Books matching: unexpected heroes
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Save:A geeky, light-hearted romp that’s big on laughs and nerdy charm, but comes up short on depth and diversity. Perfect for when you want something witty, quick, and not-too-serious.
In "Off to Be the Wizard" by Scott Meyer, the story follows Martin Banks, an amateur hacker who stumbles upon a file that controls his life. As he starts manipulating his reality, he ends up traveling back in time to medieval England, where he pretends to be a wizard. Along the way, he meets other wizards, faces challenges, and gets entangled in magical adventures. The book combines elements of magic, time travel, and computer programming in a humorous and light-hearted narrative style. The story is filled with geeky references, sarcastic humor, and pop culture nods, creating an entertaining and quirky read for fans of fantasy and sci-fi genres.
Martin Banks enjoyed science. As a child he read about people who made huge, world-changing discoveries, and he had wondered what emotions he would feel if he ever discovered something really earth-sh...2013•380 pages - #2
Save:A quirky, imaginative, and funny kids’ fantasy with a clever twist, perfect for families and young readers - but may not reach the legendary heights of Ende’s most famous works.
'The Night of Wishes' by Michael Ende is a children's book that offers a surprisingly dark and twist-filled plot. With a small yet lovable cast of characters, the story follows the adventures of bumbling heroes, strange villains, and magical creatures in a whimsical world. The writing style is described as lovely for children but also containing clever satire that adults can appreciate, making it an enjoyable read for readers of all ages.
1989•222 pages - #3
Save:A wacky, pun-filled LitRPG romp that starts off totally absurd and surprisingly heartfelt - great for anyone wanting to laugh and enjoy the ride, but may not satisfy readers looking for pure epic fantasy or tightly structured plotlines.
'This Quest is Bullshit!' is the first book in the 'This Trilogy is Broken' series by J. P. Valentine. The story follows a group of adventurers on a comedic fantasy quest filled with RPG elements, puns, sarcasm, and witty moments. Despite the lighthearted tone, the book incorporates serious themes, character progression, and intriguing plot developments. The writing style is fast-paced, engaging, and keeps readers entertained with its unique litRPG world and interesting characters.
January 2021•408 pages - #4
Save:A fun, chaotic LitRPG romp with lots of action, humor, and imaginative world-building, but expect rule-of-cool storytelling and some plot threads left dangling. Great for fans wanting a wild time, not for those needing relentless logic or tidy resolutions.
'One More Last Time' in the series 'The Good Guys' by author Eric Ugland follows the protagonist Montana as he navigates through a new world with a new chance, armed with a new weapon after losing his sword. Readers are drawn into Montana's adventures filled with humor, mystery, and a touch of unpredictability. The writing style captures the essence of a classic fantasy tale with elements of LitRPG, offering a blend of character progression, world-building, and engaging storytelling that keeps readers hooked.
Not like your-eyes-are-closed black, but like a ceaseless, unending void of darkness. Besides, as far as I could tell in that moment, my eyes were open and there was nothing to see. An absence of ligh...September 2018•325 pages - #5
Save:A wild, hilarious, and surprisingly heartfelt send-up of LitRPG and dystopian tropes - if you’re into off-beat, character-driven, and meta-funny sci-fi/fantasy, Dungeon Crawler Carl is an absolute must-read (or must-listen).
In 'Dungeon Crawler Carl,' readers are thrust into an absurd and violent game-like world where survival means killing monsters and fellow humans Battle Royale style. The protagonist, Carl, stands out as a balance of blue-collar everyman, nerd, and isekai protagonist, navigating through a mix of absurd violence and depravity with close companionship with his cat and complicated feelings towards his ex and father. The writing style is described as modern and idiomatic, with masterful dialogue that elevates fictional craftsmanship while maintaining natural and unaffected character interactions.
The transformation occurred at approximately 2:23 AM, Pacific Standard Time. As far as I could tell, anyone who was indoors when it happened died instantly. If you had any sort of roof over you, you w...September 2020•445 pages - #6
Save:A rootin'-tootin' supernatural western romp that's big on fun and atmosphere, if a bit light on depth and development. A great pick for readers wanting fast-paced fantasy action in a Wild West setting - just don’t expect high philosophy or deep soul-searching.
Cold as Hell is a unique blend of the Wild West and the occult, featuring an undead former outlaw named James Crowley who is brought back to life to fight evil supernatural creatures across the old frontier. The story includes elements such as angels, werewolves, demons, and a yeti, creating a refreshing spin on the western genre. The writing style captures the essence of the Wild West with a twist, incorporating dark and supernatural themes that add depth to the narrative.
The main character, James Crowley, is a complex and intriguing protagonist, reminiscent of Jonah Hex, with a rough exterior but a softer side that showcases his humanity. The book explores the bond between Crowley and his horse, Timperina, and introduces unique elements like a magical harmonica. Despite its dark elements and supernatural themes, Cold as Hell maintains an authentic Wild West setting, blending genres seamlessly to create an engaging and entertaining story.
Ash fluttered through the air of Lonely Hill, like someone left a candle burning and the cat knocked it over while they slept. But this wasn’t a house fire. You’d see that plume of black for miles and...May 2022•413 pages - #7
Save:A fast, funny, and super entertaining spy romp for tweens - think gadgets, danger, and lots of laughs. Perfect for middle graders, just be aware of a little casual language here and there.
'Spy School' by Stuart Gibbs follows the story of Ben Ripley, a 12-year-old boy who unexpectedly gets recruited to a spy school. The plot revolves around Ben navigating the challenges of spy training, facing danger, and unraveling mysteries while trying to figure out who he can trust. The writing style is described as fast-paced, humorous, and engaging, keeping readers intrigued with twists and turns in the storyline.
It hadn’t been, up till then. Not by a long shot. That day had been a prime example: day 4,583, seven months into the twelfth year of my mundane existence. I had dragged myself out of bed, eaten break...2012•318 pages - #8
Save:A fast, tension-filled thriller that keeps you hooked with every page. Not for the faint of heart, but a must-read if you crave classic suspense and relentless action.
Marathon Man by William Goldman is a classic thriller following the story of Thomas Babington Levy, a graduate student at Columbia University who becomes entangled in a world of espionage and deceit after his brother's mysterious death. As Babe navigates through a web of Nazis, torture, and family secrets, the tension builds up to a nail-biting climax. The book is known for its well-defined characters, escalating tension, and a plot that keeps readers on the edge of their seats, reminiscent of a heart-pounding marathon race.
The writing style of William Goldman in Marathon Man is described as masterful, with excellently drawn characters, plot twists, and suspense that keeps readers hooked from beginning to end. The book seamlessly weaves together multiple storylines, building suspense as the connections between them become clear, leading to a wholly satisfying conclusion that showcases the author's storytelling prowess.
Levy did his best to ignore them, standing at the top of the brownstone steps, making sure his sneaker laces were properly tight. These were his best shoes, the cream of the Adidas line, and they fit...January 1974•308 pages - #9
Save:A smart, engaging mystery with a memorable Scottish setting - an easy recommendation for fans of Dick Francis or British whodunits, especially those who appreciate a creative twist.
Dick Francis' 'To the Hilt' follows the story of artist Alexander Kinloch, who lives a secluded life in the Scottish Highlands, content with his painting commissions and solitude. However, his peaceful existence is shattered when he is attacked by strangers demanding to know the whereabouts of a hidden treasure. As Alexander navigates through family secrets, embezzlement schemes, and the complexities of his stepfather's brewery, he finds himself entangled in a dangerous web of deception and violence. The plot unfolds with unexpected twists and turns, showcasing Francis' masterful storytelling and the intricate relationships between the characters. The setting of Scotland adds an intriguing backdrop to the narrative, enhancing the overall atmosphere of the book.
My mother sent me a postcard - 'Perhaps I'd better tell you your stepfather has had a heart attack' - which I read in disbelief outside the remote Scottish post office where I went every two weeks to...1996•364 pages - #10
Save:A grown-up, character-rich dragon fantasy that trades clichés for complexity and heart. If you want dragons with depth - and heroes with muddy boots - don’t miss it!
When a courtier comes riding into Jenny's path, flourishing his words and falling off his horse gallantly, she can't help but shake her head. Especially when she learns that he's there to convince Lord Aversin to slay a dragon for the kingdom. And as a witch and his lover, Jenny can't help but be dragged into this adventure. Overall, a rather dull book. The characters read very world weary and that translates into the book as well. Most of it is tromping through the wilderness to get to a place with a rather pragmatic and dismal tone. I'm all for practicality, but for some reason this book just reeks of it. Which makes it a little dull. It's satirical in a toss cold water on you sort of way. It's the type of book that literally says hey, your Dragonbane is a hick and adventuring actually is cold and wet and icky. But there's no spark of humor or entertainment in this book at all. Just pragmatic Jenny with her little magic and down to earth John with his good intentions to help out his king and his lands. I did appreciate a lot of aspects of the book. Gareth was both annoying and entertaining. I absolutely loved the ending and the idea that there is a spirit animal in every person. I loved Jenny's interaction with the dragon, and oh my gosh, that description of music and gold that was just beautiful. But... this book was just so practical and almost boring. Two stars for a good concept. But at the same time, two stars for making it rather grey and dull. Recommended only for those who want to read about a down to earth kind of adventure.
She was not sure any more whether it was magic which told her this, or simply the woodcraftiness and instinct for the presence of danger that anyone developed who had survived to adulthood in the Wint...1985•352 pages
