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Neverstone #1
The Mad Elf
Era Gualtieri lives his life on permanent hard mode...
His right leg is gone, his hometown was bombed into toxic waste, and he's elvish in an age when pointy ears are the mother of all "kick me" signs. He's spent the past four years hopping trains and shoplifting just to survive, with only his flying sword to keep him safe.
Now, he's suddenly the only guy on the planet who's legally allowed to stop the new Dark Lord.
But Era's in no mood to bail out. Besides, his new government-appointed comrades (the edgiest sorceress in the food court, and a healer who's all heart and 0% brains) won't stand for such nonsense.
Worse, an ancient conspiracy lurks at the heart of the whole Dark Lord fiasco, keeping the world in a cycle of constant violence for profit. Era's determined to get to the bottom of it, even if it means being branded an outlaw for the rest of his life.
Give a Gualtieri two paths to choose, and he'll take the third.
His right leg is gone, his hometown was bombed into toxic waste, and he's elvish in an age when pointy ears are the mother of all "kick me" signs. He's spent the past four years hopping trains and shoplifting just to survive, with only his flying sword to keep him safe.
Now, he's suddenly the only guy on the planet who's legally allowed to stop the new Dark Lord.
But Era's in no mood to bail out. Besides, his new government-appointed comrades (the edgiest sorceress in the food court, and a healer who's all heart and 0% brains) won't stand for such nonsense.
Worse, an ancient conspiracy lurks at the heart of the whole Dark Lord fiasco, keeping the world in a cycle of constant violence for profit. Era's determined to get to the bottom of it, even if it means being branded an outlaw for the rest of his life.
Give a Gualtieri two paths to choose, and he'll take the third.
- GenresFantasy
586 pages, Kindle Edition
First published August 24, 2021
55 people are currently reading
50 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 19 of 19 reviews
August 27, 2021
Others may find it jarring and all over the place. For me, it has the feeling of having multiple tabs open while browsing the internet and falling down various rabbit holes that give you more context into the Neverstone universe, with many tongue-in-cheek advertisements, found media and a whole lot of various information binges. There were so many moments that made me laugh, some scenes were deeply unsettling, and some parts had me genuinely tear up. The Dark Lord cycle in the book feels very reminiscent of the real world, in which the cycles of war, systematic bigotry, injustice and all the bureaucratic red tape preventing the ending of these conflicts are something people treat as an endless unchanging force of nature we are forced to shrug our shoulders at and say, "that's just how the world works, get used to it." The characters are memorable and relatable, there are many little hidden easter eggs that RPG fans will appreciate, the monsters are cleverly designed and I laughed my ass off during most of the battles. One of my favorite monsters was the communist-themed taco restaurant mimic that ensnares unwary adventurers through cheap food and parasitic business practices. It's a hopeful, clever, hilarious, ambitious, original, dark, ridiculous and outright silly story with moments of deeply poignant social commentary. I really enjoyed this story and recommend giving it a read.
September 10, 2021
My 11-year-old daughter and I were able to read the book so quickly, such an easy read and hilariously funny! A bunch of laugh out loud moments. It was so nice to be able to read a book with my daughter, who also loves “modern” fantasy fiction. And oh is it fantasy! Let me explain what I mean by modern: this book makes you feel like you’re living in a modern world of elves, dwarves, humans, dark magic, and science-fiction thrown in for good measure. As a teacher, I would recommend this to middle school children, as well as high school. A little light swearing never hurt anyone…T for Teen seems like an accurate rating, ok, Linda?!?!🤣
April 25, 2022
Honestly, this has one of the more original voices that I’ve read by an author in a very long time. Unique, biting, and hilarious rolled into one, without the self-serious pitfalls that many other authors succumb to. A definite recommend from me!
August 31, 2021
What a fun and unique book.
The world is crazy and unique. The book is funny and strange.
There's nothing else like it.
The world is crazy and unique. The book is funny and strange.
There's nothing else like it.
August 25, 2021
Bad book
Very strange book not put together well or even readable to be honest this book should not ever been published!!
Very strange book not put together well or even readable to be honest this book should not ever been published!!
April 25, 2022
Big fan of the book and its sequel. Awesomely funny, great worldbuilding, will continue to read.
June 12, 2024
I really enjoyed this one. Breaking the 4th wall was fantastic. The characters were fun and the chaos was enjoyable
August 28, 2021
*Audiobook review*
I haven't been this confused in a long while. No explanation of the world, system, stats, story, plot, characters etc etc. I got the feeling the author was on coke, speed and has a severe case of ADHD. I tried to follow the story, i really did (I made a little chart to better explain what is going on), but I felt like I was on a roller coaster that without a real end. I was not going to listen to 12 hours of that.
The stats were all over the place with no real base or foundation; so I am not even sure if it was a LITRPG. An hour of vomit adventure and I had to lay down from a headache.
I haven't been this confused in a long while. No explanation of the world, system, stats, story, plot, characters etc etc. I got the feeling the author was on coke, speed and has a severe case of ADHD. I tried to follow the story, i really did (I made a little chart to better explain what is going on), but I felt like I was on a roller coaster that without a real end. I was not going to listen to 12 hours of that.
The stats were all over the place with no real base or foundation; so I am not even sure if it was a LITRPG. An hour of vomit adventure and I had to lay down from a headache.
August 30, 2021
I feel like i have just read a book written by a jabberwocky that decided to throw real world politics into its book for a laugh.
Not sure if I'm comfortable with kids reading a book with a blatant real world political slant as the age group the book is aim at is very young
Would not be surprised if the author has thier pronounes in thier bio
Not sure if I'm comfortable with kids reading a book with a blatant real world political slant as the age group the book is aim at is very young
Would not be surprised if the author has thier pronounes in thier bio
November 13, 2021
Here I'll write something out and you tell me if you want to read a book like this:
Enjoying that biting political commentary? It only gets worse from there. If that sounds annoying, you won't enjoy this book. If you liked that quote, you still won't like this book because I swapped sides being mocked.
When the story gets going there are some pretty good stretches but in general it's not very good.
“Why do you hate diversity?”
Era wriggled in his window seat, waking from his second midday nap. Though he had yet to open his eyes, he was sure of three things:
1. There was another passenger on the train—white, early 20s, long pink hair…no, side swoop cut, maybe? I'll bet she has a sides woop cut—asking him, for whatever reason, why he hated diversity.
2. The aforementioned second party was angry about something, or at least agitated. Maybe she's asking someone else? Nah, that was in my direction for sure.
3. There had to be a clever way to ignore this woman until she went off to mind her own business. Pretend I'm deaf? Nah, I flinched. Still sleeping? Nah, she'll try to startle me. Sick? That might work better, but I'll have to wake up first.
Era opened his eyes and winced from the glare of the afternoon sunlight, flashing in and out from the redwood trees of the Ramblind Forest. Take it slow, Era. Step by step. Breathe.
There was the hum of the tracks outside. The gray wall-carpeting below the window to his right, the blue patterned seats, the half-empty bag of chips between his knees, the rigid black duffle bag he used as a pillow, his dark green sweater, the specks of balled-up wool that stuck to its surface, the comforting feeling of his long, black hair brushing the back of his neck…and Era was back to reality.
Even if reality sucked, there was always some joy that Era took in coming back, knowing that he was still part of the world, still alive, and could still have a good day if he tried.
“I asked you a question.”
Ha, never mind. Screw reality.
Era turned to see the questioner: a female, white, early 20s, overweight and in a tight blue T-shirt and cargo shorts…She does have a pink side swoop! Score!…holding a clipboard to her chest. Chick looks ready to kick me out of a nightclub.
“Hi,” said Era.
“Why do you hate diversity?” asked the woman, louder than before.
“I...don't?” said Era.
“That's not what I asked.”
Era drew a long sigh through his nose. “All right, what's your deal? We've only known each other a few seconds, and you have a problem with me already.”
“Are you going to answer my question or not?”
“First, how about you tell me who you are, and why I have to answer your question.”
Era glanced at a patch on the woman’s chest—a woven badge with a blue wolf. “3rd Legion Warrior Karen Naismith” was in heavy white letters.
“Very well, I'll explain,” said Karen. “I'm conducting a survey of the political opinions of modern-day traingoers. As for who I am: a woman's name is her own property, which you are not entitled to know. It must be earned.”
“Okay, Karen Naismith.”
Karen's boots hit the carpeting with a thud, and in less than a second, she stood over Era. Her nostrils flared. Her lips were sealed shut.
“Chill,” said Era, sinking further into his seat. “It's on your badge. Look, I'm not interested in doing this survey, so do me a solid and move along.”
“Why not?”
“Because I'm tired. I had a rough time last night.” That, and this is clearly about my skin color.
“So, what you're saying is that you have something to hide, or worse, that you want to stand between me and my right to important information, potentially about my own safety, and—”
Enjoying that biting political commentary? It only gets worse from there. If that sounds annoying, you won't enjoy this book. If you liked that quote, you still won't like this book because I swapped sides being mocked.
When the story gets going there are some pretty good stretches but in general it's not very good.
January 5, 2025
Arty's review says I haven't been this confused in a long while. [...] I got the feeling the author was on coke, speed and has a severe case of ADHD. And that rather sums up my first impressions as well. Even disregarding the tossed-in-deep-end style of storytelling (which I don't mind), I am still left emotionally confused. There are so many WTF moments... The level of humor while describing horrific scenes... one of my reading buddies described it as cozycozyVIOLENCE. And somehow, even with all of the humor and the epic battles, the primary emotion I feelt was boredom and I've been trying to figure out why.
It feels like... there's no heart? No care? No emotional consequences of any actions. All of this stuff is happening, and the characters just keep quipping on--even when they say they are emotionally affected they don't feel emotionally affected? It kind of feels like something I would have written during high school... all surface, no subtlety.
The audiobook is weird too--the voices are decent, but any non-dialogue narration is read in Announcer Voice. Makes the story feel super surreal. And the narration is 100% tell with almost no show.
There's a lot of elements I should like. I enjoy off the cuff humor. I like the backstories the author built in to his characters. The worldbuilding is interesting. I think I would have enjoyed it more if it was 1/10th the length--something like parsley between chonkers. But instead it's just a slog.
It feels like... there's no heart? No care? No emotional consequences of any actions. All of this stuff is happening, and the characters just keep quipping on--even when they say they are emotionally affected they don't feel emotionally affected? It kind of feels like something I would have written during high school... all surface, no subtlety.
The audiobook is weird too--the voices are decent, but any non-dialogue narration is read in Announcer Voice. Makes the story feel super surreal. And the narration is 100% tell with almost no show.
There's a lot of elements I should like. I enjoy off the cuff humor. I like the backstories the author built in to his characters. The worldbuilding is interesting. I think I would have enjoyed it more if it was 1/10th the length--something like parsley between chonkers. But instead it's just a slog.
May 27, 2022
From the first paragraph, Caractus surprises the reader
You think you know what a fantasy book is? Well you’re right, and so does the author, because he spends every possible moment subverting expectations. This is a universe where the rules of combat are set up like an RPG, but the consequences are all too real
The tone goes from funny to somber at the drop of a hat but isn’t ever jarring, this a story that is concerned with characters and trauma, and it’s effect on people.
This fantasy story takes on Nazis, social hierarchies, war profiteering, racism, poverty, and other serious important issues but in a hilarious and engaging manner. The pacing is constantly broken up with fourth wall breaks from in universe news reports or social media and it works so well.
Genuinely cannot wait to dig into the sequel and I cannot recommend it enough. The freshest take on fantasy I’ve read in years... imagine David Wong’s John Dies at the End but in a fantasy setting and you’re only halfway there... this is derivative and wholly original at the same time and I don’t know how he does it. Absolutely loved every minute of it
You think you know what a fantasy book is? Well you’re right, and so does the author, because he spends every possible moment subverting expectations. This is a universe where the rules of combat are set up like an RPG, but the consequences are all too real
The tone goes from funny to somber at the drop of a hat but isn’t ever jarring, this a story that is concerned with characters and trauma, and it’s effect on people.
This fantasy story takes on Nazis, social hierarchies, war profiteering, racism, poverty, and other serious important issues but in a hilarious and engaging manner. The pacing is constantly broken up with fourth wall breaks from in universe news reports or social media and it works so well.
Genuinely cannot wait to dig into the sequel and I cannot recommend it enough. The freshest take on fantasy I’ve read in years... imagine David Wong’s John Dies at the End but in a fantasy setting and you’re only halfway there... this is derivative and wholly original at the same time and I don’t know how he does it. Absolutely loved every minute of it
January 31, 2024
Not gonna lie, it'll take a second to get used to, but Ned explains the world in pieces rather than infodumping in the first chapter.
It's rare I laugh out loud at a book, but this book is full of charm and humor that I'll laugh at! I LOVE cinnamon roll characters and Noah is absolutely that! Liv is a kick ass female that doesn't give a vog and Era, the mc, is just trying to figure out his way through a world where everyone hates him for being a crippled elf. Honestly, it's great and it's an easy read! I'll pick it up during my work break and forget I'm even at work. Every time I put it down, I just want to see where it goes from there. I'm only on the first book, but I'm excited for the next three!!
It's rare I laugh out loud at a book, but this book is full of charm and humor that I'll laugh at! I LOVE cinnamon roll characters and Noah is absolutely that! Liv is a kick ass female that doesn't give a vog and Era, the mc, is just trying to figure out his way through a world where everyone hates him for being a crippled elf. Honestly, it's great and it's an easy read! I'll pick it up during my work break and forget I'm even at work. Every time I put it down, I just want to see where it goes from there. I'm only on the first book, but I'm excited for the next three!!
January 20, 2025
kitchen sink LitRPG, debut author... this book is bonkers at everything it throws at you... and it's definitely AT YOU... even the narration feels like being yelled at by someone in Announcer Voice... the story is all over the place, anachronistic, constant footnotes and asides, flashbacks, unexpected plot twists and doublecrosses and reveals... it's kind of like the LitRPG version of Discworld / Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy... listening to it is kinda like staring at a trainwreck... you can't look away... which is the only reason I plan to continue with the series later this year... also, the first 2 books are on Audible Plus... book 4 is out and the end of the series, but doesn't have audio yet...
Read
August 25, 2021DNF (yet).. Think I might come back to this one and listen in smaller chunks. Picked up the audio, which is done really well, but the book itself is told like Starship Troopers/ Hitchhikers Guide but much denser (and a bad case of ADD?) with sometimes multiple little info dumps interspersed in a single scene - at least early on.. which is not all that conducive to listening while doing anything much else like I tend to do while working. Got about an hour in and realised I really needed to rewind to focus and re-digest it all
September 4, 2021
Book one
Mistakes: This book felt choppy and disjointed to me. Also the random silliness just didn't work for me either.
Plot: A homeless elf must save the world.
Characters: Likable enough. Would have been better without the random silliness.
5/10
Mistakes: This book felt choppy and disjointed to me. Also the random silliness just didn't work for me either.
Plot: A homeless elf must save the world.
Characters: Likable enough. Would have been better without the random silliness.
5/10
April 26, 2022
This book is extremely descriptive of the adventures and battles these crusaders are experiencing! These descriptions play out like a movie in my mind! I have listened to it twice to get all the details straight before I listen to book two. I enjoyed the relationships between the characters.
April 25, 2022
Neverstone is so fresh, very good read.
June 18, 2022
Fantastic Story!
Ned Caractacus is a fantastic and detailed writer. The story is funny, moving, and elaborate. If you love adventure and role play, you’ll love this story!
Ned Caractacus is a fantastic and detailed writer. The story is funny, moving, and elaborate. If you love adventure and role play, you’ll love this story!
Displaying 1 - 19 of 19 reviews