In a world where wizards have wiped themselves out in a catastrophic war, magic is reborn. In the form of…. a Troll? Join Tanurgolth Pukarowski, Tro-zard, Wiz-roll, er, Magic User, on an epic quest across the lands of Char. Accompanied by his bestie, Miggy the Chupacabra, the power of Fatum buffets the two as they embark on a quest to fulfill their potential. Magic is back! Only it has no idea what it is doing.
Meanwhile, across the continent of Char, the inept human Bureau-Monarchy, beset by mountains of paperwork and a lack of breakfast, attempts to revive the war drums of conquest in the form of a donkey cavalry. Can one man lead the humans into the future? If so, which one?
As their worlds collide, will Tan find the true magic within him or become a pawn in the devious Bureau-Monarchy plans?
"Witty, whimsical, and wonderfully weird, CHAR! flips fantasy on its horned head with a magic-wielding Troll, a chupacabra sidekick, and a hilariously bureaucratic kingdom—perfect for fans of Discworld and Good Omens." – NewInBooks.com
In the Lands of Char, Absurdity is the Norm In the crowded field of fantasy, where epic quests and brooding heroes are commonplace, "CHAR! Stories of People and Monsters acting like Monsters and People" by D. Anthony Still takes a refreshingly unconventional approach. The book plunges readers into the whimsical and often bizarre lands of Char, a place where the laws of logic seem to bend at will and the inhabitants are as likely to surprise you as they are to elicit a chuckle.
The narrative follows a young orphan turned magician's apprentice, whose journey of self-discovery begins in the most unlikely of the basement of a less-than-reputable inn. Here, magic is less about grand displays of power and more about sleight of hand and trickery. The author’s playful subversion of traditional fantasy tropes is evident from the start, and this irreverence is a consistent thread throughout the book.
What truly sets "CHAR!" apart is its colorful cast of characters and the outlandish situations they find themselves in. From a troll and a chupacabra embarking on a birding expedition to a secret society with a curious obsession with breakfast, the book is populated by personalities that are as memorable as they are eccentric. The author demonstrates a keen sense of comedic timing, and the dialogue is frequently sharp and witty.
"CHAR!" is ultimately an enjoyable and entertaining read. It’s a welcome reminder that fantasy can be both humorous and imaginative, and that sometimes, the greatest adventures are the ones you least expect. Readers seeking a departure from the seriousness of traditional fantasy will find a delightful escape in the pages of this book.
Review: CHAR! is a delightfully absurd fantasy novel set in a world where magic, long thought extinct after a wizard-induced apocalypse, unexpectedly returns through a Troll named Tanurgolth Pukarowski. Alongside his loyal (and hungry) companion Miggy the Chupacabra, Tan embarks on a hilariously chaotic journey of magic, destiny, and self-discovery in the lands of Char.
Meanwhile, a hilariously inefficient human Bureau-Monarchy attempts to reclaim power with a cavalry of donkeys and a mountain of paperwork. As these strange worlds collide, one question remains: Can Tan uncover his true magical potential, or will he end up as a pawn in a very confused game?
I loved the way CHAR! turns every fantasy convention on its head. Trolls casting spells, chupacabras going on quests, and kingdoms drowning in bureaucratic nonsense. It’s all wildly imaginative and laugh-out-loud funny. The writing is sharp, full of wit, and never takes itself too seriously. Each character feels unique and full of quirks, and the absurd scenarios they stumble into had me grinning throughout. Think Discworld meets Good Omens, but with more fur, fangs, and failed forms.
In a world where trolls sling spells and bureaucracy battles breakfast , CHAR!: The Char Grimoires flips fantasy on its head with sharp humor and pure absurdity. D. Anthony Still crafts a chaotic yet charming world where magic has been reborn—only it’s hilariously bad at its job. The troll Tanurgolth and his sidekick Miggy the Chupacabra set off on an adventure so strange and witty that you can’t help but laugh at every twist.
From tangled bureaucracy to donkey cavalries , the human Bureau-Monarchy adds an extra layer of delightful chaos. The satire on power, leadership, and paperwork gone wild is both relatable and ridiculous. Still’s writing style feels like Terry Pratchett meets Douglas Adams—brilliantly irreverent, sharply observant, and delightfully silly all at once. You’ll find yourself grinning through the madness of this upside-down kingdom.
What truly shines here are the characters—from a magic-wielding troll who doesn’t quite get magic to a chupacabra with endless charm and sarcasm. Each personality bursts with color and quirk, keeping you hooked through every hilarious scene. Still doesn’t just parody fantasy tropes—he reinvents them with playful absurdity and heart. Every page feels like a new inside joke shared between the author and the reader.
In the end, CHAR! reminds us that fantasy doesn’t need to be serious to be magical . It’s a wild, witty, and wonderfully weird ride through a world where absurdity reigns supreme. If you love stories that make you laugh, think, and question why magic ever needed rules, this book is a must-read. A true gem for fans of imaginative chaos!
this is wild adventure. a troll wizard with Chupacabra, a sprite, and a minotaur go on an adventure to find the kungpow chicken monastery to learn how to wizard. it's wild and fun!
What a clever imaginative fantasy that blended dark humor, magic and mystery with strange creatures that swept me up into their magical world. Full of personality and weird magic that I thoroughly enjoyed. A must read.
Merged review:
Clever imaginative read!
What a clever imaginative fantasy that blended dark humor, magic and mystery with strange creatures that swept me up into their magical world. Full of personality and weird magic that I thoroughly enjoyed. A must read.
In a genre often crowded with grim heroes, sweeping wars, and ancient prophecies, CHAR! kicks down the tavern door with a wink, a grin, and a donkey cavalry. D. Anthony Still’s delightfully absurd fantasy romp gleefully turns genre tropes upside down, delivering a story that is as unpredictable as it is laugh-out-loud funny.
At the heart of the madness is Tanurgolth Pukarowski—a troll, sort of, but also kind of a wizard?—and his loyal best friend Miggy, a chupacabra with unexpected charm. Together, the duo stumbles through the magical chaos of the land of Char, where destiny (or Fatum, as it’s ominously called) nudges them along a journey of self-discovery, breakfast-related conspiracies, and extremely questionable spellcraft.
The real genius of CHAR! lies in its tone. With echoes of Discworld and Good Omens, Still crafts a world that is unabashedly ridiculous—but always intentional. The satire is sharp, the characters are larger-than-life (sometimes literally), and the narrative never takes itself too seriously, which is exactly what makes it work. Even the supposedly menacing Bureau-Monarchy—hampered by paperwork, absurd strategy meetings, and their most dangerous weapon: the donkey cavalry—is more Monty Python than Mordor.
Still’s writing is rich with wit and wordplay, and the pacing bounces along with the energy of a Saturday morning cartoon for grown-ups. Beneath the humor, though, are subtle questions about identity, fate, and the blurry lines between monsters and men.
In the wild and wonderfully weird world of CHAR!, D. Anthony Still gives fantasy a chaotic, hilarious makeover! Imagine a universe where wizards have self-destructed in a magical war — and now, magic has been reborn in the form of a Troll! Meet Tanurgolth Pukarowski, the “Tro-zard” who has no clue what he’s doing but is determined to figure it out anyway. With his best friend Miggy the Chupacabra by his side, Tan stumbles through absurd quests, unpredictable spells, and destiny’s strange sense of humor.
What makes CHAR! such a standout read is its satirical brilliance. The Bureau-Monarchy — an inept human government that wages war with donkey cavalry 🫏 — perfectly captures the book’s tongue-in-cheek humor. Every chapter feels like a clever jab at bureaucracy, politics, and even traditional fantasy clichés.The author’s writing is sharp, witty, and full of dry humor that fans of Discworld or Good Omens will absolutely adore. Still’s storytelling style keeps readers laughing while subtly exploring themes of chaos, purpose, and the messy beauty of imperfection.
The characters are a riot! From trolls with identity crises to chupacabras chasing destiny (and snacks), every creature in Char is bursting with personality. The dialogues sparkle with sarcasm and charm, making even the smallest moments memorable. The absurd scenarios — from failed spells to bureaucratic blunders — are delivered with perfect comedic timing. It’s a fantasy world where you never quite know what’s coming next, but you can’t stop turning the pages to find out!
Ultimately, CHAR! THE CHAR GRIMOIRES is a refreshing escape for readers who crave humor, imagination, and a touch of chaos.It’s not just about magic—it’s about the ridiculous, relatable journey of trying to make sense of a world that doesn’t always play by the rules. If you love quirky adventures, talking creatures, and stories that poke fun at themselves while still delivering heart, this one’s a must-read!
I really enjoyed reading CHAR! It's a humorous fantasy with enough depth to have me caring about the characters and their relationships. D. Anthony Still nails the comedy. For me, it wasn’t Tan’s quest or the worldbuilding that made me keep reading. It was the skilled voice, the genuine humor, and each hilarious scene. (That’s not to say the other elements were absent or bad. They were there, and they’re good, but the driving force behind this book, for me, was the comedy)
The scenes and setups in this book are SO clever. From mechanical engineer trolls to bureaucrats buying illegal apple-fritters in an alley, I kept turning pages, hoping for another funny situation. There is alot of perspective head- hopping, which took me a bit to get used to, but I quickly came to appreciate how D. Anthony Still used this to make scenes all the more fun! If you like movies like Shrek or games like Dungeon Master, CHAR! is a book that captures similarly wacky humor, wild visuals, and wonderfully clever scenes.
Trolls, Pixies, and Kung-Pow Chickens—What’s Not to Love?
This book was Light, weird, and totally entertaining. It’s packed with wild ideas, unexpected jokes, and a cast of characters that you’ll weirdly miss when it’s over. There’s a definite anything-goes energy here—trolls that build bridges, pixies with attitude, and yes, a chicken temple that might actually matter.
CHAR! works because it doesn’t take itself too seriously, but it still has just enough heart to make you care. The characters grow on you fast—Tan’s unsure hero vibes, Miggy’s chaotic sidekick energy, and Gretel’s sheer force of personality make them a fun, lovable group to follow around.
There’s also a talking snake, a very stylish pegasus, and some surprisingly smart world-building for such a ridiculous setting.
Honestly, it’s the kind of story that’s just fun to spend time with. If you like fantasy that’s playful, unpredictable, and full of jokes that actually land, this one’s worth your time.
This book is an absolute riot. Imagine stepping into a fantasy world where nothing behaves the way you expect it to, and you’ll have a pretty good idea of what this story delivers. The humor is razor sharp, the plot delightfully unhinged, and the characters, equal parts chaotic and lovable. The writing is fast paced without feeling rushed, weaving in clever jokes and absurd situations so smoothly that I found myself laughing out loud every few pages. What I loved most is that beneath all the ridiculousness, there’s a surprisingly thoughtful undercurrent about destiny, choice, and what it means to find your place in a world that doesn’t make sense. It's a fantasy that refuses to take itself too seriously, this is a gem. It’s equal parts smart, silly, and strangely heartwarming. A perfect pick for readers who like their adventures sprinkled with chaos, sarcasm, and a touch of existential comedy. I loved it!
CHAR! doesn’t so much play with fantasy conventions as it interrogates them, shakes them by the shoulders, and dresses them in bureaucratic red tape. Imagine Kafka with a 20-sided die. Or better yet—imagine a dungeon where the deadliest trap is the paperwork.
The satire here isn’t decorative. It’s structural. The world is stitched together with the kind of maddening logic that would make the IRS blush. GODDAMNIT—the aptly named government agency—is less a parody than a darkly funny echo of actual governance. And the road to nowhere, eternally funded by new Propositions, might just be the most efficient metaphor for modern policy failure I’ve read in ages.
But for all its sharpness, CHAR! is also weirdly warm. Trolls don’t just smash—they design infrastructure. Goblins operate kitchen staff. A chupacabra might be your best friend. And somehow, through all the absurdity, there’s a genuine emotional arc that binds it all together. Tan’s journey to understand his Class becomes a metaphor for discovering identity in a world designed to confuse you.
The prose crackles with wit. Every acronym is a joke and a clue. Every character name is trying to make you laugh—and tell you something true. It’s rare to find a fantasy novel that’s so clearly enjoying itself on every page.
In short: CHAR! is sharp-minded, full-hearted, and unafraid to swing its satire at everything from high fantasy to high office. If there’s a sequel, I’ll be the first in line—possibly holding a flaming +2 permit application.
Gosh, what a journey! What a quest! (Yes Miggy, a quest!) Wildly imaginative, Char is filled with fabulous characters that carry you along with them on their crazy ride across a fantasy land you’ll love traversing (but perhaps wouldn’t want to visit in person). Brimming with dry, tongue-in-cheek humour, the writing often reminded me of Ben Elton and Douglas Adams, creating a story that’s equal parts enchanting and hilarious. Miggy was absolutely my favourite - and I can’t wait to do more adventuring with him in book two!
CHAR! By D. Anthony Still was a fun and surprisingly thoughtful fantasy that didn’t take itself too seriously. I loved how humor and absurdity are used to explore bigger ideas like power, fear, and responsibility. Tan and Miggy make a great pair, and their journey feels both silly and meaningful at the same time. The world is creative and packed with strange creatures, clever names, and unexpected lessons. Even when the story gets dark, the humor keeps it balanced. This was an entertaining read that made me laugh while still giving me something to think about.
I haven’t finished CHAR!: THE CHAR GRIMOIRES yet, but from what I’ve read so far, it’s absolutely captivating. The writing is rich and immersive, and the world D. Anthony Still is building feels unique, dark, and full of depth. Even just a few chapters in, I can tell this is going to be something special. Can’t wait to keep going — definitely a five-star experience already.
I laughed my head off for parts of it, especially the bit with the Kung Pow Chickens. How anyone can combine humans and animals the way the author did totally escapes me, but then that's fantasy! And everyone should have a Fire Slither around their arm to set the record straight on some subjects. (I really need to get a Fire Slither!) If you are looking for a good read, try Char!