour rather than any issue with the story or the writing.
So, how does Jester compare to Majordomo?
In short: I prefer Majordomo.
But, just to be clear, Jester is absolutely worth reading.
What elevates Majordomo to excellence is the relationships between the characters, in particular that between Jack and his master. Majordomo has a warmth that wasn't present in Jester and that I dearly missed. In Majordomo, we encounter older characters that have a long history together, and we catch a glimpse of deep and developed friendships.
In Jester, Shelly is at the beginning of his career. He's starting out from scratch and relationships are created and built within the pages of the story. There's definitely a growth and warmth of character, but it's not quite the same.
What I'll whine about
The beginning. I already mentioned that the comedy aspect of Jester didn't work for me, and I felt like much of the start of the story hinged on using humour to establish Shelly's absolutely miserable position as a latrine slave. This isn't to say that the start of the book is full of poop jokes, but rather that it took quite a while for me to get invested and start caring about what happened.
The latrine slave experience comes up again a few times, and I get that it's a major part of Shelly's backstory, but these are still the weakest scenes in the book. There's a lot of focus on how disgusting and miserable it is, and perhaps my mind detached in self-defence, but the descriptions never really came alive to me.
What I'll gush about
The concept. The idea of having someone who's at the absolute bottom of everything, like Shelly, be the hero is intriguing. It's like the farm boy who becomes the king, but taken to the comedy extreme, kind of. The farm boy gets all kinds of support and benefits that Shelly doesn't get, and where the farm boy eventually steps into the limelight, Shelly keeps having to hide in the shadows.
Also, there's no prophecy. It's all Shelly.
Final Words
Jester is a tale of the hero who can never be The Hero, except to the people who knows what he really did.
Author Tim Carter recently won the second instalment of the SFINCS novella competition with his book Majordomo, featuring a crippled kobold overseeing the demesne of The Dark Lord. As part of one of the teams judging the competition, I can confirm both that Majordomo is a masterpiece, and that there arte definitely parallels to Jester - even if they're entirely its own separate stories. You do not need to have read Majordomo to enjoy Jester, or the other way around.
The point I'm building up to is that it will be difficult to review Jester without comparing it to Majordomo, so I won't pretend to try. I'll try not to go overboard with it, though. The two books are, after all, unrelated to each other - they may not even play out in the same setting; there's no overlap other than the prevalence of fantasy races and magical monsters, so it's impossible to say for sure.
The other big thing the books have in common is the status of the main character. In Majordomo, Jack is a crippled kobold. In Jester, Shelly is a goblin slave tasked with keeping the latrines clean. Both of them sit on the muddy ground beneath the lowest rung on the ladder of social standing.
Here's where the two stories begin to differ. Jack, from Majordomo, has an important and clearly defined role in his own circles outside of the public eye. He has pride, knowledge, and authority. Shelly, on the other hand, has nothing. When the story begins, he's just about to to get his first taste of taking pride in achieving something. Jack is what Shelly might be in another ten or twenty years - if he survives that long, of course.
After all, he is a goblin.
He's just a slave, tasked with cleaning up shit. What can he do, really?
A grave threat looms over Halfsock, where Shelly slaves (I initially wrote it's where he lives, but I'm not sure you can really call it living in his case), and every attempt by the humans in charge to deal with said threat is thwarted by greed, prejudice, in-fighting, laziness, or just plain old stupidity.
Fortunately, Shelly is still quite clever, or at least clever enough not to be blinded by prejudice. He knows what he is, and he knows no one will listen to him if he tries to warn them, much less tell them what to do. Instead, much of the story is about trying to manipulate people who are more powerful, but less competent, without them noticing.
There's death and betrayal, schemes and intrigues. Murder most foul.
Also worth noticing is that while the above might seem grim and dark, and while the underlying themes are serious, Jester is a light-hearted and funny story. Unfortunately, much of the humour didn't work for me, but since I enjoyed the humorous aspect of Majordomo, I'm going to assume that it's due to my sense of humour rather than any issue with the story or the writing.
So, how does Jester compare to Majordomo?
In short: I prefer Majordomo.
But, just to be clear, Jester is absolutely worth reading.
What elevates Majordomo to excellence is the relationships between the characters, in particular that between Jack and his master. Majordomo has a warmth that wasn't present in Jester and that I dearly missed. In Majordomo, we encounter older characters that have a long history together, and we catch a glimpse of deep and developed friendships.
In Jester, Shelly is at the beginning of his career. He's starting out from scratch and relationships are created and built within the pages of the story. There's definitely a growth and warmth of character, but it's not quite the same.
What I'll whine about
The beginning. I already mentioned that the comedy aspect of Jester didn't work for me, and I felt like much of the start of the story hinged on using humour to establish Shelly's absolutely miserable position as a latrine slave. This isn't to say that the start of the book is full of poop jokes, but rather that it took quite a while for me to get invested and start caring about what happened.
The latrine slave experience comes up again a few times, and I get that it's a major part of Shelly's backstory, but these are still the weakest scenes in the book. There's a lot of focus on how disgusting and miserable it is, and perhaps my mind detached in self-defence, but the descriptions never really came alive to me.
What I'll gush about
The concept. The idea of having someone who's at the absolute bottom of everything, like Shelly, be the hero is intriguing. It's like the farm boy who becomes the king, but taken to the comedy extreme, kind of. The farm boy gets all kinds of support and benefits that Shelly doesn't get, and where the farm boy eventually steps into the limelight, Shelly keeps having to hide in the shadows.
Also, there's no prophecy. It's all Shelly.
Final Words
Jester is a tale of the hero who can never be The Hero, except to the people who knows what he really did.
July 30, 2025
After reading the author's first work, a novella called Majordomo, I just knew I wanted to read whatever he came out with next.
Jester is a full length novel that follows the story of a lowly goblin slave who cleans latrines in the castle, and his unexpected rise to being a hero.
Carter's writing style is just so much fun, and despite the murder, the Skeleton Queen and her undead army, and the bashing of heads, this is a surprisingly light book throughout. Some may even call it cozy fantasy. I wouldn't go that far though. Perhaps cozy adjacent.
The best part is that although the story is completely self-contained, there was room left at the end for a possible sequel.
Jester is a full length novel that follows the story of a lowly goblin slave who cleans latrines in the castle, and his unexpected rise to being a hero.
Carter's writing style is just so much fun, and despite the murder, the Skeleton Queen and her undead army, and the bashing of heads, this is a surprisingly light book throughout. Some may even call it cozy fantasy. I wouldn't go that far though. Perhaps cozy adjacent.
The best part is that although the story is completely self-contained, there was room left at the end for a possible sequel.
April 12, 2025
Are you a fan of self-deprecating, unlikely heroes? Mysteriously powerful magic wielders? Tasteful toilet-based jokes? Then Jester is definitely the book for you. Set in a fantasy world where the cultivation of mushrooms is surprisingly important, our protagonist, Shelly, is dragged from his preordained station in life - the castle latrines - to negotiate the confusing demands of politics, warfare and women.
The book is an absolute delight. From the very start, even the trigger warnings engulf the reader in the Pratchett-esque atmosphere of the writing, as the wry observations and biting sarcasm underscore a deep appreciation for humanity (of whatever race or species).
Shelly, our first-person narrator, is habitually downtrodden, in the manner of Baldrick from the British TV series Blackadder. Yet he manages to find the positives in his miserable existence. Take this particularly pleasing description of the castle Matron, for example:
'You wouldn't say she was kind, but you always felt she was hitting you with the minimum force necessary, and for a purpose'.
It's incredibly easy to visualise and engage with the characters, and to become involved in the intricacies of the castle, both physically and psychologically. The world-building utilises all the senses to immerse the reader, so that it feels familiar and loved - no confusing terminology or unpronounceable fantasy names to pull you out of the story.
There is a well-balanced mix of observation, dialogue, intrigue and action, and the plot progresses masterfully with the development of the story arc and the gradual enlargement of the supporting cast. There is a little romance, but the classic themes of courage, bravery and friendship are the standouts here. And the ending is positively cinematic. I don't have the ability to do justice to how much I loved this book, and I know I won't be alone. Bring on the TV adaptation!
The book is an absolute delight. From the very start, even the trigger warnings engulf the reader in the Pratchett-esque atmosphere of the writing, as the wry observations and biting sarcasm underscore a deep appreciation for humanity (of whatever race or species).
Shelly, our first-person narrator, is habitually downtrodden, in the manner of Baldrick from the British TV series Blackadder. Yet he manages to find the positives in his miserable existence. Take this particularly pleasing description of the castle Matron, for example:
'You wouldn't say she was kind, but you always felt she was hitting you with the minimum force necessary, and for a purpose'.
It's incredibly easy to visualise and engage with the characters, and to become involved in the intricacies of the castle, both physically and psychologically. The world-building utilises all the senses to immerse the reader, so that it feels familiar and loved - no confusing terminology or unpronounceable fantasy names to pull you out of the story.
There is a well-balanced mix of observation, dialogue, intrigue and action, and the plot progresses masterfully with the development of the story arc and the gradual enlargement of the supporting cast. There is a little romance, but the classic themes of courage, bravery and friendship are the standouts here. And the ending is positively cinematic. I don't have the ability to do justice to how much I loved this book, and I know I won't be alone. Bring on the TV adaptation!
September 18, 2025
This was a nice little book it seemed to have everything a goblin who’s a slave, who then solves a murder, who then becomes a spy, he gets an alliance for the kingdom that has been his home and then finally a hero who gets his freedom.
This actually reminded me a fair bit of Rockfalls everybody dies. It’s light hearted, funny, easy to read and has an interesting plot that keeps you hooked as your reading. I started this yesterday morning after I finished Drumindor and I wasn’t able to stop. As I said this has everything that you would want in a fantasy novel it has an army of dead zombies marching towards the kingdom that the story is set but unless most fantasy books the kingdom has been run previously by tyrants until the youngest son inherits the throne. He is a man who is trying to change the kingdom for the better but change takes time and time is something that the book doesn’t have. There racism in this against the main character and other races of creatures that in habit this land which is a bitter pill to swallow as your reading it. The main character is beaten but that makes his character development all the more better and to say this was done in 270 pages. It’s impressive to say the least. Not everyone has a disdain for other races in this book and through Shelly’s journey through the book he meets people who do care for him and don’t care about his race. They treat him as equals.
So this book also in a long way round also has a found family for the main character Shelly. He finds friends, he’s free and he has a potential love interest at the end of the book. It’s a very touching story about not giving up no material the hand your dealt.
Would I recommend this book? Yes give it a read you won’t be disappointed.
This actually reminded me a fair bit of Rockfalls everybody dies. It’s light hearted, funny, easy to read and has an interesting plot that keeps you hooked as your reading. I started this yesterday morning after I finished Drumindor and I wasn’t able to stop. As I said this has everything that you would want in a fantasy novel it has an army of dead zombies marching towards the kingdom that the story is set but unless most fantasy books the kingdom has been run previously by tyrants until the youngest son inherits the throne. He is a man who is trying to change the kingdom for the better but change takes time and time is something that the book doesn’t have. There racism in this against the main character and other races of creatures that in habit this land which is a bitter pill to swallow as your reading it. The main character is beaten but that makes his character development all the more better and to say this was done in 270 pages. It’s impressive to say the least. Not everyone has a disdain for other races in this book and through Shelly’s journey through the book he meets people who do care for him and don’t care about his race. They treat him as equals.
So this book also in a long way round also has a found family for the main character Shelly. He finds friends, he’s free and he has a potential love interest at the end of the book. It’s a very touching story about not giving up no material the hand your dealt.
Would I recommend this book? Yes give it a read you won’t be disappointed.
June 29, 2025
How can you find power when you are the most powerless person (or goblin) in the room?
Shelly is a goblin slave living in a land ruled by ruthless idiots – the Duchy of Halfsock. Looming in the horizon is the threat of invasion by the Skeleton Queen and her gigantic army of undead creatures.
When Halfsock’s mage is mysteriously murdered and the Duke’s heir fight to frame each other for the crime, Shelly decides he needs to do something about it and guarantee that he will survive the upcoming attack by the Skeleton Queen.
As his plans work, but in the way he intended, Shelly finds unexpected allies and gets himself much deeper in the castle’s political intrigue.
In his eagerness to live, Shelly discovers much about himself, as well as about friendship, loyalty and courage.
This was a fun story to read, with Carter’s easy narrative. Sometimes I found the use of modern expressions a bit jarring, but it did not rob the flow of the story. I would like to have seen more character development, in particular for Alaistair, Betticia and Buckingham, as they felt a bit two dimensional to me, and I would also love to have seen a bit more about the world that Shelly lives in.
The final boss battle was very cool and clever, and I suspect readers can expect a sequel to this story!
A fun read for fans of whimsical fantasy with unlikely heroes!
Thanks Tim for graciously sharing a review copy of your book with me.
Shelly is a goblin slave living in a land ruled by ruthless idiots – the Duchy of Halfsock. Looming in the horizon is the threat of invasion by the Skeleton Queen and her gigantic army of undead creatures.
When Halfsock’s mage is mysteriously murdered and the Duke’s heir fight to frame each other for the crime, Shelly decides he needs to do something about it and guarantee that he will survive the upcoming attack by the Skeleton Queen.
As his plans work, but in the way he intended, Shelly finds unexpected allies and gets himself much deeper in the castle’s political intrigue.
In his eagerness to live, Shelly discovers much about himself, as well as about friendship, loyalty and courage.
This was a fun story to read, with Carter’s easy narrative. Sometimes I found the use of modern expressions a bit jarring, but it did not rob the flow of the story. I would like to have seen more character development, in particular for Alaistair, Betticia and Buckingham, as they felt a bit two dimensional to me, and I would also love to have seen a bit more about the world that Shelly lives in.
The final boss battle was very cool and clever, and I suspect readers can expect a sequel to this story!
A fun read for fans of whimsical fantasy with unlikely heroes!
Thanks Tim for graciously sharing a review copy of your book with me.
April 13, 2025
You can call me Shelly. My proper name’s Shelliac of the Gorod, but even goblins give up our clan names when we’re enslaved.
Shelliac, a goblin enslaved in Castle Halfsock, works his way from latrine cleaner to duke’s jester through keen observation, quick thinking, and a resourcefulness that comes from a will to survive. When the Skeleton Queen’s army threatens Shelly’s whole world, he must decide if he will shrink from danger or put his fears aside for the sake of his friends.
I frequently told myself I was clever. I’d never once ventured that I was brave.
Much like Carter’s previous work, Majordomo, this new full-length novel tells the story of an underdog who sometimes forgets that he is one. Shelly faces challenges as a goblin enslaved by humans and as a newly elevated court jester who finds himself embroiled in plots that could bring down the dukedom.
I’m called a jester. It’s not all that I do.
Tim Carter tackles topics like racism and prejudice with the reverence due to them but sinks his teeth in political intrigue and shitty situations (sometimes literally) with an enjoyable amount of humor. I would recommend Jester to anyone looking for a cozy castle adventure with a reluctant hero, undead armies, sinister villains, strong bonds of friendship, and an appreciation for a goblin’s dry wit.
The Skeleton Queen and her army were a children’s nightmare sprung to life. Or to undeath. Necromancy plays havoc with grammar.
Shelliac, a goblin enslaved in Castle Halfsock, works his way from latrine cleaner to duke’s jester through keen observation, quick thinking, and a resourcefulness that comes from a will to survive. When the Skeleton Queen’s army threatens Shelly’s whole world, he must decide if he will shrink from danger or put his fears aside for the sake of his friends.
I frequently told myself I was clever. I’d never once ventured that I was brave.
Much like Carter’s previous work, Majordomo, this new full-length novel tells the story of an underdog who sometimes forgets that he is one. Shelly faces challenges as a goblin enslaved by humans and as a newly elevated court jester who finds himself embroiled in plots that could bring down the dukedom.
I’m called a jester. It’s not all that I do.
Tim Carter tackles topics like racism and prejudice with the reverence due to them but sinks his teeth in political intrigue and shitty situations (sometimes literally) with an enjoyable amount of humor. I would recommend Jester to anyone looking for a cozy castle adventure with a reluctant hero, undead armies, sinister villains, strong bonds of friendship, and an appreciation for a goblin’s dry wit.
The Skeleton Queen and her army were a children’s nightmare sprung to life. Or to undeath. Necromancy plays havoc with grammar.
April 13, 2025
**I was given a copy for a fair review**
Jester ended up surprising me a bit. I thought it might be a little flat, but I ended up liking the main character, a goblin named Shelly, and his friend . The writing was smooth, though something in the very beginning sat a little off with me. I couldn't say what exactly, and it smoothed out as the story went on.
I liked the way Shelly progressed as a character. His feelings seemed pretty real especially with him not knowing how to act towards Rose, or in new situations. The sewer scene is truly horrible, but it's supposed to be. It felt a little easy at the end with the battle (even though this was a fairly long passage,) but it kept the story out of the grimdark end of the fantasy scale. TBF, no one's life is that great in Halfsock and the stakes are a little too high to be a cozy fantasy, but it isn't weighed down with oppressive feelings either. Or at least the oppression is something that genuinely enjoyable characters are fighting through.
Jester ended up surprising me a bit. I thought it might be a little flat, but I ended up liking the main character, a goblin named Shelly, and his friend . The writing was smooth, though something in the very beginning sat a little off with me. I couldn't say what exactly, and it smoothed out as the story went on.
I liked the way Shelly progressed as a character. His feelings seemed pretty real especially with him not knowing how to act towards Rose, or in new situations. The sewer scene is truly horrible, but it's supposed to be. It felt a little easy at the end with the battle (even though this was a fairly long passage,) but it kept the story out of the grimdark end of the fantasy scale. TBF, no one's life is that great in Halfsock and the stakes are a little too high to be a cozy fantasy, but it isn't weighed down with oppressive feelings either. Or at least the oppression is something that genuinely enjoyable characters are fighting through.
April 13, 2025
A backwater duchy. A corrupt and inefficient ruling class. And a legion of the shambling dead.
Shelliac of the Gorod, or Shelly for short, is thrust into events far beyond his station as a latrine slave when the Skeleton Queen and her undead legions threaten Halfsock, his nominal home.
There's intrigue, subterfuge, alliances, and more as Shelly decides to take action and save himself from the encroaching doom of the Skeleton Queen. He makes friends, enemies, and ultimately learns how to be an efficient spy. While developing and maintaining true friendships, connections that are often at odds with his activities, he finds himself out of his element. Goblins, especially goblin slaves, rarely have friends or effect change.
From latrine slave to jester to something much greater, Shelly ultimately shows himself to be a brave and courageous goblin. Even if he did start off as an enslaved sewer cleaner.
Great for lovers of fantasy or people who enjoy behind-the-scenes scheming and plotting!
Thanks to Tim for the ARC copy!
Shelliac of the Gorod, or Shelly for short, is thrust into events far beyond his station as a latrine slave when the Skeleton Queen and her undead legions threaten Halfsock, his nominal home.
There's intrigue, subterfuge, alliances, and more as Shelly decides to take action and save himself from the encroaching doom of the Skeleton Queen. He makes friends, enemies, and ultimately learns how to be an efficient spy. While developing and maintaining true friendships, connections that are often at odds with his activities, he finds himself out of his element. Goblins, especially goblin slaves, rarely have friends or effect change.
From latrine slave to jester to something much greater, Shelly ultimately shows himself to be a brave and courageous goblin. Even if he did start off as an enslaved sewer cleaner.
Great for lovers of fantasy or people who enjoy behind-the-scenes scheming and plotting!
Thanks to Tim for the ARC copy!
April 26, 2025
What a great story!
This is definitely not your normal fantasy. Granted, there is adventure and a quest of sorts. There are different races, including the undead. And of course, there is a battle between good and evil. Our hero in this story is a goblin, and not only a goblin but a latrine slave. Yes, you read that right, he works in sewage. Literally. This story brought to mind Lady Galadriel’s line in Lord of the Rings, “Even the smallest person can change the course of history.” Of course, it’s not like our hero didn’t suffer along the way because he did. A lot. But that made his sacrifices seem even bigger. While this may have been the first of Tim Carter’s stories I have read, I can promise it will not be the last.
I received a copy of this book from the author and am voluntarily leaving this review.
This is definitely not your normal fantasy. Granted, there is adventure and a quest of sorts. There are different races, including the undead. And of course, there is a battle between good and evil. Our hero in this story is a goblin, and not only a goblin but a latrine slave. Yes, you read that right, he works in sewage. Literally. This story brought to mind Lady Galadriel’s line in Lord of the Rings, “Even the smallest person can change the course of history.” Of course, it’s not like our hero didn’t suffer along the way because he did. A lot. But that made his sacrifices seem even bigger. While this may have been the first of Tim Carter’s stories I have read, I can promise it will not be the last.
I received a copy of this book from the author and am voluntarily leaving this review.
May 10, 2025
Having read the author’s previous book ’Majordomo’ I was prepared(ish) this time for the witty, bonkers ride I was getting into. And boy, was I NOT disappointed!
Where ‘Majordomo’ turned out to be a touching story about a kobald servant dealing with his Necromancer masters (self adopted stepfathers) decline into dementia a secret and his struggles to keep the Keep and his wizard/father safe.
‘Jester’ is a story of a latrine slave goblin using his wits and finding his courage to ultimately save the very people that enslaved him. Getting beaten to a pulp repeatedly along the way. And ultimately coming out with a new found family, a girl and, and oh yeah, being a hero.
As, Shelly himself states, “If we’re going to tackle impossibilities, it might as well be the ones we want most.
Where ‘Majordomo’ turned out to be a touching story about a kobald servant dealing with his Necromancer masters (self adopted stepfathers) decline into dementia a secret and his struggles to keep the Keep and his wizard/father safe.
‘Jester’ is a story of a latrine slave goblin using his wits and finding his courage to ultimately save the very people that enslaved him. Getting beaten to a pulp repeatedly along the way. And ultimately coming out with a new found family, a girl and, and oh yeah, being a hero.
As, Shelly himself states, “If we’re going to tackle impossibilities, it might as well be the ones we want most.
April 4, 2025
What can I say about this amazing, talented authors novel? It’s fun, fruity, engaging and interesting, adventure filled and exceptional characters and development, world-building is off the charts.
Tim has created an incredible story and well worth reading, haven’t laughed as much about about an unlikely hero in ages. No spoilers from me, you will just have to read it to find out why.
Exceptional writing Tim, thank you so much for the arc. A definite inspiriting 5-starts for this book.
Tim has created an incredible story and well worth reading, haven’t laughed as much about about an unlikely hero in ages. No spoilers from me, you will just have to read it to find out why.
Exceptional writing Tim, thank you so much for the arc. A definite inspiriting 5-starts for this book.
April 28, 2025
Wonderful read and for not normally being into fantasy, this book had me captivated from the first page. I am not a big reader but I finished this in 3 days. The characters were so relatable and you had them rooting for Shelly from the beginning. Loved the trigger warnings at the beginning which really sets the tone.
The relationships and friendships between the characters leave you wanting to know more about each of them.
Great easy to read book that wants you to know what happens next.
The relationships and friendships between the characters leave you wanting to know more about each of them.
Great easy to read book that wants you to know what happens next.
May 10, 2025
A fun tale featuring a fresh take on a common trope of sword and sorcery: the goblin slave. Carter’s characters are funny and believable in a story that feels familiar yet irreverent and novel in its focus on the people typically on the margins of the action—some of whom find themselves much closer to the levers of power than they would ever have expected. And yet, the story always feels very possible and real (in the fantasy sense of the word). I look forward to future entries by the author.
April 12, 2025
Careful not to rip the pages as you tear through this layered adventure. Carter delivers the action, deception, and treachery while getting his reader to wonder about the inner conflict between personal freedom and loyalty to friends and clan. With a clever and insightful voice, Carter had me on the edge of my seat for his characters. A wonderful read. More please!
June 1, 2025
This was such a GREAT book! I absolutely loved how the story kept weaving more and more threads into a beautiful tale of a goblin. I went in only knowing I loved Majordomo and that this was a full novel, and not having any idea really what the book was about made it a great surprise.
If you like the story of the tosher in Tress, you will LOVE the story of Jester
If you like the story of the tosher in Tress, you will LOVE the story of Jester
April 8, 2025
It started out hilarious and it kept getting funnier ...and I loved every moment of it ...
I got this as an arc and I have been throughly entertained from beginning to end ...
thank you for letting me read this book...
I got this as an arc and I have been throughly entertained from beginning to end ...
thank you for letting me read this book...
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