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You can’t hide in an RPG forever.
Eighteen years ago Tom, a barber college student, got trapped in the Monsters, Maces and Magic game world as Josiah the thief.
The first two adventures saw all of Tom’s party members, also trapped within the game world, perish within the fetid depths of the Dark Heart Swamp. His subsequent stint adventuring with NPCs proved short lived. He preferred survival.
Over time, Tom became Josiah, adopting a life blending in with the game world’s NPCs. He gave up advancing as a thief, trained as a lay healer, and works as a barber, cutting hair, pulling teeth, lancing boils and functioning as a low-level operative within the local thieves’ guild.
But life, even one lived as a faux NPC, can get interesting. Such happens when a young half-goblin thief named Gurk shows up in Josiah’s shop, looking for information.
Little did the pair know that the unobtrusive barber shop would become a focal point in a brewing guild war.
Praise for Monsters, Maces, and Magic
“Exciting and hilarious! It feels like a true game with friends.” Dueling Ogres Podcast
Eighteen years ago Tom, a barber college student, got trapped in the Monsters, Maces and Magic game world as Josiah the thief.
The first two adventures saw all of Tom’s party members, also trapped within the game world, perish within the fetid depths of the Dark Heart Swamp. His subsequent stint adventuring with NPCs proved short lived. He preferred survival.
Over time, Tom became Josiah, adopting a life blending in with the game world’s NPCs. He gave up advancing as a thief, trained as a lay healer, and works as a barber, cutting hair, pulling teeth, lancing boils and functioning as a low-level operative within the local thieves’ guild.
But life, even one lived as a faux NPC, can get interesting. Such happens when a young half-goblin thief named Gurk shows up in Josiah’s shop, looking for information.
Little did the pair know that the unobtrusive barber shop would become a focal point in a brewing guild war.
Praise for Monsters, Maces, and Magic
“Exciting and hilarious! It feels like a true game with friends.” Dueling Ogres Podcast
90 pages, Kindle Edition
Published November 26, 2018
15 people are currently reading
19 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews
February 25, 2019
This book was given to me for free at my request and I provided this voluntary review.
This novella was a spinoff of an existing series but the story is standalone. I didn’t realize there were two prior books in the series or I might not have requested it. However, I can tell you that even if you have not ever heard of Monsters, Maces and Magic you can jump in and follow the story without any issues.
This is a LitRPG novella about an adventurer who hung up their gear years ago and now runs a barber shop trying to stay out of trouble, mostly. The author obviously played and enjoyed RPGs a lot. Fans of Kingkiller Chronicles may recognize the setting as similar to the framing device in the novel series and I enjoyed it. The narrator did a great job of portraying a world weary hero who’d rather just do his job rather than deal with the plot he finds himself in the middle of. There are a few twists along the way.
The world and game are similar enough to a DnD campaign that I was able to follow the lingo without any issues. The author also played a bit with characters that were Player Characters, NPCs (Non-player characters) and even a mixture of the two. The author has an obvious love for the mechanics, character and story potential in an RPG setting where players can spend years with their characters and the world around them.
There is atmosphere, action, world building and the short story not only completes its tale but sets up potential plot hooks for more to expanded on later. I would not mind exploring more of this world or reading more on the back story that I’d missed. It’s a satisfying snack that makes some promises for the entrees of the main series but doesn’t demand a large commitment to enjoy. It’s cheap and will give you a sample if you want to try the main course.
This novella was a spinoff of an existing series but the story is standalone. I didn’t realize there were two prior books in the series or I might not have requested it. However, I can tell you that even if you have not ever heard of Monsters, Maces and Magic you can jump in and follow the story without any issues.
This is a LitRPG novella about an adventurer who hung up their gear years ago and now runs a barber shop trying to stay out of trouble, mostly. The author obviously played and enjoyed RPGs a lot. Fans of Kingkiller Chronicles may recognize the setting as similar to the framing device in the novel series and I enjoyed it. The narrator did a great job of portraying a world weary hero who’d rather just do his job rather than deal with the plot he finds himself in the middle of. There are a few twists along the way.
The world and game are similar enough to a DnD campaign that I was able to follow the lingo without any issues. The author also played a bit with characters that were Player Characters, NPCs (Non-player characters) and even a mixture of the two. The author has an obvious love for the mechanics, character and story potential in an RPG setting where players can spend years with their characters and the world around them.
There is atmosphere, action, world building and the short story not only completes its tale but sets up potential plot hooks for more to expanded on later. I would not mind exploring more of this world or reading more on the back story that I’d missed. It’s a satisfying snack that makes some promises for the entrees of the main series but doesn’t demand a large commitment to enjoy. It’s cheap and will give you a sample if you want to try the main course.
March 19, 2019
I received an Audible code via Audiobook Boom for an honest review. What follows is my opinion and mine alone. There was no compensation made for this review.I love fantasy. Give me a five man band, a quest, and an elaborate world any day. Give me intrigue. Give me action. Give me D&D. Yeah, I play D&D, so what? (if you care, I prefer my fighters and barbarians. Usually humans and male. One day I'll get to play a half-orc).Anyways, when I see a fantasy audiobook about a person stuck in a RPG, I was won.Guild is a short action packed story that feels like a single campaign day. It isn't the first in the series but it can be used as a standalone. I was pulled into the world and could see the rules of the world unfold. Like the comment about this book just under the blurb, this really does feel like a game. A fun game that I am going to have to continue.If you love fantasy and action, this is a fun quick read that keeps your attention. I was able to listen to it while working and it made the work day very enjoyable. I did have a few weird looks with my random giggling though. So, beware on that.All in all, I'm going to be listening to the other two one day.Final Rating: 4/5
May 8, 2019
I have not read the earlier books, so this one was read as a stand alone. It gave enough detail that it was perfectly fine by itself, but I honestly think I would have enjoyed it more if I had read the series. I did like the fact that this was short enough that it can be finished in a day... Often these stories can be long enough that I end up staying up way too late wanting to finish them and not wanting to put them down. This was a very well written, detailed and narrated wonderfully. If you are into D&D and RPG Lit. then you will find this to be a fun read/listen.
As a morality rating I would warn that as in this genre you will find some graphic violence and content geared for young adult audiences with some sexual references and content.
I was given this free review copy audiobook at my request and have voluntarily left this review.
As a morality rating I would warn that as in this genre you will find some graphic violence and content geared for young adult audiences with some sexual references and content.
I was given this free review copy audiobook at my request and have voluntarily left this review.
August 1, 2019
This is a stand alone take from Monsters, Maces and Magic book series by Terry Ervin II. It's pretty good and enjoyed it slot. You'll need to have a basic working knowledge of series to fully enjoy it but even if you don't, it's still a fun quick read.
I wouldn't mind seeing Terry do some more novellas in this series or maybe his Flank Hawk series.
I wouldn't mind seeing Terry do some more novellas in this series or maybe his Flank Hawk series.
January 8, 2019
This was my first time reading an RPG-style novella and thought it well done. Interesting premise, descriptive world. Took awhile to get into it but once I caught on it was a quick read. If you enjoy RPG adventures try this short campaign scenario.
November 27, 2020
Guild is an enjoyable side-story set in the Monsters, Maces, and Magic world. The main protagonist this time is Tom / Josias, another player from the 'real world', who was transported into the fantasy realm almost twenty years earlier. Having lost his entire party not long after they'd arrived, he's given up on adventuring and runs a barbershop within Three Hills City, while also working as a low-level contact within the Thieves Guild. This novella does see our heroes from the previous works return, albeit this time as supporting characters. An interesting perspective from Josias comes from his assumption that, given how the members of the party talk, they are PCs or 'player characters', meaning someone in the real world is controlling them, like one would in a gaming session. This leads to the question of whether Josias is simply trapped within a game, or if it is alternate universe, like our main-story protagonists reckon.
I thoroughly enjoyed this novella, though like some readers, I really wish it had been longer. Josias, the former thief / retired adventurer, is a fascinating character, who I hope turns up again in future volumes. The ending did feel a bit abrupt, though it is a credit to the story that I did not wish for it to end. I view this as a bit of a 'world building' tale, used to add depth to side characters within the larger narrative, as well as the world they live in. Given Tom / Josias' perspective as someone who was transported from the real world (who has no idea if there may be others) and has lived within this realm for nearly two decades, we are left with a lot of open-ended questions that leave the reader longing to read more.
As expected, Jonathan Waters' narration fails to disappoint. It is for this reason that I am continuing with the audiobook versions of this series. I look forward to Book Four!
I thoroughly enjoyed this novella, though like some readers, I really wish it had been longer. Josias, the former thief / retired adventurer, is a fascinating character, who I hope turns up again in future volumes. The ending did feel a bit abrupt, though it is a credit to the story that I did not wish for it to end. I view this as a bit of a 'world building' tale, used to add depth to side characters within the larger narrative, as well as the world they live in. Given Tom / Josias' perspective as someone who was transported from the real world (who has no idea if there may be others) and has lived within this realm for nearly two decades, we are left with a lot of open-ended questions that leave the reader longing to read more.
As expected, Jonathan Waters' narration fails to disappoint. It is for this reason that I am continuing with the audiobook versions of this series. I look forward to Book Four!
August 11, 2022
I am loving this series, the only reason I docked a star is that the book is too short - a novella or a long short story. This is not my favorite story form and normally I would not give over three stars but the book is so damn good and the author's love of D&D shines through.
I is almost stand alone but you really need to have read the prior books to get the most out of it also it is really too short for any real development and I would really have liked more of Tom/Josiah's backstory also a little more detail on the thieves’ guild.
Already gotten the next one on my Kindle
I is almost stand alone but you really need to have read the prior books to get the most out of it also it is really too short for any real development and I would really have liked more of Tom/Josiah's backstory also a little more detail on the thieves’ guild.
Already gotten the next one on my Kindle
March 22, 2020
My third read from author Terry W. Ervin II. This book starts a little slower than the first 2 books but about a third of the way through it took off. Reminiscent of Joel Rosenberg’s Guardians of the Flame Series this was a well-written entertaining read, looks to be an enjoyable series. I was given an Audible copy of this book & am voluntarily reviewing it. (RIP Marley January 20, 2014 - July 24, 2018).
October 5, 2022
This is a short side quest revolving around the (probably) evil dagger that the group acquired. It introduces some new characters and a possible thieves' guild war. Some of the characters from the previous two books do appear in this one but are almost relegated to spectators.
This series still has me captivated and I will continue with it.
I received a free copy of this book and chose to write a review.
This series still has me captivated and I will continue with it.
I received a free copy of this book and chose to write a review.
October 8, 2020
I am enjoying this series and the main characters with all their quirks. I am hoping this Series goes on for Several more Audible books. Narrator did a lovely job on the voices of the characters and the storyline.
Highly recommend this series.
Highly recommend this series.
July 17, 2021
Great Story!
What a fun and fantastic way to introduce a new character. I’m excited to see more of him.
The narration is wonderful. He does an amazing job on all the many unique characters.
This is book 3 in this series.
I recommend this book/series.
Sisters Spotlight 💜
What a fun and fantastic way to introduce a new character. I’m excited to see more of him.
The narration is wonderful. He does an amazing job on all the many unique characters.
This is book 3 in this series.
I recommend this book/series.
Sisters Spotlight 💜
February 12, 2019
2019 POPSUGAR Reading Challenge: A LitRPG book
2019 Book Riot Read Harder Challenge: A book published prior to Jan. 1, 2019 with fewer than 100 reviews on Goodreads
2019 Book Riot Read Harder Challenge: A book published prior to Jan. 1, 2019 with fewer than 100 reviews on Goodreads
September 21, 2021
I am enjoyed this story. It has some snarky characters which I love. However it's book 3 which I didn’t notice so I will go back and read the first 2. Great narrator. I loved the voices in this one.
Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews