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Scorch #1
Robbing Centaurs and Other Bad Ideas
Wick the tree messenger is bound for success. His career as a messenger is better than it's ever been, and he's on the fast track to getting an even more important job as a councilor. But before he can succeed, word spreads that a thief is after the most powerful magic in Aro, the Heather Stone, and stealing it piece by piece. To be safe, Wick is entrusted with moving one of the stones to a safer location.
On his journey, Wick is overtaken by the thief himself, a seraph named Archer, but Archer's plans as he explains them are nothing like what everyone thinks. Wick doesn't know what to believe, but Archer seems so sure. Wick's options are limited: ignore Archer and keep his piece of the Heather Stone out of potentially dangerous hands, or choose to trust this thief and the warning he brings.
Something is coming. An ancient scourge that could destroy all of Aro. All that stands in its way are an uncertain messenger and an untrustworthy thief.
If he chooses wrong, Wick could lose everything.
On his journey, Wick is overtaken by the thief himself, a seraph named Archer, but Archer's plans as he explains them are nothing like what everyone thinks. Wick doesn't know what to believe, but Archer seems so sure. Wick's options are limited: ignore Archer and keep his piece of the Heather Stone out of potentially dangerous hands, or choose to trust this thief and the warning he brings.
Something is coming. An ancient scourge that could destroy all of Aro. All that stands in its way are an uncertain messenger and an untrustworthy thief.
If he chooses wrong, Wick could lose everything.
261 pages, Kindle Edition
Published August 31, 2021
9 people are currently reading
299 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 33 reviews
February 27, 2025
Scorch trilogy endorsement
If you’re looking for a unique fantasy adventure with both humor and heart, the Scorch trilogy should be your first choice. Packed with everything from laugh-out-loud wit to deeply touching themes of friendship and family, these books draw on the full range of emotions from beginning to end.
From the madcap capers in book one, to the challenging role reversals in book two, to the intense action and emotion of the final installment, the Scorch trilogy keeps you hooked on the adventure and invested in its central duo—Archer, the reckless thief, and messenger-with-a-plan Wick—and their unlikely-yet-inseparable friendship. It’s an engaging ride from start to finish.
I would recommend the Scorch trilogy to any fans of fantasy featuring strong character relationships, humor, emotional depth, unique races, and world-saving stakes.
RCOBI reviews
FEB. 20, 2025
Just as fun the second time around!
SEP. 29, 2023
It made me laugh out loud and it only took me a week to read it, so... I thought it was pretty good.
I might post a full review later if I can gather up enough brain power.
If you’re looking for a unique fantasy adventure with both humor and heart, the Scorch trilogy should be your first choice. Packed with everything from laugh-out-loud wit to deeply touching themes of friendship and family, these books draw on the full range of emotions from beginning to end.
From the madcap capers in book one, to the challenging role reversals in book two, to the intense action and emotion of the final installment, the Scorch trilogy keeps you hooked on the adventure and invested in its central duo—Archer, the reckless thief, and messenger-with-a-plan Wick—and their unlikely-yet-inseparable friendship. It’s an engaging ride from start to finish.
I would recommend the Scorch trilogy to any fans of fantasy featuring strong character relationships, humor, emotional depth, unique races, and world-saving stakes.
RCOBI reviews
FEB. 20, 2025
Just as fun the second time around!
SEP. 29, 2023
It made me laugh out loud and it only took me a week to read it, so... I thought it was pretty good.
I might post a full review later if I can gather up enough brain power.
November 16, 2023
This book is excellent. I loved everything from the characters to the humour to the plot. Bethany definitely captures the essence of cozy fantasy in this book and I am so excited to see what book two holds.
July 27, 2025
So an ent and an angel walk into a tavern…
(No, really this is an actual scene in the book)
Ahem, ANYWAYS, if you’re looking for a good old fashioned classic feeling fantasy quest with a couple of boys who don’t get along but become friends by the end despite their differences on a number of levels with some snarky banter/jabs on the side in order to save the world, then this may be the book for you!
I felt it dragged in a few places and was boring at the beginning and in the already mentioned draggy places, but overall it was fun and I enjoyed it a lot more once Wick and Archer actually met and started bickering, haha. I was annoyed though that several worldbuilding elements leaned heavily on the assumption that you had read the “Glossary and Terms” guide at the beginning of the book with only vague explanations in the text itself, which in turn I felt I only understood since I read said glossary rather then skipping and being therefore lost.
The cover and map are gorgeous and I loved the funny chapter title headers (my favorites being, “When All Else Fails, a Bag Strap is a Good Weapon” and “A Brief Guide to Complete Failure”), but the rest was just okay.
‼️Content‼️
Language: hell; crap
Violence: injuries and blood (not detailed); fighting with weapons and hand to hand (not detailed); people are smacked with tree branches; a man’s hit on the head with a rock; characters fall out of windows, trees, and out of the sky onto trees; a character chokes a man with a bag strap; an execution ritual involves hanging someone by flying into the sky carrying said victim by their neck then staking their dead body in a spiked pit (not shown or detailed)
Other: magic; magical creatures/races/objects; characters are imprisoned
(No, really this is an actual scene in the book)
Ahem, ANYWAYS, if you’re looking for a good old fashioned classic feeling fantasy quest with a couple of boys who don’t get along but become friends by the end despite their differences on a number of levels with some snarky banter/jabs on the side in order to save the world, then this may be the book for you!
I felt it dragged in a few places and was boring at the beginning and in the already mentioned draggy places, but overall it was fun and I enjoyed it a lot more once Wick and Archer actually met and started bickering, haha. I was annoyed though that several worldbuilding elements leaned heavily on the assumption that you had read the “Glossary and Terms” guide at the beginning of the book with only vague explanations in the text itself, which in turn I felt I only understood since I read said glossary rather then skipping and being therefore lost.
The cover and map are gorgeous and I loved the funny chapter title headers (my favorites being, “When All Else Fails, a Bag Strap is a Good Weapon” and “A Brief Guide to Complete Failure”), but the rest was just okay.
‼️Content‼️
Language: hell; crap
Violence: injuries and blood (not detailed); fighting with weapons and hand to hand (not detailed); people are smacked with tree branches; a man’s hit on the head with a rock; characters fall out of windows, trees, and out of the sky onto trees; a character chokes a man with a bag strap; an execution ritual involves hanging someone by flying into the sky carrying said victim by their neck then staking their dead body in a spiked pit (not shown or detailed)
Other: magic; magical creatures/races/objects; characters are imprisoned
November 9, 2025
My reading taste is pretty simple: Boys who are reluctant friends, who go on quests. I like the banter. I like the bromance. I like fantastical high-stake scenarios being undercut with down-to-earth, universal themes of friendship.
And my goodness, Bethany Meyer delivered.
The story follows Wick, a respected messenger from a tribe of tree-like people, and his reluctant alliance with Archer, a fast talking thief trying to save the world. Their team-up includes: A unfillable bag, a horse named Sasha, a river (iykyk), endless wit, and a multiple hairbrained plans. Between Wick's quiet pragmatism and Archer's trash-gremlin personality, every chapter was a jubilant rollercoaster ride between the ridiculously fun and the surprisingly tender.
What kept it from being five stars: Underwriting ruled the prose, and the plot felt, at times, scant. There are quite a few moments that only work if you close your eyes and choose not to think about it. For instance, it's hard to believe that out of the entire world, only ONE SINGLE PERSON noticed the onset of a world-ending mystical disaster with fairly obvious physical evidence--plants turning to ash, black rain, etc.
Normally, this would compel me dock more than one star from my review, but for some unprecedented reason, I simply didn't care. And to be honest, I don't think the author did either.
Perhaps that's why this book works surprisingly well. Meyer knew EXACTLY what she wanted from her story, and it wasn't headache-inducing Sanderson-style worldbuilding, or an intricate plot running circles around you until Wikipedia is the only way to make sense of it all. As much as I love complex fantasy, it was nice to take a step back from massive, exhausting reads and find something so simple and self-contained, it exists only for one single reason:
At its core, Robbing Centaurs is about Wick and Archer's friendship.
These boys are the heart and center of the story. They're the reason I flew past the plot inconsistencies with nary a backward glance. From their first moments as bitter enemies, to forced cooperation, to gradual admiration, I lived for their dynamic every step of the way.
Overall this is a rollicking, feel-good read, one that I finished in record time and enjoyed every silly, bantering moment of it.
And my goodness, Bethany Meyer delivered.
The story follows Wick, a respected messenger from a tribe of tree-like people, and his reluctant alliance with Archer, a fast talking thief trying to save the world. Their team-up includes: A unfillable bag, a horse named Sasha, a river (iykyk), endless wit, and a multiple hairbrained plans. Between Wick's quiet pragmatism and Archer's trash-gremlin personality, every chapter was a jubilant rollercoaster ride between the ridiculously fun and the surprisingly tender.
What kept it from being five stars: Underwriting ruled the prose, and the plot felt, at times, scant. There are quite a few moments that only work if you close your eyes and choose not to think about it. For instance, it's hard to believe that out of the entire world, only ONE SINGLE PERSON noticed the onset of a world-ending mystical disaster with fairly obvious physical evidence--plants turning to ash, black rain, etc.
Normally, this would compel me dock more than one star from my review, but for some unprecedented reason, I simply didn't care. And to be honest, I don't think the author did either.
Perhaps that's why this book works surprisingly well. Meyer knew EXACTLY what she wanted from her story, and it wasn't headache-inducing Sanderson-style worldbuilding, or an intricate plot running circles around you until Wikipedia is the only way to make sense of it all. As much as I love complex fantasy, it was nice to take a step back from massive, exhausting reads and find something so simple and self-contained, it exists only for one single reason:
At its core, Robbing Centaurs is about Wick and Archer's friendship.
These boys are the heart and center of the story. They're the reason I flew past the plot inconsistencies with nary a backward glance. From their first moments as bitter enemies, to forced cooperation, to gradual admiration, I lived for their dynamic every step of the way.
Overall this is a rollicking, feel-good read, one that I finished in record time and enjoyed every silly, bantering moment of it.
November 22, 2021
This took me a month to read bc I’m a busy, bad-at-priorities kinda gal, but THIS BOOK DELIVERED THAT ENTIRE MONTH.
Am I biased bc Bethany Meyer is the coolest human ever?
No. No, I am not.
Because that’s just a fact.
This book was so genuinely wholesome and lighthearted. Reading it made my tiny heart happy every time I got to see the two best bois, Wick and Archer ;-;
I liked Wick WAY more than I thought! The leading boys drive this book in it’s quirky, creative world on their mission in their own eccentric way that I adored.
Meyer has a talent of captivating not only a solid story, but that spark of joy in unforeseen places.
100% worth the wait.
Book 2 now please and thank you.
Am I biased bc Bethany Meyer is the coolest human ever?
No. No, I am not.
Because that’s just a fact.
This book was so genuinely wholesome and lighthearted. Reading it made my tiny heart happy every time I got to see the two best bois, Wick and Archer ;-;
I liked Wick WAY more than I thought! The leading boys drive this book in it’s quirky, creative world on their mission in their own eccentric way that I adored.
Meyer has a talent of captivating not only a solid story, but that spark of joy in unforeseen places.
100% worth the wait.
Book 2 now please and thank you.
May 24, 2025
I’ve wanted this book ever since I first heard the title (it’s a really good title!) and I finally got around to doing so this year. Y’all, this book is just pure fun! From the very beginning, it was so easy to read and become engrossed in the lives of our main characters, Wick and Archer. Wick is a “leshy” (a tree-like mythical being) who’s typical lifestyle is a little bit hobbity in feel. He’s a gentle guy and a rule follower who likes doing good and hates getting in trouble. At the start of the story, he earns enough trust to get an important job, so keeping his reputation is very important to him. I’m sure you can imagine the chaos that ensues when he then meets Archer, a seraph (I hope I’m spelling that right) with a mangled wing who is kind of a thief and doesn’t care anything about reputations.
Wick would just as much prefer not to interact with someone like that, but the problem is that a potentially world-ending evil is headed their way. The problem is, no one else believes the evil is returning, and the two of them end up being forced to work together and basically go on a heist mission to collect the magical stones needed to chase the evil away.
It. Was. So. Much. Fun.
Bethany did an amazing job making these two characters come to life and filling this story with the exact kind of quirk and humor that I love. (Archer keeps an entire horse and a river in his unfillable bag. ‘Nuff said.) Wick and Archer feel like my best friends now. I loved adventuring with them and was honestly a little distressed when the book ended because waaaaah, I didn’t want it to end yet! Thankfully, there are two more books to go, with the third and final one having just released this year, so I guess I better get reading!
100% recommended to all ages. I think this would be a great read for people who also love the “Tales of Ambia” series by Allison Tebo, and other quirky-fun fantasy like Gail Carson Levine’s works.
Content Advisory:
Language:
No actual swears. One use of “crap” in reference to someone talking bad about a friend.
Violence/Scariness:
The main violence here is more of the action-adventure type. There is peril, but it never becomes graphic. Archer and Wick get into trouble while trying to gather the magical stones needed to ward off the “Scorch” and they do a lot of running away from people who get mad at them for their thefts. They jump from heights, they dodge thrown weapons and fists, they occasionally get sprains, bruises, and cuts, but are never seriously wounded. They get threated with serious violence, like execution, but always manage to escape it.
The method of execution in one location gets described. This group of people like to execute via flying the prisoner up above the tallest branch of the tallest tree, hang them until dead, and then drop them into a pit of spikes. (At one point, when Archer thinks he’s going to be executed in this manner, he sees rotting dead bodies in the pit full of spikes, but the bodies aren’t described graphically.)
Archer and Wick inflict some violence on others (in self-defense) as well. Punches and rocks get thrown, people get pushed, etc. The most damage they ever do, though, is once, when Archer tackles someone bigger than he is (the person was in a group who was looking to kill Wick), that individual falls on their own spear and doesn’t get up. There’s mention of bleeding, but no graphic description, and the person is taken away to get help.
At one point, when Archer thinks the end of the world is coming and he can’t stop it, he decides to get in a fight (with his fists, no weapons) with everyone he was ever mad at, and he runs around for about a week actually carrying out this plan. These fights are skimmed over, not described to any extreme. We mainly just know he punched some people… a lot… and sometimes got beat up himself and ends up with bruised ribs.
Sexual/Romance:
None whatsoever.
Spiritual/Magic:
The author is a Christian and thanks Jesus in her author’s note at the end. Otherwise, there’s little to no overt spirituality in the story.
This is fantasy and there are fantasy creatures with natural magic abilities. Centaurs have a natural ability to see visions of the future, but this is limited and imperfect. If they overuse it, they can run out of this power before the end of their lifespan and not be able to do it anymore. The visions are also not perfectly accurate because they only see distant things in the future, not things immediately about to happen. So, for example, if they see a vision of something that someone will do a month in the future, but the person changes their mind before it happens, then vision is then inaccurate.
Wick is a member of a tree-like race called “leshy” that have the natural ability to change appearance to look like any other creature, but they can only do this once in a lifetime.
There are mentions of human conjurors who came up with some magical tool in the past, but there are no details about how they did this, plus all the humans who could do that have died out now.
The main magical objects mentioned here are the Heather Stones, which have the ability to cast a spell to chase off evil. (But apparently, there’s some concern that they can be destructive as well. They cause a shockwave if two of them are smacked together.) There’s a door that can be placed against any solid wall and let you walk through. There are also magical unfillable bags that… as the name implies… can never be completely filled.
There is also something called “The Scorch,” the origins for which are unclear at this point, (Archer calls it “demons” once) but it’s a destructive force that has threatened the well-being of the world once before and is about to threaten it again. It can only be chased away by the use of magical stones that must be placed together to work.
Other:
Archer and Wick try to warn people that the world is in danger because of the approaching “Scorch” but no one believes them, so they’re forced to do a lot of stealing to gather the magical stones needed to protect everyone from the Scorch. Archer is fine with lots of lying, but Wick does try to tell the truth, even if no one believes it. Wick also feels worse about the stealing than Archer does. (Archer was a thief even before he thought it was necessary to save the world.)
Wick would just as much prefer not to interact with someone like that, but the problem is that a potentially world-ending evil is headed their way. The problem is, no one else believes the evil is returning, and the two of them end up being forced to work together and basically go on a heist mission to collect the magical stones needed to chase the evil away.
It. Was. So. Much. Fun.
Bethany did an amazing job making these two characters come to life and filling this story with the exact kind of quirk and humor that I love. (Archer keeps an entire horse and a river in his unfillable bag. ‘Nuff said.) Wick and Archer feel like my best friends now. I loved adventuring with them and was honestly a little distressed when the book ended because waaaaah, I didn’t want it to end yet! Thankfully, there are two more books to go, with the third and final one having just released this year, so I guess I better get reading!
100% recommended to all ages. I think this would be a great read for people who also love the “Tales of Ambia” series by Allison Tebo, and other quirky-fun fantasy like Gail Carson Levine’s works.
Content Advisory:
Language:
No actual swears. One use of “crap” in reference to someone talking bad about a friend.
Violence/Scariness:
The main violence here is more of the action-adventure type. There is peril, but it never becomes graphic. Archer and Wick get into trouble while trying to gather the magical stones needed to ward off the “Scorch” and they do a lot of running away from people who get mad at them for their thefts. They jump from heights, they dodge thrown weapons and fists, they occasionally get sprains, bruises, and cuts, but are never seriously wounded. They get threated with serious violence, like execution, but always manage to escape it.
The method of execution in one location gets described. This group of people like to execute via flying the prisoner up above the tallest branch of the tallest tree, hang them until dead, and then drop them into a pit of spikes. (At one point, when Archer thinks he’s going to be executed in this manner, he sees rotting dead bodies in the pit full of spikes, but the bodies aren’t described graphically.)
Archer and Wick inflict some violence on others (in self-defense) as well. Punches and rocks get thrown, people get pushed, etc. The most damage they ever do, though, is once, when Archer tackles someone bigger than he is (the person was in a group who was looking to kill Wick), that individual falls on their own spear and doesn’t get up. There’s mention of bleeding, but no graphic description, and the person is taken away to get help.
At one point, when Archer thinks the end of the world is coming and he can’t stop it, he decides to get in a fight (with his fists, no weapons) with everyone he was ever mad at, and he runs around for about a week actually carrying out this plan. These fights are skimmed over, not described to any extreme. We mainly just know he punched some people… a lot… and sometimes got beat up himself and ends up with bruised ribs.
Sexual/Romance:
None whatsoever.
Spiritual/Magic:
The author is a Christian and thanks Jesus in her author’s note at the end. Otherwise, there’s little to no overt spirituality in the story.
This is fantasy and there are fantasy creatures with natural magic abilities. Centaurs have a natural ability to see visions of the future, but this is limited and imperfect. If they overuse it, they can run out of this power before the end of their lifespan and not be able to do it anymore. The visions are also not perfectly accurate because they only see distant things in the future, not things immediately about to happen. So, for example, if they see a vision of something that someone will do a month in the future, but the person changes their mind before it happens, then vision is then inaccurate.
Wick is a member of a tree-like race called “leshy” that have the natural ability to change appearance to look like any other creature, but they can only do this once in a lifetime.
There are mentions of human conjurors who came up with some magical tool in the past, but there are no details about how they did this, plus all the humans who could do that have died out now.
The main magical objects mentioned here are the Heather Stones, which have the ability to cast a spell to chase off evil. (But apparently, there’s some concern that they can be destructive as well. They cause a shockwave if two of them are smacked together.) There’s a door that can be placed against any solid wall and let you walk through. There are also magical unfillable bags that… as the name implies… can never be completely filled.
There is also something called “The Scorch,” the origins for which are unclear at this point, (Archer calls it “demons” once) but it’s a destructive force that has threatened the well-being of the world once before and is about to threaten it again. It can only be chased away by the use of magical stones that must be placed together to work.
Other:
Archer and Wick try to warn people that the world is in danger because of the approaching “Scorch” but no one believes them, so they’re forced to do a lot of stealing to gather the magical stones needed to protect everyone from the Scorch. Archer is fine with lots of lying, but Wick does try to tell the truth, even if no one believes it. Wick also feels worse about the stealing than Archer does. (Archer was a thief even before he thought it was necessary to save the world.)
October 4, 2021
Do you like sarcastic banter? Angst boi, soft boi pairings? Epic fantasy settings with multiple lesser-seen creatures inhabiting it? Then you will love this book.
Robbing Centaurs and Other Bad Ideas is a tale of two unlikely companions forced to save the world together. We follow along as they travel across the country of Aro, collecting items to stop the Scorch from coming. It's a fun ride from beginning to end, always leaving you guessing about what will happen next.
Wick is my personal favorite of the two. He's a tree person, and he's super sweet and diplomatic. Archer is more impulsive and sarcastic. They work perfectly together, though. There are also a lot of other characters I look forward to seeing more of in further books, such as Eland and Twill. Fingers crossed.
The ending will have you wishing book two came out tomorrow, because you need to know what happens. No spoilers here. Suffice to say, you'll love this book as much as I did.
Robbing Centaurs and Other Bad Ideas is a tale of two unlikely companions forced to save the world together. We follow along as they travel across the country of Aro, collecting items to stop the Scorch from coming. It's a fun ride from beginning to end, always leaving you guessing about what will happen next.
Wick is my personal favorite of the two. He's a tree person, and he's super sweet and diplomatic. Archer is more impulsive and sarcastic. They work perfectly together, though. There are also a lot of other characters I look forward to seeing more of in further books, such as Eland and Twill. Fingers crossed.
The ending will have you wishing book two came out tomorrow, because you need to know what happens. No spoilers here. Suffice to say, you'll love this book as much as I did.
October 26, 2023
Omigosh this is such a fun book to read!
Wick and Archer have the best dynamic and with how different they are, you're never bored with their interactions.
The worldbuilding was lovely to read, not to much but just enough to feel immersed with different cultures and creatures.
Never a moments rest, it'll keep you in the edge of your seat the whole way through!
Ending definitely makes you want to read book two.
Excellent ya fantasy book with friendship and action at its core. Highly recomend!
Wick and Archer have the best dynamic and with how different they are, you're never bored with their interactions.
The worldbuilding was lovely to read, not to much but just enough to feel immersed with different cultures and creatures.
Never a moments rest, it'll keep you in the edge of your seat the whole way through!
Ending definitely makes you want to read book two.
Excellent ya fantasy book with friendship and action at its core. Highly recomend!
December 26, 2023
Well shucks.
I was not expecting that much of a cliffhanger.
This book, is the kind of thing that is needed in the YA world. It's not the kind of story I normally would read--banter and various races of creatures and thievery and the like, but I am so glad I did, because Bethany makes it all delightful, like an adventure told by your older cousin at dinner time.
I loved the humor, and the differences between the characters of Wick and Archer and how they grew, and I wasn't prepared to like either of them as much as I did.
So curious about the next book now.
If I was to rate this purely based on my own thoughts, I would give it a very solid 4.5. But as a YA book, and the kind I want so very much to see more of on the shelves, I give it a hearty 5 stars.
Cheers to Meyer, who made a book about thieving hoodlums that I was delighted to read. I did not think I would ever want to read a book like that, nor love it in the end. I look forward to reading bits of banter from it again, and am excited to read the next.
I was not expecting that much of a cliffhanger.
This book, is the kind of thing that is needed in the YA world. It's not the kind of story I normally would read--banter and various races of creatures and thievery and the like, but I am so glad I did, because Bethany makes it all delightful, like an adventure told by your older cousin at dinner time.
I loved the humor, and the differences between the characters of Wick and Archer and how they grew, and I wasn't prepared to like either of them as much as I did.
So curious about the next book now.
If I was to rate this purely based on my own thoughts, I would give it a very solid 4.5. But as a YA book, and the kind I want so very much to see more of on the shelves, I give it a hearty 5 stars.
Cheers to Meyer, who made a book about thieving hoodlums that I was delighted to read. I did not think I would ever want to read a book like that, nor love it in the end. I look forward to reading bits of banter from it again, and am excited to read the next.
June 15, 2022
Very exciting fantasy novel. Left on a kind of cliff hanger, but I hear the sequel is going to be published very soon so the story does continue.
Characters are likeable. A bit confusing at the beginning figuring out the different kinds of creatures but it does get easier as the book goes on.
Good writing. Clean. Engaging. I would like to read the next book when it comes out.
Characters are likeable. A bit confusing at the beginning figuring out the different kinds of creatures but it does get easier as the book goes on.
Good writing. Clean. Engaging. I would like to read the next book when it comes out.
October 8, 2021
Funny, creative, & lessons of friendship
I loved reading this book! I especially enjoyed finding out what crazy thing would happen next and how well the characters played off one another.
I think anyone would love reading this book, so buy it and enjoy Archer's bad ideas.
Longer review to come
I loved reading this book! I especially enjoyed finding out what crazy thing would happen next and how well the characters played off one another.
I think anyone would love reading this book, so buy it and enjoy Archer's bad ideas.
Longer review to come
May 22, 2024
*pterodactyl shriek* I LOVE IT SO MUCH. I need to read book 2 ASAP! *more shrieking* It's so good and so much fun and a fantasy buddy story and full of snark and banter and a cool world and heisting and just. IT'S HILARIOUS AND EPIC AND I ADORE IT. Archer and Wick are both amazing and I am dying to find out what happens next! I can't possibly explain this book in a review, so... Read it. Just do it!
June 26, 2024
This was a fun story! I enjoyed the banter and slow-growing friendship between Wick and Archer. However, I struggled a bit with the lack of worldbuilding and some elements of the plot that seemed a little contrived. I’m hoping the sequel might improve those areas, because I definitely want to keep reading and find out what happens with this unlikely duo!
March 8, 2022
It's been a while since I read this, but the memory still exists somewhere in my mind. The plot was incredible, the humor on-point, and the characters breathtakingly life-like. I fell in love with this world and recommended it to everyone I knew as soon as I was done! I cannot wait for the sequel
June 16, 2023
5/5 stars - super fun start to a fantasy series
Robbing Centaurs And Other Bad Ideas by Bethany Meyer is exactly what you expect from the title- craziness and fun. The main characters, Archer and Wick, have a great buddy dynamic. In fact, it is the natural and compelling characters/character dynamics that made me give Robbing Centaurs a five-star review. That being said, the plot was still pretty darn good. In a strange (and very random) way, it made me think of if Percy Jackson was mashed together with Tangled. (Stay with me here.) Robbing Centaurs is the type of story that middle-grade, young adult, and adult audiences can enjoy. It's light and funny but also has realistic stakes. And, yes, Archer's unfillable bag makes me think of Flynn Rider's satchel, but that is not the only reason I'm comparing it to Tangled! Robbing Centaurs has the same type of silly (in a good way), family-friendly humor as both Tangled and Percy Jackson (also, the chapter titles are amazing and PJO-esque).
In summary, Robbing Centaurs And Other Bad Ideas is not just a fun read- it's a good read that takes readers on a journey through a well-developed fantasy land (and involves a lot of poorly planned heists). So, if the title of this book intrigues you, go ahead and get it. It will not disappoint.
Robbing Centaurs And Other Bad Ideas by Bethany Meyer is exactly what you expect from the title- craziness and fun. The main characters, Archer and Wick, have a great buddy dynamic. In fact, it is the natural and compelling characters/character dynamics that made me give Robbing Centaurs a five-star review. That being said, the plot was still pretty darn good. In a strange (and very random) way, it made me think of if Percy Jackson was mashed together with Tangled. (Stay with me here.) Robbing Centaurs is the type of story that middle-grade, young adult, and adult audiences can enjoy. It's light and funny but also has realistic stakes. And, yes, Archer's unfillable bag makes me think of Flynn Rider's satchel, but that is not the only reason I'm comparing it to Tangled! Robbing Centaurs has the same type of silly (in a good way), family-friendly humor as both Tangled and Percy Jackson (also, the chapter titles are amazing and PJO-esque).
In summary, Robbing Centaurs And Other Bad Ideas is not just a fun read- it's a good read that takes readers on a journey through a well-developed fantasy land (and involves a lot of poorly planned heists). So, if the title of this book intrigues you, go ahead and get it. It will not disappoint.
December 8, 2025
I feel like I stumbled on a hidden treasure trove with this trilogy. It’s funny, adventurous, and full of heart. This story is whimsical yet rowdy, with one of the feistiest of miscreants as a leading character. The style felt almost nostalgic, reminding me of some old favorite animated movies with quick repartee, quirky characters, intrepid plot, moments that make you a little misty-eyed (think Emperor’s New Groove or Treasure Planet).
Archer and Wick are an unlikely duo and their epic quest is an entertaining read. There’s a magic bag with a river in it… a whole entire river. There are seraphs, centaurs, and satyrs. Need I say more?
I enjoyed the whole series (and I’m not even considered within the demographic for YA anymore). So I’d recommend it to anyone seeking a humorous rollercoaster of a fantasy adventure.
Content:
No language, no romance, no excessive gore.
Some violence and thievery.
Archer and Wick are an unlikely duo and their epic quest is an entertaining read. There’s a magic bag with a river in it… a whole entire river. There are seraphs, centaurs, and satyrs. Need I say more?
I enjoyed the whole series (and I’m not even considered within the demographic for YA anymore). So I’d recommend it to anyone seeking a humorous rollercoaster of a fantasy adventure.
Content:
No language, no romance, no excessive gore.
Some violence and thievery.
April 16, 2024
This was an amazing book!
It was hard to put down, and I'm excited to read the sequel.
There were a few slow scenes, and a few descriptions that were hard to imagine, but they were few and far between (and it might have been because I was reading the book when I was supposed to be sleeping) lol. I loved the characters, and the dynamics between them, as well as the different fantasy peoples. It was a fun adventure to go on, and I would definitely read it again.
I wish more fantasy books were like this.
I can't wait to read the next one!
It was hard to put down, and I'm excited to read the sequel.
There were a few slow scenes, and a few descriptions that were hard to imagine, but they were few and far between (and it might have been because I was reading the book when I was supposed to be sleeping) lol. I loved the characters, and the dynamics between them, as well as the different fantasy peoples. It was a fun adventure to go on, and I would definitely read it again.
I wish more fantasy books were like this.
I can't wait to read the next one!
January 3, 2023
I began reading this book in a bad mood, but it quickly brought some cheer back into me. There’s something charming and wholesome about the characters and plot. It was a light read, brief and deprived of anxiety or negative feelings. It made me chuckle and granted me some much-needed escapism.
see the full review on my blog! :)
see the full review on my blog! :)
January 31, 2023
I enjoyed reading it! It pained me though (in a good way)
Wick and Archer are both fleshed out characters with excellent character development. I relate to Wick so hard that it hurts. Their friendship felt a tiny bit forced at times, but otherwise I like their dynamic.
The plot is solid, and the world building is immaculate. Unrelated comment, for some reason I adore Sasha, and the bag (THE bag, you know the one) is one of my favorite things about this book.
If you’re looking for a fresh, clean fantasy, I recommend Robbing Centaurs and Other Bad Ideas. I’m excited to read the sequel!
Wick and Archer are both fleshed out characters with excellent character development. I relate to Wick so hard that it hurts. Their friendship felt a tiny bit forced at times, but otherwise I like their dynamic.
The plot is solid, and the world building is immaculate. Unrelated comment, for some reason I adore Sasha, and the bag (THE bag, you know the one) is one of my favorite things about this book.
If you’re looking for a fresh, clean fantasy, I recommend Robbing Centaurs and Other Bad Ideas. I’m excited to read the sequel!
October 30, 2025
I LOVED this book. The characters are fun, lovable, flawed (but good-hearted), and relatable. Wick and Archer's dynamic throughout it is the best. This book is full of banter and funny moments, but it also had a few places where I was genuinely TERRIFIED for the characters. Meyer does such an amazing job of making the characters feel so real it's impossible not to be filled with empathy for them. This was such a good read and I can't wait to read the rest of the series.
January 12, 2022
I am so upset that I waited THIS LONG to finally read this book. From the moment I met Wick, I loved him. 100% new comfort character. Archer is like the chaotic older brother we all need - and I love him two. Wick and Archer make such a dynamic duo in what is one of the most fantastic worlds I’ve ever been immersed into. You can bet I’ll be grabbing the sequel as soon as it’s out.
March 18, 2024
Such a fun book!
I adored our two main characters and loved getting to see their growth throughout the story. The author nailed their voices perfectly and manages to draw you right in with Archer and Wick's witty dialogue. The worldbuilding is so unique and sets up the story's stakes well.
Very excited to get into the second book and see what happens next! Definitely recommend!
I adored our two main characters and loved getting to see their growth throughout the story. The author nailed their voices perfectly and manages to draw you right in with Archer and Wick's witty dialogue. The worldbuilding is so unique and sets up the story's stakes well.
Very excited to get into the second book and see what happens next! Definitely recommend!
April 14, 2024
I LOVE a good story about friendship. The unlikely friendship in this book will make your heart grow three sizes. But that's not all. This book has:
Delightful characters
Tomfoolery
Shenanigans and heists
Centaurs!
An unfillable bag
Witty banter
World ending stakes
A fast-paced plot
LOL moments
Wholesome themes
5 stars!!
Delightful characters
Tomfoolery
Shenanigans and heists
Centaurs!
An unfillable bag
Witty banter
World ending stakes
A fast-paced plot
LOL moments
Wholesome themes
5 stars!!
July 30, 2025
So much fun. This book is reminiscent of the Percy Jackson series, but without the Greek gods and all that. The humor and characters are just so enjoyable, the dialogue is lighthearted (and yet serious?!). I would definitely recommend this to any kiddos/young adults who enjoy a good bromance, sarcasm, and a unique fantasy story. Looking forward to reading book 2 in the series.
December 12, 2022
This book was interesting. The writing is great and the characters were interesting. I enjoy the story development. It was fun reading a different book in a genre I don’t usually read in.
February 14, 2024
An unexpected fantasy that's brilliant and funny
May 12, 2024
Punchy, hilarious, imaginative, and generally a rollicking good time. The last few chapters had me on the edge of my seat! Very excited to start the next book very soon.
September 19, 2024
This was definitely one of the most unique fantasies that I've read this year. The world was interesting and I loved the dynamic between the two main characters.
July 15, 2025
This is a great read! It's funny, has no content issues, is well written plot wise and DEFINITELY great character wise. I loved the way the two main characters interacted and grew together.
January 26, 2025
Robbing Centaurs and Other Bad Ideas is a fun title that is very well matched to the writing style. I appreciated that underlying humor throughout the story. The titles of the chapters are priceless. Pumpkins Explode, A Smattering of Failed Plans, A Brief Guide to Complete Failure, & The Tale of the Unfillable Bag, to name a few. (The Unfillable Bag is sheer brilliance and one of the best parts of the story.)
Wick & Archer are the consummate odd couple and they have to work together, on a perilous adventure, if they want to survive. We get to see them earn each other’s trust & their friendship. Then, we get to see said friendship tested, over & over as they end up on their world’s most wanted list. Why? Because nobody realizes that what they are in fact doing is trying to save the world.
As brilliant as the unfillable bag, they have to steal from various people groups. A leshi & a seraph with a broken wing have to rob from cities that were designed for fliers. They also have to navigate a world designed for nixies who are strong swimmers.
This is a fun adventure that definitely has violence, but nothing gory or overly descriptive.
This is a story about failing, but choosing to persist, anyway. This is a story of an unlikely friendship that demonstrates that we can look within to find value in the most unlikely of characters. It’s about taking risks. This is also a story of giving up the fear of man, because the greater good is more important than your reputation.
Wick & Archer are the consummate odd couple and they have to work together, on a perilous adventure, if they want to survive. We get to see them earn each other’s trust & their friendship. Then, we get to see said friendship tested, over & over as they end up on their world’s most wanted list. Why? Because nobody realizes that what they are in fact doing is trying to save the world.
As brilliant as the unfillable bag, they have to steal from various people groups. A leshi & a seraph with a broken wing have to rob from cities that were designed for fliers. They also have to navigate a world designed for nixies who are strong swimmers.
This is a fun adventure that definitely has violence, but nothing gory or overly descriptive.
This is a story about failing, but choosing to persist, anyway. This is a story of an unlikely friendship that demonstrates that we can look within to find value in the most unlikely of characters. It’s about taking risks. This is also a story of giving up the fear of man, because the greater good is more important than your reputation.
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