This is another one that’s just kind of … there. The author fancies himself a standup comedian and the book was self-published, which should really tell you all you need to know. It’s not offensively bad (for the most part, there are some HILARIOUS stereotypes about women, let me tell you) it’s just blah. It’s a book that is meant to combine magic and technology and it just kind of flops there and looks dead.
Here’s an anecdote that pretty well describes the book and how it fits into our world: I went to find an image of the cover and when I typed the title into Google Images, it filled in suggesting I really wanted to search for fan-created images of the primary (only) female character.
Basically our hero is a bit of a tech wiz with really no life and he stumbles across this file online (somehow … ) and when he edits it, those edits are echoed in the real world. Like he updates his height and he’s suddenly two inches taller. As he starts fiddling with the world, he sets himself an escape route – jumping into medieval England where this prowess is easily disguised as magic. You know, the whole ‘technology sufficiently advanced is indistinguishable from magic’ idea.
If you’re wondering whether the book description contains the phrase “An American hacker in King Arthur’s court,” congratulations, you win a prize.
Anyway turns out he is far from the first person to trace exactly these steps so he winds up among fellow “wizards” and the adventures continue. The hilarious thing is that the villain’s dastardly plan and what makes him the villain is that he doesn’t have original ideas, he cribs from established properties and adds a little twist. And fuck me if that isn’t what this whole damn book feels like.
A friend recommended this to me and I couldn’t find it at the library (first clue) but another friend had it on Audible so I gave it a shot. Yes, that first friend is a same person who recommended Origins, but I just don’t learn my lesson. So take it from me, y’all. This is a no go.
Bingo Square: Backlog
Bingo #3 Backlog, Listicles, Throwback Thursday, Not My Wheelhouse, And So It Begins
I really liked this book. I did it by audio, and it’s narrated by Luke Daniels, who is extremely talented. I was a bit bothered by the lack of ladies, but it’s called out in the book, and I thought it was obvious that the author was making the hero a jackass on purpose.
To each her own, I guess!
The sequel wasn’t as good for me, though, despite being set in Atlantis, which is a lady-created utopia.
I listened to the audiobook too, I guess I just hated the guy’s voice? Good to know the sequel drops.