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The Plot Bandits #2
The Merry Band
The Taskmaster Strikes Back
Fodder successfully rebelled against The Narrative once, but now everything’s going completely and horribly wrong.
It soon becomes apparent that his own companions are even more unstable than he realized, between Flirt’s suicidal rashness, Shoulders’ increasing desperation to keep his head attached to his body, Princess Pleasance’s unwillingness to speak, and Prince Dullard’s inability to shut up.
Unfortunately, Fodder has bigger problems, because the Taskmaster is finally getting serious. That means it’s not just the Heroes hunting Fodder anymore; there’s an entire pantheon of gods after him.
It’s too late to turn back, and Fodder wouldn’t even if he could. He’s determined to unveil the secret of the Quickening.
Fodder successfully rebelled against The Narrative once, but now everything’s going completely and horribly wrong.
It soon becomes apparent that his own companions are even more unstable than he realized, between Flirt’s suicidal rashness, Shoulders’ increasing desperation to keep his head attached to his body, Princess Pleasance’s unwillingness to speak, and Prince Dullard’s inability to shut up.
Unfortunately, Fodder has bigger problems, because the Taskmaster is finally getting serious. That means it’s not just the Heroes hunting Fodder anymore; there’s an entire pantheon of gods after him.
It’s too late to turn back, and Fodder wouldn’t even if he could. He’s determined to unveil the secret of the Quickening.
341 pages, Paperback
Published August 2, 2021
4 people are currently reading
24 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 - 6 of 6 reviews
August 4, 2021
If I have to wait another entire year for the final book in this trilogy, I might actually die of anticipation. I’m sure Katherine Vick and Thinklings Books don’t want to be responsible for my demise, so for all our sakes, book 3 should be released soon.
On to my thoughts on The Merry Band, book 2 in The Plot Bandits trilogy. I’ll tell you a secret: I had slight trepidation going into this one. I mean, the first book stunned me with its originality, plot execution, and storytelling style. Was it a fluke?
Not a fluke. Nope. This second book is just as good as the first. I laughed—a lot. I contemplated all the profound insight beneath the layers of humor. I forgot I was reading and simply got lost in the story.
I LOVE the characters. I won’t tell you about them, though. You need to meet them to understand.
If you’re looking for unique, captivating entertainment, this is it. But definitely start with book 1, The Disposable.
*I received an eARC from Thinklings Books.*
On to my thoughts on The Merry Band, book 2 in The Plot Bandits trilogy. I’ll tell you a secret: I had slight trepidation going into this one. I mean, the first book stunned me with its originality, plot execution, and storytelling style. Was it a fluke?
Not a fluke. Nope. This second book is just as good as the first. I laughed—a lot. I contemplated all the profound insight beneath the layers of humor. I forgot I was reading and simply got lost in the story.
I LOVE the characters. I won’t tell you about them, though. You need to meet them to understand.
If you’re looking for unique, captivating entertainment, this is it. But definitely start with book 1, The Disposable.
*I received an eARC from Thinklings Books.*
August 2, 2021
I've been waiting for this sequel for soooo long and it didn't disappoint.
Just brilliant - razor-sharp satire of the epic fantasy genre with great characterisation and a romp across a classic fantasy landscape with a twist. What's more, The Merry Band, and its predecessor, The Disposable, are actually, genuinely funny and a total joy to read.
I recommend this book to all fantasy fans, all avid readers and, frankly, everyone literate! :D
Just brilliant - razor-sharp satire of the epic fantasy genre with great characterisation and a romp across a classic fantasy landscape with a twist. What's more, The Merry Band, and its predecessor, The Disposable, are actually, genuinely funny and a total joy to read.
I recommend this book to all fantasy fans, all avid readers and, frankly, everyone literate! :D
August 6, 2021
Dear readers, we have here a second book that doesn't fall prey to the dreaded Second Book Syndrome! It picks up shortly where we left off, hits the ground running, and barely pauses for breath (except where narratively it has to otherwise it's wouldn't be such a good book... Though there *is* a lot of running involved). Just as fun and full of wit as the first of the series, now with even more fantasy trope inventiveness and beautiful character development that you can see a mile off yet still has the capacity to surprise you.
The story goes thusly: Fodder, his mate Shoulders (still headless), Flirt the ex-barmaid, Prince Dullard, and the captive Princess Pleasance are still on the run from the Merry Band and the all consuming power of the Narrative. They need to figure out a way of proving once and for all that the all powerful Taskmaster does not own them, but unless they can do something drastic to alter the aforementioned Narrative, their futures are looking distinctly dungeon-filled. Things are getting serious. Is killing the Princess off in her own story going to be enough any more? And why do people keep referring to an event known mysteriously only as the Quickening?
The stakes are raised, the game has changed; all the glorious cliches ramp up a notch or three in the next leg of this insane totally-not-a-Quest. While I'll admit at times Flirt's sudden need to end every sentence with a question, Shoulders' insufferable POV moments and the amount of gusty sighs/porcelain features commented on could grate on me just a little, I did really enjoy the utterly brilliant weirdness of it all. From the elves in the dark forest crushing on the resident Crone to the poor deluded "Gods" hanging out in their own little psuedo-Olympus (side note: I'm not sure why this little escapade is made to sound such a Big Thing in the blurb, as it's really... not that Big a Thing? In the greater scheme of Things at least), it's packed full of little in-jokes to make you smile even as you're gripped by the story itself.
The whole mystery of the Quickening and how characters are "planted" in the heads of the people forced to play them is woven in such a weird and original way. You've probably read things similar before - the hierophant thing isn't anything new - but how it's done, perfectly paced and scattered with humour as well as seriousness (and just a touch of darkness) makes it such a fun story to follow. I was certainly never bored!
Again, the characters are a huge plus point. Yes, they can be over the top in their roles, but somehow at the heart of it they still feel real. Human. Relatable. Whether it's Dullard trying to win round Pleasance or Fodder trying to rally the brainwashed to his cause, you really feel for them and believe their reactions.
Again, a big lack of chapters could make reading this a little on the heavy side as you never were quite sure where to stop (not that I wanted to mind, but really, take pity on us readers who do actually have to stop!)
Overall... Wait, a cliffhanger? A cliffhanger?! No! I cannot even. This sets us up so perfectly for what should be a major battle for hearts, minds and bodily autonomy. I really hope it's not a long time in coming.
The story goes thusly: Fodder, his mate Shoulders (still headless), Flirt the ex-barmaid, Prince Dullard, and the captive Princess Pleasance are still on the run from the Merry Band and the all consuming power of the Narrative. They need to figure out a way of proving once and for all that the all powerful Taskmaster does not own them, but unless they can do something drastic to alter the aforementioned Narrative, their futures are looking distinctly dungeon-filled. Things are getting serious. Is killing the Princess off in her own story going to be enough any more? And why do people keep referring to an event known mysteriously only as the Quickening?
The stakes are raised, the game has changed; all the glorious cliches ramp up a notch or three in the next leg of this insane totally-not-a-Quest. While I'll admit at times Flirt's sudden need to end every sentence with a question, Shoulders' insufferable POV moments and the amount of gusty sighs/porcelain features commented on could grate on me just a little, I did really enjoy the utterly brilliant weirdness of it all. From the elves in the dark forest crushing on the resident Crone to the poor deluded "Gods" hanging out in their own little psuedo-Olympus (side note: I'm not sure why this little escapade is made to sound such a Big Thing in the blurb, as it's really... not that Big a Thing? In the greater scheme of Things at least), it's packed full of little in-jokes to make you smile even as you're gripped by the story itself.
The whole mystery of the Quickening and how characters are "planted" in the heads of the people forced to play them is woven in such a weird and original way. You've probably read things similar before - the hierophant thing isn't anything new - but how it's done, perfectly paced and scattered with humour as well as seriousness (and just a touch of darkness) makes it such a fun story to follow. I was certainly never bored!
Again, the characters are a huge plus point. Yes, they can be over the top in their roles, but somehow at the heart of it they still feel real. Human. Relatable. Whether it's Dullard trying to win round Pleasance or Fodder trying to rally the brainwashed to his cause, you really feel for them and believe their reactions.
Again, a big lack of chapters could make reading this a little on the heavy side as you never were quite sure where to stop (not that I wanted to mind, but really, take pity on us readers who do actually have to stop!)
Overall... Wait, a cliffhanger? A cliffhanger?! No! I cannot even. This sets us up so perfectly for what should be a major battle for hearts, minds and bodily autonomy. I really hope it's not a long time in coming.
October 21, 2021
Superb...and what a cliff hanger....literally! Can't wait for Book 3. Fun, puns, fantasy, yet so insightful on human nature.
September 11, 2021
This book was every bit as enjoyable as Katherine Vick's first book in this series, The Disposable. Lots of action and creative plot twists make this book a page turner! I so enjoyed following Fodder and his friends as they continue to evade The Narrative. Will they be successful or not? I highly recommend that you read this book and find out.
August 3, 2021
The Merry Band hits the ground running (and punning, and funning) and doesn't stop! Our "little guy" heroes are as lovable-yet-fallible as ever, continuing their quest to overturn the unfair system that rules their world. Hitting snag after snag after crag after drag...on.
Speaking of dragons, I really love the one in this book, Maw. (Can't say why; it's a spoiler!)
Full of belly laughs, adventure, suspense, and excellent character development, The Merry Band carries the middle of the Plot Bandits trilogy more lovingly and handily than a dwarf carries his favorite axe. It pokes fun at ALL the tropes yet never in a mean-spirited way.
I'm so glad the third book is already written because I'm dying for more!!
Speaking of dragons, I really love the one in this book, Maw. (Can't say why; it's a spoiler!)
Full of belly laughs, adventure, suspense, and excellent character development, The Merry Band carries the middle of the Plot Bandits trilogy more lovingly and handily than a dwarf carries his favorite axe. It pokes fun at ALL the tropes yet never in a mean-spirited way.
I'm so glad the third book is already written because I'm dying for more!!
Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews