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Dungeons & Dragons: Endless Quest
Big Trouble
When evil giants attack your home in Ardeep Forest, your parents think you're dead, and they go hunting for your missing little brother. You wake up and set out after them, helped by a giant wizard who lives in a flying tower. You don't know where they've gone, but you know that if you don't find them, you're all in big trouble. Wield your magic wisely against the giants, wizard. Welcome to the Forgotten Realms Endless Quest.
You are about to embark on a journey. To where, only you could possibly say. It is not a journey like any you have been on before, where you start at the beginning and continue on a straight course until you reach the end. Instead, you will be presented with many choices along the way. Each time you are faced with one such choice, given to you by your narrator, make your decision from the options that are given and then follow the directions to continue your adventure. Once your quest has cone to an end, either favorably, or, as I'm afraid in some instance it is foretold, gruesomely, return to the beginning of the track or the last choice and try again.
RUNNING TIME ➼ 3hrs. and 33mins.
©2020 Dreamscape Media, LLC (P)2020 Dreamscape Media, LLC
You are about to embark on a journey. To where, only you could possibly say. It is not a journey like any you have been on before, where you start at the beginning and continue on a straight course until you reach the end. Instead, you will be presented with many choices along the way. Each time you are faced with one such choice, given to you by your narrator, make your decision from the options that are given and then follow the directions to continue your adventure. Once your quest has cone to an end, either favorably, or, as I'm afraid in some instance it is foretold, gruesomely, return to the beginning of the track or the last choice and try again.
RUNNING TIME ➼ 3hrs. and 33mins.
©2020 Dreamscape Media, LLC (P)2020 Dreamscape Media, LLC
Audible Audio
First published August 7, 2018
About the author
Matt Forbeck
210 books315 followersI'm an award-winning, New York Times-bestselling author and game designer and happily married father of five, including a set of quadruplets. For more on my work, see Forbeck.com.
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Displaying 1 - 23 of 23 reviews
December 10, 2018
Originally reviewed for YA Books Central: http://www.yabookscentral.com/yaficti...
Told in second-person present-tense, this fantasy is styled after the beloved choose-your-own-adventure books of yore. It also features a vast array of renowned D&D art, with works ranging from sepia to full color.
As the story opens, you are given a more extensive backdrop of information than is seen in some of the other books in this series. You are a juvenile elf living in an ancient tree, along with your wizard parents and much younger brother. Right in the middle of your not-quite-clicking magic studies, the ground shakes. Hill giants are approaching your home, and their intentions are vile. Your parents spring into action, instructing you to protect and hide your brother. Do you obey them? Do you stand with your parents to defend your home? Or do you grab your little brother and make a run for it through the forest?
The larger print, abundant imagery, and vagueness in regard to violence all culminate to make this material ideally suited to the lower range of Middle Grade. Not all roads lead to a gruesome death! But… a few of them might.
If you, dear reader, are anything like me… you can count on needing at least a half-dozen bookmarks to note the pages you may want to return to if your storyline’s ending strikes you as less than ideal. >.> (Why yes, I did go back and try every single fork in the non-linear option tree. You live your life and I’ll live mine. ;P)
I regret I wasn’t able to enjoy this book as much as To Catch A Thief, or Escape The Underdark. Unlike with the aforementioned titles in this series, the main character you are acting as/for comes with a history and background (i.e. A family, including wizard parents and a high liability little brother.) The background itself isn’t such a bad thing, although it gives more sentimental tilt to decision making than we saw in previous installments. More irritatingly, the character you play is apparently too young and inexperienced to pass as an actual wizard. So, if you go into this hoping for decision tree choices that will involve using magic… you will be largely disappointed. To that end, the claim on the cover of “You are a wizard!” makes a promise to readers that the book doesn’t truly fulfill. >.> “You are a fledgling wannabe magic user who will mostly be running, hiding, seeking, and getting in WAY over your head!” would have been a more apt tagline… although admittedly, a bit more cumbersome.
As I have mentioned in related reviews, my primary suggestion for future installments would be the inclusion of a character sheet at the beginning. I think this would help readers with their decision-making, as well as introduce a foundational concept that could later transfer to the tabletop game. (It would also be neat to have a playable character ready-made. Just saying.)
A hopeful option for reluctant readers, budding D&D fans, and kids who generally appreciate having more engagement and agency in their reading material. Although, I would recommend other books in this series over this particular work.
Told in second-person present-tense, this fantasy is styled after the beloved choose-your-own-adventure books of yore. It also features a vast array of renowned D&D art, with works ranging from sepia to full color.
As the story opens, you are given a more extensive backdrop of information than is seen in some of the other books in this series. You are a juvenile elf living in an ancient tree, along with your wizard parents and much younger brother. Right in the middle of your not-quite-clicking magic studies, the ground shakes. Hill giants are approaching your home, and their intentions are vile. Your parents spring into action, instructing you to protect and hide your brother. Do you obey them? Do you stand with your parents to defend your home? Or do you grab your little brother and make a run for it through the forest?
The larger print, abundant imagery, and vagueness in regard to violence all culminate to make this material ideally suited to the lower range of Middle Grade. Not all roads lead to a gruesome death! But… a few of them might.
If you, dear reader, are anything like me… you can count on needing at least a half-dozen bookmarks to note the pages you may want to return to if your storyline’s ending strikes you as less than ideal. >.> (Why yes, I did go back and try every single fork in the non-linear option tree. You live your life and I’ll live mine. ;P)
I regret I wasn’t able to enjoy this book as much as To Catch A Thief, or Escape The Underdark. Unlike with the aforementioned titles in this series, the main character you are acting as/for comes with a history and background (i.e. A family, including wizard parents and a high liability little brother.) The background itself isn’t such a bad thing, although it gives more sentimental tilt to decision making than we saw in previous installments. More irritatingly, the character you play is apparently too young and inexperienced to pass as an actual wizard. So, if you go into this hoping for decision tree choices that will involve using magic… you will be largely disappointed. To that end, the claim on the cover of “You are a wizard!” makes a promise to readers that the book doesn’t truly fulfill. >.> “You are a fledgling wannabe magic user who will mostly be running, hiding, seeking, and getting in WAY over your head!” would have been a more apt tagline… although admittedly, a bit more cumbersome.
As I have mentioned in related reviews, my primary suggestion for future installments would be the inclusion of a character sheet at the beginning. I think this would help readers with their decision-making, as well as introduce a foundational concept that could later transfer to the tabletop game. (It would also be neat to have a playable character ready-made. Just saying.)
A hopeful option for reluctant readers, budding D&D fans, and kids who generally appreciate having more engagement and agency in their reading material. Although, I would recommend other books in this series over this particular work.
March 15, 2020
This one's endings were more depressing than the others I've read so far. Liked the giants, though.
October 10, 2018
Well...it took me three tries to finish this book. I survived, but it still wasn't the happiest of endings. Oh well. I guess that happens sometimes. I actually really hope they decide to continue with this Endless Quest series and do the other classes. I'm not going to lie--I'd really be interested in the Druid and Barbarian books.
March 6, 2024
Following the father was much more heroic. I do like Harshnag. More plot armour than necessary.
April 15, 2020
Had sad endings.and I end up having my little elf brother no parents at all all died.If I was in the book I will just find a way to kill myself .
February 19, 2019
I died pretty early on in Big trouble to my absolute shock. I don’t play a lot of spell caster classes in the game and I often tend to forget just how squishy some of them can be. I found this one to be the hardest by far and died about four or five times, I did manage to survive twice but with unsatisfactory endings and a pretty good one. Despite having now read through Big Trouble at least eight times I’m fairly certain there’s still more to discover and plan to give it a few more tries still! This one felt a lot more suited to the chosen class of Wizard, although I definitely think it would fit an arcane trickster rogue too and as my favourite rogue archetype, this made me pretty happy.
You can check out my review of the entire series at my blog: https://wordpress.com/post/fantasticb...
You can check out my review of the entire series at my blog: https://wordpress.com/post/fantasticb...
April 30, 2019
Big Trouble by Matt Forbeck, 122 pages. Candlewick Entertainment, 2018. $8.99
Language: G (0 swears, 0 “f”); Mature Content: G; Violence: PG
BUYING ADVISORY: EL – ADVISABLE
AUDIENCE APPEAL: AVERAGE
You are the main character of this story, and you have a lot of difficult decisions to make when a normal day is interrupted by giants attacking your home. Do you run, hide, or fight? Choose wisely, for it just might be the last choice you ever make.
Choose your own adventure books are the video games of literature, and the participation is what makes this book fun. A lot of the choices seem intuitive, but Forbeck also throws in a couple of seemingly random choices that keep things interesting. You never know what will be around the corner of your adventure.
Reviewer: Carolina Herdegen
https://kissthebookjr.blogspot.com/20...
Language: G (0 swears, 0 “f”); Mature Content: G; Violence: PG
BUYING ADVISORY: EL – ADVISABLE
AUDIENCE APPEAL: AVERAGE
You are the main character of this story, and you have a lot of difficult decisions to make when a normal day is interrupted by giants attacking your home. Do you run, hide, or fight? Choose wisely, for it just might be the last choice you ever make.
Choose your own adventure books are the video games of literature, and the participation is what makes this book fun. A lot of the choices seem intuitive, but Forbeck also throws in a couple of seemingly random choices that keep things interesting. You never know what will be around the corner of your adventure.
Reviewer: Carolina Herdegen
https://kissthebookjr.blogspot.com/20...
November 5, 2018
Enjoyable like some of the other Endless Quest books, this one vaguely follows the narrative of Storm King's Thunder.
There is an early decision in this book, which greatly changes what will happen in your story, either going to save your mother and brother, or go after your father. Depending which direction you chose, it dictates which giants and challenges you face. At least with saving your mother and brother, there wasn't a path I could find that then led back to finding your father.
This means there is a LOT of variety in this story. I also quite liked playing a magic user, as it gave what felt like more varied options to choose from.
The artwork in this, like all the new Endless Quest books is excellent. Overall a fun read.
There is an early decision in this book, which greatly changes what will happen in your story, either going to save your mother and brother, or go after your father. Depending which direction you chose, it dictates which giants and challenges you face. At least with saving your mother and brother, there wasn't a path I could find that then led back to finding your father.
This means there is a LOT of variety in this story. I also quite liked playing a magic user, as it gave what felt like more varied options to choose from.
The artwork in this, like all the new Endless Quest books is excellent. Overall a fun read.
February 17, 2019
Language: G (0 swears, 0 “f”); Mature Content: G; Violence: PG
You are the main character of this story, and you have a lot of difficult decisions to make when a normal day is interrupted by giants attacking your home. Do you run, hide, or fight? Choose wisely, for it just might be the last choice you ever make.
Choose your own adventure books are the video games of literature, and the participation is what makes this book fun. A lot of the choices seem intuitive, but Forbeck also throws in a couple of seemingly random choices that keep things interesting. You never know what will be around the corner of your adventure.
Reviewed for https://kissthebook.blogspot.com/
You are the main character of this story, and you have a lot of difficult decisions to make when a normal day is interrupted by giants attacking your home. Do you run, hide, or fight? Choose wisely, for it just might be the last choice you ever make.
Choose your own adventure books are the video games of literature, and the participation is what makes this book fun. A lot of the choices seem intuitive, but Forbeck also throws in a couple of seemingly random choices that keep things interesting. You never know what will be around the corner of your adventure.
Reviewed for https://kissthebook.blogspot.com/
July 10, 2018
I received a copy of this for a fair and honest review. This is the third of those books this kind I have review. I am a tremble adventurer. I guess I take to many risk or that I am to nosy. I seem to find a lot of tragic endings for myself. But I have to say that I have a lot fun getting to those point even if it's not the end that the book actually wants you too. Grab a copy of this and have a go. It can get a little strange but that is part of the appeal.
December 6, 2018
I died the first two times I went through the book. I wonder if that gives you any indication of how I play D&D? Anyway, all in all I lived five times and died three and then I decided that was enough for me. I was hoping for a little more substance from this book, a longer adventure, and it did not deliver. However, bearing in mind that it is middle grade, it might just be enough of an adventure for the age group it is intended for.
September 18, 2021
This Book has high production values and good illustrations. But, … that is the only positive thing I have to say about it. The art was the only reason for more then one star.
A book like this should not be given to someone who does not understand or like the Wizard class. The character is unable to act heroically, as even the smartest choices will - at best - be about calling for help help from various NPCs who solve the characters problems. She successfully solves NOTHING on her own.
A book like this should not be given to someone who does not understand or like the Wizard class. The character is unable to act heroically, as even the smartest choices will - at best - be about calling for help help from various NPCs who solve the characters problems. She successfully solves NOTHING on her own.
September 8, 2018
I don't really know what to say besides if you enjoy this type of book you'll want to pick this up. It's very fun, more fun than the Cleric one. I haven't picked up Rogue and Fighter, though as soon as I can I'll be doing so. My husband and I read these on a long road trip and I 100% suggest something like that. It's a blast.
October 20, 2018
This was a good, quick read. I've started playing Dungeons and Dragons, and this book lets the reader choose whay path to lead in the adventure. This can be a good introduction to the RPG for younger readers.
October 16, 2018
It was enjoyable. But even though I read through a few different paths I never go the impression that I was reading a story about a wizard.
March 18, 2019
I love that this series exists, but unfortunately they're pretty poorly written.
February 15, 2020
You'll find the review for this book and two others of this series in:
https://cupcakesandpopcorn.wordpress....
https://cupcakesandpopcorn.wordpress....
December 18, 2023
Pretty dull action and writing, a lot of stereotypes, not a lot of control over your character.
February 23, 2019
At first I wasn’t really into this story, and I couldn’t tell if, after reading a couple of these already, it had probably lost its novelty or I had lost my nostalgia. But then I kept reading to get to the different endings, and I liked how varied the endings were.
It seemed more than just the one or two “winning” endings and the rest of them ending in death like I remember a lot of the Choose Your Own Adventure type stories always seemed to.
This may be my favorite one out of the three that were released at the same time.
Worth checking out if you missed the Endless Quest books we had as kids, or like Dungeons & Dragons, or just enjoy interactive books.
Thanks to NetGalley and Candlewick Press for a copy in return for an honest review.
It seemed more than just the one or two “winning” endings and the rest of them ending in death like I remember a lot of the Choose Your Own Adventure type stories always seemed to.
This may be my favorite one out of the three that were released at the same time.
Worth checking out if you missed the Endless Quest books we had as kids, or like Dungeons & Dragons, or just enjoy interactive books.
Thanks to NetGalley and Candlewick Press for a copy in return for an honest review.
June 27, 2018
This is a great choose-your-own-adventure style book. You're chilling at home minding your own business when giants attack! There are lots of choices for you to make, and most of the paths lead to a pretty bad ending. Have fun trying to find the path that leads you to a victorious end!
I love how many options there are, and how sometimes when you think you're choosing the "safe" option there's a plot twist and it wasn't so safe after all. I read through this about three times and then gave up trying to survive this encounter with the giants. I sure wasn't able to find a path to a happy ending, though in flipping through and reading some of the endings there ARE a few... well, it not HAPPY endings, at least less horrible ones that don't result in your death.
Warning that there is a fair amount of death and dismemberment in this book (plus giants eating people and choking to death), so it's not for a very young audience.
I love how many options there are, and how sometimes when you think you're choosing the "safe" option there's a plot twist and it wasn't so safe after all. I read through this about three times and then gave up trying to survive this encounter with the giants. I sure wasn't able to find a path to a happy ending, though in flipping through and reading some of the endings there ARE a few... well, it not HAPPY endings, at least less horrible ones that don't result in your death.
Warning that there is a fair amount of death and dismemberment in this book (plus giants eating people and choking to death), so it's not for a very young audience.
August 19, 2018
It has been ages since I've read a Choose Your Own Adventure type story, and I have to say that these D&D ones are great fun and made me feel like a kid again. I would absolutely recommend all of them to Dungeons and Dragons fans but also to those who want to experience the nostalgia of the CYOA books you loved as a child.
September 13, 2018
Matt Forbeck crafts yet another solid story with engaging characters, evocative backgrounds, and the added fun of the Endless Quest choices that make one book into scores of different stories depending on your choices!
Alas, the Netgalley copy I received for a review failed to allow the branching choices to alter the narrative flow while I read this on my Kindle, so I can't comment on the choose-a-path nature of the story.
What I can say is that Matt's characters and their plights grab you from the get-go and show you the Forgotten Realms from a singular/personal perspective. As I was among the few who've written about Ardeep Forest in the past, I enjoyed seeing this from another viewpoint as a fan of the Realms.
Alas, the Netgalley copy I received for a review failed to allow the branching choices to alter the narrative flow while I read this on my Kindle, so I can't comment on the choose-a-path nature of the story.
What I can say is that Matt's characters and their plights grab you from the get-go and show you the Forgotten Realms from a singular/personal perspective. As I was among the few who've written about Ardeep Forest in the past, I enjoyed seeing this from another viewpoint as a fan of the Realms.
Displaying 1 - 23 of 23 reviews