What do you think?
Rate this book
Dungeoneers #1
The Dungeoneers: A Funny Action-Packed Fantasy Adventure About Finding Family and Treasure for Kids
An action-packed, funny, and unexpected middle grade fantasy-adventure from the acclaimed author of Sidekicked . The world is not a fair place, and Colm Candorly knows it. While his parents and eight sisters seem content living on a lowly cobbler's earnings, Colm can't help but feel that everyone has the right to a more comfortable life. It's just a question of how far you're willing to go to get it. In an effort to help make ends meet, Colm uses his natural gift for pickpocketing to pilfer a pile of gold from the richer residents of town, but his actions place him at the mercy of a mysterious man named Finn Argos, a gilded-toothed, smooth-tongued rogue who gives Colm a he can be punished for his thievery or he can become a member of Thwodin's Legions, a guild of dungeoneers who take what they want and live as they will. Colm soon finds himself part of a family of warriors, mages, and hunters, learning to work together in a quest to survive and, perhaps, to find a bit of treasure along the way.
464 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 2015
33 people are currently reading
861 people want to read
About the author
John David Anderson
21 books619 followersLibrarian Note: There is more than one author in the Goodreads database with this name.
John David Anderson once hit himself so hard on a dare by his sister that he literally knocked himself out of a chair and nearly blacked out. He has since translated this passion and singularity of purpose to the related arts of novel writing and pizza eating. The author of STANDARD HERO BEHAVIOR, SIDEKICKED, MINION, THE DUNGEONEERS and the soon-to-land MS. BIXBY's LAST DAY, Anderson is a firm believer in wearing the same pair of jeans for three days in a row (four in the winter) and the power of writing to solve 73% of the world's problems. He lives with his beautiful wife and twins in Indianapolis, Indiana.
John David Anderson once hit himself so hard on a dare by his sister that he literally knocked himself out of a chair and nearly blacked out. He has since translated this passion and singularity of purpose to the related arts of novel writing and pizza eating. The author of STANDARD HERO BEHAVIOR, SIDEKICKED, MINION, THE DUNGEONEERS and the soon-to-land MS. BIXBY's LAST DAY, Anderson is a firm believer in wearing the same pair of jeans for three days in a row (four in the winter) and the power of writing to solve 73% of the world's problems. He lives with his beautiful wife and twins in Indianapolis, Indiana.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 73 reviews
March 31, 2025
Reread in 2025. Original review from 2015 below the --- line.
Quick synopsis : Colm, a boy from a very large, very poor family, teaches himself to pick pockets. He comes to the attention of a master rogue and is brought to a guild for training. When you're a thief and your mentor is a rogue, how do you know who you can trust?
Brief opinion : I LOVED it when I read it ten years ago and I LOVED it again this time. LOVED!
Plot : Set in a D&D-ish world, a boy with nine fingers and eight sisters (Best Opening Line Ever!) starts pickpocketing rich people to help get food and medicine for his family. His father is not okay with that and speaks to town officials to see how Colm can make it up.
Finn, a master rogue, just happens to be in the area and takes things over. He collects up Colm and takes him off to the biggest guild hall in the area, so he can be officially trained as an adventurer (a "dungeoneer").
Every character, adult and child, has their own goals and motivations, which wraps up with a twist around Finn which should come as no surprise since he's a rogue and all. Colm has to pick a side and try to stay alive.
Writing/editing : Both were perfect. In a couple sentences in the book, the author had a bit of rhyme. I'm not sure if it was on purpose or not, but it was really fun to run into. For example: "They were the province of healers and druids and old women who lived in huts on the edge of town and polished their glass eyes on tattered gowns."
What I Liked/What I Didn’t Like : I don't think there was anything I disliked, other than the author hasn't written more books set in this world.
I loved that the characters were all complex and realistic. The adults had conflicts and interactions going on that the younger characters had no idea about. No characters were black/white, they were all wonderful shades of grey.
Rating: 1-Hated / 2-Disliked / 3-Okay / 4-Liked / 5-Loved : ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️- Loved. Easiest rating to pick ever.
---
*Spoilers*
Every now and then, I discover a book that's just plain fun. That's how this book started: simply fun.
The story is about an adventurer's guild. The older members go out and find young people with talent, and bring them back to train them to raid dungeons and steal gold from monsters (very D&Dish). The main character, Colm Candorly, had a talent for picking pockets, and though he was a good-hearted kid, his family was very large and very poor, so he was doing it for them. The guild's rogue mentor, Finn, discovered Colm and brought him in for training.
In many ways, this book had a very Harry Potter-ish feel to it. (And not just because it's YA -- you all know me, I read more YA than anything else.) The setting was just plain fun, it was a world I would have loved to be a part of. It went beyond HP though, both in quality of writing and realism of the characters.
There was so much I loved about this book. The writing was perfect. The editing was better than I had seen in a long time (not one single typo, grammar issue, or other error that I spotted! So rare!). I loved (LOVED LOVED LOVED) that there was so much going on under the surface; through most of the books, I knew there was something going on between the guild masters, but because the story was told from the young peoples' POV, we didn't see exactly what until the end.
Also, the story had the best opening sentence ever: "Colm Candorly had nine fingers and eight sisters." I don't think there's ever been a first sentence that ever caught my attention so strongly!
All through the book, I knew I was going to review it as "PERFECT!"... then something happened. It's not something the author did wrong (in fact, the amount it saddened me is a testament to how good the book was), it was just something that happened in the plot. Perfectly reasonable and fit, but it greatly disappointed me.
As I had mentioned, there were clues that something was going on between the adult characters. There was so much tension between Finn (master rogue) and Wolfe (master ranger). While I have probably the smallest slash goggles in the world, I suspected it was sexual tension. I loved the Finn character already, but that made it even more interesting.
Then Finn turned on the group.
I know. Rogue. Turning on the group. That should not have been a surprise to me. (I DID THE EXACT SAME THING EVERY TIME I PLAYED D&D AS A KID!) The hints had been there, I just interpreted them incorrectly.
But it still disappointed the living hell out of me. I had thought Finn was better than that.
(Amusingly, I got to the cliffhanger of him seeming to turn on the guild right before I had to go to work, and I spent the whole day distracted with trying to figure out how the author was going to get out of it, how he was going to make it so that Finn wasn't really bad!)
So that really colored the last 10% or so of the book for me. I stopped reading to enjoy it, and was reading to discover how Finn would be turned back to good. ...and then how he would be turned back to being alive.
Sigh.
And that spoiler reminds me of another great thing about this story: No character was black/white. Everyone was grey. Everyone had big honking flaws (Best Thing Ever!). It makes characters so realistic, I wish more authors would do that.
And the ending! Gah, (spoiler issue) aside, I loved the ending so much! PERFECT ending!
Even with my disappointment over that (spoiler issue), I would 100% recommend this book. It did every single thing right. Wonderful, fun read. Once my finances get straightened out, I'm looking forward to reading his other books as well.
Quick synopsis : Colm, a boy from a very large, very poor family, teaches himself to pick pockets. He comes to the attention of a master rogue and is brought to a guild for training. When you're a thief and your mentor is a rogue, how do you know who you can trust?
Brief opinion : I LOVED it when I read it ten years ago and I LOVED it again this time. LOVED!
Plot : Set in a D&D-ish world, a boy with nine fingers and eight sisters (Best Opening Line Ever!) starts pickpocketing rich people to help get food and medicine for his family. His father is not okay with that and speaks to town officials to see how Colm can make it up.
Finn, a master rogue, just happens to be in the area and takes things over. He collects up Colm and takes him off to the biggest guild hall in the area, so he can be officially trained as an adventurer (a "dungeoneer").
Every character, adult and child, has their own goals and motivations, which wraps up with a twist around Finn which should come as no surprise since he's a rogue and all. Colm has to pick a side and try to stay alive.
Writing/editing : Both were perfect. In a couple sentences in the book, the author had a bit of rhyme. I'm not sure if it was on purpose or not, but it was really fun to run into. For example: "They were the province of healers and druids and old women who lived in huts on the edge of town and polished their glass eyes on tattered gowns."
What I Liked/What I Didn’t Like : I don't think there was anything I disliked, other than the author hasn't written more books set in this world.
I loved that the characters were all complex and realistic. The adults had conflicts and interactions going on that the younger characters had no idea about. No characters were black/white, they were all wonderful shades of grey.
Rating: 1-Hated / 2-Disliked / 3-Okay / 4-Liked / 5-Loved : ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️- Loved. Easiest rating to pick ever.
---
*Spoilers*
Every now and then, I discover a book that's just plain fun. That's how this book started: simply fun.
The story is about an adventurer's guild. The older members go out and find young people with talent, and bring them back to train them to raid dungeons and steal gold from monsters (very D&Dish). The main character, Colm Candorly, had a talent for picking pockets, and though he was a good-hearted kid, his family was very large and very poor, so he was doing it for them. The guild's rogue mentor, Finn, discovered Colm and brought him in for training.
In many ways, this book had a very Harry Potter-ish feel to it. (And not just because it's YA -- you all know me, I read more YA than anything else.) The setting was just plain fun, it was a world I would have loved to be a part of. It went beyond HP though, both in quality of writing and realism of the characters.
There was so much I loved about this book. The writing was perfect. The editing was better than I had seen in a long time (not one single typo, grammar issue, or other error that I spotted! So rare!). I loved (LOVED LOVED LOVED) that there was so much going on under the surface; through most of the books, I knew there was something going on between the guild masters, but because the story was told from the young peoples' POV, we didn't see exactly what until the end.
Also, the story had the best opening sentence ever: "Colm Candorly had nine fingers and eight sisters." I don't think there's ever been a first sentence that ever caught my attention so strongly!
All through the book, I knew I was going to review it as "PERFECT!"... then something happened. It's not something the author did wrong (in fact, the amount it saddened me is a testament to how good the book was), it was just something that happened in the plot. Perfectly reasonable and fit, but it greatly disappointed me.
As I had mentioned, there were clues that something was going on between the adult characters. There was so much tension between Finn (master rogue) and Wolfe (master ranger). While I have probably the smallest slash goggles in the world, I suspected it was sexual tension. I loved the Finn character already, but that made it even more interesting.
Then Finn turned on the group.
I know. Rogue. Turning on the group. That should not have been a surprise to me. (I DID THE EXACT SAME THING EVERY TIME I PLAYED D&D AS A KID!) The hints had been there, I just interpreted them incorrectly.
But it still disappointed the living hell out of me. I had thought Finn was better than that.
(Amusingly, I got to the cliffhanger of him seeming to turn on the guild right before I had to go to work, and I spent the whole day distracted with trying to figure out how the author was going to get out of it, how he was going to make it so that Finn wasn't really bad!)
So that really colored the last 10% or so of the book for me. I stopped reading to enjoy it, and was reading to discover how Finn would be turned back to good. ...and then how he would be turned back to being alive.
Sigh.
And that spoiler reminds me of another great thing about this story: No character was black/white. Everyone was grey. Everyone had big honking flaws (Best Thing Ever!). It makes characters so realistic, I wish more authors would do that.
And the ending! Gah, (spoiler issue) aside, I loved the ending so much! PERFECT ending!
Even with my disappointment over that (spoiler issue), I would 100% recommend this book. It did every single thing right. Wonderful, fun read. Once my finances get straightened out, I'm looking forward to reading his other books as well.
December 16, 2015
L picked this out at Powell's in Portland. The cover art was so bad, I didn't have much hope that it would be any good. Also, it's basically a D&D game come to life. You've got your rogue, your healer, your barbarian, etc. I don't know. It sounded derivative and likely to be plodding and one-dimensional. But surprise! It was witty and fun and enjoyable to read aloud. And the ending wasn't something either of us guessed. Looks like it's destined to be a stand-alone, which is too bad. The ending left it open to having sequels, but the author appears to be pursuing other ideas.
August 31, 2015
A fantasy adventure for middle grade readers which is sort of Lloyd Alexander's Prydain meets Harry Potter. Colm is a young pickpocket forced to leave his family with Finn, a clever rogue, to train with the guild of dungeonners. Colm is a talented thief with a big heart and he makes some equally endearing new friends. There's plenty of danger, some droll humor, and interesting plot twists. This is a story that will be especially appreciated with readers who enjoy fantasy role playing games.
September 16, 2015
This fun read is like a junior version of Dungeons & Dragons for intermediate readers (grades 4 through 8). Colm Candorly lives in a small village in a very big family ... 8 sisters. That's right, EIGHT sisters. His dad is a cobbler, which is honest work, but not really enough to support a family of ten. Life quickly starts to change when Finn comes to the village.
Finn is not only an outsider, but recognizes a kindred spirit in Colm. You see, Finn is not just a traditional traveler or even a Bard. Instead, he is a rogue. This happens just in time because Colm had recently decided to take things into his own hands to help the family. After a successful first day as a pickpocket, he gets home with more than enough money to ease the family's burden. Unfortunately, his actions don't go totally unnoticed.
Finn does step forward and makes arrangements so Colm doesn't face the usual punishment of a thief: the loss of a hand. Finn takes care of everything, but Colm is going to have to go with him and become a member of Thwodin's Legion, which is a union of adventurers or dungeoneers who go on adventures to find riches and treasure that is hidden away in dungeons.
In part, this is something that Colm is very much interested in. He has always loved the tales of high adventure told by the bards, and he would like the opportunity to have some of his own. With that said, he also know that he loves and will very much miss his family ... even his pesky sisters, who seem to revel in playing tricks on him. With that said, he really doesn't have much of a choice.
Upon arriving at the Legions' headquarters, Colm is quickly thrown into a test where he is teamed up with a mageling, a barbarian, and a druid. Well, they are all in training and not really all that good at what they are. Fortunately, as a team, they pass the test and find themselves in a training school for the Legions that will help bring them up to speed.
The book is really full of all sorts of fun things, mixing humor, adventure, and a lot of the things that happen in a traditional middle school. These are blended very nicely and are presented in an interesting narrative style. Colm and his friends are very likable.
In a sense, the school-side of the book reminds me a bit of Hogwarts and Harry Potter. There are quirky professors in the form of the masters, each a specialist in their field. The food is horrible, and the classes and the exams are not exempt from leaving a trail of injured students, thankfully, healed by magic.
I have never read any of Andrson's books, but I have already put the first two books by him on hold because I liked this one so much!
Finn is not only an outsider, but recognizes a kindred spirit in Colm. You see, Finn is not just a traditional traveler or even a Bard. Instead, he is a rogue. This happens just in time because Colm had recently decided to take things into his own hands to help the family. After a successful first day as a pickpocket, he gets home with more than enough money to ease the family's burden. Unfortunately, his actions don't go totally unnoticed.
Finn does step forward and makes arrangements so Colm doesn't face the usual punishment of a thief: the loss of a hand. Finn takes care of everything, but Colm is going to have to go with him and become a member of Thwodin's Legion, which is a union of adventurers or dungeoneers who go on adventures to find riches and treasure that is hidden away in dungeons.
In part, this is something that Colm is very much interested in. He has always loved the tales of high adventure told by the bards, and he would like the opportunity to have some of his own. With that said, he also know that he loves and will very much miss his family ... even his pesky sisters, who seem to revel in playing tricks on him. With that said, he really doesn't have much of a choice.
Upon arriving at the Legions' headquarters, Colm is quickly thrown into a test where he is teamed up with a mageling, a barbarian, and a druid. Well, they are all in training and not really all that good at what they are. Fortunately, as a team, they pass the test and find themselves in a training school for the Legions that will help bring them up to speed.
The book is really full of all sorts of fun things, mixing humor, adventure, and a lot of the things that happen in a traditional middle school. These are blended very nicely and are presented in an interesting narrative style. Colm and his friends are very likable.
In a sense, the school-side of the book reminds me a bit of Hogwarts and Harry Potter. There are quirky professors in the form of the masters, each a specialist in their field. The food is horrible, and the classes and the exams are not exempt from leaving a trail of injured students, thankfully, healed by magic.
I have never read any of Andrson's books, but I have already put the first two books by him on hold because I liked this one so much!
March 26, 2015
Being the only son of a poor cobbler and the brother to eight sisters is not easy...just ask 12 year old Colm Candorly. And when Colm, a natural and talented thief, finds (aka pilfers) a pile of silver and gold from the richer people in town, he finds himself in quite the pickle. But then slick talking Finn Argos arrives and offers Colm an unusual way out of trouble. Colm soon finds himself training in Thwodin’s Legions, a guild of dungeoneers, and among his own kind for the first time. Colm, a quick study of the art of being a rogue, may have just found a way to use his talent and find fame and riches along the way...if he can survive training and its trials and the plot of a traitor.
The Dungeoneers is such a fun, addictive read and I loved every minute of it! John David Anderson spins a spectacular tale full of action, humor, magic, adventure, and captivating characters. With an absolutely pitch-perfect middle-grade voice and smart, compelling storytelling, The Dungeoneers is riveting from beginning to end. Anderson’s world-building is pure perfection as he crafts a clever, wildly imaginative, and fully developed world. From Colm’s hometown of Felhaven to Thwodin’s castle and the dungeons explored by the dungeoneers, this world is vividly laid out in enthralling details. The world of the dungeoners in Thwodin’s Legions is full of fantastical and whimsical (both dark and light) elements, exciting classes, and amazing things to learn!
From rogues, mages, barbarians, druids, goblins, orcs, and more, The Dungeoneers is full of eclectic and engaging characters. Anderson gives such amusing life to each of his characters and I thoroughly enjoyed each and every one of them. I just loved plucky Colm and his quirky group of friends, including fierce Lena, endearing Quinn, and sweet Serene.
Colm’s time with the dungeoneers is full of thrilling action, laugh-out-loud moments, and plenty of surprises, leading to a truly twisty reveal and heart-racing conclusion.
my final thoughts: With smart, sparkling storytelling; awesome characters; and an exciting premise, The Dungeoneers will charm and wow readers! I certainly cannot wait until book two!!
The Dungeoneers is such a fun, addictive read and I loved every minute of it! John David Anderson spins a spectacular tale full of action, humor, magic, adventure, and captivating characters. With an absolutely pitch-perfect middle-grade voice and smart, compelling storytelling, The Dungeoneers is riveting from beginning to end. Anderson’s world-building is pure perfection as he crafts a clever, wildly imaginative, and fully developed world. From Colm’s hometown of Felhaven to Thwodin’s castle and the dungeons explored by the dungeoneers, this world is vividly laid out in enthralling details. The world of the dungeoners in Thwodin’s Legions is full of fantastical and whimsical (both dark and light) elements, exciting classes, and amazing things to learn!
From rogues, mages, barbarians, druids, goblins, orcs, and more, The Dungeoneers is full of eclectic and engaging characters. Anderson gives such amusing life to each of his characters and I thoroughly enjoyed each and every one of them. I just loved plucky Colm and his quirky group of friends, including fierce Lena, endearing Quinn, and sweet Serene.
Colm’s time with the dungeoneers is full of thrilling action, laugh-out-loud moments, and plenty of surprises, leading to a truly twisty reveal and heart-racing conclusion.
my final thoughts: With smart, sparkling storytelling; awesome characters; and an exciting premise, The Dungeoneers will charm and wow readers! I certainly cannot wait until book two!!
May 26, 2017
This magical adventure by John David Anderson follows Colm candorly, a thief and pickpocket on the road to redemption. But colm isn't the only character, he is accompanied by his friends to become a dungeoneer and get rich. The money that he will get from dungeoneering will be put towards his poor family and helping them get out of debt.
The main problem of this book would be Colm trying to become a dungeoneer and redeem himself. He does this by going to tye thodins school of dungeoneering to learn the arts of being a proper rouge. His friends which consist of a mageling named Quinn a warrior named Lena and a druid named Serene are all here for the same reason as Colm to become a dungeoneer.
Every character has their own quirks in their personality and they can be quite funny such as quinn (the mageling) who stutters when casting spells and casts them improperly, although Lena the pompous warrior has a sad and dark secret that drives us to like this snooty character.
John David Anderson does a fantastic job describing landscapes and making your jaw drop with awe. He also does an amazing job with the delivery of jokes, I often finding myself laughing out loud, but the author is also very good at delivering heavy blows and they are often fairly sad.
Overall I would rate this a 9.25/10
The main problem of this book would be Colm trying to become a dungeoneer and redeem himself. He does this by going to tye thodins school of dungeoneering to learn the arts of being a proper rouge. His friends which consist of a mageling named Quinn a warrior named Lena and a druid named Serene are all here for the same reason as Colm to become a dungeoneer.
Every character has their own quirks in their personality and they can be quite funny such as quinn (the mageling) who stutters when casting spells and casts them improperly, although Lena the pompous warrior has a sad and dark secret that drives us to like this snooty character.
John David Anderson does a fantastic job describing landscapes and making your jaw drop with awe. He also does an amazing job with the delivery of jokes, I often finding myself laughing out loud, but the author is also very good at delivering heavy blows and they are often fairly sad.
Overall I would rate this a 9.25/10
August 4, 2015
What I Thought- This was an awesome story set in a medieval time. I really liked Mr. Anderson’s superhuman/superhero books (Sidekicked and Minion), and this one wasn’t a disappointment. Mr. Anderson really knows how to immerse you into the story and not let you out. You get engaged with all of the characters and their stories. Mr. Anderson develops them so well, it makes you feel like you’ve known them all of your life. The fact that there is magic, but that it doesn’t play that major of a role in the story, is a refreshing change from all the magic-oriented stories out there. The idea of a “rogue” is fascinating and rather cool. Rogues are the dungeoneers that disable traps, pick locks, etc., but they also make great liars and thieves. Colm is a great kid (who happens to only have 9 fingers!), and you get sucked into his adventures learning to be a rogue. Thwodin’s Legions is a cool guild, and one I wouldn’t mind joining. The ending was solid and satisfying but I could see a sequel coming out of it, but apparently Mr. Anderson isn’t into writing series – too bad for us! I’ll just have to wait to read what his brain comes up with next! ;) Another great book from Mr. Anderson!
*NOTE* I got a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review
*NOTE* I got a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review
April 4, 2017
Loved this book, love all John David Anderson's books. As a librarian for middle schoolers, I read lots of "adventure" books and look for "boy" books to encourage reading for reluctant readers. Lots of "adventure" books are a string of battle scenes, no character, no plot, like lots of movies for kids. Anderson gives you more - funny, clever, characters you can get behind (please have mercy on our stone man - don't want to have a spoiler but please! In a sequel?!), and the action follows the characters, not the other way around.
Colm is poor and surrounded by 8 siblings, all sisters. What boy would not want a break? He finds a talent one day in the marketplace, someone sees his talent, and recruits him for the next class of Dungeoneers, who train to run around in dungeons guarded by all manner of nasty creature for the express purpose of picking up the mountains of gold and treasure these creatures guard (little reminiscent of our favorite burgler, Bilbo Baggins). Colm in motivated to help his family, and agrees to be trained. Characters/hilarity/plot ensue! I loved everybody in this book, even the goblin master. Hoping Anderson is working on his next excellent adventure!
Colm is poor and surrounded by 8 siblings, all sisters. What boy would not want a break? He finds a talent one day in the marketplace, someone sees his talent, and recruits him for the next class of Dungeoneers, who train to run around in dungeons guarded by all manner of nasty creature for the express purpose of picking up the mountains of gold and treasure these creatures guard (little reminiscent of our favorite burgler, Bilbo Baggins). Colm in motivated to help his family, and agrees to be trained. Characters/hilarity/plot ensue! I loved everybody in this book, even the goblin master. Hoping Anderson is working on his next excellent adventure!
March 3, 2017
This is the first book in a series (although there's no set date for the next book or even a premise so don't get too excited yet) about a group of kids who are learning the craft of dungeoneering (don't worry the book will explain precisely what this entails) in Thwodin's Legion (you probably haven't heard of it because it's pretty elite). Each of the main characters has a different specialization (rogue, druid healer, barbarian, and mageling). Anderson continues to impress with his characterization and believable 'voice' for this age group. Reluctant readers would do well to check out his writing. Fantasy lovers especially will enjoy this one and Sidekicked (PS He's also written a companion novel set in the same universe as Sidekick entitled Minion which I'm hoping to read soon.). Colm Candorly is the main protagonist and maybe one of my favorite characters ever written because he's flawed and instead of fighting that he embraces it willingly. There's plenty of humor but alongside that is a healthy dosage of dramatics (and violence). It's a fast paced, fun read that can be enjoyed by middle grade to adult readers. If you didn't guess already, I'm a fan. 10/10
August 14, 2015
Review to come.
December 5, 2018
The only reason it took me so long to read was that the book had a very slow pace. While the whole plot line had a very interesting feel to it, the plot twist at the end seemed to be almost added last minute. When it happened I was like, "Oh, so he's bad." And then I moved on with the book. I wasn't normally like "Wait, what? No, I have to read that again!" it just seemed like a pretty ordinary book to me that didn't even try to impress.
Also, the characters are pretty shallow. I don't see any character development from the beginning to the end. Corm started one way and ended the same way. He didn't even go through some changes, along with the rest of the cast.
But other than that, it wasn't too bad of a book.
Also, the characters are pretty shallow. I don't see any character development from the beginning to the end. Corm started one way and ended the same way. He didn't even go through some changes, along with the rest of the cast.
But other than that, it wasn't too bad of a book.
Read
October 1, 2017Got to page 144. Sadly this book suffered from me being busy and not able to read it straight through. Pretty much I took too long and now I don't have motivation to continue.
Also....can a book not part of the D&D lore use D&D things? Classes are one thing but monsters like the beholder?
Also....can a book not part of the D&D lore use D&D things? Classes are one thing but monsters like the beholder?
December 29, 2023
This was a really fun fantasy read. I enjoyed the low level kids learning their class types.
April 5, 2016
"The Dungeoneers" is a fast-paced, action-oriented, humorous fantasy- adventure that begins when Colm Candorly waiting for the magistrate's sentence for stealing gold meets a enigmatic stranger named Finn Argos who whisks him away to a hidden castle where he's to be trained as a rogue in Thwodin's Legions.
While learning to pick locks and to disarm traps at a guild for dungeoneers Colm teams up with a warrior, a mage and a druid in preparation for a life of adventure, raiding dungeons in search of treasure. But his lessons take on a sinister aspect when he and his friends after winning a competitive trial are rewarded by Thwodin and the Guild Masters who take them on a real search for treasure where they face betrayal and certain death.
With shades of Harry Potter's Hogwarts, John David Anderson brings to life a Guild of talented, courageous young adventurers whose various skills are honed by Masters. These "Dungeoneers " on completion of their training venture into deep, dank, booby -trapped, monster-infested underground caverns in the hope of finding a rich treasure-trove. As events unfold in this tale Colm Candorly in trying to help his impoverished family turns to pick pocketing only to have his honorable, hardworking father return the gold he steals to the magistrate. Waiting for his sentence, he's offered a bargain that he can't refuse, in a Guild where his natural gifts will be prized.
The plot progresses quickly and smoothly, the action and suspense building as Colm and his friends not only deal with the rigours of their training, a bully and a formidable test, but face a real life adventure that could mean danger and death. Exciting and highly entertaining especially for middle graders, the story keeps you on the edge of your seat until the surprising climax at the end that begs for a sequel.
The characters are unforgettable and complex, infusing the adventure with humor, excitement and high-energy as they not only learn to work together as a team, but face one challenge after another. Colm Candorly a twelve year old with eight sisters turns to thievery to help his impoverished family when one of his siblings gets sick. Clever, resourceful and nimble-fingered, instead of facing the magistrate's justice is whisked away by the silver-tongued, deceptive and ambitious rogue Finn Argos. At the Guild he's partnered with the feisty and intimidating want-to-be barbarian Lena Proudmore, the gentle, nature-loving druid Serene Willowtree and her spider Mr. Tickletoes, as well as the bumbling, awkward, stuttering Quinn (Nibbles) Frostfoot.
I loved "The Dungeoneers" with its imaginative and innovative plot and colourful young characters who enrich the adventure, gaining experience and confidence as they work together.
While learning to pick locks and to disarm traps at a guild for dungeoneers Colm teams up with a warrior, a mage and a druid in preparation for a life of adventure, raiding dungeons in search of treasure. But his lessons take on a sinister aspect when he and his friends after winning a competitive trial are rewarded by Thwodin and the Guild Masters who take them on a real search for treasure where they face betrayal and certain death.
With shades of Harry Potter's Hogwarts, John David Anderson brings to life a Guild of talented, courageous young adventurers whose various skills are honed by Masters. These "Dungeoneers " on completion of their training venture into deep, dank, booby -trapped, monster-infested underground caverns in the hope of finding a rich treasure-trove. As events unfold in this tale Colm Candorly in trying to help his impoverished family turns to pick pocketing only to have his honorable, hardworking father return the gold he steals to the magistrate. Waiting for his sentence, he's offered a bargain that he can't refuse, in a Guild where his natural gifts will be prized.
The plot progresses quickly and smoothly, the action and suspense building as Colm and his friends not only deal with the rigours of their training, a bully and a formidable test, but face a real life adventure that could mean danger and death. Exciting and highly entertaining especially for middle graders, the story keeps you on the edge of your seat until the surprising climax at the end that begs for a sequel.
The characters are unforgettable and complex, infusing the adventure with humor, excitement and high-energy as they not only learn to work together as a team, but face one challenge after another. Colm Candorly a twelve year old with eight sisters turns to thievery to help his impoverished family when one of his siblings gets sick. Clever, resourceful and nimble-fingered, instead of facing the magistrate's justice is whisked away by the silver-tongued, deceptive and ambitious rogue Finn Argos. At the Guild he's partnered with the feisty and intimidating want-to-be barbarian Lena Proudmore, the gentle, nature-loving druid Serene Willowtree and her spider Mr. Tickletoes, as well as the bumbling, awkward, stuttering Quinn (Nibbles) Frostfoot.
I loved "The Dungeoneers" with its imaginative and innovative plot and colourful young characters who enrich the adventure, gaining experience and confidence as they work together.
June 24, 2015
This review originally appeared on my blog, Leeanna.me.
==
THE DUNGEONEERS has a healthy helping of Dungeons and Dragons, a dash of Harry Potter, and a heaping spoonful of humor and fun. I ate this book up like candy -- it was much better than the endless stew served at Thwodin’s Legion.
Colm Canderly has eight sisters who love to torment him (but they love him, too). But that’s not the worst of his problems. He’s from a poor family, and no matter how much cobbling work his father does, there’s never enough to go around. So one day, he decides to lift the purses of wealthy men … just to help the family, of course … but discovers he has a real talent for thievery. Naturally, his honest father isn’t happy, and insists Colm give the money back.
Enter Finn. A member of Thwodin’s Legion, a premiere dungeoning guild, Finn recognizes Colm’s talent, and offers him the opportunity of a lifetime. What twelve-year-old boy wouldn’t jump at the chance to make lots of gold, fight orcs, and get his name out there? At the guild hall, Colm is teamed up with his party, consisting of Lena the Barbarian (who faints at the sight of her own blood), Quinn the Mage (who stutters when he’s nervous, casting unpredictable spells), and Serene the Druid (who’s scared of animals with lots of teeth). They must learn to work together, balancing each others’ strengths and weaknesses, to survive in orc-infested, trap-laden dungeons.
THE DUNGEONEERS was a treat to read. A funny, well-written, fantastical middle grade book great for kids and adults. I do think it’s a tad long, as there are some chapters without a lot of action or story forwarding. But the characters are all developed -- all unique, with their own personalities that expand beyond their party roles. I enjoyed watching their friendship grow, and watching them train together. I appreciated that the author put time into showing how a rogue might practice his skills.
THE DUNGEONEERS is the perfect book for when you can’t find someone to play D&D with, or when you want to escape into a dungeon and come out with storybook gold without dodging boring orc traps!
==
Disclaimer: I received a copy of this book from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.
See more of my reviews:
==
THE DUNGEONEERS has a healthy helping of Dungeons and Dragons, a dash of Harry Potter, and a heaping spoonful of humor and fun. I ate this book up like candy -- it was much better than the endless stew served at Thwodin’s Legion.
Colm Canderly has eight sisters who love to torment him (but they love him, too). But that’s not the worst of his problems. He’s from a poor family, and no matter how much cobbling work his father does, there’s never enough to go around. So one day, he decides to lift the purses of wealthy men … just to help the family, of course … but discovers he has a real talent for thievery. Naturally, his honest father isn’t happy, and insists Colm give the money back.
Enter Finn. A member of Thwodin’s Legion, a premiere dungeoning guild, Finn recognizes Colm’s talent, and offers him the opportunity of a lifetime. What twelve-year-old boy wouldn’t jump at the chance to make lots of gold, fight orcs, and get his name out there? At the guild hall, Colm is teamed up with his party, consisting of Lena the Barbarian (who faints at the sight of her own blood), Quinn the Mage (who stutters when he’s nervous, casting unpredictable spells), and Serene the Druid (who’s scared of animals with lots of teeth). They must learn to work together, balancing each others’ strengths and weaknesses, to survive in orc-infested, trap-laden dungeons.
THE DUNGEONEERS was a treat to read. A funny, well-written, fantastical middle grade book great for kids and adults. I do think it’s a tad long, as there are some chapters without a lot of action or story forwarding. But the characters are all developed -- all unique, with their own personalities that expand beyond their party roles. I enjoyed watching their friendship grow, and watching them train together. I appreciated that the author put time into showing how a rogue might practice his skills.
THE DUNGEONEERS is the perfect book for when you can’t find someone to play D&D with, or when you want to escape into a dungeon and come out with storybook gold without dodging boring orc traps!
==
Disclaimer: I received a copy of this book from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.
See more of my reviews:
March 2, 2016
Being raised with 8 sisters is a daunting prospect, but Colm Candorly has become adept at it. He can sneak past, hide from and escape traps made by his sisters and when one of his sisters becomes ill and needs expensive medicine Corm decides to use his skills for something less than legal. When he returns home after a day of pick pocketing (in broad daylight!) he's got quite a haul, but his Dad doesn't see things the way Colm thought he might. Hoping for leniency by confessing Colm's dad visits the magistrate and meets an odd character there.
Finn Argos is not a thief, though he's well known for his lurking, sneaking, lock-picking skills. He's a rogue and a member in good standing of Thwodin's Legion. He offers to take care of Colm's debt if Colm agrees to take the test to enter Thwodin's Legion as a rogue in training. Fearing for his family, but also curious about the life of a "Dungeoneer" where treasure and peril are meted out in equal measure, Colm agrees.
Leaving his sisters and parents behind is hard, but Colm has always wondered if life as a cobbler, following in his father's footsteps, was the right life for him. At Tye Thwodin's guild/school he will find out if he's suited for a life of adventure and treasure instead. He'll also meet the rest of his party. Quinn, a fidgety young mageling who stutters his spells when he gets nervous. Lena, a girl who knows what she wants, and that's to be a famous barbarian with a sword called Gutspiller...or Veinopener or something. Serene is a very talented druid...except that she's afraid of anything larger than a lapdog.
And Finn Argos is a great teacher. With his help Colm is solving locks, sticking to shadows and spotting traps like a champ. He's also learning how to lie, and Finn is a master at that art, but is he hiding something even from Colm?
A fun middle-grade read full of fantasy and adventure. For those familiar with Dungeons and Dragons (a tabletop RPG) there are a lot of funny moments that will no doubt bring back memories of 1st level characters and that time the mule was lost. Fans of fantasy, Harry Potter and other stories about underdogs prevailing against the odds would probably enjoy this book.
Finn Argos is not a thief, though he's well known for his lurking, sneaking, lock-picking skills. He's a rogue and a member in good standing of Thwodin's Legion. He offers to take care of Colm's debt if Colm agrees to take the test to enter Thwodin's Legion as a rogue in training. Fearing for his family, but also curious about the life of a "Dungeoneer" where treasure and peril are meted out in equal measure, Colm agrees.
Leaving his sisters and parents behind is hard, but Colm has always wondered if life as a cobbler, following in his father's footsteps, was the right life for him. At Tye Thwodin's guild/school he will find out if he's suited for a life of adventure and treasure instead. He'll also meet the rest of his party. Quinn, a fidgety young mageling who stutters his spells when he gets nervous. Lena, a girl who knows what she wants, and that's to be a famous barbarian with a sword called Gutspiller...or Veinopener or something. Serene is a very talented druid...except that she's afraid of anything larger than a lapdog.
And Finn Argos is a great teacher. With his help Colm is solving locks, sticking to shadows and spotting traps like a champ. He's also learning how to lie, and Finn is a master at that art, but is he hiding something even from Colm?
A fun middle-grade read full of fantasy and adventure. For those familiar with Dungeons and Dragons (a tabletop RPG) there are a lot of funny moments that will no doubt bring back memories of 1st level characters and that time the mule was lost. Fans of fantasy, Harry Potter and other stories about underdogs prevailing against the odds would probably enjoy this book.
August 27, 2015
The Dungeoneers was a great book! I was a bit hesitant going into this book and yet I was pleasantly surprised by how good it was. There weren't too many boring parts to this book and most of the characters were memorable. I was sucked into Colm's story almost instantly because of how catching the writing was.
The story starts off introducing the reader to Colm and his family. A full household that includes 8 sisters that bother him as sister's should. EVEN THE BABY! One of his sister's ends up getting sick, and the family doesn't have enough money to buy medicine. Colm decides to take things into his own hands by pick-pocketing like a little Robin Hood. This draws the attention of Finn, a man that also makes his living as a rogue in a legion. He tasks Colm with getting inside of the legion and becoming a dungeoneer, where all of his dreams can come true. A life full of riches and adventures.
I'd recommend this book to pretty much anybody. It's a cute fast-paced story with a touch of magic in just the right places.
The story starts off introducing the reader to Colm and his family. A full household that includes 8 sisters that bother him as sister's should. EVEN THE BABY! One of his sister's ends up getting sick, and the family doesn't have enough money to buy medicine. Colm decides to take things into his own hands by pick-pocketing like a little Robin Hood. This draws the attention of Finn, a man that also makes his living as a rogue in a legion. He tasks Colm with getting inside of the legion and becoming a dungeoneer, where all of his dreams can come true. A life full of riches and adventures.
I'd recommend this book to pretty much anybody. It's a cute fast-paced story with a touch of magic in just the right places.
October 3, 2015
Colm is the only boy, stuck in the middle of eight sisters. He hates how hard his father, a cobbler, works and is still barely able to get by. Colm takes matters into his own hands one afternoon, picking pockets in the town square in an effort to redistribute some wealth. The ease and success which with he accomplishes this brings him to the attention of Finn Argos, a master rogue at a dungeoneering guild who recruits Colm to train at his school. Here Colm will learn the lock picking and trap disarming skills necessary to become a true dungeoneer -- an adventurer who steals gold from goblins, trolls, orcs, and other beings deep underground. He learns alongside the others that make up his party: Lena, who is a warrior barbarian; Quinn, a mageling who needs to get his fire shooting skills under control; and Serene, a Druid who can talk to most animals (except the big scary ones). Together their team must work through training and trials, as they prepare to test their skills in a real dungeon. An exciting book, highly recommended for grades 4 & up.
February 8, 2016
Colm’s father is a cobbler. He works hard, but there is not always enough money to go around. Colm wishes he could help, especially when one of his eight sisters falls ill. In town, Colm realizes he has a talent for pick pocketing. In one afternoon, he is able to acquire a pile of gold. The only problem - a man named Finn Argos knows of Colm’s thievery. He gives Colm a choice: accept the punishment for theft or become a member of Thwodin’s Legions with whom he can hone his skills. Colm’s new home consists of others like him seeking a fortune as rogues, warriors, mages, and druids. He comes to rely on his new family and they upon him as his skill is tested and all of their lives depended on his talent.
Engaging characters, humor, and death-defying situations await readers in this fantasy adventure. A satisfying read that examines loyalty, morality, and fairness, while providing readers with a few surprises.
Engaging characters, humor, and death-defying situations await readers in this fantasy adventure. A satisfying read that examines loyalty, morality, and fairness, while providing readers with a few surprises.
February 13, 2017
An ordinary young farm boy in a fantasy realm leaves home to discover the larger world not, as is so often the case, on an important quest, but (reluctantly) as an apprentice adventurer who will learn how to delve dungeons for treasure. The setting, perspectives, concepts, vocabulary, and more are clearly derived from role-playing games and only make sense in that context. Anderson tells a fine tale within that framework, a nice balance of action, humor, and heft, with interesting characters. Protagonist Colm, especially, is well-drawn and complex. Young readers who've fantasized about becoming their game characters will find it an excellent treat.
December 4, 2017
Colm Candorly is the only son of a shoemaker who is trying to help his family make ends meet. When he is caught stealing, he is given a choice: to be labeled as a thief and lose his hand or to train as a rogue and become rich beyond imagining. Choosing to become a rogue, he journeys to the school for dungeoneers. But, Colm learns that dungeoneering may not be as rewarding or as glamorous as it is appears to be. A humorous adventure story about a young thief and his band of misfits.
Recommended for grades 4-7. Lexile level: Not Available
Reviewed by Christine Hwang, Youth and School Services, Vernon Area Public Library
Recommended for grades 4-7. Lexile level: Not Available
Reviewed by Christine Hwang, Youth and School Services, Vernon Area Public Library
January 3, 2019
"Give a man a fish, and he will eat for a day.
Teach him to fish and he will eat for a lifetime.
Teach him to steal, though, and he won't have to eat fish everyday for the rest of his life."
A mixture of DD and John Flanagan's The Ranger's Apprentice, John David Anderson is a master at creating relatable characters, who aren't hesitant about admitting their faults. They are the bravest or strongest. They aren't the chosen ones; in fact, they're often the ones who are painfully average. In the Dungeoneers, Anderson creates a world with characters that any kid, or adult, will love and dream about.
Teach him to fish and he will eat for a lifetime.
Teach him to steal, though, and he won't have to eat fish everyday for the rest of his life."
A mixture of DD and John Flanagan's The Ranger's Apprentice, John David Anderson is a master at creating relatable characters, who aren't hesitant about admitting their faults. They are the bravest or strongest. They aren't the chosen ones; in fact, they're often the ones who are painfully average. In the Dungeoneers, Anderson creates a world with characters that any kid, or adult, will love and dream about.
January 13, 2021
Another winner from John David Anderson! Loved this book! Had a Harry Potter feel to it. Not a quick read but I thoroughly enjoyed it.
A later note: I just finished this for the 2nd time. I love this book!!!! So much fun with the BEST characters! John David Anderson... please, please, please write a sequel to this! I know you have thought about it. I need a sequel!!
A later note: I just finished this for the 2nd time. I love this book!!!! So much fun with the BEST characters! John David Anderson... please, please, please write a sequel to this! I know you have thought about it. I need a sequel!!
June 1, 2022
Colm learns the hard way not to pick pockets. When he decides to help his family with medical bills when his sister is sick he gets away with it but when he shows his father his spoils the man refuses to take the money. He makes a deal to save Colm from losing his hand (the price for being caught stealing). Colm ends up leaving his family to follow Finn Argos, a rogue who takes him to a secret place where people with skills like Colm are taught how to perfect those skills. Colm joins a legion of Dungeoneers learning to be a rogue. He's put into a group with three others with skills to help his own. There's Lena, a warrior who just wants to fight. Quinn, a mageling who doesn't have control of his magic. Serene, who is all about nature and animals, she can talk to them. The four young apprentices work together as they hone their skills. There are other groups at the legion and the competition is huge with some bullying, a lot of teasing and egos galore. the goal is to have a group that can work together to raid place and get the treasure, bring it back and share it with the legion. It's an exciting story with some twists.
August 4, 2017
I've been meaning to read The Dungeoneers for seemingly forever. I even did start reading The Dungeoneers a few times, but never made it past the first couple of chapters.
The writing is good and very humorous. The characters all had their own distinct personalities, ambitions, and motivations. The story in itself is rather simple, but this is a middle grade fantasy novel so I don't expect too much.
The one thing that kept this from being a four star book for me is I felt there could have been a lot more action and suspense. The plot twist at the end isn't really a plot twist because you can see it coming from a mile away.
This is supposed to be the first of a series and if it is, perhaps the other books will have a little bit more detail to them.
The writing is good and very humorous. The characters all had their own distinct personalities, ambitions, and motivations. The story in itself is rather simple, but this is a middle grade fantasy novel so I don't expect too much.
The one thing that kept this from being a four star book for me is I felt there could have been a lot more action and suspense. The plot twist at the end isn't really a plot twist because you can see it coming from a mile away.
This is supposed to be the first of a series and if it is, perhaps the other books will have a little bit more detail to them.
July 12, 2022
Memorable Middle Grade Fantasy
This was one of those books that took its premise as a stepping off point to delve into the thoughts of its protagonist and those that he interacted with, and it was brilliant. I loved it from start to finish, and though it invites a follow-up, I don't know that one is ever coming. This book is more clever than you'd first expect, and it comes from one of the harder to pin down authors of middle grade fiction. He's adept at jumping from one genre to another and remaining an engaging writer no matter the story. I really like his work, and this is my favorite of his so far.
This was one of those books that took its premise as a stepping off point to delve into the thoughts of its protagonist and those that he interacted with, and it was brilliant. I loved it from start to finish, and though it invites a follow-up, I don't know that one is ever coming. This book is more clever than you'd first expect, and it comes from one of the harder to pin down authors of middle grade fiction. He's adept at jumping from one genre to another and remaining an engaging writer no matter the story. I really like his work, and this is my favorite of his so far.
October 11, 2024
The Dungeoneers by John David Anderson is a great book about a boy from a poor family that is taken into custody of Thwodins Legoin and is trained to be able to pick locks disarm traps and retrieve gold. While he is there he figures out that something he doesn't know is threatening the guild from the inside. I can connect this to fantasy because it has goblins, orcs, orges ( there is a difference) and my most favorite is the magic. I rated it five stars because it was like Harry Potter and I love Harry Potter but also because it was very intriguing with many twists and turns. I would recommend this to anyone who just loves to read fantasy.
April 23, 2018
Colm Candorly is one of nine children in a small town of Felhaven. He has to be crafty and stealth to stay one step ahead of his sisters. With only a cobbler's salary, the family had a hard time making ends meet.
Thus Colm thought it might help the family if he lifted people's silver and gold coins in the market. When Colm's father found out, he blew a gasket and went straight to the magistrste. There Finn Argos was listening in and recruited Colm to be a dungeoneer.
Colm is intruigued and travels with Finn to see if he can pass the test to train with others in Thwodins Legion. There are other recruits about his age and he is grouped with 3 others.
Cool concept for the training of these kids that have special skills and talents. Lot of times the group train, eat and work together you would feel more like a family.
Thus Colm thought it might help the family if he lifted people's silver and gold coins in the market. When Colm's father found out, he blew a gasket and went straight to the magistrste. There Finn Argos was listening in and recruited Colm to be a dungeoneer.
Colm is intruigued and travels with Finn to see if he can pass the test to train with others in Thwodins Legion. There are other recruits about his age and he is grouped with 3 others.
Cool concept for the training of these kids that have special skills and talents. Lot of times the group train, eat and work together you would feel more like a family.
June 25, 2024
I’ll say it over and over again. It’s an absolutely tragedy that John David Anderson isn’t more famous. This is a brilliant fantasy novel for middle-graders. It has all the beats of a good DnD campaign, so this would serve as a great into to tabletop gameplay as well.
Colm is a great character, and I loved the depth put into Finn. The band of characters play really well together. The story was a little too simple at times, but I suppose that something more complicated would have interrupted the dynamics between the characters. Very fun read!
Colm is a great character, and I loved the depth put into Finn. The band of characters play really well together. The story was a little too simple at times, but I suppose that something more complicated would have interrupted the dynamics between the characters. Very fun read!
November 5, 2017
When Colm finds out he has a talent for picking pockets, he is taken in by Finn in order to become a rouge: the lock pickers of dungeoneering. Together with his friends, they must face classes in order to become stronger so that they may one day face real dungeons. However, when that chance comes sooner than expected, he finds that betrayal can come from many places. A vault with a seemingly un-pickable lock must be picked, but how? Find out in The Dungeoneers!
Displaying 1 - 30 of 73 reviews