Two Necromancers, an Army of Golems, and a Demon Lord

The Unconventional Heroes #2

by L.G. Estrella

Two necromancers, an army of golems, and a demon lord – it sounds like a recipe for trouble, and for Timmy, it definitely is.

To earn his pardon and avoid horrible torture and/or gruesome execution, Timmy has to complete every mission the Council throws his way, most of which seem to involve extremely scary things trying to kill him. At least he’s got help – sort of. His help consists of an apprentice with designs on his castle (and her plans may or may not involve overthrowing him), a bureaucrat whose two greatest skills are fainting in the face of trouble and using people (usually Timmy) as human shields, and an elf with the world’s worst case of pyromania and enough magic to level a mountain.

Somehow, Timmy’s got to get this bunch of unconventional heroes to work together. Trouble is coming, and it’s trouble of the kind that only a necromancer like Timmy could possibly find himself in the middle of. An army of killer golems is on the loose, which may give Timmy the excuse he needs to legally unleash wave after wave of killer zombies. Zombie versus golem – it’s every necromancer’s dream. And then there’s the demon lord that’s out to usher in the apocalypse. Sure, demons aren’t exactly his specialty, but there’s nothing that a good magical shovel to the back of the head can’t fix.

One way or another, Timmy is going to get his pardon and a tax rebate too – even if it means going up against murderous golems, insane demon lords, or mischievous ninja rodents with a predilection for magical swords and the skills to back up the trash talk.

Genres: Fantasy, Audiobook, Humor, Fiction, Magic, Adventure, Zombies

167 pages, Kindle Edition

First published June 8, 2015

About the author

I'm a reader and writer with a keen interest in psychology, history, physics, and economics. I'm especially interested in the intersection of these different areas (e.g., the psychology behind the sub-prime mortgage collapse).

In terms of fiction, I enjoy reading horror, fantasy, science fiction, Westerns, and thrillers. I believe that every genre has its good points, and I want to be able to incorporate all of these strengths into my own writing.

I currently live in Australia. When I'm not writing, I'm busy trying to fend off all of the deadly wildlife.

If you're interested in my fiction, you can find it on Amazon here.

Reviews

[Alissa · Rating 4 out of 5]

“I’ll make them pay. Nobody kills my zombies and gets away with it!”

Totally absurd and perfectly logical! Pitted against an army of mutant golems and an evil demon lord is the most unlikely team of heroes: a fire-obsessed elf (to put it mildly), a magic shovel-wielding necromancer with his ninja rats-loving apprentice (wearing pink-rimmed glasses, no less), an old plantsman with a penchant for bonsai trees and uh... a bureaucrat (any more qualifiers unneeded).

Hilarious and nicely written, I liked the first part better and I'm looking forward to the next adventures of this budding group.

“The banjo?” Avraniel snorted. “You play the banjo? Please don’t tell me that you’re one of those mopey necromancers, you know, the ones who sit in darkness all day writing bad songs about how the whole world has gone to hell and how everyone you love has left you.”

[Marta · Rating 4 out of 5]

If you have enjoyed the first one, you will enjoy the second even more. The cast now adds Old Man, who is old but still pretty spry for an old guy. Enjoyable, light reading.

[Douglas · Rating 3 out of 5]

Note: I have a backlog of reviews so what follows is short and to the point. Spoilers will not be called out. Typos likely since I won’t be proof reading.

I listened to a "publisher's pack" of books 1 & 2 so they get the same review.

Good wit and characters but VERY WEAK story resolution. So much so that I didn't even realize I had read two books instead of one until I went to write this review. And the resolution of book 2 is just as weak. To be fair, in both cases the stories end on major accomplishments for MC & co. but the focus of the books is so strongly on earning pardons (the overall series storyline) that there is zero sense of resolution.

Still, the characters and wit are good enough that I'm considering actually spending money on book 3.

[William · Rating 4 out of 5]

Entertaining paranormal listening 🎶🔰

Another will written paranormal fantasy world 🌎 haunting horror ghost 👻 adventure thriller short story by L. G. Estrella (The Unconventional Heroes Series book 2). A paranormal story with interesting well developed characters lots of action,misdirection, and violence leading to the unexpected conclusion. There are more demon monsters and other things than I would keep track 👣 of. I would recommend this series and author to 👍 readers of paranormal fantasy action adventure mystery novels 👍🔰. Enjoy the adventure of reading 👓 or listening 🎶 to Alexa as I do because of eye damage and health issues. 2023 😮👒😡😕

I will say that L. G. Estrella writes a different kind of paranormal novel. Happy reading have fun

[Sarah · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 stars

[Shreyas Deshpande · Rating 4 out of 5]

Ratings:-⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

[Caleb · Rating 5 out of 5]

Okay, I already said I love this series, but I really really love this series now. Two books and a couple short stories down and I just can't get enough of these guys. For someone who generally doesn't like fantasy, I think I've finally figured out how I get around the problem I have with the genre. Make it light-hearted or funny, or both, and I'm a happy camper.

Again, I will credit some of my love for this with the narration of Fred Berman. The writing is perfect for the story, but this guy is amazing with not only how he tells the story, but how he goes above and beyond with the different voices for each character. Timmy has just the right mix of maniacal and thoughtful. Katie acts her age for the most part, though with a touch of skepticism in her childlike wonder. Avraniel is just a total badass. And Gerald is, well, yeah, this series needs a resident scaredy-cat. He delivers all of them expertly, and more characters in the secondary cast besides.

As for the story. This is just another hilarious romp as they go on another quest to work towards earning a pardon from the council while we learn more about our unconventional heroes along the way. I would gush more, but I don't want this to be a super long spoiler of a review. If you've made it to this book, you already know if it's for you or not, I'm sure. All I can say is that it's very much for me, and honestly, I'm already a few hours into book three and my only worry is that there are only 4 books, a couple short stories and what I presume are two novellas in the series. I already know I'll want more when it's over.

Also, we need physical books (or an animated series?). These are too good to be digital only books. Please?

[Phillip Murrell · Rating 2 out of 5]

This was bad, and repetitive, and not very good, and redundant

This was the exact same story as the last and, I suspect, the rest of the series. It was twice the slog of the first book due to twice the page count. It's so repetitive. I don't need the same snark in every conversation or reminders the ninja rats are competent at everything. The two halves of the story, golden army and demon lord, have nothing to do with each other. Think of an 80s cartoon with two segments. I found no joy in this book save finally finishing it, freeing myself for better stories. More time was spent discussing bonsai trees than included the Demon lord. I'm not only done with the series but done with the author. The writing style isn't compatible with my tastes.

[Gummih · Rating 4 out of 5]

Continuing in the same fashion as the first book, we follow Timmy the necromancer and his delightful crew as the take on a Demon Lord. His menace apprentice Katie, the pyro elf Avraniel and the timid bureaucrat Gerald. All very simple and situational silly fun.

If you enjoyed the Magic 2.0 series I'd wager that you'll enjoy this one too.

[Mikhail · Rating 4 out of 5]

Second verse, same as the first. Both the good (brisk, light prose, amusing characters), and the bad (all of the combat scenes could be cut in half without missing a beat).

Overall, a pleasant quick read, particularly if you come from the D&D Geek side of the Fantasy continuum.

[Michele The Stick · Rating 4 out of 5]

More of the same. Same plot. When will Timmy get his pardon? Same characters. More explosions, fire and wanton destruction. Sentient rats stealing sandwhiches, flying shadow necromancers and an army of Golems. The tone was light but zombies are destroyed. Good pallet cleanser and excellent for what it is. Plots are subject to the cousil and the counsil ain't that deep.

[Joshua · Rating 4 out of 5]

7/10*
Fun, easy, enjoyable as a palate cleaner between more substantial books

[Alex · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fun for insomnia.

[Emmalynn · Rating 4 out of 5]

Timmy, Katie, Gerald, the rays, zombies, an elf ready to burn everyone to death, death shadows, monsters under the castle and taxes, what more can you ask for in this charming story? How about fighting golems to the death!! 😆😆 yes some of the story is repetitive but overall it’s fun.

[Mimi · Rating 1 out of 5]

Read it and realized this series isn't for me.

[Lucy · Rating 3 out of 5]

Still good, still a little young, but weirdly disjointed in the middle. It was like two separate climactic stories shoved into one book

[Alice · Rating 2 out of 5]

I'm afraid I'd just rather be reading discworld or playing d&d

[Abe · Rating 3 out of 5]

Fun series . Will continue

[Damana Madden · Rating 4 out of 5]

They are unconventional heroes and this second and final book extends on that.

They have built up more of a team rapport and you feel you know them.

This is an easy read. In the case of these two books were audio books and the narrators added so much to the characters personalities. Not sure how they would have read.

Read it.

4 angry sexually harassed elves out of 5.

[Samaira · Rating 4 out of 5]

Each book I listen to in the series makes me love it more! The characters are wonderful and I continually laugh out loud at their actions and snark. Cannot wait to see what their next mission will be.

[Rachel Skidmore · Rating 5 out of 5]

I found this book as enjoyable as the first.

[Rebecca · Rating 3 out of 5]

Loved being back with these lovable characters, it is so fun to read about their adventures. This is definitely cozy fantasy. I didn't like this book as much as the first but cannot fathom not continuing. This is shaping into more of a saga or sorts, vs one off books about opened and closed adventures.

[Kris · Rating 4 out of 5]

A perfect follow up to the first book, with all the humour and satire intact. The action scenes are tight, smooth, very well written, even when they are being a bit silly. The satire on the various tropes of high fantasy is well done and quite funny.

[Donna · Rating 5 out of 5]

I'm actually rather surprised at how much I like these stories since I abhor zombies.

There's a whole lotta cackling going on in this book. I purchased it in August of 2015 and apparently promptly forgot that I had it. I finished book one in March of 2015 so had I read this book in August I probably wouldn't need to re-read book one. Since that's not the case I've retrieved the first book to refresh my memory and then intend to read book three and the volume of side stories next.

The primary reason I'm re-reading book one is because I don't remember the elf. She's a very strong character so I'm dismayed at my selective memory. I immediately recalled the invisible ninja rats. I'm a little fuzzy on Timmy's shovel use also. Katie, however, was unforgettable.

I'm curious as to how many times Timmy and crew have to save the kingdom before receiving their pardons. Defeating the army of golems was no mean trick and besting the half-demon lord was even more impressive. I hope that the pardons will come sooner than later now that Timmy has a friend on the council. Of course that might mean an end to their adventures so I guess I should be careful what I wish for.

It seems a new, somewhat shadowy, member may be added to their troupe which should be interesting when they take on their next assignment.

[Alysa Dae · Rating 2 out of 5]

I went in hoping for some light hearted fun in the DND campaign turned novel genre, I came out, with a headache and a burning desire for a beer.

I really liked the idea of this and absolutely love the authors other series, Attempted Vampirism, but this just, didn't work. The plot is interesting but the characters are bland at best.

One, full grown, necromancer named "Timmy" ( whose introduction made a genital compensation joke about his master and that he didn't do that but then emphasized that he, in fact, had very large genitals), a ten year old magic prodigy (who is routinely put in life threatening danger by the "adults"), a stereotypically hapless paper pusher over his head (assigned to a work release program for the magical equivalent of the suicide squad but is completely incapable of fending for himself), and one over powered pyromaniac elf ( with the I am such a rebel, look how un-elf-like I am with all my metal decor and semi-sentient poison plant garden) who was taken out by a hit on the head with a shovel but can match an Ancient Dragon in fire magic. Yeah.

Between the predicability, plot armor, and having a full grown man refer to himself as Timmy, I barely made it through.

I hope there is more coming for the other series because I give up on this one.

[David · Rating 2 out of 5]

The first entry in this series (Two Necromancers, a Bureaucrat, and an Elf was recommended to me by a friend.

After reading it, I felt it wasn't long enough; felt that it was more of an entry to the series (like a story you get in one of those omnibus editions that have several authors) than a novel in its own right.

This one is different.

I don't mean different in subject matter, or even in content - it follows the same basic 3-act structure as before - but different in that it 'felt' longer; felt more like a full-blown story in its own right.

The title, however, gives the plot away: Act 1 is the heroes(?) of the story being given their newest mission, Act 2 is the fight against an army of Golems and Act 3 is another fight against - yes, you guessed it! - a Demon Lord.

Passes the time.

[Chetana · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5⭐️

This was a significant improvement over the 2nd book. Not only is this book double the size of the first book but it just had a lot more meat to the story.

We learn a lot more about our characters not only their POV's but also through each others eyes. I quite liked the banter in this one and the mission that our Necromancers and Elf and Bureaucrat get into over the course of this book. I feel bad for Gerald. He does all of the paperwork and even though he is not made for the adventuring life, he gives it his all. Avraniel is her usual fiery self and I adore the Master-Apprentice (or almost Father/Daughter) relationship of Timmy and Katie.

I had said I wasn't sure about if I would be continuing on with this series when I read the first book. I had already tried to read it once before and I hadn't completed it. But I think this book convinced me to go on. The pro is that the next book is longer and is a proper novel length! So I will go on to read that.

[Horia · Rating 4 out of 5]

A psychopathic, macabre, necromancer, kaiju, fun and wacky ride.

In this book, the team builds up and welcomes even more incredible powerful misfits to join the fray while the council is still milking everyone for the pardon. They battle incredible foes and prevent yet another set of apocalyptic events.

The story has two speeds 1). wacky banter and something reminding of slice-of-life from the "Adams Family" and 2). over the top action, monsters and explosions that would fit well in the "One Punch" series. And very little in between.

My only knack with this book, is that the dialogue feels very very very repetitive and the lack of lore.

Overall, this is a very enjoyable experience, tailored well for the fans of more macabre stuff like Beetlejuice or other Tim Burton stories.

[Panda · Rating 2 out of 5]

Our "heroes" are off on another mission in hopes of gaining riches and that pardon the council dangles in front of their noses.

This e-book is about double the size of part one... which is kindda sad because most of it is just padding, you can actually skip the first third and not miss any thing.

The tale this time focuses more on the action scenes with just a little bit of character interaction sprinkled here and there.

I didn't like this one as much and powered through it to get to the end (which I admit was epic but you had to go through so much filler to get to it!)

Over all this book is more filler with things picking up at the end.

[ARR62 · Rating 5 out of 5]

Perfection Continued

Second book in this reluctant hero series and it's as good as the first. Estella has captured and depicted the "I'm not necessarily evil but...." vibe wonderfully well. A " nice" necromancer and his 12yr old bookwormish apprentice, along with a psychotic elf, and Gerald, the beaurecrat get up to more adventures. Insane, life ending adventures that act as mea culpa and security for the kingdom they're representing. To say more would spoil it. I will say, if you're tired of wishy washy, wobbling heroes who can't believe anything and agonize over everything, then these come as a very welcome relief and enjoyment!