The Merchant of Tiqpa

The Bathrobe Knight #4

by Charles Dean

Tiqpa, the first VRMMO to hit the markets, has become a world in and of itself with its own burgeoning political structure and growing strife between kingdoms and players. This unknown terrain, ripe with opportunities, becomes a new frontier which Locke, a blacksmith, tries to use to pay off real-world debts. But when he is betrayed by one of his business partners, he finds himself caught between his growing lust for revenge and his very real need for capital.

Genres: Fantasy

457 pages, Kindle Edition

Published November 21, 2016

Reviews

[Josh Frankies · Rating 5 out of 5]

Although this story doesn't stick with Darwin and the original cast of characters, I still felt like this was a fairly solid contribution to the Bathrobe Knight series. Merchant of Tipqa picks up shortly after the events of the original trilogy have taken place and follows the point of view of Locke, a renown blacksmith within the world of Tiqpa, and the trials he goes through after he is double-crossed by one of his business associates. This story is fairly linear in progression, whereas the other series jumped POV a bit, and is a quick and easy read.

Definitely recommended for fans of either fantasy or litrpg. It contains elements of both without detracting from the story or the characters.

[Sarah · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have read the whole Bathrobe Knight series before this one (books 1-3) and this is a solid story set in the same world but with new main characters. The writing, while good since book 1, has improved a lot and the Merchant of Tiqpa is the author's best work so far. If you want to get into this series, it's best to start with this book because it seems like the author really found his footing here.

[Travis · Rating 3 out of 5]

The Merchant of Tiqpa claims to be the fourth book in The Bathrobe Knight series, but honestly, the only thing I found to tie it to that series was the various bathrobes that kept popping up. Of course, I didn't really like that series very much, so only read the first book, so perhaps there's other things tying them together I missed, but for me, that was irrelevant. I liked this book, and I'm likely to read more of this series (the merchant of tiqpa I mean, not the bathrobe knight), even though they're supposed to be the same thing .
Anyway, if you picked up this book, and it's the first one you've seen in this series, don't worry, it's enjoyable without having read the bathrobe knight first three books.

[daniel · Rating 2 out of 5]

Definitely subparagraph compared to bathrobe knight series

I read and enjoyed the other three in the main series. I would rate them 4 out of 5. This one was not nearly the same caliber. Reason for crafting was weak for how slaves the main character was to it. Genders were in question for not one but several characters. Confusing and detracted from dialogue. Dialogue in general felt weak and young teen. Perhaps I am older than target audience (32 year old male).

I would recommend passing on this one and simply remembering and appreciating the author for the original series.

[DANNON SCARBOROUGH · Rating 3 out of 5]

Good, but not as good as the first three.

[Jon Honey · Rating 3 out of 5]

A pretty good book, but not what I read the Bathrobe Knight series for. Hard to explain, but I thought the first three books definitely had more humor mixed in. The main character's past is really interesting, the plot always kept me on my toes and wanting to know more about the overarching narrative.

If you're reading #4 because you enjoy the world-building and you're not sticking around because you're attached to the characters, then you may find the departure more accommodating to your expectations. I, on the other hand, was on the edge of my seat and emotionally invested in the story and found myself skipping ahead to find out when our bathrobe knight would make an appearance. Aside from passing mentions of the world politics surrounding the first three books, there was no cameos from the main characters.. Again, not a bad book. Charles Dean did an excellent job as always; Once I've stopped thinking about the first three books I may return for a new story. Because that's what this is, a different series in a familiar universe.

[Allan · Rating 3 out of 5]

Meh. This one wasn't as good as the previous episodes in this series. I hope we can get back to strong books.

[Ethan Lattin · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fantastic!

I love the way the characters develop, and I thoroughly enjoy the main character. Every event in the book is handled in a way, you wouldn't expect, and the Meek become the mighty, in the greatest way I can think of. Check it out!

[Ian Mitchell · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ok, that was fun

I haven't read the other bathrobe knight books. Not needed for this one. I had fun. Good adventure with memorable characters. Works for me.