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Chronicles of a Royal Pet #1
A Princess and an Ooze
The world of Erafore is one full of magic and mystery. Heroes battle dragons, mages confront demons, and the gods watch over it all. Yet among these incredible beings, a single creature is born with the power to rewrite the destiny of the land. Taken in as a pet by the princess of the Kingdom of Varia, a mere Ooze will rise to stand in the tide of fate and defend the ones he loves from an encroaching void. But can a monster ever truly become a man?
432 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 21, 2017
194 people are currently reading
297 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 73 reviews
April 10, 2019
This is what I call a 'goodie goodie' book. It's one of those stories with very flat characters who are all good to the point of having no personality. The main cast are all really proper, easy going, with next to no interpersonal conflicts, even misunderstandings are short lived and usually result in a laugh.
Servant drop food or break something? That's fine
Pet destroys this or that? Imminently discover it was bad and the pet is a hero.
There is nothing underhanded, selfish, or even something as simple as a tired child being cross. The worse thing that happens is one of the kids getting grass stains on his pants when he goes out to play after finishing his homework.
The result is a story with very low threat. Yes there are bad guys (mostly distant), but they seem to only be there for the good guys to show how good they are.
Servant drop food or break something? That's fine
Pet destroys this or that? Imminently discover it was bad and the pet is a hero.
There is nothing underhanded, selfish, or even something as simple as a tired child being cross. The worse thing that happens is one of the kids getting grass stains on his pants when he goes out to play after finishing his homework.
The result is a story with very low threat. Yes there are bad guys (mostly distant), but they seem to only be there for the good guys to show how good they are.
June 18, 2018
This is a book for kids and I am not a kid. Had I read this book when I was 11 I probably would have liked it. As an adult it was boring- I use the Apple screen read function to turn Kindle books into audio books and I fell asleep almost every time I listened to this book. When I backed up to the last thing I remembered and started again I never felt like I missed anything significant. The author gives excessive detail on virtually everything so that skipping 50 pages of this book doesn't really affect the story telling. BUT WAIT, IT GETS WORSE . . .
The author basically doesn't really tell a story, let alone an intelligent one. For example, after one attack on the royal family is defeated the bad guy WHO WAS UNKNOWN TO THAT POINT IN TIME decides to take time out of his presumably busy schedule and squander magical resources all to announce to the royals that he has no immediate plans to attack them further. HOW DOES THAT MAKE ANY SENSE WHATSOEVER???? Plus this book lacks any kind of resolution. All that happens in this book is that a princess takes a slime as a pet, that slime grows in intelligence, stops several assassination attempts and everyone grows a year older. Sure, the local assassins and the baron who aided them are dealt with but nothing is done about the big bad guy at all.
Bottom line: This book isn't worth any adult reader's time.
The author basically doesn't really tell a story, let alone an intelligent one. For example, after one attack on the royal family is defeated the bad guy WHO WAS UNKNOWN TO THAT POINT IN TIME decides to take time out of his presumably busy schedule and squander magical resources all to announce to the royals that he has no immediate plans to attack them further. HOW DOES THAT MAKE ANY SENSE WHATSOEVER???? Plus this book lacks any kind of resolution. All that happens in this book is that a princess takes a slime as a pet, that slime grows in intelligence, stops several assassination attempts and everyone grows a year older. Sure, the local assassins and the baron who aided them are dealt with but nothing is done about the big bad guy at all.
Bottom line: This book isn't worth any adult reader's time.
March 20, 2018
2.5 Stars, it was just okay nothing great but not really bad. I found it a little slow and for younger readers. I don't think I will continue with this series. Very surprised about some of the 4 and 5 star rating for this book. It does have a unique point of view but that is not enough to hold the readers attention for the whole book.
January 2, 2018
An ok story. Definitely falls in the YA category and while a lot happens in the book, not a lot happens either.
The prose follows a predictable rhythm which means that the crisis are expected and the lulls end up being mostly introspection.
While I've picked up the 2nd and 3rd books in the series, they might sit in my virtual bookshelf for a while.
The prose follows a predictable rhythm which means that the crisis are expected and the lulls end up being mostly introspection.
While I've picked up the 2nd and 3rd books in the series, they might sit in my virtual bookshelf for a while.
May 19, 2017
A pleasant tale obscured by its need for an editor.
The premise is nice, but the frequent typos, failed word choices, and mid sentence tense changes cry out for an editor. 5-5-2017
The premise is nice, but the frequent typos, failed word choices, and mid sentence tense changes cry out for an editor. 5-5-2017
October 16, 2018
A fun little fantasy adventure story told from the perspective of that lowliest of ubiquitous ARPG (action role playing game) fantasy monsters, the slime. A fairly well realized (if a touch video gamey) fantasy world is introduced though the slowly awakening consciousness of the central character a once normal slime scooped up from a life eating trash in an ally behind a pet-shop and gifted with sentience upon being adopted by a magical princess.
Young adult might be a bit generous as it's more of a children's story, about right for fantasy loving middle school kids or even earlier for advanced readers or for audio books on a long car trip. Though the story does make the attempt to grow up with the reader as it goes, increasing the stakes as well as layering the complexity of the setting with alchemy and arcane and divine magic systems, as well as ranked and classed adventures in line with its ARPG roots.
Though the beginning might be a little slow for some young readers I'd definitely recommend this one for kids starting to read for fun or already into fantasy. Given it's ARPG like setting it may make a good starting point for non readers who are into the right kind of video games as well.
Young adult might be a bit generous as it's more of a children's story, about right for fantasy loving middle school kids or even earlier for advanced readers or for audio books on a long car trip. Though the story does make the attempt to grow up with the reader as it goes, increasing the stakes as well as layering the complexity of the setting with alchemy and arcane and divine magic systems, as well as ranked and classed adventures in line with its ARPG roots.
Though the beginning might be a little slow for some young readers I'd definitely recommend this one for kids starting to read for fun or already into fantasy. Given it's ARPG like setting it may make a good starting point for non readers who are into the right kind of video games as well.
January 5, 2018
I will be the first to say that I was totally not expecting this book to be half as good as it was. This totally blew away my expectations and have set me up to get the rest of the series immediately. Quick overview. This is the story of a simple slime that leads an extraordinary life. It literally starts off in the back allays of the kingdom and ends up being the champion of the the princess. This is the classic story of struggling from the bottom and making it to the top. Although, the Ooze is NOT at the top yet and quite honestly, with the way this is written, I don't if he(it?) ever will be, but he will definitely be a power player in the events to come between saving the kingdom and saving the girl he loves. If you are a fantasy fan, I would implore you to give this a try. Seriously, you will not be disappointed.
January 20, 2019
Excellent story!
There are few things that annoy me more than an author who fails to grasp a basic point of grammar. I'm not talking about essoteric things, I'm talking about dead simple things, like the difference between past and present tense. This book is full of shifting tenses, many times in the middle of sentences. It absolutely drove me mad. And yet...
And yet this story is SO good. The main character is so charming and lovable and earnest in his devotion that you can't help bit be drawn into his world. I reccomend that anyone who loves fantasy and heartwarming tales of love and devotion read this book, despite its drawbacks, I think you will come to love this strange little blob with all the love and devotion that he gives his princess.
There are few things that annoy me more than an author who fails to grasp a basic point of grammar. I'm not talking about essoteric things, I'm talking about dead simple things, like the difference between past and present tense. This book is full of shifting tenses, many times in the middle of sentences. It absolutely drove me mad. And yet...
And yet this story is SO good. The main character is so charming and lovable and earnest in his devotion that you can't help bit be drawn into his world. I reccomend that anyone who loves fantasy and heartwarming tales of love and devotion read this book, despite its drawbacks, I think you will come to love this strange little blob with all the love and devotion that he gives his princess.
January 17, 2022
17 Jan 2022
Skimmed
1. Fantasy kingdom princess goes to a pet shop to pick a pet. She comes back with a blob of squishy slime, much to everyone's wtf reactions. The squishy blob is sentient and magical and is the narrator of the story. The blob becomes closer to the princess, shows off its talents, and helps the royal family thwart plots or something? Idk man. It gets a little blurry at this point.
2. Okay look- I did genuinely like how the blob and the princess got closer to each other, and how the blob grows from baby blob to more accomplished blob. These things are genuinely cure. But they are quickly overshadowed by enemies attacking the royals and some pretty unremarkable worldbuilding and... it just does not work. The characters are incredibly flat for the most part. Everyone's intentions are both easily visible and very, very simple. I'm sorry, but if you need me to sit through 400-odd pages of this, you're going to have to give me more than that.
3. I would have liked this book much better if we'd just stuck with the ooze slowly developing into a superpower.
Skimmed
1. Fantasy kingdom princess goes to a pet shop to pick a pet. She comes back with a blob of squishy slime, much to everyone's wtf reactions. The squishy blob is sentient and magical and is the narrator of the story. The blob becomes closer to the princess, shows off its talents, and helps the royal family thwart plots or something? Idk man. It gets a little blurry at this point.
2. Okay look- I did genuinely like how the blob and the princess got closer to each other, and how the blob grows from baby blob to more accomplished blob. These things are genuinely cure. But they are quickly overshadowed by enemies attacking the royals and some pretty unremarkable worldbuilding and... it just does not work. The characters are incredibly flat for the most part. Everyone's intentions are both easily visible and very, very simple. I'm sorry, but if you need me to sit through 400-odd pages of this, you're going to have to give me more than that.
3. I would have liked this book much better if we'd just stuck with the ooze slowly developing into a superpower.
January 29, 2018
This was a fun read. It's not amazing, but it is fun. If you're looking for an enjoyable fantasy book with a somewhat unique world told from the perspective of a slime/ ooze then this is a nice diversion.
The story is told from Jelly's perspective as it slowly grows in intelligence and ability while exploring it's world. Jelly has a strong bond with their owner and seeks to protect her at all cost to itself. The story is fairly cute and strongly fits into what I call a "candy book" (an easy, fun read that isn't very deep or valuable, but still worthwhile).
There are a few typo's in the book, but they aren't glaring enough to distract from the story.
The story is told from Jelly's perspective as it slowly grows in intelligence and ability while exploring it's world. Jelly has a strong bond with their owner and seeks to protect her at all cost to itself. The story is fairly cute and strongly fits into what I call a "candy book" (an easy, fun read that isn't very deep or valuable, but still worthwhile).
There are a few typo's in the book, but they aren't glaring enough to distract from the story.
June 17, 2018
Vastly Creative but flawed
I love the character ooze as it is truly unique. The magic is inventive and the story moves along quickly. But oh! As a professor of English for 33 years I am so bothered by the sliding from verb tense to tense in a single sentence let alone throughout the entire story! And the misuse if words and the many grammatical mistakes. Where, oh where, was your proofreader? This reminded me of the work my creative writers turned: very creative but lacking a firm base in the English language. I like the story and look forward to reading sequels but i do hope the proofreading for proper structure increases drastically.
I love the character ooze as it is truly unique. The magic is inventive and the story moves along quickly. But oh! As a professor of English for 33 years I am so bothered by the sliding from verb tense to tense in a single sentence let alone throughout the entire story! And the misuse if words and the many grammatical mistakes. Where, oh where, was your proofreader? This reminded me of the work my creative writers turned: very creative but lacking a firm base in the English language. I like the story and look forward to reading sequels but i do hope the proofreading for proper structure increases drastically.
January 24, 2018
This is a nice story, not much more can be said. It is about a loyal pet that wants to protect its owner, a pet that slowly grows into being more than just a pile of Jelly. It is a refreshing perspective, even if it isn't a very complex one, and the characters, while not complex either, fit the story well. There are sad parts, happy parts, scary parts, everything one might want from a fairytale. There are also some annoying grammatical errors every once in a while, especially present/past tense issues.
January 9, 2018
Set in some magical land, a princess went to buy a magic pet (having a magical pet is a sign of social standing). Instead of picking something cool like a lily-lynx (a lynx that eats only flowers and can control all plants), the princess is drawn to and picks an ooze/slime as her pet. Unheard of! The petstore owner was only selling it as a joke!
It was a cute story, there was nothing wrong with it. It didn't hook me at all though, and the longer I read, the more and more I was noticing the grammar issues instead of the story, so I stopped reading at 7%.
It was a cute story, there was nothing wrong with it. It didn't hook me at all though, and the longer I read, the more and more I was noticing the grammar issues instead of the story, so I stopped reading at 7%.
January 2, 2018
A slimeball as a pet!
Oozes are normal monsters in this world.
When Princess Liliana chooses an ooze as Harper and names him Jelly. Their lives change. Jelly saves her life and other royals many times. However, each passing day and being blessed by the Gods, he becomes more intelligent.
The book was good, I did find some typos, but not many.
I would encourage others to read this book. It's interesting to see it through the "eyes" of an Ooze.
Oozes are normal monsters in this world.
When Princess Liliana chooses an ooze as Harper and names him Jelly. Their lives change. Jelly saves her life and other royals many times. However, each passing day and being blessed by the Gods, he becomes more intelligent.
The book was good, I did find some typos, but not many.
I would encourage others to read this book. It's interesting to see it through the "eyes" of an Ooze.
February 14, 2018
Great but also funny
Yeah really enjoyed it I have a tendency of bouncing from book to book and normally don’t finish a book unless it intrigues me I read the sample and became very interested in this book I have enjoyed it and found it both attention grabbing as well as some ones hilarious who would think a slime would have such a interesting life shows that we can’t judge everything by its cover
Yeah really enjoyed it I have a tendency of bouncing from book to book and normally don’t finish a book unless it intrigues me I read the sample and became very interested in this book I have enjoyed it and found it both attention grabbing as well as some ones hilarious who would think a slime would have such a interesting life shows that we can’t judge everything by its cover
November 27, 2017
Very good
The bad: some typos and some odd switches from past to present tense.
The good: everything else. I've read a few monster stories; they usually end up evil (which I like) or good in an illogical way (which I don't like). This is the first monster pov I've read that has a believably good monster MC. I enjoyed the story and hope the series lasts.
The bad: some typos and some odd switches from past to present tense.
The good: everything else. I've read a few monster stories; they usually end up evil (which I like) or good in an illogical way (which I don't like). This is the first monster pov I've read that has a believably good monster MC. I enjoyed the story and hope the series lasts.
January 13, 2020
Okay, I am impressed.
I came into this one expecting something cutesy or maybe silly.What I found instead is a tale of loyalty, pure love, and true heroism from one of the most overlooked fantasy creatures. The voice is easy and pleasant, the cast of characters a delight, and I honestly can't wait to read the next book. A true delight!
I came into this one expecting something cutesy or maybe silly.What I found instead is a tale of loyalty, pure love, and true heroism from one of the most overlooked fantasy creatures. The voice is easy and pleasant, the cast of characters a delight, and I honestly can't wait to read the next book. A true delight!
November 19, 2021
Would be alrightish... If not for the descriptions. Writer drowns us in it. As if we would read a description of his fictional world. Which is opposite to my belief that description should be like seasoning or light side snacks to the main dish, the story.
All in all the serie of books seems to target young adults. As it mixes childish naivety with some gruesome scenes.
All in all the serie of books seems to target young adults. As it mixes childish naivety with some gruesome scenes.
December 30, 2022
A Different Kind of Hero
What an interesting book. The hero is so physically unusual. He, Jelly, has a progressive viewpoint, though based at all times on his owner being safe. The peril a princess can get into can be deadly for her pet as well.
I'm looking forward to the next book. I would recommend this book to anyone who likes a fresh look at being a hero.
What an interesting book. The hero is so physically unusual. He, Jelly, has a progressive viewpoint, though based at all times on his owner being safe. The peril a princess can get into can be deadly for her pet as well.
I'm looking forward to the next book. I would recommend this book to anyone who likes a fresh look at being a hero.
June 19, 2017
You just HAD to be a good writer
Engaging, fast flowing and absorbing...I almost regretted reading this book because I knew it meant I'd more or less "have" to buy the next one...Well played.
Engaging, fast flowing and absorbing...I almost regretted reading this book because I knew it meant I'd more or less "have" to buy the next one...Well played.
November 29, 2017
Very Enjoyable For All
This story may be a clean classical fantasy, but it is also a very interesting entertaining fast paced action packed tale. It is of a being becoming sentient, and protecting the person who gave it's life meaning.
This story may be a clean classical fantasy, but it is also a very interesting entertaining fast paced action packed tale. It is of a being becoming sentient, and protecting the person who gave it's life meaning.
December 27, 2017
Pretty good.
Logical storyline. Some plot holes and grammar mistakes, but not so many that the book is unenjoyable. Good if you're looking for a fun read. I'm buying the next book.
Logical storyline. Some plot holes and grammar mistakes, but not so many that the book is unenjoyable. Good if you're looking for a fun read. I'm buying the next book.
January 8, 2018
Fun and well done
I enjoyed this title significantly more than I was expecting, and for the first time in a while it felt like the auther could actually write. Thankyou Ian for the story. I will be starting book two right away!
I enjoyed this title significantly more than I was expecting, and for the first time in a while it felt like the auther could actually write. Thankyou Ian for the story. I will be starting book two right away!
June 14, 2018
Amazing book
I expected a fun read based on the book title and description.I found so much more .The book is very well written and the characters are very believable.I read the book in one sitting,I couldn't put it down.Anyone who enjoys fantasy fiction should love this book.
I expected a fun read based on the book title and description.I found so much more .The book is very well written and the characters are very believable.I read the book in one sitting,I couldn't put it down.Anyone who enjoys fantasy fiction should love this book.
June 25, 2018
Good book
A nice gamelit book, people level up there power, though the author did not go in depth on how it is done. 99 percent from the veiw of the slime, so no bouncing around multiple characters. Only a few typos ( quiet instead of quite). Well worth the read.
A nice gamelit book, people level up there power, though the author did not go in depth on how it is done. 99 percent from the veiw of the slime, so no bouncing around multiple characters. Only a few typos ( quiet instead of quite). Well worth the read.
July 29, 2018
Overall enjoyable, but the number of spelling mistakes, missing words and random tense changes might be off-putting.
(Especially the tenses started to get to me by the end. Not only were there changes within scenes, there were changes within sentences as well.)
(Especially the tenses started to get to me by the end. Not only were there changes within scenes, there were changes within sentences as well.)
August 4, 2018
What a fun book! Well written and will suck you in!
This was a really enjoyable book to read. Jelly and the princess make a cute team. I really can't find anything to complain about are all. Just excited to read the rest of the series!
This was a really enjoyable book to read. Jelly and the princess make a cute team. I really can't find anything to complain about are all. Just excited to read the rest of the series!
December 29, 2018
Awesome
Never expected to love a book about an ooze as much as i do lol. Its a lot of slice of life story with only a few "action" chapters. But you fall in love with the world and the princess and Jelly.
Never expected to love a book about an ooze as much as i do lol. Its a lot of slice of life story with only a few "action" chapters. But you fall in love with the world and the princess and Jelly.
August 1, 2020
Not bad.
Nothing wrong with this one. Colorful characters and a well paced story. The lack of anything happening is what gives it three stars. It is a boring story, well told, but still boring. It reads more of a set up piece rather than a book one of a series.
Nothing wrong with this one. Colorful characters and a well paced story. The lack of anything happening is what gives it three stars. It is a boring story, well told, but still boring. It reads more of a set up piece rather than a book one of a series.
March 31, 2023
This is a feel good book, to me it's a nice break. Like going from watching Attack on Titan to watching a wholesome "I've Been Killing Slimes for 300 Years and Maxed Out My Level" this book is obviously not going to blow your socks off, or make you write home.. but it made me feel good.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 73 reviews