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The Plot Bandits #1
The Disposable
The Narrative Must Be Obeyed
Everyone in the Taskmaster’s Realm knows how the story goes: the boy of destiny goes on a quest, defeats the dark lord, and gets the swooning princess. It’s a great story, if you happen to be a knight or a wizard or a hero. But it’s pretty odious if you’re Ordinary: a barmaid who has to inflate her bosom and have her backside pinched, a homely prince who can’t buckle his swash because his face doesn’t fit, or a soldier who gets killed over and over and over again just to progress the plot.
Fodder of Humble Village is one of those soldiers, and, frankly, he’s sick and tired of getting speared, decapitated, and disembowelled twice a day so the good guys can look glorious. In fact, he’s not going to take it anymore.
No matter what The Narrative tries to make him do.
Everyone in the Taskmaster’s Realm knows how the story goes: the boy of destiny goes on a quest, defeats the dark lord, and gets the swooning princess. It’s a great story, if you happen to be a knight or a wizard or a hero. But it’s pretty odious if you’re Ordinary: a barmaid who has to inflate her bosom and have her backside pinched, a homely prince who can’t buckle his swash because his face doesn’t fit, or a soldier who gets killed over and over and over again just to progress the plot.
Fodder of Humble Village is one of those soldiers, and, frankly, he’s sick and tired of getting speared, decapitated, and disembowelled twice a day so the good guys can look glorious. In fact, he’s not going to take it anymore.
No matter what The Narrative tries to make him do.
293 pages, Paperback
Published April 1, 2020
18 people are currently reading
121 people want to read
About the author
Katherine Vick
4 books16 followersKatherine Vick was born in the middle bit of England longer ago than she’d care to admit (1979, if you must know. Aren’t you nosy?). She studied Geography at University of Wales, Aberystwyth, writing her dissertation on the Role of Landscape and Culture in Fantasy Novels. She then moved onto a Master’s degree in Literary Studies and Creative Writing at University of Central England, where she wrote the dissertation that inspired the creation of Fodder, so she hopes you’ll feel she put her education to good use. She flirted briefly with fast food and retail work before settling down as a college administrator. She spends occasional weekends on historic battlefields in her capacity as a rather clumsy late medieval re-enactor. She (mis)spent a part of her youth writing stories based around other people’s literary and media creations. She likes to read and watch fantasy, history and science fiction - frankly anything that gets her away from the real world, which is far too much trouble. Occasionally she even gets around to writing stuff.
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Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 reviews
June 5, 2020
The Disposable is one of the most unique books I've ever read.
As far as genre, this is a mashup of historical fiction, fantasy, speculative fiction, and action/adventure. Also, add some suspense in there. Really, just take away the labels and call this a fun read for all.
The writing is totally immersive and engaging from the first page.
The content is at turns funny and profound. It's a statement about class, status, and social structure. We look at individuality, leadership, and status quo. For an author to deliver thought-provoking, contemplative content with humor, and to be serious without taking herself too seriously, is a rare gift at which Katherine Vick excels.
The Disposable is the first book in The Plot Bandits series. I received a review copy from Thinklings Books.
As far as genre, this is a mashup of historical fiction, fantasy, speculative fiction, and action/adventure. Also, add some suspense in there. Really, just take away the labels and call this a fun read for all.
The writing is totally immersive and engaging from the first page.
The content is at turns funny and profound. It's a statement about class, status, and social structure. We look at individuality, leadership, and status quo. For an author to deliver thought-provoking, contemplative content with humor, and to be serious without taking herself too seriously, is a rare gift at which Katherine Vick excels.
The Disposable is the first book in The Plot Bandits series. I received a review copy from Thinklings Books.
April 1, 2020
(4.5 stars)
British humor gets me every time. It's so dry. It's so matter-of-fact. And I just cannot get enough of it.
"The Disposable" reads like a full-length Monty Python script blended with the swashbuckling action "The Princess Bride." And hell, sprinkle in a little of Neil Gaiman's "Stardust" for quirky characterization and solid worldbuilding.
But don't let the comparisons deter you — Vick's novel doesn't feel hackneyed or washed-up. The premise of characters fighting back against their own story, the Narrative, feels new and daring. I admit I was skeptical at first that something so meta would break up narrative flow and loosen any desire to see the characters succeed. However, I found an almost immediate connection to Fodder, Flirt, Shoulders, and the host of characters they encounter on their quest to alter their predetermined fates. I feel it won't do any good for me to describe much of the story here — you'll be better off reading it for yourself, feeling the writing soar and chuckling at the constant stream of witty quips.
Absurdity works when wholehearted belief lays behind it (mild *spoiler*, but this idea itself becomes a plot point). Vick, it seems, threw every ounce of belief in this story into her writing. Because of this, the story not only works, but compels, entertains, and provides all the laughter such an unusual storyline promises.
***
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
British humor gets me every time. It's so dry. It's so matter-of-fact. And I just cannot get enough of it.
"The Disposable" reads like a full-length Monty Python script blended with the swashbuckling action "The Princess Bride." And hell, sprinkle in a little of Neil Gaiman's "Stardust" for quirky characterization and solid worldbuilding.
But don't let the comparisons deter you — Vick's novel doesn't feel hackneyed or washed-up. The premise of characters fighting back against their own story, the Narrative, feels new and daring. I admit I was skeptical at first that something so meta would break up narrative flow and loosen any desire to see the characters succeed. However, I found an almost immediate connection to Fodder, Flirt, Shoulders, and the host of characters they encounter on their quest to alter their predetermined fates. I feel it won't do any good for me to describe much of the story here — you'll be better off reading it for yourself, feeling the writing soar and chuckling at the constant stream of witty quips.
Absurdity works when wholehearted belief lays behind it (mild *spoiler*, but this idea itself becomes a plot point). Vick, it seems, threw every ounce of belief in this story into her writing. Because of this, the story not only works, but compels, entertains, and provides all the laughter such an unusual storyline promises.
***
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
May 12, 2022
this reminded me a lot of Terry Pratchett in the best way possible, the story was so fun and hilarious. I really had a great time reading this book.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
August 1, 2021
Honestly, I think this book is most fun a reader can have with getting their meta on. You like stories about stories where they poke fun at the cliches and tropes used in stories while telling a chuffing good story? You got it. Think the same sort of things done by The Princess Bride, Terry Pratchett and The School for Good and Evil (or if you're indie-minded, The Hard Blokes Of Sparta: The Relic In The Dungeon by Jamie Brindle and The Fairy's Tale by F.D. Lee). It's chock with cosy clever humour, characters to warm your heart, and twists enough to confuse a corkscrew.
Oh, you know more or less where things are going to have to go, but it's the journey.
The unHero's journey in this case, as our protagonist is a bloke named Fodder whose sole existence is based around playing a background role as the great Narrative of the time sweeps by. Maybe he's a peasant, maybe he's a bandit, maybe if he's lucky he might even get a brief word or two of description by the Narrative itself... But it's getting to him. Why does he have to be a nobody? Why does his friend Shoulders always get beheaded, only to be fixed up off stage for it to happen again? Why does Flirt always have to play the busty, lusty Barmaid and take all the abuse that comes with it? Why couldn't one of them be the Hero for a change? What with everyone set in their roles and the magical kingdom run like clockwork at the behest of the all-powerful Taskmaster and their Narrative, one Ordinary Bloke doesn't stand a chance... unless he makes one Big Change that could unravel even the best laid of plans. Something like, I don't know, kidnap a petulant Princess straight out of her story and go on the run just to prove a point...
I loved every second of this screwball adventure. From the way pretty much every fairy tale and fantasy trope was stabbed repeatedly with the pointy stick of humour to the way characters both were and weren't what I expected them to be, I couldn't help but be drawn in. The world setting - that of a fantasy land stage managed as stories occur around everyday life - was beautifully done. I adored the comedic touches that could sometimes be a little dark - characters can be "killed" but never die of anything other than old age, so there's not much worrying done should the topic of offing someone come up (don't worry, clean-readers; no gore here). There's great fun to be had in a land where pixies go around remaking the world to match whatever's needed for the Narrative, be it remodelling the Magnificent City or adding in a convenient waterfall. The society built on character roles is the perfect, slightly sarcastic look at storytelling as much as it is about society. Blood and social standing trump all else; upper classes stay on top with the little people told to know their place at the bottom of the ladder. Plus who couldn't love a world where a guy called Grim hangs out in his dark tower waiting to chew the scenery?
The characters are on point perfect playing their resented cliches even as they deep down longed for something else even if they didn't know it. Fodder's your plain old normal guy with nothing but hopeful ambition to make him stand out. He should be dull as dishwater, but he really grew on me because he felt real and normal. Shoulders fills the role of slightly annoying Eeyore-pessimist, though you know there's a heart of gold in there somewhere . Flirt isn't just put out by being forced into #metoo situations by her role, she's got some serious fire even if she hasn't quite worked out the whole sword swinging thing. Princess Pleasance (who is anything but) is your perfect clueless upper-class foil to our three heroes' efforts, matched only by the wonderful Prince Dullard (again who is anything but) . Even side characters like the (technically) evil Grim, or the (technically) monstrous beastly henchmen get a whole lot of love put into showing us who they are.
The only thing this story lacks (other than a true ending because it's a cliffhanger) is... Chapters. It could have made it a more digestible read if it had been broken up into manageable pieces; as-is, it's pretty much one half, then another, and even for a fast reader like me it felt like too much waiting and hoping for a good point to stop. To be fair I didn't want to stop because I was enjoying it so much, but life, y'know?
There's so much I wish I could say about this book, the plot, the general fun and fabulousness of it all... But that's spoilers. If you've read this far, you deserve better. You like comedy that's clever rather than laugh out loud? You've read literally All The Fantasy, know the cliches and think you can't have fun with them any more? You like your heart to be warmed even as a character's head goes flying? Read this and weep tears of salty, salty joy that you'd never thought you'd feel for fantasy fiction again.
Oh, you know more or less where things are going to have to go, but it's the journey.
The unHero's journey in this case, as our protagonist is a bloke named Fodder whose sole existence is based around playing a background role as the great Narrative of the time sweeps by. Maybe he's a peasant, maybe he's a bandit, maybe if he's lucky he might even get a brief word or two of description by the Narrative itself... But it's getting to him. Why does he have to be a nobody? Why does his friend Shoulders always get beheaded, only to be fixed up off stage for it to happen again? Why does Flirt always have to play the busty, lusty Barmaid and take all the abuse that comes with it? Why couldn't one of them be the Hero for a change? What with everyone set in their roles and the magical kingdom run like clockwork at the behest of the all-powerful Taskmaster and their Narrative, one Ordinary Bloke doesn't stand a chance... unless he makes one Big Change that could unravel even the best laid of plans. Something like, I don't know, kidnap a petulant Princess straight out of her story and go on the run just to prove a point...
I loved every second of this screwball adventure. From the way pretty much every fairy tale and fantasy trope was stabbed repeatedly with the pointy stick of humour to the way characters both were and weren't what I expected them to be, I couldn't help but be drawn in. The world setting - that of a fantasy land stage managed as stories occur around everyday life - was beautifully done. I adored the comedic touches that could sometimes be a little dark - characters can be "killed" but never die of anything other than old age, so there's not much worrying done should the topic of offing someone come up (don't worry, clean-readers; no gore here). There's great fun to be had in a land where pixies go around remaking the world to match whatever's needed for the Narrative, be it remodelling the Magnificent City or adding in a convenient waterfall. The society built on character roles is the perfect, slightly sarcastic look at storytelling as much as it is about society. Blood and social standing trump all else; upper classes stay on top with the little people told to know their place at the bottom of the ladder. Plus who couldn't love a world where a guy called Grim hangs out in his dark tower waiting to chew the scenery?
The characters are on point perfect playing their resented cliches even as they deep down longed for something else even if they didn't know it. Fodder's your plain old normal guy with nothing but hopeful ambition to make him stand out. He should be dull as dishwater, but he really grew on me because he felt real and normal. Shoulders fills the role of slightly annoying Eeyore-pessimist, though you know there's a heart of gold in there somewhere . Flirt isn't just put out by being forced into #metoo situations by her role, she's got some serious fire even if she hasn't quite worked out the whole sword swinging thing. Princess Pleasance (who is anything but) is your perfect clueless upper-class foil to our three heroes' efforts, matched only by the wonderful Prince Dullard (again who is anything but) . Even side characters like the (technically) evil Grim, or the (technically) monstrous beastly henchmen get a whole lot of love put into showing us who they are.
The only thing this story lacks (other than a true ending because it's a cliffhanger) is... Chapters. It could have made it a more digestible read if it had been broken up into manageable pieces; as-is, it's pretty much one half, then another, and even for a fast reader like me it felt like too much waiting and hoping for a good point to stop. To be fair I didn't want to stop because I was enjoying it so much, but life, y'know?
There's so much I wish I could say about this book, the plot, the general fun and fabulousness of it all... But that's spoilers. If you've read this far, you deserve better. You like comedy that's clever rather than laugh out loud? You've read literally All The Fantasy, know the cliches and think you can't have fun with them any more? You like your heart to be warmed even as a character's head goes flying? Read this and weep tears of salty, salty joy that you'd never thought you'd feel for fantasy fiction again.
April 6, 2020
This was a brilliant and creative story for the underdog in all of us. Adventure, wit, determination, lighthearted fun, wonderful characters, an endearing plot- this tale has it all. This was one of those rare books that felt like a loss when it ended, and not because of the cliffhanger. I can't wait to read The Merry Band to find out what happens next.
I received a free copy of The Disposable, but that did not affect my review.
I received a free copy of The Disposable, but that did not affect my review.
April 28, 2020
Looking for a little light reading? Look no further!
You know how in every fantasy or action story you have the red shirts or the Stormtroopers or the random guards or the ruffians who are there mostly to show off the heroes' cool moves before they move on to the real quest?
This story is from the perspective of one of those characters. One of the guards, that is. Or the red shirt, or the ruffian. His name is Fodder. And you know what? He's tired of just showing up to die. It's time to try and change the story.
I really enjoyed "The Disposable" because 1) it's funny! British humor forever!, 2) it's clever, 3) I love books that can keep me up to midnight with no regrets, and 4) even as it makes fun of pretty much every fantasy cliche in the book, you can tell the author really loves the genre.
4.5/5 stars
You know how in every fantasy or action story you have the red shirts or the Stormtroopers or the random guards or the ruffians who are there mostly to show off the heroes' cool moves before they move on to the real quest?
This story is from the perspective of one of those characters. One of the guards, that is. Or the red shirt, or the ruffian. His name is Fodder. And you know what? He's tired of just showing up to die. It's time to try and change the story.
I really enjoyed "The Disposable" because 1) it's funny! British humor forever!, 2) it's clever, 3) I love books that can keep me up to midnight with no regrets, and 4) even as it makes fun of pretty much every fantasy cliche in the book, you can tell the author really loves the genre.
4.5/5 stars
March 12, 2021
This was extraordinary, a fantasy for modern times, with characters that felt real in a setting washed with the kind of fantasy we remember from Tolkien. I loved the strong female character and the nerdy gangly guy and the idea if breaking free from our roles. Can't wait for the next one...
April 7, 2020
I thoroughly enjoyed reading this very creative story!! I found myself quickly cheering for Fodder who wants to fight for the chance to be what he wants to be rather than be what people expect him to be. He wants his freedom. And don't we all? And there are those in the story who want to help him, and there are those who want to stop him. Will he succeed? This story is comprised of non-stop adventure with intrigue, battles, and surprises. I highly recommend this book, as it is just a fun book to read.
July 24, 2023
If this book was to be made into a movie…only the Monty Python gang could do it justice. Imagine the characters in any story only exist to perform as The Narrative (written by The Taskmaster) wants them to. Until the day when one of the humblest Disposables decides that he would like to have more of a voice in what happens to him.
May 4, 2020
I caught this book late at night while feeding !y new born son. It was worth every dollar spent and I am eagerly looking forward to the next installment.
August 14, 2020
Absolutely wonderful
An excellent story about rouge characters who have chosen to play a new meaningful role in the narrative... Despite the damage to the norm! What fun.
An excellent story about rouge characters who have chosen to play a new meaningful role in the narrative... Despite the damage to the norm! What fun.
November 6, 2021
Unbelievably hilarious!! Irreverent!! I mean Thud? Shoulders? and Fodder? I loved the book and can't wait to see where the narrative leads us!! Or the characters lead the narrative...
July 5, 2023
This was such a fun story! I love the premise of learning the stories of the "disposable" characters. The premise of this book was really unique, and I enjoyed that it wasn't your typical "fantasy characters fighting an unwinnable war to save the entire world" but had a plot that is about creating meaning and opportunity. I found myself rooting for the characters and was drawn in to their plight. This was a fun and fresh story. There are no distinct chapters in this book and very few natural breaks, so it reads like a running narrative. That is both interesting as it relates to what is happening in the story, but also made it difficult to come back to when I needed a pause.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
December 31, 2025
This book was fun, quirky and laughing out loud! I love it and would read it again! And recommend to all my friends!
July 28, 2021
This book is a lavish feast of laughs, compared to some "candy bar" novels that are out there. By which I mean: it's hilarious yet has a deeper message too. If you enjoy Douglas Adams or Terry Pratchett books, Monty Python, or The Princess Bride, you're sure to love this book as well.
July 11, 2020
Brilliant book! Genuinely original, well-drawn characters and it’s funny too!
Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 reviews