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The Tired Mercenary Just Wants to Farm in Peace: A Slice-of-Life Adventure
The Silver Hands were one of the best mercenary companies in the kingdom. Now, only one remains. Kain Asheld buried the three people closest to him on a quiet ridge overlooking the valley where they promised to meet. He honors that memory with a deed to a farm, bought with his share of a final bounty and a desperate need for silence.
The dream of that new life requires more than just land. Locals call it Madder's Place. It is a disaster of rotting floorboards, collapsed roofs, and fields reclaimed by the wild.
The village needs him just as much as he needs the solitude. Support comes from unexpected a young collector named Oren, a sharp-tongued tavern owner named Sorrel, and a trust system that leaves payment in unlocked boxes by the road. As Kain clears the rot from his new home and tracks the wolves harassing the village, he discovers building a life takes its own kind of strength.
This is the story of starting over, and of moving on when you can't take the people you love with you.
The dream of that new life requires more than just land. Locals call it Madder's Place. It is a disaster of rotting floorboards, collapsed roofs, and fields reclaimed by the wild.
The village needs him just as much as he needs the solitude. Support comes from unexpected a young collector named Oren, a sharp-tongued tavern owner named Sorrel, and a trust system that leaves payment in unlocked boxes by the road. As Kain clears the rot from his new home and tracks the wolves harassing the village, he discovers building a life takes its own kind of strength.
This is the story of starting over, and of moving on when you can't take the people you love with you.
616 pages, Kindle Edition
Published March 5, 2026
273 people are currently reading
33 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 48 reviews
March 8, 2026
This is one of those books you’ll remember
This will be a great series. The writing is exceptional; the MC has such a strength and depth of character that you’ll think of him long after you’ve read the last page.
This will be a great series. The writing is exceptional; the MC has such a strength and depth of character that you’ll think of him long after you’ve read the last page.
March 10, 2026
I was a little surprised that this book actually carried through with what it started out as. I was sort of expecting a group of raiders or hordes of beasts to be constantly attacking. But other than the wolves and some drunk adventurers it was just everyday life on a farm. Nothing glorious just the hard work of getting a run down farm up and running. Other than him being more powerful and getting things done a little faster. I found that the author probably has done some farming or really put in some research. That said there’s no pending romance or doom approaching. So I don’t think I’ll be reading a second book.
March 11, 2026
The Tired Mercenary Just Wants to Farm in Peace: A Slice-of-Life Adventure (Seneca Farm Book 1), my twenty-second read from prolific author Wolfe Locke who writes under so many nom-de-plumes that I'm not sure that 22 is correct. A captivating, page-turning 616-page, well-written read. “I received a complementary Kindle copy of this book and now I'm voluntarily leaving a review." The gifting of this book did not affect my opinion of it. I always look forward to the next work from him with Apocalypse Hero (Worthless Player, The #1) and Essense Weaver: Forever Hiatus (Monster Mage) already on my TBR list. (RIP Marley January 20, 2014 - July 24, 2018).
April 2, 2026
"Good Bones" but with stitched together ribs and rotten supports.
4 chapters in and the story is replete with inconsistencies. AI? Maybe. Or maybe the author has a fundamental lack of understanding of how things work or fit together.
First thing: the MC is injured with broken ribs. It's mentioned multiple times that his ribs are stitched together. Only in specific, severe circumstances are ribs "stitched together" and that involves plates and screws. Unless the ribs are shattered or there are multiple unstable fractures, what's indicated is wrapping the chest to stabilize the ribcage so that breathing is tolerable. Especially when the person with broken ribs climbs steep hills and walks for literal days in a row. Every movement affects your ribs, and either the damage is severe enough to require surgery or it's mild enough to be able to walk for days and climb steep hills.
Second: the MC walks for an extended period of time while soaking wet. This isn’t Frozen where 'The rain never bothered me anyway'. Water is a miserable lubricant. I'll just leave the word 'chafing' here and leave it to that. Except the implied wet, squelching boots. Do you want trench foot? 'Cause that's how you get trench foot. A 15 year mercenary veteran would know this. A 15 year mercenary veteran would know to waterproof their boots and cloak to keep out the worst of the wet as long as possible. You don't need sophisticated modern oils to do this. Oilskins, lanolin, animal fats, and grease were used 200 years ago. I'm starting to think the MC's incompetence as a mercenary got his party killed if he can't even get in out of the rain, figuratively speaking.
Other examples: "The front door was closed but sitting crooked in its frame, like the hinges had given up trying to hold it square." And yet the lock on the door still worked. Three points of contact, the hinges and the door lock, on 2 edges of the door, yet the door was crooked enough in its frame to be noticed as crooked from the road.
"The roof was intact in places but missing whole sections in others..." and yet only the eastern supports are rotten. And yet "...the bones of the layout were solid. If he could shore up the leaning posts and patch the roof, the barn would be usable." The whole barn is leaning, but the bones are solid even though the eastern supports are rotten through? He makes a point several times to say his companions were the ones knowledgeable in things not directly related to mercenary work and yet he's confident enough in his non-existant carpentry experience to single-handedly repair a leaning barn with rotten yet somehow good bones? What, is he going to stitched said bones together? Also, the stairs leading to the loft of the leaning barn are fully functional. *sigh*
These are just surface level things I noticed in the first three and a half chapters. I don't know what else to say. It's a self published book on Kindle Unlimited. I shouldn't be disappointed, but I am.
4 chapters in and the story is replete with inconsistencies. AI? Maybe. Or maybe the author has a fundamental lack of understanding of how things work or fit together.
First thing: the MC is injured with broken ribs. It's mentioned multiple times that his ribs are stitched together. Only in specific, severe circumstances are ribs "stitched together" and that involves plates and screws. Unless the ribs are shattered or there are multiple unstable fractures, what's indicated is wrapping the chest to stabilize the ribcage so that breathing is tolerable. Especially when the person with broken ribs climbs steep hills and walks for literal days in a row. Every movement affects your ribs, and either the damage is severe enough to require surgery or it's mild enough to be able to walk for days and climb steep hills.
Second: the MC walks for an extended period of time while soaking wet. This isn’t Frozen where 'The rain never bothered me anyway'. Water is a miserable lubricant. I'll just leave the word 'chafing' here and leave it to that. Except the implied wet, squelching boots. Do you want trench foot? 'Cause that's how you get trench foot. A 15 year mercenary veteran would know this. A 15 year mercenary veteran would know to waterproof their boots and cloak to keep out the worst of the wet as long as possible. You don't need sophisticated modern oils to do this. Oilskins, lanolin, animal fats, and grease were used 200 years ago. I'm starting to think the MC's incompetence as a mercenary got his party killed if he can't even get in out of the rain, figuratively speaking.
Other examples: "The front door was closed but sitting crooked in its frame, like the hinges had given up trying to hold it square." And yet the lock on the door still worked. Three points of contact, the hinges and the door lock, on 2 edges of the door, yet the door was crooked enough in its frame to be noticed as crooked from the road.
"The roof was intact in places but missing whole sections in others..." and yet only the eastern supports are rotten. And yet "...the bones of the layout were solid. If he could shore up the leaning posts and patch the roof, the barn would be usable." The whole barn is leaning, but the bones are solid even though the eastern supports are rotten through? He makes a point several times to say his companions were the ones knowledgeable in things not directly related to mercenary work and yet he's confident enough in his non-existant carpentry experience to single-handedly repair a leaning barn with rotten yet somehow good bones? What, is he going to stitched said bones together? Also, the stairs leading to the loft of the leaning barn are fully functional. *sigh*
These are just surface level things I noticed in the first three and a half chapters. I don't know what else to say. It's a self published book on Kindle Unlimited. I shouldn't be disappointed, but I am.
March 22, 2026
"Two more." Kain set the rolled pelts on the counter. "Pack was six. These are four and five. Alpha and one more still out there, but they've gone quiet."
Excuse me, but these are THREE and FOUR. Five and six, the alpha and one more, are still out there. This wasn't the first glaring error I found, but it was the straw that killed my desire to read the book.
Another example, in Chapter 11 Sam shows Kain a map of the area and points out where several recent wolf attacks have happened. Kain supplies the location of the den to Sam, but at this point Kain hadn't found the den, just signs of the wolves feeding. It's not until Chapter 12 that Kain ventures south from his back door and actually finds the den about a quarter mile (440 yards) from his back door.
But in Chapter 15 the author retcon's the story so Sam told Kain where the den was, and moves the location of the den from where it was in Chapter 12 to where Kain found the initial wolf sign:
The den was where Sam's map had shown it, a shallow opening in a rocky hillside about a hundred and fifty yards from Kain's back door. He'd noted it during his initial property survey, the sheep bones and the feeding sign near the pool. Now he approached it from uphill, stopped at about forty yards, and crouched to read the ground.
This all might seem like minor nitpicks, but if the Author can't keep his basic facts straight how are us humble readers supposed to make sense of and understand the story?
March 15, 2026
My reviews are my own. If you liked this book, I’m glad you enjoyed it. If not, I respect your opinion, so please respect mine. This is merely my view, so let's keep it courteous. My review is honest and voluntary.
This one is a full-on woodsman slice of life, so if you are looking for action, this is not the book for you. I was looking for a slow-paced, relaxed read, and this book was perfect. The MC is not only dealing with the unknown of owning a new farm, but he is also dealing with grief and survivor's guilt, which is incredibly hard to overcome. I was able to sympathize with the MC, so maybe that is why I enjoyed the book so much. I feel thankful that the author did not introduce romance into the story, because someone grieving does not have their mind on relationships right away. I could have done without the hunting part. I'm not against hunting/fishing for food, but I do not enjoy it when the processing of the animal is described. I also disliked that Sasha basically dumped all her work responsibilities; she knew she would need help and did nothing to find someone else to help. Instead imposed on Kain to take over like he didn't have anything else to do on his farm.
On to my next adventure, Happy Readings!!!
This one is a full-on woodsman slice of life, so if you are looking for action, this is not the book for you. I was looking for a slow-paced, relaxed read, and this book was perfect. The MC is not only dealing with the unknown of owning a new farm, but he is also dealing with grief and survivor's guilt, which is incredibly hard to overcome. I was able to sympathize with the MC, so maybe that is why I enjoyed the book so much. I feel thankful that the author did not introduce romance into the story, because someone grieving does not have their mind on relationships right away. I could have done without the hunting part. I'm not against hunting/fishing for food, but I do not enjoy it when the processing of the animal is described. I also disliked that Sasha basically dumped all her work responsibilities; she knew she would need help and did nothing to find someone else to help. Instead imposed on Kain to take over like he didn't have anything else to do on his farm.
On to my next adventure, Happy Readings!!!
April 3, 2026
Seems like Ai slop
This started alright but then it quickly became clear that it's ai slop. The repetition of things over and over is annoying and not something a human writer would have done. There are chapters that literally repeat themselves one to the next. He harvests the same crop two days in a row and talks about the empty field again and again.. he returns a book, then writes in the book he no longer has so he can return it again. it's lazy and apparently not worth the time to read since the so called author couldn't be bothered to check what the ai spat out.
At the time of writing this review there are somehow only two other written reviews with with almost 140 ratings. I call foul play. There's no way this is a 5 star for anyone. The ratings are as inconsistent as the plot. It gets a bit better by the end and I managed to finish it which is the only reason I gave it two stars instead of the 1 I had planned
This started alright but then it quickly became clear that it's ai slop. The repetition of things over and over is annoying and not something a human writer would have done. There are chapters that literally repeat themselves one to the next. He harvests the same crop two days in a row and talks about the empty field again and again.. he returns a book, then writes in the book he no longer has so he can return it again. it's lazy and apparently not worth the time to read since the so called author couldn't be bothered to check what the ai spat out.
At the time of writing this review there are somehow only two other written reviews with with almost 140 ratings. I call foul play. There's no way this is a 5 star for anyone. The ratings are as inconsistent as the plot. It gets a bit better by the end and I managed to finish it which is the only reason I gave it two stars instead of the 1 I had planned
April 16, 2026
Good.
It definitely held my attention. A does need an editor to go through it to help with brevity, repetition and tendency to drag down what author means to be uplifting. I guess he got the tired part right! Author meet the slice-of-life label for sure.
Not really certain I like the ghost addition. Just . . .
Also, my personal feeling/annoyance: I don’t get why some authors think a loner is a great character choice. I don’t get why family isn’t more first priority. I’m surrounded by family, what others call extended family, but we call family, including people who we’ve known for years who became family. Yes, they are annoying and messy at times, but doesn’t a living being need other living beings?Having said that, I liked it well enough to read a sequel, should there be one. And, the author handled loss in a meaningful way.
It definitely held my attention. A does need an editor to go through it to help with brevity, repetition and tendency to drag down what author means to be uplifting. I guess he got the tired part right! Author meet the slice-of-life label for sure.
Not really certain I like the ghost addition. Just . . .
Also, my personal feeling/annoyance: I don’t get why some authors think a loner is a great character choice. I don’t get why family isn’t more first priority. I’m surrounded by family, what others call extended family, but we call family, including people who we’ve known for years who became family. Yes, they are annoying and messy at times, but doesn’t a living being need other living beings?Having said that, I liked it well enough to read a sequel, should there be one. And, the author handled loss in a meaningful way.
April 2, 2026
Good writing, poor timeline/content editing
I enjoyed the story. I'd like to read it again once it is better edited. It reads like the author wrote multiple drafts and then someone combined them without reading for consistency. First crop is planted and harvested, then first crop (different plants) is planted and harvested. I think both first crops were at the same start time in the chronology, but timing wasn't entirely clear so it looked like a different kind of editing error (like saying something was the first time when it wasn't).
There are several other cases where there are two different timelines for the same general event presented one after the other with different outcomes. This makes the book longer (neither a good or bad thing) and confusing (bad).
I enjoyed the story. I'd like to read it again once it is better edited. It reads like the author wrote multiple drafts and then someone combined them without reading for consistency. First crop is planted and harvested, then first crop (different plants) is planted and harvested. I think both first crops were at the same start time in the chronology, but timing wasn't entirely clear so it looked like a different kind of editing error (like saying something was the first time when it wasn't).
There are several other cases where there are two different timelines for the same general event presented one after the other with different outcomes. This makes the book longer (neither a good or bad thing) and confusing (bad).
April 26, 2026
There is a quiet depth to this book that was unexpected. This is the first book I've read by this author and I was impressed. This is the story of a mercenary broken by grief. He leaves the mercenary life to become a farmer and live a settled life. Kain is a quiet man of few words who seeks solitude. It is the story of a man slowly healing from his grief by slowly learning to farm. Each day is full of quiet tasks that keep him busy and present in the moment. He speaks and heals through actions, not words. The process is slow, quiet and deep. There is a lyrical quality to the narration that is insightful, simple and deep. The story is also about the power of community and the gentle way it can pull a person out their isolation. I am quietly waiting for the sequel...
May 2, 2026
Audiobook: I really enjoyed this story. I was moved by the opening pages which painted a picture of Kain Asheld's personality. I struggled with him as Kain worked to build a new life which was very different from the life he had been living. I liked the other characters who helped Kain in his journey. I was surprised by how wrapped up in Kain's life I became as the story unfolded. I thought Boyd Barrett's narration was great as his performance kept my attention. I was given a copy of the audiobook. I volunteered, without financial gain, to post this review which reflected my honest opinions regarding this audiobook.
Review of advance copy received from Author
B-ranked mercenary retires to farming in a small town. Well written story. Good details on proper farming practices, hunting wolves, interesting details on hammering shingles onto roof, spear fishing. Either author has actually done some of these things, or did some extensive research. The way he describes a days long winter storm beating against the side of the house sounds familiar to anyone who has lived in the north as I have most of my life. I suspect the author has lived thru one or two. I should note I received an ARC from the author.
March 25, 2026
Good, but needs some work.
Overall, I liked the story, but it does need a bit more work. There were too many spots where it appears the story had been revised, but the surrounding narrative hadn't been adjusted to compensate for the changes. This is most evident where the story introduced a new event or element, only to have the same thing happen a little later with slight changes.
There were also a few nitpicky things: no outhouse, Ghost not being house broken, tools that show without explanation.
Overall, I liked the story, but it does need a bit more work. There were too many spots where it appears the story had been revised, but the surrounding narrative hadn't been adjusted to compensate for the changes. This is most evident where the story introduced a new event or element, only to have the same thing happen a little later with slight changes.
There were also a few nitpicky things: no outhouse, Ghost not being house broken, tools that show without explanation.
April 15, 2026
Really enjoyed it
Although this book is more a marathon than a sprint, for lack of better comparison, it is highly enjoyable. I found the style unique, as well as compelling. A stoic man dealing with grief and an entirely new way of life, written in a very raw way that makes you want to keep reading. I liked that for a litrpg, while it had the usual 'system' it wasn't a primary part, more in the background and only focused on as needed. You almost forget that it's there most of the time. I eagerly await the second book!
Although this book is more a marathon than a sprint, for lack of better comparison, it is highly enjoyable. I found the style unique, as well as compelling. A stoic man dealing with grief and an entirely new way of life, written in a very raw way that makes you want to keep reading. I liked that for a litrpg, while it had the usual 'system' it wasn't a primary part, more in the background and only focused on as needed. You almost forget that it's there most of the time. I eagerly await the second book!
May 9, 2026
Mercenary retraining to be a farmer
At the start, the MC mercenary has lost his band, including his brother. Instead of continuing as a mercenary 8, he followed his dead brother's dream to become a farmer. With dogged determination he makes a condemned old farm into a thriving one, and step by step, and earns respect of the community his brother had hoped to live in. Along the way he gets a nephew, a wolf and a young horse. Methodical and stubborn, he meets a village that's ready to help, and begins the change
At the start, the MC mercenary has lost his band, including his brother. Instead of continuing as a mercenary 8, he followed his dead brother's dream to become a farmer. With dogged determination he makes a condemned old farm into a thriving one, and step by step, and earns respect of the community his brother had hoped to live in. Along the way he gets a nephew, a wolf and a young horse. Methodical and stubborn, he meets a village that's ready to help, and begins the change
March 10, 2026
As an introvert who has always dreamed of leaving behind their life as they know it to retire to a remote location and finally get to be in their shell all they like without life's pressures constantly pushing them out of their comfort zone the first few chapters will help you live that out vicariously then slowly include more and more of just the right amount of stimulation from the community that welcomes the MC with open arms leaving me the reader with some warmth in my chest.
March 16, 2026
great story!
I really enjoyed this book. It is a slice-of-life fantasy. Kain is the last surviving member of his mercenary troop. His brother, Mark, only wanted to farm, but dies in a cave because of a Wyvern along with the rest of the mercenaries. Kain retires from the old life in a great redemptive arc of surviving and farming for his brother. I hope that a second book is on the way!
I really enjoyed this book. It is a slice-of-life fantasy. Kain is the last surviving member of his mercenary troop. His brother, Mark, only wanted to farm, but dies in a cave because of a Wyvern along with the rest of the mercenaries. Kain retires from the old life in a great redemptive arc of surviving and farming for his brother. I hope that a second book is on the way!
March 16, 2026
I liked this story. A little bit different from my usual read in a good way. No massive fight scenes or quests but a steady story that drew me in and kept me reading as Kain rebuilds his life and gets to know his neighbors. Had me laughing at times and I really enjoyed Kain's neighbors. It was a bit addicting to read and sucked me into the story and wanting to see what would happen next and what random obstacle would pop up next. And cannot forget about Ghost.
March 26, 2026
Underwhelming
Overall pretty boring. Inconsistencies are the name of the game. It's not poorly written. I just didn't like it. Shallow one dimensional characters combined with slow moving nonsense plot that doesn't seem to have a point or purpose. I generally really like slice of life but this barely qualifies. Mostly just a bunch of manufactured pseudo drama with randomized levels and timelines mashed together to create a fairly boring story.
Overall pretty boring. Inconsistencies are the name of the game. It's not poorly written. I just didn't like it. Shallow one dimensional characters combined with slow moving nonsense plot that doesn't seem to have a point or purpose. I generally really like slice of life but this barely qualifies. Mostly just a bunch of manufactured pseudo drama with randomized levels and timelines mashed together to create a fairly boring story.
April 2, 2026
Very good, Engrossing Read
This is not your typical adventure novel. It’s the story about a mercenary who retired to learn how to farm. It’s a slow, deep, rich story that grows, and by the time you’re into it, you suddenly realize that you’re living a life alongside the character. i’ve been reading hundreds of SF and Fantasy books a year for more than 50 years, and this one really captured my imagination.
This is not your typical adventure novel. It’s the story about a mercenary who retired to learn how to farm. It’s a slow, deep, rich story that grows, and by the time you’re into it, you suddenly realize that you’re living a life alongside the character. i’ve been reading hundreds of SF and Fantasy books a year for more than 50 years, and this one really captured my imagination.
March 7, 2026
While an interesting study in the life of a subsistence farmer, there was no real conflict in the novel and the detailing of chores just got boring after a while. It may be your thing if you like stories about hard working introverts who are doing mundane chores on a farm, but not for me.
DNF at 64%
DNF at 64%
April 10, 2026
Better than you'd think
I didn't imagine a story about a sorrowful, worn-out mercenary attempting to transition to being a farmer would be so engrossing and - soothing is the word, I guess - to read, but it was both of those things. I loved the slow way the book progressed, I loved the characters, and I can't eait to read the next book. Highly recommend!
I didn't imagine a story about a sorrowful, worn-out mercenary attempting to transition to being a farmer would be so engrossing and - soothing is the word, I guess - to read, but it was both of those things. I loved the slow way the book progressed, I loved the characters, and I can't eait to read the next book. Highly recommend!
April 11, 2026
Interesting and absorbing book
This book was a random choice for me, but this story about a man and
an old house kept me absorbed for a couple days now. I would not have thought that a series of chapters on finding and fixing up an old house and farm would be really interesting but I liked it very much !
This book was a random choice for me, but this story about a man and
an old house kept me absorbed for a couple days now. I would not have thought that a series of chapters on finding and fixing up an old house and farm would be really interesting but I liked it very much !
April 21, 2026
Best book I have read in a long time
Loved every part of this book. No major drama just a quiet description of a man starting a new life as a farmer. I loved the format of the little spaces. Instead of skimming and reading as fast as I always do (and missing things) it made me slow down and really read everything. Can’t wait for the next book!
Loved every part of this book. No major drama just a quiet description of a man starting a new life as a farmer. I loved the format of the little spaces. Instead of skimming and reading as fast as I always do (and missing things) it made me slow down and really read everything. Can’t wait for the next book!
March 27, 2026
Enjoyed the story
As outlined a slice of life, which was well done. Will check out the authors other work.
I always like how slice of life stories build through hard work and effort something worthwhile
As outlined a slice of life, which was well done. Will check out the authors other work.
I always like how slice of life stories build through hard work and effort something worthwhile
March 30, 2026
A good start.
I enjoyed reading this book. It was fun and engaging. The story and characters were incredibly interesting and entertaining. I'm looking forward to seeing what happens next. This book is definitely worth checking out.
I enjoyed reading this book. It was fun and engaging. The story and characters were incredibly interesting and entertaining. I'm looking forward to seeing what happens next. This book is definitely worth checking out.
March 31, 2026
Never having done role playing, I wasn't sure what to expect. The book is goal oriented, and leaves out things like bathing, washing clothes, or using the bathroom. I like most of the text, though the evaluations take some away from the flow.of the story. Iove the wolf.
March 31, 2026
An enjoyable book
I truly enjoyed reading this book and all of Kains learning experiences. I learned a few things while reading, which was great. I highly recommend it and hope for more.
I truly enjoyed reading this book and all of Kains learning experiences. I learned a few things while reading, which was great. I highly recommend it and hope for more.
April 18, 2026
Exactly what it says on the cover
An ultimately feel good, cozy slice of farmsteading life, that doesn’t shy away from hardships and struggles.
Eagerly looking for the second one.
An ultimately feel good, cozy slice of farmsteading life, that doesn’t shy away from hardships and struggles.
Eagerly looking for the second one.
April 19, 2026
Warm Lite LitRPG
Just a really great story of someone coming to terms with a life that is not what was expected. Good underlying story but the character study really shines. It pulled at my emotions a few times and was just what I needed to read.
Just a really great story of someone coming to terms with a life that is not what was expected. Good underlying story but the character study really shines. It pulled at my emotions a few times and was just what I needed to read.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 48 reviews