Based on real fake events, Tales of Yhore recounts the exploits of Monch, a champion among champions in a digitally constructed video game world based on a movie based on a book, none of which really existed ever. If that's not confusing enough, wait until you meet Monch's cat.
"There are words printed on the pages between the covers!" - remarked a reviewer (source needed). More? Ok, Here it In the beginning, the Developers made Yhore. Into this world came Monch, a hero of pixelated good features. From the beginning, he was not there to win the game, he was there to conquer the world. Join Monch's real adventures in an imaginary world on a massive multiplayer server far, far away for an adventure that knows no bounds (only respawn times)!
Kingdoms of Yhore is a popular new massively multiplayer online role playing game (MMORPG) based on the works of pulp fantasy author R. James Whitecastle. Shortly after launch, a new character is created, one that defies merely playing in the game world. His goal was beyond simple digital existence. Instead he dared to conquer it for his own purpose. Monch, the Unholy Templar of Ahriman, knew his destiny was to bring back the fabled city of Akaeron, the dark kingdom that had been relegated to mere backstory for the game. To that end, he would become a champion like no other in the Kingdoms of Yhore (the game and the world).
These are the tales of his creation and rise to power, his trials and tribulations and the beginning of his foothold as a major influence in this world that rejects having major influences from the player-base. Can Monch succeed, even though hundreds of other players, millions of lines of computer code and dozens of game developers literally stand in his way?
D.F. Monk claims to be an exile from a parallel dimension. He lives with his partner and their child while he crafts "memoirs" of his lost home, all the while searching the globe for the one portal that might take him back. "Tales of Yhore" is his first published work on this plane of reality.
Monk's ratings are highly subjective, leaning most towards the "Do I want to read 'just one more chapter'" criteria of scoring. Anything three stars or more is something he would recommend for reading. Anything less than three stars means there was not enough engagement enough to recommend. Monk does not read books to critically deconstruct them nor does he think it's his job to tell others what they shouldn't like.
Even as someone who has only the slightest experience with gaming, I was able to follow along and enjoyed this story a lot. The characters were great. Definitely worth the read.