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Gleeman's Tales

(The Gleeman's Tales Duology #1)

Matthew Travagline (Goodreads Author)

4.33 · Rating details · 12 ratings · 7 reviews

Gnochi Gleeman is not like other entertainers. Because of his expansive knowledge of pre-apocalyptic Earth, the stories he tells are valued well beyond the flashes of an illuminator, or the spheres of a juggler. Gnochi spent the first decade of his career telling stories while traveling between taverns, inns, and any hole-in-the-wall which would feed him.

Cleo, a young teen ...more

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Kindle Edition, First Edition, 411 pages

Published June 6th 2020

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· 12 ratings · 7 reviews

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Aug 11, 2020 AnnaScott rated it really liked it

Shelves: blogged, dystopian, fantasy, own-in-ebook-form, literature-approved

This was a fascinating book. I almost didn't accept the review request based on the quantity of books already on my to-read list, but the author wrote me such a nice message I had to accept it. And I wasn't disappointed.

Let's start with the genre. It's listed as urban fantasy and post-apocalyptic, and I wasn't sure what to expect. So imagine a world where our world is so old that and all of the history and cultural phenomena that we take for granted is forgotten except by a select few. Now take This was a fascinating book. I almost didn't accept the review request based on the quantity of books already on my to-read list, but the author wrote me such a nice message I had to accept it. And I wasn't disappointed.

Let's start with the genre. It's listed as urban fantasy and post-apocalyptic, and I wasn't sure what to expect. So imagine a world where our world is so old that and all of the history and cultural phenomena that we take for granted is forgotten except by a select few. Now take away everything you would typically expect from a dystopian novel (corrupt overbearing government, fancy technology, urban environments, etc.) and add in elements like a wildly different schedule for the seasons (winter is a year long thing that comes every few years), a wolf deity, and people with special abilities (known as echoes). All set in what you would probably imagine for a fantasy novel. I've never read anything close to this combination, but I liked it. The dystopian element made Gnochi's stories from the Civil War up to current times interesting, and added a level of subtle commentary to what most of us take for granted in our American History class. The fantasy element, though, kept it interesting and made me curious to keep reading.

Moving on to the characters, they were phenomenal. I loved Gnochi and Cleo and basically everyone, even the ones who were closer to being antagonists. The relationships were so genuine and caring, while still a bit playful and teasing. There wasn't anything more than the barest hint of romance, but it was refreshing to see characters just care about each other outside of the romantic context.

The only complaint I have is that I wish it had a more clearly defined story arc. Even at the half-way point I wasn't entirely clear on what the overarching goal of the story was or who the 'bad guys' really were or what Gnochi and Cleo were working towards. However, this could totally be because this a duology and I've only read the first one. Another thing I would have liked to see more of is Cleo's back story. Not much information is given about her in this book, though I'm sure her plot is filled out more in the second part.

As far as content goes, there was infrequent use of language throughout the book. To me, it came across as intentional (e.g. representing a character type accurately) rather than being flagrant or careless, so I wasn't really bothered by it overall. The only other element to point out is religion. While most of the book addresses religion more as spirituality (a wolf deity appearing rather than a structured belief system, moral code, etc.), it did have parts that alluded to the religions in the First Age (read: our time) and gave the idea that they were all equally valid. Again, in the context of the fantasy genre, it didn't bother me.

Overall, I was pleasantly surprised by this book. I love it when I find stories that go outside of the cliches of their genres and keep me guessing as to what is coming next, which was definitely the case here.

I received a copy of this book from the author for the purpose of this review. All thoughts and opinions are entirely my own.

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Jan 05, 2021 Courtney Lake rated it really liked it

I received a copy of this book as a Goodreads giveaway.

This is such a fun book! This is a unique amalgamation of fantasy/alternate history/post apocalyptical/intrigue/adventure that never stops.

There's a hint to mutations all throughout the first part of the book, references to "Echoers" but you don't really see much of it until the second half. But then it is revealed that the part of the world the story is set in has spent a lot of effort murdering all of them they can find.

Fans of The Witch I received a copy of this book as a Goodreads giveaway.

This is such a fun book! This is a unique amalgamation of fantasy/alternate history/post apocalyptical/intrigue/adventure that never stops.

There's a hint to mutations all throughout the first part of the book, references to "Echoers" but you don't really see much of it until the second half. But then it is revealed that the part of the world the story is set in has spent a lot of effort murdering all of them they can find.

Fans of The Witcher on Netflix will really enjoy this story.

The setting, a couple hundred years after what was apparently a major collapse of society. Close enough that people still vaguely remember what it was like, and some well maintained relics are still functioning. Most of the detailed knowledge has been lost, and there are some groups who actively try to keep it that way, believing that knowledge was what caused the downfall. I felt that the portrayal of society was wholly accurate to what I think would occur.

Our protagonist, Gnochi (which is such a fun name!) is a keeper of knowledge from before. His family had built a bunker stocked with books and knowledge before the fall. And they have kept it and added to it stories that were gathered over the years.

The supporting cast is all fun, I especially loved the two best friends from the circus and their arc. Dorothea is a intriguing character, as are the other characters from the circus and that we meet along the way.

Honestly Cleo fell a little flat for me. She comes across as spoiled, used to getting her way (for reasons we find out later) and no real understanding of others as well, people. She seems to see them as tools to get what she wants, or obstacles in her way. Even if she doesn't think of them consciously as such, I don't feel she really connects with others in the story. Even with Gnochi, she attaches to his usefulness to her, not to him as a friend or mentor. She does grow as a character throughout the book, but I still wasn't as invested in her as I was some of the others.

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Oct 11, 2020 Gina R Mitchell rated it it was amazing

Shelves: 2020-reviews, reviewed

Gleeman’s Tales by Matthew Travagline is book one of the Gleeman’s Duology. Remember this vital fact.

Mr. Travagline displays his superior skills in penning this story. He builds a post-apocalyptic world with intricate detail. Gnocchi Gleeman tells the story of how this world came to be through his many bard’s tales. You would expect to be confused by stories within stories, but it all makes exquisite sense.

Cleo endears herself to the reader by showing glimpses of the young girl while pretending ...more

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Aug 07, 2020 Liliyana Shadowlyn rated it it was amazing

Shelves: 2020-reads

The Gleeman weaves a captivating tale. Gnochi isn't your typical gleeman, and this story isn't your typical post-apocalyptic tale. The world unfolded slowly but at the perfect pace for the reader to absorb each new detail and character as they arrived. I loved the "mini stories" that Gnochi tells of the previous world (one similar to our own). Full of adventure and characters that you'll love or love to hate, this book is a must-read for anyone craving a different kind of post-apocalyptic story. ...more

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Jun 06, 2020 Honestly Austen rated it really liked it

We find ourselves in a world vastly different than the one we currently inhabit whose lost age is a slightly altered version of our current world. Through the eyes of a multitude of characters but especially through the stories of Gnochi Gleeman, and Travagline's amazing stories within a story writing, the characters and we the reader are provided with insights that have an important bearing on their present and future.

I was completely drawn into Travagline's ability to weave fact and fiction wi ...more

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Nov 19, 2020 Nicholas Adams rated it liked it

When everything's been forgotten, those who remember are vital.

What I liked:
The world-building is fantastic.

What I didn't like:
The first time Gnochi "told a story" I was pulled out of the book. I expected to hear the Gleeman's tales from the POV of the audience, but it was like someone literally inserted a chapter from another book which (at the time) seemed unrelated to the post-apocalyptic storyteller's world.

Overall:
I gave Gleeman's Tales by Matthew Travagline for world-building and imagi ...more

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Feb 24, 2020 Matthew added it · (Review from the author)

Shelves: my-books

If you have any questions, feel free to use the Goodreads 'ask a question' feature, and I will respond to the best of my ability. Don't worry, I won't give anything away if it would spoil the duology's end.

You can also find me across other social platforms, including my website.

Thank you for your time, and happy reading!

Matt

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