In Plain Sight

by Arthur Daigle

Monsters wear many faces. The Great Zamphini has many talents, but he's no soldier. With most of the men away fighting at war, who will protect the citizens left behind?

Short Story

41 pages, ebook

First published January 1, 2017

Reviews

[Michelle · Rating 5 out of 5]

This short story, found within the Hall of Heroes: A Fellowship of Fantasy Anthology, was my first introduction to Arthur Daigle, and both he and it are amazing. Daigle manages to create a remarkably filled out world in just a few pages. The title character, Zamphini, isn't your typical big romance hero, or even the stereotypical underdog, chosen one who becomes a hero;, no, Zamphini is a middle-aged, heavyset children's entertainer living in a land being ravaged by a Duke's foolish skirmishes. With the loss of many of his town's menfolk, someone needs to step up and deal with the troublemakers and monsters left-behind. That someone is Zamphini and his clockwork dolls.

The story is clever and funny. Zamphini is the type of character you just WANT to root for. Typically I go to Sir Terry Pratchett and W.R. Gingell to tickle my funny bone and find creative lands of magic, but now I can add Arthur Daigle to my list.

[William · Rating 4 out of 5]

I listened to this as part of the Hall of Heroes: A Fellowship of Fantasy Anthology. Twenty seven novellas by various authors. As with all multiple story novels you like some better than others. I would recommend to reader of fantasy novels. 2023