An Unexpected Hero

An Unexpected Hero #1

by Rhett C. Bruno, Jeff Hays (Narrator), Justin Thomas James (Narrator)

"Is it funny? No. It's effing hilarious!"—Matt Dinniman, author of Dungeon Crawler Carl

Some men are born heroes. Others have heroism thrust upon them…
Sorry... Really? Thrust? Anyway, Danny Kendrick was a down-on-his luck performer who always struggled to find his place. He certainly never wanted to be a hero. He just hoped to earn a living doing what he loved.

That all changes when he pisses off the wrong guy and gets sucked into a fantasy realm straight out of a Renaissance Fair.


Getting used to a new world is tough. It’s even tougher when you’re surrounded by axe-wielding barbarians, super hot elf assassins, strange magic, and a System AI that seems as interested in causing trouble as helping... or maybe just wasn't interested in being assigned yet another companion in the first place.

Danny must adapt fast, turn on the charm, and learn to emrace his given Class if he hopes to master it and survive this dangerous new place.

But he has a knack for finding trouble. Gifted what seems like an innocent ancient lute after making a questionable deal with a Hag, Danny becomes the target of mysterious factions who seek to claim its power.

It's up to him, Screenie, and his new barbaric friend, Curr, to uncover the truth and become the heroes nobody knew they needed. And maybe, just maybe, Danny will finally find a place where he belongs. Perhaps, even where he'll thrive.

Jump into this fantasy isekai LitRPG Adventure filled with unforgettable characters, loveable companions, unlikely heroes, slow-build power progression, and plenty of comedy. It's perfect for fans of Dungeon Crawler Carl, Scott Meyer's Off to be the Wizard, and This Trilogy is Broken!

Come for the Adventure, stay for the Laughs!

—————————————————————————————————————————————————————

What to

• Unique System

• Comedy

• Zero-to-Hero MC

• Slow and steady growth. MC will have to build his abilities, understanding, and determination one step at a time.

• A troublesome AI Companion that won't be won over easily.

• Party-Building

• Music-Based Magic

• Budding Friendships

• First-person POV

• No Harem. No VR.

Genres: Fantasy, Audiobook, Fiction, Adventure, Humor, Science Fiction Fantasy

Audible Audio

Published October 15, 2024

About the author

Rhett is happy to hear from his fans and can be reached at rcbruno44@outlook.com. Please subscribe to his newsletter for exclusive access to updates about his work and the opportunity to receive limited content and ARCs.
http://rhettbruno.com/newsletter/. Or join his facebook reader group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/Rhett...

Rhett Bruno grew up in Hauppauge, New York, and studied at the Syracuse University School of Architecture where he graduated cum laude.

He has been writing since he can remember, scribbling down what he thought were epic short stories when he was young to show to his parents. When he reached high school he decided to take that a step further and write the “Isinda Trilogy”. After the encouragement of his favorite English teacher he decided to self-publish the “Isinda Trilogy” so that the people closest to him could enjoy his early work.

While studying architecture Rhett continued to write as much as he could, but finding the time during the brutal curriculum proved difficult. It wasn’t until he was a senior that he decided to finally pursue his passion for Science Fiction. After rededicating himself to reading works of the Science Fiction author’s he always loved, (Frank Herbert, Timothy Zahn, Heinlein, etc.) he began writing “The Circuit: Executor Rising”, The first part of what he hopes will be a successful Adult Science Fiction Series.

Since then Rhett has been hired by an Architecture firm in Mount Kisco, NY. But that hasn’t stopped him from continuing to work on “The Circuit” and all of the other stories bouncing around in his head. He is also currently studying at the New School to earn a Certificate in Screenwriting in the hopes of one day writing for TV or Video Games.

Reviews

[Edward Rydbeck · Rating 1 out of 5]

Did not like at all

I read this book and I really tried to enjoy it. But the MC was such an annoying jerk. I wanted him to fail the whole time. Please save yourself the frustration of disliking yourself for reading this terrible book.

[Aaron · Rating 3 out of 5]

Fun story plot, not a great tale

Fun story. The typical LitRPG tropes ruin the telling of it a bit for me though:
- The "system" is too prominent, snarky, and interrupts so much that it distracted me from the story on many occasions. (not to mention that's the authors designed it as a screen that the MC has to read, even in the middle of battle, has a conversation with "it", and all this in the span of less than a second?)
- A lot of the jokes, or comedy, is crude and childish. Good for a giggle every once in a while, but the consistency of it figuratively drowns the reader rather than a quick comic relief.
- Lastly, the MC isn't really a character that inspires anyone to follow him. Throughout the story, it is repeatedly emphasized to the reader that he didn't achieve almost anything, and what he did was by sheer luck (a stat that I feel is a HUGE crutch for LitRPG authors to get any outcome they want in a story to work out regardless), or by the act of someone else.

[Georgia Tumbleweed McNabb · Rating 2 out of 5]

Enjoyable enough to keep listening to, but not an attention keeper. The main character is sort of a narcissist idiot to begin with, and near the end, actually start to give a damn about other people. Narrator does a great job with the various characters' voices and the entire storyline.

[Josh P · Rating 5 out of 5]

Simple, but great fantasy companion story. Good laughs here and there. Really enjoyed the characters and their quirks. They complimented each other's characters traits. The bard angle worked out well. Could have fleshed out some parts more to be even better, but really that'd probably be a different book for different listening purposes. This is an easy listen with interesting plot and characters while keeping it light.

The main character, Danny, seems to be severely misinterpreted by reviewers. I don't think you're supposed to hate him. He's just a slightly awkward burnout that plays guitar and seems to keep to himself for the most part. While obviously having a confidence issue due to his fairly poor life turnout. His barbarian companion compliments him greatly because he is confidence manifest. While the half ling probably represents lack of inhibition, which he lacks. Really just confused why several people see Danny as rude or negative.

I think the people who can't enjoy this either don't like the general theme or are way too uptight. There's really nothing controversial in this book. I also don't think LitRPG is meant to be read unless you're imaginative I'd imagine. Audiobook was produced very well.

LitRPG is probably my new favorite (sub?) genre.

[Darth C · Rating 4 out of 5]

If Dungeon Crawler Carl and The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy had a snarky, beer-fueled baby, this would be it.

Meet Danny Kendrick, a washed-up musician, part-time cougar bait, and full-time smartass. He gets punched by a biker, smashes into an arcade machine, and wakes up in a LitRPG fever dream where his “quests” involve entertaining drunken barbarians, bargaining with hags named after mucus, and trying not to die of food poisoning.

The humor is relentless (and sometimes gloriously stupid), the fourth-wall-breaking banter with the mysterious floating blue box is pure gold, and the situations Danny blunders into are peak “how is this my life?” energy. It’s light on the crunchy game mechanics but heavy on the comedy, making it perfect if you like your LitRPG with more laughs than spreadsheets.

📚 Vibes & Tropes
🎸 Modern slacker yeeted into a fantasy world
🖥️ Fourth-wall-breaking banter with a sarcastic “HUD”
🎯 Quests that spiral into total chaos
🪓 Barbarian wedding songs gone horribly wrong
🍖 Questionable meat consumption (and regret)
🗯️ Sarcastic magical “helper” that’s no help at all

💡 If you liked Dungeon Crawler Carl, NPCs by Drew Hayes, or Rick and Morty–style absurdity, you’ll have fun with this one.

[Alexis Anthony · Rating 4 out of 5]

if Legend of Vox Machina (tv show), was a LitRPG, with an AI system like in Dungeon Crawler Carl, with just as much sass......you'd have this book. i loved it!

[Crisis · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is pretty juvenile. If your immediate reaction to this review was “You’re pretty juvenile,” then today is your lucky day.

[HaZyBLuE · Rating 5 out of 5]

Absolutely worth the hype

I pre-ordered this book on the reviews of authors I very much enjoy and the powerhouse narration I knew would be included. In every single way, it surpassed my expectations. I cannot wait for the next adventure! Also, if you're not at least getting the Audible and listening along with this one, you're really missing out on amazing immersion and an awesome performance and overall experience. Soundbooth Theater ROCKS! Also, bravo to both of these authors. I really needed the escape, and absolutely mission accomplished. Next, please?

[Thai · Rating 3 out of 5]

An Unexpected Hero is one of those books that sneaks up on you—not because it’s a perfect tale, but because it’s so earnestly weird, fun, and packed with unexpected charm that you can’t help but enjoy the ride.

At first glance, Danny is the last person you’d bet on to save a fantasy world. He’s a washed-up rockstar playing dive bars for soccer moms, and even when he’s tossed through a portal into a strange new realm (classic isekai style), he’s still… well, kind of a disaster. A pathetic, clueless bard with no musical talent and even fewer prospects. But that’s exactly what makes his journey so entertaining.

When Danny hits rock bottom, he makes a desperate bargain with a wonderfully grotesque hag named Phlegm, gaining a magical lute he doesn’t know how to use. From there, the book dives into its LitRPG elements, with Danny’s progress tracked by a delightfully snarky “blue screen” narrator—think sarcastic Siri meets Dungeon Crawler Carl’s AI, full of meta humor and pop culture zingers.

Danny’s growth is slow and full of setbacks (and honestly, some of those dragged on), but the heart of the story really lies in his relationship with Curr, a stoic, socially inept barbarian who unintentionally steals every scene. Curr’s blunt observations about Danny’s inadequacies are delivered with such deadpan honesty that they become laugh-out-loud moments. And despite being a walking slab of muscle and rage, Curr’s loyalty and dry wit give the story surprising emotional weight. Their friendship, though one-sided at first, becomes one of the book’s most satisfying arcs.

The world itself is absurd, colorful, and unapologetically silly—which actually works in its favor. Bruno and Castle aren’t afraid to get ridiculous, and that sense of playfulness gives the story its charm. From bizarre creatures to quirky side characters like Garvis the halfling and Lilla the elf warrior/dream girl, there’s never a dull moment—even when the plot meanders.

Screenie, the narrator, is hands-down my favorite part of the book. Its relentless sass, fourth-wall-breaking jabs, and relentless critique of Danny’s incompetence make for some of the sharpest and funniest dialogue I’ve read in a while.

That said, the book isn’t without its flaws. The pacing lags at times, Danny’s growth feels a little uneven, and the humor—while often spot-on—sometimes tries a bit too hard. Still, it’s clear the authors had a blast writing this, and that infectious energy translates to the page.

If you’re into LitRPGs with heart, humor, and a loveably useless protagonist, An Unexpected Hero delivers a uniquely enjoyable experience. It may not be perfect, but it’s the kind of messy, endearing adventure you’ll remember fondly. I’d definitely be curious to see where Danny’s journey goes next.

[Lhc · Rating 1 out of 5]

The story is very harsh to the main character, only worth reading if you enjoy information being withheld and random suffering. The main character is also an idiot, which perhaps is supposed to be realistic?

[Andy Peloquin · Rating 5 out of 5]

TL;DR Review: Ridiculous and hilarious, action-packed and heartfelt.

Full Review:
I was not prepared for just how much fun I had reading this book!
At the beginning, Danny the washed-up rockstar playing Friday night gigs for soccer moms at some dive bar does not seem your typical hero. Even when he’s isekaied (in true portal fantasy fashion) to another world, he’s nothing but a pathetic, no-talent, starving bard who can’t even entertain a crowd of drunken barbarians.
At his lowest moment, he finds himself striking a deal with a mysterious hag, Phlegm, and comes into possession of a marvelous lute…which he has no idea how to play.
Like any RPG video game, Danny has to “grind” to level up his survival and abilities, and this is where the LitRPG aspect comes into play. Danny’s world is narrated by a much-too-sarcastic “blue screen” that displays everything from his far-too-few hit points to his woefully underpowered stats.
Helpless and hapless as he is, Danny gloms onto Curr, a barbarian with limited social skills and a grim sense of humor that makes him as terrible a companion as he is powerful a protector. But as they journey together and face many foes—well, Curr faces them, Danny mostly just gets in his own way—they develop a friendship that may or may not survive the bloody adventures ahead.
The dynamic between Danny and Curr was hilarious. Curr is entirely literal and his social awkwardness makes him incredibly straightforward and not afraid to point out all the many, many ways Danny is inadequate. It’s never done cruelly, merely as a statement of fact, and in so doing, brings levity to pretty much every moment.
But Curr is also a loyal friend, powerful fighter, and a staunch ally. The bond between him and Danny evolves slowly but really nicely over the course of the story. Theirs is a friendship based not on equality, but the small give-and-take in life that makes for a longer-lasting, more durable relationship. Those who know the authors can absolutely see how certain aspects of these characters may be drawn from real life, and it makes for a truly fun read.
The world is colorful and silly at times, but in the best ways possible. Any chance these authors can get, they will lean into ridiculous settings and situations—some of which had me laughing out loud.
The characters you meet along the way—from Garvis the halfling to Lilla the dream-girl-slash-badass-elf-warrior—are a whole mess of fun, too, adding life and breadth and, most important of all, emotional depth to the story.
My favorite part, though, was definitely the sarcastic narrator. Think of the AI from Dungeon Crawler Carl—with all its weirdnesses and mockery—and you’ll get an understanding of what this voice in Danny’s head is. It’s a hilarious and delightful blend of pop culture references, semi-helpful game instructions, and running commentary on Danny’s absolute uselessness. Definitely the funniest moments in the book were the snarky remarks and quips.
But make no mistake: while An Unexpected Hero leans into the ridiculous and hilarious, it’s also got great action, an intriguing mystery (or three), and excellent character depth. By the end, you’ve had an immensely emotionally satisfying journey. The climactic ending had the fast-paced violence and threats I was hoping for, even a few really good gut-punchy moments.
I had so much fun with this book and can’t wait to find out what comes next for Danny our now-only-slightly-less-incompetent bard and his magical lute.

[Stephen · Rating 4 out of 5]

It was a night like any other: Danny was on the stage at a dive bar, very nearly earning his keep but ruining it by digging at customers who got on his nerves. Then, one of them decided to teach Danny a lesson, and…..he wakes up in a medieval-fantasy realm, where evidently he and all those around him have stats like he’s living in an RPG game. Whaaa?

That’s the setup for An Unexpected Hero, which is an adventure story that takes refuge in audacity by not trying to justify itself. Danny the struggling singer-songwriter is now a Level 1 Bard, penniless in a fantasy kingdom peopled by the usual suspects — haflings, orcs, elves — and guided only by a voice in his head that sometimes pushes into his visual view in the guise of a screen displaying his inventory and stats. “Screenie”, as Danny dubs the guide, is sarcastic, well versed in human pop culture, and fond of double entendres. Although happy to share with Danny facts about the species and places the lost and bewildered bard is encountering, Screenie offers no insight whatsoever as to how Danny was transported into this world of “Aethonia”. Being a weak human surrounded by much more dangerous species, and in a society where the wrong word can get a fella stabbed, Danny has to learn to navigate quickly, and fortunately for him stumbles into a friendship with a giant warrior named Curr who is remarkably sensitive despite being a professional crush-kill-demolisher. Driven on by hunger and official Objectives, Danny and Curr advance into danger and a fairly fun story complete with literal character growth — as Danny levels up his skills, he also genuinely bonds with the people he’s imperiled with.

I encountered this book almost entirely because I was looking for more Bruno and Castle collabs, having enjoyed their Black Badge (western + fantasy) books so much. It helped, too, that I’ve dabbled in LitRPG before, but this one is different in that it makes no effort whatsoever to explain itself. One moment Danny is in our world, the next he’s in this fantasy realm with a talking voice in his head. The story worked for me as a straightforward and light-hearted fantasy-adventure story, with lots of humor, though I was definitely intrigued by the behind-the-curtain background, and the fact that Screenie isn’t an all-knowing guide. No spoilers, but at some point Danny becomes involved in a fairly serious quest with an enchanted object, and things begin happening that Screenie can’t understand. Even funnier, there’s some hint that Screenie is aware it’s the narrator.

This was an unusual, but fun, book: litrpg is a niche genre in itself, but I think anyone interested in adventure novels would get some enjoyment out of it. I certainly did!

[MyDoRyS · Rating 2 out of 5]

Audio: 4 stars just because the barbarian character sounded like Arnold Schwarzenegger!!! I get the inspiration behind it, but do not support the "discrimination" ideal behind it. Loved the use of sounds and music in the background, it really makes the story feel like a movie and all of the narrators are great.

Story: Great idea, but it did not work for me. The story was interesting enough to keep me reading until the end. However, I did not develop any rapport for the characters. The MC is a whiny adult who acts like a horny teen, ALWAYS complaining about how unfair his life is and how he wanted to sleep with a married woman, stalker style. He is also a total doormat loser in both Earth and the fantasy world. The rest of the characters are just plain rude and crass. The "jokes" were trying too hard to actually be funny. The book makes reference to Seinfeld, and maybe that should have been a red flag for me since I don't find Seinfeld funny whatsoever. Therefore, it is a ME thing. It is a well paced book overall and there are good world building descriptions, but I disliked the characters as a whole. I will not continue the series. Onto my next adventure, Happy Readings!!!

[Cmoore · Rating 4 out of 5]

In this book a poor guy, Danny is Isekaied from one bar fight and comes to in middle of another managing to escape by just the skin of his teeth. You can imagine how confused Danny is as makes his getaway! The clothes, the buildings and streets and that floaty blue screen obstructing his view! Now I really like a snarky AI, but for me the authors pushed the snark too far. There's plenty of things done just right in the Unexpected Hero. I enjoyed the characters and the storyline, and getting Soundbooth Theater Productions was a coup because they understood what the book needed and matched it to their own kinda over the top podcast and of course the lute!!! Soundbooth's just amazing when it comes to adding music to the audio's soundtrack. And ohhhh myyy the pop-cultural references are everywhere which I really enjoy!

Here's some quotes that amused me:

CURRENT HEALTH: 70% (Drunken Impairment) That was true. No one is one hundred percent after three or more Guinnesses. Or is it Guinessi?

King Shirtaloon IV, also known as Shirtaloon the Monster Slayer

“Well, Curr, if I was going to die, death by Snu-Snu seems the way to go.”

[Wendy · Rating 2 out of 5]

This book was exhausting to read. There are some cool ideas tied into bard magic and a few promising character moments that pushed me to the end. I’m not sure it was worth it.

Most of the book is the MC (all too often too douchey to enjoy) interacting with the typical sarcastic, unhelpful, let’s jam in a bunch of references “system screen.” It comes across as self indulgent, gets in the way of story, and highlights how passive the MC character is. If you want an example of a story that happens to a character vs one driven by a character’s choices—this is it.

And it’s slow. There’s so much time spent on mundane stuff like managing hunger and thirst, so much denial of his current circumstances (be a bard, for crying out loud), and so much energy devoted to apparently arbitrary skill acquisition/levels—it’s frustrating.

I think this could have been fun, but I didn’t bond at all with the style (and was actually angered by some of the dumber moments).

Bonus: fake swearing not irritating to me (rare achievement) and no harem (though I wouldn’t be surprised if it showed up for the lulz)

2.5

[Edward J Andrescavage III · Rating 5 out of 5]

An equal to DCC and HWFWM

The stuff in quotes below was written by an AI in order to meet the length requirement. If you enjoy reading series like Dungeon Crawler Carl, or He Who Fights With Monsters you should definitely check this book/series out. It really deserves to be mentioned among those heavyweights in litrpg genre.

"An Unexpected Hero is a masterpiece that completely exceeded my expectations! From the very first page, I was hooked by the unique blend of heart-pounding action and deep character development. The protagonist, who starts off as an unlikely hero, quickly proves that courage comes in many forms. The storytelling is captivating, with unexpected twists that kept me on the edge of my seat. The pacing is perfect, and the emotional depth of the characters really resonates. The author does an incredible job of blending humor, suspense, and heartwarming moments. By the end, I found myself cheering for the underdog in a way I never anticipated. A truly inspiring read that will stay with me long after the final page. Highly recommended!"

[Forrest · Rating 1 out of 5]

Thanks, I hated it. DNF

The annoying adventures of a whiney little brat who does NOTHING but complain, whine, argue with the voice in his head, and lie compulsively about every single subject that comes up. I honestly can’t think of a single example of him choosing to tell the truth… about ANYTHING .


I dislike so much about this book and I’m not halfway through it yet. I’m so close to abandoning it and marking it DNF.

This story is supposed to be “funny.” I’ve laughed once.

Nothing about the nonstop complaining, arguing, whining, lying, every character he meets treating him like some excrement they have to scrape off of their shoe, is funny.

Almost halfway through the book and the character had had nearly zero personal growth. Zero power ups or abilities. The “system screen” does nothing at all but state the obvious and insult/trick the MC. Every single quest he receives has no actual reward for completing it. Just a snarky comment or a meaningless title gained.

I’ve changed my mind. I AM quitting here and marking this DNF.

I read fantasy to escape the stress of the real world. If anything, this book is aggravating my anxiety and depression issues. So much negativity!

I’m out.

[Evan Allen · Rating 3 out of 5]

I'm not a huge fan of LitRPG. Dungeon Crawler Carl changed my opinion on the genre. It may be bad but now I will compare LitRPG to DCC. This is very rough in most aspects of storytelling. It seems like a debut. The entry to the new world/setting was pretty jarring and has next to no explanation. The objectives were sudden and accomplishing them didn't seem very satisfying. The characters do slowly grow on you though. The humor hits a good amount for me but did miss sometimes. I'm not sure if I'd pick up the next book when it comes out.

I do want to note the narration and production was top notch! It was one of my first books that added background noises like lute playing. It helps with the immersion. I would say I'd really dislike the book if I read it instead of listening. Jeff Hayes is a top tier narrator.

[Stan Hutchings · Rating 5 out of 5]

A humorous, action-packed adventure
Danny, trying to play guitar and sing, is transferred to an alternate reality by a knockout punch from an angry biker who didn’t like his songs. He wakes up in a medieval tavern dressed in period costume and ordered to sing for barbarian braugs. He fails to entertain and narrowly misses being dismembered. He is now homeless, penniless, hungry, with only a snarky, sarcastic blue screen to advise him. Fortunately, he meets Curr who allows him to accompany him on a quest. He discovers some of the lute’s power, joins a company of priestesses, accidently becomes a hero and finds romance (maybe if he's lucky and doesn't get killed).
The drawings add to the enjoyment of the story.

[JULIA · Rating 4 out of 5]

I decided to listen to this LitRPG sound booth theater production after Matt Dinniman recommended it on his FB page as hilarious. I could use some hilarity these days.

It took me until around the 50-60 percent mark though before I grew to really care about this story and its characters. It probably boils down to the fact that the flawed hero is way more flawed than hero for a big chunk of the book. That said, Danny grows, and grows on you! Once he acquires his ragtag group of quest associates the book really takes off. I found myself laughing a good bit more in the second half of the book too.

Now I’m certain I will listen to sequels. Really looking forward to it.

[Chad Martin · Rating 4 out of 5]

A very fun and entertaining read. The book has lots of humor and banter between the main characters. Danny is dropped into a world of magic and meets a Hag right out of the gate. The antics with Curr, the epitome of a straight man, make for fun reading. Getting to see how Danny works with the system to ramp up his skills and develop his own character.
This first installment of the series is definitely a fun read. Recommended to me because of my interest in the Matt Dinneman series and it was well placed. A very similar vibe with the Danny and his cast of characters.
Will be looking forward to the next read.

[Joshua Smith · Rating 3 out of 5]

I had a really hard time coming up with the rating for this one. Normally, if I do not like a book I rate it poorly so that I make sure not to continue or re-read it. It didn't seem fair in this case. I REALLY did not like the MC...like extreme distaste. That being said, I know the type of person he was modeled after...and the archetype was done perfectly. I do not think I would hate him so much if he wasn't written so well.

Curr is awesome though, that guy is great. The story is not bad either.

[Kate Maxwell · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is my first LitRPG book and it was a great way to get into the genre! Even if you have never played a role-playing game (RPG), you won't be lost in this book. It's an adventure full of quirky characters, a quest (several, actually), and fun. The MC gets smashed into a video game and has to figure out how to exist without getting killed. He has a handy heads-up display that helps him along the way. Everyone has a unique personality and the fight scenes aren't too gruesome. This book kept me up past my bedtime a few times!

[Sunna · Rating 4 out of 5]

Picked up this book after I saw it was recommended by Matt Dinniman and omg it did not disappoint. I listened to the audiobook and the production quality was amazing, I 100000000% recommend listening to this one as music is a big part of the story (also Jeff Hayes!!).
If you've read Dungeon Crawler Carl and are waiting on the next book, this one is perfect to pick up while you wait as the premise is *similar* but different.

Just go listen to it ok

[Danny Cannon · Rating 5 out of 5]

Hilarious

This is a fun, lighthearted read, but it’s also a love letter to all of the Aethon(and other) authors. The Easter Eggs abound for LitRPG authors in this thing
I laughed the whole way through. Danny, the main character, stumbles and bumbles, and he’s lovable enough that I enjoyed watching him advance. He might be a knucklehead, but he’s MY lovable knucklehead.
I’m excited to see what happens in the next book.

[Jonathan · Rating 5 out of 5]

fun

Guy reincarnates into a deadbeat and makes a deal with a witch. This puts him in at fights, down wells, trekking cross country, fighting elves, learning hidden truths, and generally putting his foot in his mouth with his overly literal friends.
This was a good listen. Great pacing with lots of references to other authors. The world is interesting and the story humorous. Please enjoy.

[Laura May · Rating 2 out of 5]

I understand that we're probably supposed to hate the MC, but it was a bit much. I can't enjoy reading about assholes, and between him and Screenie, with the extra bite added by Jeff Hays, it was honestly way too much.

I kept listening only because of the music - I thought that was a great touch.

The pace was solid, and the characters did pick up towards the end, but I still won't be continuing with this series.

2.5⭐

[Mr. J · Rating 4 out of 5]

I am not entirely sure how to rate this book. The audio narration was stellar. Jeff Hayes and SBT really knocked it out of the park and frankly, that is what kept me listening. It wasn't until the final 1/3rd of the book did I start getting interested. Poor pacing at the beginning. Way too slow. The ending is simultaneously interesting and cliché. That kind of makes it more interesting by itself.. hmm.. TBD if I continue the series. Maybe book 2 is better?

[Brandon · Rating 3 out of 5]

this book is mostly funny with some unexpected plot twists

some of the humor is very straight white man humor that gets repetitive, I think if it wasn't for the brilliant sound effects and narration from SoundBooth theater I most likely would have put the book down a lot sooner

ended up being disappointed with some of the lackluster worldbuilding and plot but will probably read /listen to the following books when they come out

[Scottt · Rating 2 out of 5]

Good writing, bad book. Another MC that's too dumb to like.

I get that you want to allow for character growth, but if there are no seeds of redeeming qualities to start, it's hard to care. I gave up half way through. It's a shame, because the writing quality is a notch above the genre's average.