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Not Really Heroes
They’re not really heroes…but they can fake it. He’ll just have to write their theme song himself.
Although he graduated from a school for heroes, young Biaili Erdai has chosen a far less respectable line of work. Yet when he meets a clever young architect whose employer has been framed for theft, he can’t leave well enough alone. He’ll do anything to right an injustice—even if it means confessing to Eila his secret: he’s quite a bit more than a courtesan.
He hoped for a friend. What he got was a challenge.
This is a fantasy short story of about 9,600 words taking place twenty years before the “A Heroine’s Luck” series, telling the backstory of one of the characters. It can be read first as an introduction to the world.
Although he graduated from a school for heroes, young Biaili Erdai has chosen a far less respectable line of work. Yet when he meets a clever young architect whose employer has been framed for theft, he can’t leave well enough alone. He’ll do anything to right an injustice—even if it means confessing to Eila his secret: he’s quite a bit more than a courtesan.
He hoped for a friend. What he got was a challenge.
This is a fantasy short story of about 9,600 words taking place twenty years before the “A Heroine’s Luck” series, telling the backstory of one of the characters. It can be read first as an introduction to the world.
ebook
Published April 19, 2025
About the author
E.M. Epps
16 books42 followersBy day, E. M. Epps is a bookseller in Seattle, WA. By night, she writes high fantasy with likable but pragmatic heroes, who are likely to be diplomats, warriors, sorcerers, or some combination of the above. To receive free stories and writing updates, sign up for her mailing list at www.emepps.com.
As a young writer, she was inspired by the action and heroism of C.S. Forester, the scope of Tolstoy, the scientific magic of Diane Duane, the romance of Catherine Asaro, the martial arts of Michelle Yeoh and Jackie Chan - and, above all, the diversity of human cultures featured in the anthropology textbooks she devoured in her teens.
She is the author of the court intrigue novel THE INTERPRETER'S TALE and the single-volume epic adventure COMPLETE WITH SHIPWRECK (both set in her Direnayu high fantasy world), the fantasy romantic comedy COLD SANDWICHES AND ALL, and many, many other works.
As a young writer, she was inspired by the action and heroism of C.S. Forester, the scope of Tolstoy, the scientific magic of Diane Duane, the romance of Catherine Asaro, the martial arts of Michelle Yeoh and Jackie Chan - and, above all, the diversity of human cultures featured in the anthropology textbooks she devoured in her teens.
She is the author of the court intrigue novel THE INTERPRETER'S TALE and the single-volume epic adventure COMPLETE WITH SHIPWRECK (both set in her Direnayu high fantasy world), the fantasy romantic comedy COLD SANDWICHES AND ALL, and many, many other works.
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Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews
April 23, 2025
Fun short story, loved the banting and loved Biaili as always.
E.M. Epps has a way of writing that makes me feel at home.
E.M. Epps has a way of writing that makes me feel at home.
April 11, 2025
I was lucky enough to score an ARC! I loved getting this short story of one of my favorite characters, Biaili Erdai, in the series A HEROINE’S LUCK. The story takes place about 20 years before the events in A Winter of Fish and Favor and A Song of Spring to Come. While some prequels can be little more than an info-dump to introduce us to all the main players or world-building to the ninth circle of hell, this little gem of a short story provides just the right amount of character arc for a man who may later be either a villain or the heroine’s sidekick. All the right vibes in an Indonesian flavored setting. Enjoy!
May 15, 2025
I like the vibe of this book, and the MC is fresh and original. I somehow resonated with him, even though the story is too short to really get into it.
The writing is good, it flows seamlessly to introduce only a sliver of the world the book is set in.
An intriguing introduction to the next book.
I received an advance review copy for free via BookSirens, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
The writing is good, it flows seamlessly to introduce only a sliver of the world the book is set in.
An intriguing introduction to the next book.
I received an advance review copy for free via BookSirens, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
August 15, 2025
If you are going back to read this novella after reading the series all you can do is smile, because Biaili Erdai was just one of those characters that you hoped you'd get to know better. And, IF you are reading this before you read the series then I think you will find yourself wanting to read the series. I loved this look into Biaili's life prior to the other books - it just made me love the world and characters all the more.
April 3, 2025
For a short story it really didn’t draw me in, I was hoping it would get better as I read, I know it being a short story you had to fit a lot into just a few pages. But felt it could of been a little better..
April 12, 2025
The fantasy short story is really inspiring. It is about Biaili Erdai's first meeting with a heroine. I really enjoy reading prequels for any series (like this one) and I hope there will be more books coming out soon.
I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.
May 30, 2025
Biaili is quite a character, not quite a hero. He chooses what he wants to be. Intriguing from beginning to end. Can’t wait for the next book.
Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews