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Orconomics: A Satire

Book 1 in the series:The Dark Profit Saga

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'Orconomics: A Satire' in the series 'The Dark Profit Saga' by J. Zachary Pike is a humorous fantasy novel that cleverly intertwines economic concepts with classic fantasy adventuring tropes. The story follows a group of adventurers who navigate through a world where heroing has become a professional business, complete with guilds, heroing contracts, and even the trading of hoard futures. The book is described as a mix of satire, sword and sorcery adventure, and social commentary, offering a unique take on the traditional fantasy genre. The writing style captures the essence of a D&D campaign, with witty banter, laugh-out-loud moments, and a charming portrayal of flawed characters navigating through a richly detailed world.

Characters:

The characters are complex and flawed, engaging readers with their personal struggles and development throughout the story.

Writing/Prose:

The prose balances humor with depth, utilizing engaging banter and situational comedy while occasionally meandering.

Plot/Storyline:

The plot merges fantasy adventure with a critique of economic practices, exploring the blurred lines between heroes and villains within a satirical framework.

Setting:

The setting is a humorous take on a fantasy realm with a loot-driven economy, mirroring real-world financial systems.

Pacing:

Pacing is mostly lively, though a few segments might feel drawn out, impacting the overall rhythm.
“And she married good Prince Handor, who’s King Handor now, long live his majesty!” The farmer was as gnarled and leathery as the turnips strewn around his field. He was the sort of rural soul who had...

Notes:

Orconomics combines humor with fantasy adventure and social commentary.
The book offers a twist on traditional heroism by introducing economic concepts into a fantasy setting.
Characters include a mix of flawed heroes and former villains now employed in the hero business.
The plot satirizes the financial industry and even references modern economic concepts like hedge funds.
It features a diverse cast, including a goblin squire, which adds comedic depth.
Readers noted that the humor is hit-or-miss, with some jokes landing better than others.
The audiobook version has been praised for its excellent narration and character voices.
The story is structured like a D&D campaign, complete with parties and quests.
Readers find the novel both amusing and surprisingly deep, tackling themes like friendship and addiction.
The series is part of The Dark Profit Saga, which consists of multiple books.
The narrative plays with RPG tropes, portraying adventuring as a profession.
Readers have commented on the clever writing and engaging world-building.
The book provides a humorous look at economic challenges, similar to the 2008 financial crisis.
Orconomics has a strong following among RPG fans, offering a playful take on conventional fantasy tropes.

Sensitive Topics/Content Warnings

Content warnings for the book include themes of addiction, violence, and race-based slurs.

From The Publisher:

Professional heroes kill and loot deadly monsters every day, but Gorm Ingerson's latest quest will be anything but business as usual.The adventuring industry drives the economy of Arth, a world much like our own but with more magic and fewer vowels.

Monsters' hoards are claimed, bought by corporate interests, and sold off to plunder funds long before the Heroes' Guild actually kills the beasts. Of course, that's a terrible arrangement for the Shadowkin; Orcs, Goblins, Kobolds, and their ilk must apply for to become Noncombatant Paper Carriers (or NPCs) to avoid being killed and looted by heroes.When Gorm Ingerson, a Dwarven ex-hero with a checkered past, stands up for an undocumented Goblin, he inadvertently singles himself out for recruitment by a prophet of the mad goddess to undertake a suicidal quest.

But there's more to Gorm's new job than an insane prophecy: powerful corporations and governments have shown an unusual interest in the quest. If his party of eccentric misfits can stop fighting each other long enough to recover the Elven Marbles, Gorm might be able to turn a bad deal into a golden opportunity.

Ratings (15)

Incredible (5)
Loved It (6)
Liked It (3)
Hated It (1)

Reader Stats (33):

Read It (15)
Want To Read (16)
Not Interested (2)

1 comment(s)

Incredible
9 months

A really funny book that reminds me of Terry Pratchett, in a very good way.

 
 
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