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GLORIOUS
A brutally violent comedic fantasy with a wannabe butt-kicking heroine.
Ever since she glimpsed Virgil the Champion as a little girl, Gloria knew he was the only one for her. She spends her life dreaming of him, drawing his adventures and trying to teach others to "walk the path of champions." When she gets a chance to watch him fight in a tournament, she eagerly does so only to see him lose to the best warrior in the kingdom. Unable to accept this, Gloria vows to avenge his honor by learning his style in order to defeat his opponent. And so the delusional fangirl begins an unpredictable journey that will change her life, and the world...
A novella.
Ever since she glimpsed Virgil the Champion as a little girl, Gloria knew he was the only one for her. She spends her life dreaming of him, drawing his adventures and trying to teach others to "walk the path of champions." When she gets a chance to watch him fight in a tournament, she eagerly does so only to see him lose to the best warrior in the kingdom. Unable to accept this, Gloria vows to avenge his honor by learning his style in order to defeat his opponent. And so the delusional fangirl begins an unpredictable journey that will change her life, and the world...
A novella.
120 pages, Kindle Edition
First published February 22, 2015
300 people want to read
About the author
Billy Wong
68 books87 followersBilly Wong is an avid fan of heroic fantasy, with a special love for strong female warriors. He draws inspiration from the epic legends of old, and is on a quest to bring over the top deeds and larger than life heroes back to prominence in today's literary world.
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Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews
February 27, 2015
Have you heard the phrase, 'so bad, it's almost good'? Well, that's this story in a nutshell.
If I considered this story as a humorous parody, it'd lose points for not being funny, but win for being a truly successful parody. It's so serious about the genre it's parodying, while being so completely not an example of that genre at all. Unfortunately, I'm not entirely sure that this was the author's intention.
In this story, a deluded fangirl is so obsessed by a champion that she swears to avenge him when he's struck down in a tournament. She's serious about this, and pursues the champion until he agrees to train her, taking the equivalent of steroids to get stronger, while not particularly getting all that much better. She renames herself from Gloria to Glorious, but the world knows her as Oblivious, a joke character. Only there is no joke. SPOILER ALERT! After her village gets burned down, she gets serious about the fighting business and becomes an acceptable substitute for a warrior. And that's that. She's learned her lesson and become what she intended to be in the beginning, the end.
The end? The bloody end? ::sigh:: I really would have been much happier with this book if it had either taken itself seriously the whole way or gone full-out parody, rather than lurking in between the two, and failing at both.
I received an electronic copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
If I considered this story as a humorous parody, it'd lose points for not being funny, but win for being a truly successful parody. It's so serious about the genre it's parodying, while being so completely not an example of that genre at all. Unfortunately, I'm not entirely sure that this was the author's intention.
In this story, a deluded fangirl is so obsessed by a champion that she swears to avenge him when he's struck down in a tournament. She's serious about this, and pursues the champion until he agrees to train her, taking the equivalent of steroids to get stronger, while not particularly getting all that much better. She renames herself from Gloria to Glorious, but the world knows her as Oblivious, a joke character. Only there is no joke. SPOILER ALERT! After her village gets burned down, she gets serious about the fighting business and becomes an acceptable substitute for a warrior. And that's that. She's learned her lesson and become what she intended to be in the beginning, the end.
The end? The bloody end? ::sigh:: I really would have been much happier with this book if it had either taken itself seriously the whole way or gone full-out parody, rather than lurking in between the two, and failing at both.
I received an electronic copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
April 23, 2015
WARNING: The opening scene is a little graphic in nature.
Characters: I don't really know what to say here. I opened this book thinking that the characters would be at least decent... no... it felt like I was reading a book about a bunch of 10-12 year olds with anger and bullying issues. And that was just in the first three chapters, the last three chapters were even worse than that. The way they acted and talked was just ridiculously childish, and the youngest of the characters was supposed to be 17. I couldn't wrap my mind around it, it was so silly. Not to mention it felt like these characters were completely 100% flawed. I couldn't see a single thing about them that was good. I'm all for characters not being flawless, but it was no better as the complete opposite. I felt like the only characters I didn't have a problem with were Jessup and Clarissa. And poor Clarissa...
Plot/Content: This plot had so much, and I mean sooooo much potential. It was about a girl who wanted to prove to her hero what she could do in his name. But not once does it ever seem she is actually doing it for him. It's really just her wanting to be greater than everyone else at almost everything. I do want to say the ending was a lot better than the rest of the book, but it didn't change my overall opinion of the book.
Setting: Apparently there is no good people in this world or who actually honor what they value. It was just kind of a blah setting without really intriguing aspects.
Other: It was a short read, so it had one good thing about it. I was really looking forward to this short novella because I wanted something that was funny, but I didn't even laugh once. I don't even know if I cracked a smile. If I did laugh, it was because of the unrealistic silly childishness about this book. It would have been more entertaining if it had been about a bunch of kids that had great adventures (I probably would have given it three stars then). Instead it was about a bunch of adults who couldn't act like their age. I really hate giving this a bad review but I felt like this book was a letdown.
*Note: I received this free from LibraryThing and Billy Wong in exchange for an honest review.
Characters: I don't really know what to say here. I opened this book thinking that the characters would be at least decent... no... it felt like I was reading a book about a bunch of 10-12 year olds with anger and bullying issues. And that was just in the first three chapters, the last three chapters were even worse than that. The way they acted and talked was just ridiculously childish, and the youngest of the characters was supposed to be 17. I couldn't wrap my mind around it, it was so silly. Not to mention it felt like these characters were completely 100% flawed. I couldn't see a single thing about them that was good. I'm all for characters not being flawless, but it was no better as the complete opposite. I felt like the only characters I didn't have a problem with were Jessup and Clarissa. And poor Clarissa...
Plot/Content: This plot had so much, and I mean sooooo much potential. It was about a girl who wanted to prove to her hero what she could do in his name. But not once does it ever seem she is actually doing it for him. It's really just her wanting to be greater than everyone else at almost everything. I do want to say the ending was a lot better than the rest of the book, but it didn't change my overall opinion of the book.
Setting: Apparently there is no good people in this world or who actually honor what they value. It was just kind of a blah setting without really intriguing aspects.
Other: It was a short read, so it had one good thing about it. I was really looking forward to this short novella because I wanted something that was funny, but I didn't even laugh once. I don't even know if I cracked a smile. If I did laugh, it was because of the unrealistic silly childishness about this book. It would have been more entertaining if it had been about a bunch of kids that had great adventures (I probably would have given it three stars then). Instead it was about a bunch of adults who couldn't act like their age. I really hate giving this a bad review but I felt like this book was a letdown.
*Note: I received this free from LibraryThing and Billy Wong in exchange for an honest review.
March 20, 2015
*I received this from Billy Wong on LibraryThing in exchange for an honest review.
**This will also be posted on Booklikes and LibraryThing.
I tried, I really did, but I just couldn't finish this. I tried for three days, even forced myself to continue, but I just couldn't. I really hate giving bad reviews but like others, I felt like this book was a letdown.
At first, I was really looking forward to this short novella because I wanted something that was funny and easy and light and short. I didn't get that. At all. Nothing was funny, and it was so unrealistic and childish. I feel like it should be a book for children instead, taking out the attempted rape and bad language. Honestly, I cringed a lot, and I just couldn't stand most of the characters, as they were flat and all acted like little children with anger and bullying issues; people who can't stand being wrong and then through a hissy fit. And the youngest was supposedly 17. I couldn't find anything good about them. Especially Gloria.
Gloria. basically, wishes to avenge The Champion (whom she is completely obsessed with and fantasizes about on a daily basis) after his friend Astrid (the greatest warrior and also the Princess) beats him in a match. Gloria basically put The Champion on a golden pedestal and said 'he's the greatest being ever and no one can beat him!' so when he was defeated right before her, she decided to avenge him by challenging Astrid. She is so childish, so selfish, and I just can't stand her. All she can think about is being greater and better than everyone else, and she refuses to see the truth even when it is right in front of her. She easily annoyed me. And that just made the book less enjoyable.
There was so much potential, and it just didn't have what it could have to be a better read.
I apologize if I offend anyone or seem too harsh.
**This will also be posted on Booklikes and LibraryThing.
I tried, I really did, but I just couldn't finish this. I tried for three days, even forced myself to continue, but I just couldn't. I really hate giving bad reviews but like others, I felt like this book was a letdown.
At first, I was really looking forward to this short novella because I wanted something that was funny and easy and light and short. I didn't get that. At all. Nothing was funny, and it was so unrealistic and childish. I feel like it should be a book for children instead, taking out the attempted rape and bad language. Honestly, I cringed a lot, and I just couldn't stand most of the characters, as they were flat and all acted like little children with anger and bullying issues; people who can't stand being wrong and then through a hissy fit. And the youngest was supposedly 17. I couldn't find anything good about them. Especially Gloria.
Gloria. basically, wishes to avenge The Champion (whom she is completely obsessed with and fantasizes about on a daily basis) after his friend Astrid (the greatest warrior and also the Princess) beats him in a match. Gloria basically put The Champion on a golden pedestal and said 'he's the greatest being ever and no one can beat him!' so when he was defeated right before her, she decided to avenge him by challenging Astrid. She is so childish, so selfish, and I just can't stand her. All she can think about is being greater and better than everyone else, and she refuses to see the truth even when it is right in front of her. She easily annoyed me. And that just made the book less enjoyable.
There was so much potential, and it just didn't have what it could have to be a better read.
I apologize if I offend anyone or seem too harsh.
March 2, 2015
GLORIOUS by Billy Wong
Young Gloria sees Virgil The Champion as an icon, and idol. When she gets the chance to see him battle, he loses. She is determined to become like him, learn how to fight, his techniques and avenge his honor. She embarks on a (dangerous) journey of her life.
I really like young Gloria. Although she is very young and looked upon as a child. She is strong willed, not going to let her youth deter her from her goals. She is not afraid to take on the strongest, toughest and the best warriors. She will do what ever it takes to be seen, heard and taken seriously.
A fast paced action packed adventure, with a young female (want to be) warrior. I loved the originality. I loved Gloria's courage, and her strong will, and her "I am not going to back down" attitude. I would love to read more about Young Gloria as she grows to a young woman.
GLORIOUS is another 5 star hit by Billy Wong. Those who love fantasy with strong female leads, will enjoy this fantastic action filled story!
Young Gloria sees Virgil The Champion as an icon, and idol. When she gets the chance to see him battle, he loses. She is determined to become like him, learn how to fight, his techniques and avenge his honor. She embarks on a (dangerous) journey of her life.
I really like young Gloria. Although she is very young and looked upon as a child. She is strong willed, not going to let her youth deter her from her goals. She is not afraid to take on the strongest, toughest and the best warriors. She will do what ever it takes to be seen, heard and taken seriously.
A fast paced action packed adventure, with a young female (want to be) warrior. I loved the originality. I loved Gloria's courage, and her strong will, and her "I am not going to back down" attitude. I would love to read more about Young Gloria as she grows to a young woman.
GLORIOUS is another 5 star hit by Billy Wong. Those who love fantasy with strong female leads, will enjoy this fantastic action filled story!
March 28, 2015
An epic fantasy novella that reminds me somewhat of Robert Bevan's slapstick, helpless-giggling-type humor, only without the bodily fluids. It took me a bit to get into the story and characters, but once in, I couldn't stop, either reading or laughing. Emphasize the humor more in the blurb, Billy Wong; the other reviewers just aren't getting the idea here. This one would also be appreciated by fans of Benjamin Wallace's Post-Apocalyptic Nomadic Warriors: A Duck & Cover Adventure.
Please note that the element of violence is part of the humor, rather like a fight between the Three Stooges. Wish Amazon's new rating provided room for that caveat.
Four rousing stars.
Please note that the element of violence is part of the humor, rather like a fight between the Three Stooges. Wish Amazon's new rating provided room for that caveat.
Four rousing stars.
May 14, 2015
Book was okay. I have read better from this author.
Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews