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Mishap's Heroes #2
Death and Devotion
When the dead start to rise...don't call these guys.Vola, Sorrel, and the others have managed to bring down Lord Arthorel, their first big bad guy, but unfortunately, they didn’t get paid. That’s what happens when you arrest your employer. They need some fast cash if they’re going to track down the slaver Lord Arthorel was selling his people to. But the adventuring scene in Brisbene is a lot more crowded than the swamp, and they’re stuck with the leftover jobs no one else wanted. Picking flowers and exterminating rodents isn’t paying the bills.When they manage to snag a choice assignment to find a missing adventurer, things start looking up. That is until some of Sorrel’s old friends show up to steal their contract. And it turns out their missing person might be in the hands of a necromancer. Now the dead are rising, their competition is closing in, and it’s turned into this whole thing. Well, at least fighting rude monks and rotten zombies is way better than picking flowers…
- GenresFantasy
270 pages, Kindle Edition
Published May 1, 2021
17 people are currently reading
20 people want to read
About the author
K.M. Merritt
15 books31 followersKM Merritt is the pen name for Kendra Merritt's adult work. Kendra is the author of the Mark of the Least series for young adults and the Mishap's Heroes series for adults.
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Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews
May 2, 2021
Probably will ramble later nitpicking on some aspects of the book, but for now, let's just review!
It was a perfect sequel to the first one. That's really all...what it slightly lacked in worldbuilding (I was particularly confused about the political/government aspect of the book) it made up in character growth - especially in Sorrel, Vola, and Talon. I enjoyed how the book broke up stereotypes with each of the members' roles and showed them their growing chemistry as a team whilst still reminding us they were chaos. The pacing was well done and the tone, despite it dealing with death, remained as light as the first.
Personally, there were some aspects I didn't like so much (like the slightly underdeveloped political side, an "I'm leaving" angst trope, and some of the language), but it was still enjoyable.
All in all, a good sequel!
Content: So...four uses of the f-word (yes, I counted because I am that extra) and some other pg-13 language. Necromancy and a bit more violence. And the LGBTQ+ aspects is expounded on more here in two ways (and I won't judge if one of them was done well or not cause I honestly don't know, but I did feel it stayed true to the character without making it their whole identity or taking over the plot...). Ah, and one mention of castration kind of thrown in there in a way that made me scrunch my nose...
It was a perfect sequel to the first one. That's really all...what it slightly lacked in worldbuilding (I was particularly confused about the political/government aspect of the book) it made up in character growth - especially in Sorrel, Vola, and Talon. I enjoyed how the book broke up stereotypes with each of the members' roles and showed them their growing chemistry as a team whilst still reminding us they were chaos. The pacing was well done and the tone, despite it dealing with death, remained as light as the first.
Personally, there were some aspects I didn't like so much (like the slightly underdeveloped political side, an "I'm leaving" angst trope, and some of the language), but it was still enjoyable.
All in all, a good sequel!
Content: So...four uses of the f-word (yes, I counted because I am that extra) and some other pg-13 language. Necromancy and a bit more violence. And the LGBTQ+ aspects is expounded on more here in two ways (and I won't judge if one of them was done well or not cause I honestly don't know, but I did feel it stayed true to the character without making it their whole identity or taking over the plot...). Ah, and one mention of castration kind of thrown in there in a way that made me scrunch my nose...
July 11, 2021
This is the second book in this self published series. Now that we are familiar with all the characters established in the first book, the plot this time around can get going faster. i think this is to the story's benefit.
Once again, they go on some very Dungeons and Dragons-like quests, and in the process bite off perhaps more than they can chew (or can they?) There is some good character development. I genuinely like all the main characters to at least some degree. It is an all female party but there are a variety of different personalities and types of people. They do deal with gender identity a bit. It is not the sole focus of the story or anything, but it is an important facet involving one character so far. It doesn't get super heavy handed and basically drops what should be some non controversial thoughts about it which kind of boils down to, you don't have to understand everything about gender stuff with loved ones transitioning or changing identity. Just be supportive, and willing to learn.
Really though, that is just character development happening on a fantasy quest, that is both somewhat connected from the last story and yet kind of new itself. It feels like a complete story and yet leaves unknown answers for more to unfold in the future.
Though I liked the first book I think this becomes a bit of an improvement, as characters get their footing things get more interesting and exciting. I am looking forward to the next book which I already have in my possession and will be starting soon!
Once again, they go on some very Dungeons and Dragons-like quests, and in the process bite off perhaps more than they can chew (or can they?) There is some good character development. I genuinely like all the main characters to at least some degree. It is an all female party but there are a variety of different personalities and types of people. They do deal with gender identity a bit. It is not the sole focus of the story or anything, but it is an important facet involving one character so far. It doesn't get super heavy handed and basically drops what should be some non controversial thoughts about it which kind of boils down to, you don't have to understand everything about gender stuff with loved ones transitioning or changing identity. Just be supportive, and willing to learn.
Really though, that is just character development happening on a fantasy quest, that is both somewhat connected from the last story and yet kind of new itself. It feels like a complete story and yet leaves unknown answers for more to unfold in the future.
Though I liked the first book I think this becomes a bit of an improvement, as characters get their footing things get more interesting and exciting. I am looking forward to the next book which I already have in my possession and will be starting soon!
May 5, 2021
Another enjoyable read! Death and Devotion followed through on the humor and character development of the first book and added new depth to a couple of the teammates as the motley crew stumbled their way toward saving the day. Themes of trust and loyalty carried the plot of this one, through a horde of somewhat predictable undead zombies and a couple of well-balanced twists of story and fate. This book felt even more like an RPG, with all the usual errands and side quests shuffling the players and readers through to a satisfying conclusion. It felt slightly less polished and a little more disjointed than the first in the series, but I’m still looking forward to seeing these delightful characters through to whatever crazy end they may find.
May 31, 2021
The second installment in the Mishap's Heroes series is every bit as enjoyable as the first! Each character grows in their own way into more of exactly whom you wish they were. They grow in trust of themselves and each other, in their abilities to judges situations well, and in their funding! If you enjoyed the first book, or enjoy YA and/or DnD, you'll enjoy this series!
September 30, 2022
Great fantasy adventure!
D&D is a very entertaining story with protagonists that are a bit inept but fight on the right side of justice. There is a great blend of genres in the storyline, as well as, characters that have the reader rooting for them. I enjoyed it very much
Read via Kindle Unlimited
D&D is a very entertaining story with protagonists that are a bit inept but fight on the right side of justice. There is a great blend of genres in the storyline, as well as, characters that have the reader rooting for them. I enjoyed it very much
Read via Kindle Unlimited
April 12, 2023
Great light hearted fantasy romp. Loved the LGBTQ developments in this one. On to the sequel now
April 25, 2025
3.5 stars.
Much better than book 1. Still has struggles with the writing on fight scenes, but this one kept to the plot a lot better.
Much better than book 1. Still has struggles with the writing on fight scenes, but this one kept to the plot a lot better.
April 30, 2021
A lovely continuation of the series, building on what we know of the characters individually and the world generally. I particularly appreciate the way the author deals with how utterly broke most low-level DnD adventurers would be, and who doesn’t love a good zombie tale now and again? I look forward to the next book, and I’m glad it’s already written and nearing publication.
Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews