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The Hard Blokes Of Sparta #0.5
The Hard Blokes Of Sparta: The Relic In The Dungeon
Why do wizards always want you to go into the dungeon first?
Dave and his friends are having a bad day. Not only are they having to come to terms with the fact they’re in a weird (and very un-Spartan) magical world, but if no one hires them soon, then it won’t be long before they have to embark on a short and boring career in death by starvation.But when a wizard, an elf, and a dwarf finally agree to hire the Spartans for a spot of monster-infested-dungeon-clearing, it soon becomes evident that the Spartans are going to have to deal with things much more magical and annoying than even they had anticipated.Funny and fast paced, strange and fantastical, join the Hard Blokes as they find out why the hell anyone would go to the trouble of keeping an ancient and mysterious relic in a dungeon, anyway…
Dave and his friends are having a bad day. Not only are they having to come to terms with the fact they’re in a weird (and very un-Spartan) magical world, but if no one hires them soon, then it won’t be long before they have to embark on a short and boring career in death by starvation.But when a wizard, an elf, and a dwarf finally agree to hire the Spartans for a spot of monster-infested-dungeon-clearing, it soon becomes evident that the Spartans are going to have to deal with things much more magical and annoying than even they had anticipated.Funny and fast paced, strange and fantastical, join the Hard Blokes as they find out why the hell anyone would go to the trouble of keeping an ancient and mysterious relic in a dungeon, anyway…
- GenresFantasy
87 pages, Kindle Edition
Published October 1, 2020
58 people are currently reading
73 people want to read
About the author
Jamie Brindle
64 books29 followersJamie Brindle has been writing stories for almost as long as he can remember. Occasionally they are even published.
Sometimes, he wonders if this has had any lasting deleterious effect on him, such as perhaps being responsible for the habit he has of writing about himself in the third person. At other time this seems not to matter.
He was raised by ex-hippies in an apple orchard, and had to chase around a hedge maze for pocket money. When he grew older, he was deemed to have passed the "maze" level, and so graduated to selling boomerangs at Covent Garden Market.
He was home educated until the age of fourteen, then went to Bedford College, where he essentially didn't speak for two years. Near the end of this time he was questioned by a careers advisor, and revealed his desire to be a writer. Once she had stopped laughing, she suggested that a career which was more "financially viable" might be advisable. This resulted in him taking science A-levels, and then going on to study Biochemistry at the University of Sussex in 1998.
On graduating, Jamie realised the main problem with this was that he found biochemistry rather boring. Around this time he found out that a handful of universities offered graduate-entry medicine courses. Unfortunately, he did not have much relevant experience, a problem which he sought to rectify by doing various forms of work experience.
Amongst the work experience he undertook, Jamie was grateful to be offered the chance to spend some time in a school for deaf children. He went for two weeks and ended up staying for three and a half years. This was a good thing, as it gave him a chance to get over his home-educated prejudices about the school system, as he really liked the school and began, more generally, to feel that perhaps school wasn't such a bad thing, after all.
This period came to an end, however, when he was offered a place at the University of Warwick to study Medicine in 2006. He enjoyed medicine greatly, and met lots of nice people on the course. He now works as a GP trainee, and finds that writing is a wonderful way to ground himself after long shifts working in the bizarre fantasy world of the NHS. He is currently writing a thinly-veiled autobiographical book about his experiences as a junior doctor. He is still wondering about whether or not to put dragons in.
During this time he has written a fair few short stories which have appeared online and in various anthologies. His first novel, "The Fall of the Angel Nathalie" was published in 2013 by Necro Press, and can be found here or at amazon here.
Sometimes, he wonders if this has had any lasting deleterious effect on him, such as perhaps being responsible for the habit he has of writing about himself in the third person. At other time this seems not to matter.
He was raised by ex-hippies in an apple orchard, and had to chase around a hedge maze for pocket money. When he grew older, he was deemed to have passed the "maze" level, and so graduated to selling boomerangs at Covent Garden Market.
He was home educated until the age of fourteen, then went to Bedford College, where he essentially didn't speak for two years. Near the end of this time he was questioned by a careers advisor, and revealed his desire to be a writer. Once she had stopped laughing, she suggested that a career which was more "financially viable" might be advisable. This resulted in him taking science A-levels, and then going on to study Biochemistry at the University of Sussex in 1998.
On graduating, Jamie realised the main problem with this was that he found biochemistry rather boring. Around this time he found out that a handful of universities offered graduate-entry medicine courses. Unfortunately, he did not have much relevant experience, a problem which he sought to rectify by doing various forms of work experience.
Amongst the work experience he undertook, Jamie was grateful to be offered the chance to spend some time in a school for deaf children. He went for two weeks and ended up staying for three and a half years. This was a good thing, as it gave him a chance to get over his home-educated prejudices about the school system, as he really liked the school and began, more generally, to feel that perhaps school wasn't such a bad thing, after all.
This period came to an end, however, when he was offered a place at the University of Warwick to study Medicine in 2006. He enjoyed medicine greatly, and met lots of nice people on the course. He now works as a GP trainee, and finds that writing is a wonderful way to ground himself after long shifts working in the bizarre fantasy world of the NHS. He is currently writing a thinly-veiled autobiographical book about his experiences as a junior doctor. He is still wondering about whether or not to put dragons in.
During this time he has written a fair few short stories which have appeared online and in various anthologies. His first novel, "The Fall of the Angel Nathalie" was published in 2013 by Necro Press, and can be found here or at amazon here.
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Displaying 1 - 23 of 23 reviews
January 22, 2023
Some Spartan warriors who have no magical powers find themselves on level 31. And they’re starving. In urgent need of a paying job, they take on a quest they’re clearly not prepared for.
It’s a prequel to a series, but it does very much rely on the reader already being familiar with the characters and the world they’re in. I jumped into this one rather blindly, assuming the prequel would be able to stand on its own. Unfortunately, a lot of things didn’t really make sense at first glance and I found myself lost quite a few times.
I read a review that said the comedy of this story is reminiscent of Terry Pratchett. Now, maybe this raised my expectations too high. And comedy is definitely subjective. But the comedy is definitely not reminiscent of Terry Pratchett. I mean, the funniest moment was when one character pulled another’s underpants down in front of everyone. Trust me, that’s not the kind of comedy Terry Pratchett’s known for.
Overall, a comedy fantasy novella about Spartans, wizards and dwarves. And it definitely has its moments. Basically, a solid light comedic read for fans of games like Dungeons and Dragons. But if you want to read this prequel, it might be better to read the first actual book in the series first.
It’s a prequel to a series, but it does very much rely on the reader already being familiar with the characters and the world they’re in. I jumped into this one rather blindly, assuming the prequel would be able to stand on its own. Unfortunately, a lot of things didn’t really make sense at first glance and I found myself lost quite a few times.
I read a review that said the comedy of this story is reminiscent of Terry Pratchett. Now, maybe this raised my expectations too high. And comedy is definitely subjective. But the comedy is definitely not reminiscent of Terry Pratchett. I mean, the funniest moment was when one character pulled another’s underpants down in front of everyone. Trust me, that’s not the kind of comedy Terry Pratchett’s known for.
Overall, a comedy fantasy novella about Spartans, wizards and dwarves. And it definitely has its moments. Basically, a solid light comedic read for fans of games like Dungeons and Dragons. But if you want to read this prequel, it might be better to read the first actual book in the series first.
December 18, 2020
A short but very enjoyable prequel to the Hard Blokes of Sparta series. This takes place soon after the Spartans have arrived in Level 31, and before they have any real idea what they have landed themselves in. Yes, they know that there is magic here, but not really how much, nor do they know anything about the politics or morality (or lack of) in this new and weird place. So, all they can do is fall back on what they do know – fighting – and set themselves up as swords for hire. It is not as easy as they had hoped to find paying work, and the story begins with them really down on their luck, and begging for a job. Of course, said job gets them into more trouble than they had bargained for.
Their new bosses (a wizard and an elf) are bit dodgy – to say the least. The other muscle – a dwarf called Marian– is a lot more approachable and helpful, and surprisingly skilful with a hammer. The quest is to retrieve the ‘Hand of Karath the Wise’ from the Spartans’ predecessor, Linda, who had made off with it.
It turns out that nothing (and I mean, literally nothing) is as it seems – the quest, Linda, the dwarf, the Hand, magic, reality …. The Spartans have some very speedy adjusting to do, to get out of this mess alive and intact. You know they do survive – it is a prequel after all – but how they manage it is a rollicking adventure, with a bit of transmogrification, and so much fun.
This book has much more in common with the lighter tone of the first book in the series. It is of a time when the Hard Blokes were quite naïve, doing what they were born to do, and not yet corrupted by the use of magic. You can read this as a standalone, the first in the series, or after book 2 as I did. There is the possibility of another side story involving Linda and Marian’s moustache (you will understand when you read the book).
I highly recommend this book, and the rest of the series.
Their new bosses (a wizard and an elf) are bit dodgy – to say the least. The other muscle – a dwarf called Marian– is a lot more approachable and helpful, and surprisingly skilful with a hammer. The quest is to retrieve the ‘Hand of Karath the Wise’ from the Spartans’ predecessor, Linda, who had made off with it.
It turns out that nothing (and I mean, literally nothing) is as it seems – the quest, Linda, the dwarf, the Hand, magic, reality …. The Spartans have some very speedy adjusting to do, to get out of this mess alive and intact. You know they do survive – it is a prequel after all – but how they manage it is a rollicking adventure, with a bit of transmogrification, and so much fun.
This book has much more in common with the lighter tone of the first book in the series. It is of a time when the Hard Blokes were quite naïve, doing what they were born to do, and not yet corrupted by the use of magic. You can read this as a standalone, the first in the series, or after book 2 as I did. There is the possibility of another side story involving Linda and Marian’s moustache (you will understand when you read the book).
I highly recommend this book, and the rest of the series.
January 31, 2025
This is a prequel to The Hard Blokes of Sparta series, but you don't need to know that to enjoy it. Taken as a short story, it really doesn't require familiarity, but if you have already read the second start point "The Princess in the Tower", you'll know a few of the things explained here in advance.
It's a quick read about a group of "Spartan" warriors turned mercs thrown into a weird and twisty magical realm where they're having to worry about new and scary things like "how come that ogre is wearing a high-vis jacket?" and "making rent." They join up with a group of fantasy folk (elf, dwarf, wizard - you know the drill) to attempt what can only be called a "quest".
It's an amusing, very British fantasy comedy full of silly characters playing jokes off the straight man and skewering fantasy tropes with all the sharp wit of the pointy end of a Chosen One's sword. If you look, this is a story about stories, and that is the joke in itself. It's got those warm, cosy vibes combined with a rare originality and flair for the absurd. This little series taster is a light-hearted romp and put a smile on my face (now that *is* magic!) I can wholeheartedly recommend it and the series it sets in motion.
-I received a free copy of this e-book from the author. This does not influence my review (I didn't have to read, like or review it, but I loved it so much that I did)-
It's a quick read about a group of "Spartan" warriors turned mercs thrown into a weird and twisty magical realm where they're having to worry about new and scary things like "how come that ogre is wearing a high-vis jacket?" and "making rent." They join up with a group of fantasy folk (elf, dwarf, wizard - you know the drill) to attempt what can only be called a "quest".
It's an amusing, very British fantasy comedy full of silly characters playing jokes off the straight man and skewering fantasy tropes with all the sharp wit of the pointy end of a Chosen One's sword. If you look, this is a story about stories, and that is the joke in itself. It's got those warm, cosy vibes combined with a rare originality and flair for the absurd. This little series taster is a light-hearted romp and put a smile on my face (now that *is* magic!) I can wholeheartedly recommend it and the series it sets in motion.
-I received a free copy of this e-book from the author. This does not influence my review (I didn't have to read, like or review it, but I loved it so much that I did)-
May 27, 2023
I believe this is currently #1 in the Storystream book universe, but at the time I read it it was simply the prequel novella for the Hard Blokes of Sparta series (chronology can get a bit bendy and twisty within the Storystream, making the numbering a little more fluid than you might expect!)
This story sets up a bit of background and introductory development for the main characters of the series – Dave, Chaz and Phil, soon to be known as The Hard Blokes of Sparta. Before that though, we find them questing through a dungeon with a party of adventures (wizard, elf, dwarf), RPG-style, to find a magical artefact stolen from them by a previous team member.
And, as usual, not everything is as it seems!
Jamie Brindle uses what the late great Terry Pratchett might have called Narrativium-style plot devices, in order to gently (or sometimes sharp-and-pointily) spoof fantasy tropes to great humorous and entertainment effect.
And as an established fan of this series, it was fun to both see the Blokes before they set up shop in the big city, and to see the early development of Dave’s love/hate relationship with all things magical.
Plus, I can’t think of many things funnier than the way the baaaad guy/s are taken down in this story!
This is a great introduction to Jamie Brindle’s clever and witty fantasy writing and a lovely bonus for those of us already following him. #TeamDave
Review by Steph Warren of Bookshine and Readbows blog
https://bookshineandreadbows.wordpres...
This story sets up a bit of background and introductory development for the main characters of the series – Dave, Chaz and Phil, soon to be known as The Hard Blokes of Sparta. Before that though, we find them questing through a dungeon with a party of adventures (wizard, elf, dwarf), RPG-style, to find a magical artefact stolen from them by a previous team member.
And, as usual, not everything is as it seems!
Jamie Brindle uses what the late great Terry Pratchett might have called Narrativium-style plot devices, in order to gently (or sometimes sharp-and-pointily) spoof fantasy tropes to great humorous and entertainment effect.
And as an established fan of this series, it was fun to both see the Blokes before they set up shop in the big city, and to see the early development of Dave’s love/hate relationship with all things magical.
Plus, I can’t think of many things funnier than the way the baaaad guy/s are taken down in this story!
This is a great introduction to Jamie Brindle’s clever and witty fantasy writing and a lovely bonus for those of us already following him. #TeamDave
Review by Steph Warren of Bookshine and Readbows blog
https://bookshineandreadbows.wordpres...
February 8, 2021
The Hard Blokes of Sparta: The Relic In The Dungeon by Jamie Brindle
"He tried to imagine getting used to the weird new world the Spartans had found themselves in. He failed." -Chapter 3
Spartan's are trapped in a realm of Dungeons and Dragons known as level 31. This new realm is full of people who were once something else. The whole book is a lesson in not judging a person by their looks. No one is who they seem in this new realm because no one is from this world. They all came to Level 31 from somewhere else.
They will face situations no Spartan has ever had before. Spartan's are strong and cunning, but this is a magical realm. This world of magic is all new to them.
As the group of Spartan's learn about their new surroundings they get to know their new travel companions, an elf, a dwarf and a wizard, and monsters they never even imagined.
They'll learn who in this new world they can trust, and who the real enemies are.
Written like an exciting and funny game of Dungeons and Dragons. It's a funny quick read with characters who have real problems. Even though they live in a land of magic, these people are realistic.
"He tried to imagine getting used to the weird new world the Spartans had found themselves in. He failed." -Chapter 3
Spartan's are trapped in a realm of Dungeons and Dragons known as level 31. This new realm is full of people who were once something else. The whole book is a lesson in not judging a person by their looks. No one is who they seem in this new realm because no one is from this world. They all came to Level 31 from somewhere else.
They will face situations no Spartan has ever had before. Spartan's are strong and cunning, but this is a magical realm. This world of magic is all new to them.
As the group of Spartan's learn about their new surroundings they get to know their new travel companions, an elf, a dwarf and a wizard, and monsters they never even imagined.
They'll learn who in this new world they can trust, and who the real enemies are.
Written like an exciting and funny game of Dungeons and Dragons. It's a funny quick read with characters who have real problems. Even though they live in a land of magic, these people are realistic.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
May 20, 2025
So, the mistake I made with this book was reading it as the first book in the series. It's the prequel to the Hard Blokes of Sparta series, but was written after The Princess in the Tower, and I believe that book does a lot of the world-building. The author seems to assume that either (a) readers will have already read The Princess in the Tower, because he doesn't repeat a lot of the info from that book; or (b) most readers will be able to follow along anyway - which, in my case, was true. I've read a few LitRPG books, and the questions as to how the Hard Blokes got into the situation they were in were pretty easy to make assumptions about. And the Kindle version does include a sample of The Princess in the Tower, which may answer those questions, although I didn't read it, as I was already intending to read the book.
The story itself was quite readable, unanswered questions aside, and I found it to be funny in places, although never laugh out loud funny. It is a good parody of a lot of D&D-style adventures.
The story itself was quite readable, unanswered questions aside, and I found it to be funny in places, although never laugh out loud funny. It is a good parody of a lot of D&D-style adventures.
December 15, 2020
The Hard Blokes of Sparta are a series of short stories (just over 100 pages each, I think). Dave, Chad and Phil are the Hard Blokes, typical warriors from the kingdom of Sparta. Handy with both weapons and fists, they are the epitamy of that era. Except now they're not. Flung through the Reality Vortex to the mystical Level 31, they are finding it difficult to survive.
This is a prequel to the series and introduces the Hard Blokes. I'm not a massive fan of short stories but this had me giggling within a few pages. Witty and engaging, Jamie Brindle manages to fit enough for an epic fantasy into it's short length. There isn't a great deal of world building or character development, but what there is whets the appetite for the rest of the series. I shall definitely be reading more about the Hard Blokes of Sparta and their trials in Level 31
I was given a complimentery copy from the author via Voracious Readers in exchange for a honest review
This is a prequel to the series and introduces the Hard Blokes. I'm not a massive fan of short stories but this had me giggling within a few pages. Witty and engaging, Jamie Brindle manages to fit enough for an epic fantasy into it's short length. There isn't a great deal of world building or character development, but what there is whets the appetite for the rest of the series. I shall definitely be reading more about the Hard Blokes of Sparta and their trials in Level 31
I was given a complimentery copy from the author via Voracious Readers in exchange for a honest review
May 11, 2022
The Hard Blokes of Sparta - The Relic in the Dungeon - a review by Rosemary Kenny.
The Tales From the Storystream series opener, The Relic In the Dungeon, by the entrancing Master of Comic Thrills, Jamie Brindle, stars Dave, Chad and Phil, aka the Hard Blokes of Sparta, (who btw aren't really Spartans).
These self-proclaimed warriors are down on their luck and keen to get hired for any quest, so they can eat regularly and pay their rent.
Even a 3-for-the-price-of-1 deal with a dwarf, an elf and a wizard of dubious trustworthiness, is a measure of their desperation...but where does it lead them?
What's the unexpected power of the eponymous relic? Who's Linda?
A great comic romp, with danger, a dragon, disappointment (for some) and a flock of illusory sheep, that will keep you gasping for breath as you fear for, and/or laugh out loud at, the Hard Blokes' misadventures.
Grab your copy today - and tell all your friends not to miss it!
The Tales From the Storystream series opener, The Relic In the Dungeon, by the entrancing Master of Comic Thrills, Jamie Brindle, stars Dave, Chad and Phil, aka the Hard Blokes of Sparta, (who btw aren't really Spartans).
These self-proclaimed warriors are down on their luck and keen to get hired for any quest, so they can eat regularly and pay their rent.
Even a 3-for-the-price-of-1 deal with a dwarf, an elf and a wizard of dubious trustworthiness, is a measure of their desperation...but where does it lead them?
What's the unexpected power of the eponymous relic? Who's Linda?
A great comic romp, with danger, a dragon, disappointment (for some) and a flock of illusory sheep, that will keep you gasping for breath as you fear for, and/or laugh out loud at, the Hard Blokes' misadventures.
Grab your copy today - and tell all your friends not to miss it!
December 1, 2020
The Hard Blokes of Sparta is a fun book to read. A wizard,an elf, a dwarf, and three Spartans running around... What could possibly go wrong?...
Depending on how much emotion you give to characters you might even get a cry in. Over all you are gonna get some good laughs in. Especially with a Spartan as fun and carefree as Phil running around.
Floor 31 seems to give one hell of a blow to the magicless Spartans, but still they're determined to live their life, even if it means they'll have a harder go at it. You come to love the determined characters, and the way they try to keep their identity... However I'm looking foward to what I feel their character development will be in the next book.
Depending on how much emotion you give to characters you might even get a cry in. Over all you are gonna get some good laughs in. Especially with a Spartan as fun and carefree as Phil running around.
Floor 31 seems to give one hell of a blow to the magicless Spartans, but still they're determined to live their life, even if it means they'll have a harder go at it. You come to love the determined characters, and the way they try to keep their identity... However I'm looking foward to what I feel their character development will be in the next book.
November 26, 2020
I was gifted a complimentary copy of this book from the author via Voracious Readers Only.
A good light read with a litrpg setting, but a real slice-of-life tone. I haven't read any of the other books in this series so I wasn't sure what I was walking my eyes into, but it was enjoyable. Three hot-bod spartans just trying to make their way in a world that doesn't play by any of the rules they are used to.
A good light read with a litrpg setting, but a real slice-of-life tone. I haven't read any of the other books in this series so I wasn't sure what I was walking my eyes into, but it was enjoyable. Three hot-bod spartans just trying to make their way in a world that doesn't play by any of the rules they are used to.
December 21, 2020
Unbelievably off base
There’s no lead-in plot. No backstory. No character development. No professional writing at all, in fact. And the title is wildly inaccurate. The author clearly has zero understanding of what makes people (women included) tough or ‘hard’. If you want to read about a bunch of neurotic, whining losers with self-esteem issues, then by all means, read the book.
There’s no lead-in plot. No backstory. No character development. No professional writing at all, in fact. And the title is wildly inaccurate. The author clearly has zero understanding of what makes people (women included) tough or ‘hard’. If you want to read about a bunch of neurotic, whining losers with self-esteem issues, then by all means, read the book.
July 16, 2022
The Hard Blokes Of Sparta - The Relic In The Dungeon (Tales from the Storystream Book 1), my first) read from author Jamie Brindle. At 92-pages a relatively short read that grabbed me and kept me reading until I finished it in less than an hour. “I received a free Kindle copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review." The gifting of this book did not affect my opinion of it. I look forward to reading more from this author. (RIP Marley January 20, 2014 - July 24, 2018).
April 5, 2023
This is a really, really light bit of fluffy floof. It's billed as a comedy, but I think the comedic aspects are only funny if you're still a tween. I would have laughed when I was that age! Since I'm an old lady, nothing really struck me as actually witty.
There's no sense giving a plot outline since other reviewers have already done so. I picked this up since the book I had finished prior to this one had me in tears, so it did its job in that I wanted a light quick read to reset.
There's no sense giving a plot outline since other reviewers have already done so. I picked this up since the book I had finished prior to this one had me in tears, so it did its job in that I wanted a light quick read to reset.
July 31, 2021
Fun Read
The Spartans, Dave, Bob, and Phill, are transported to level 31 of a dungeon. They are employed by a suspicious team to recover a magical hand. Problems, bumbling, and hilarity ensure. What will happen with the spark of magic Dave felt? I like the action, humor, and length to this introduction to the series. I look forward to the next book.
The Spartans, Dave, Bob, and Phill, are transported to level 31 of a dungeon. They are employed by a suspicious team to recover a magical hand. Problems, bumbling, and hilarity ensure. What will happen with the spark of magic Dave felt? I like the action, humor, and length to this introduction to the series. I look forward to the next book.
November 7, 2020
This is a great look at how the Hard Blokes started! I did enjoy the sheep and the magic hand. I felt that the wizard and elf got what they deserved. I enjoyed reading this! Jamie Brindle has a great style of writing…and a twisted, ironic sense of humor!
April 18, 2021
With thanks to Voracious readers for a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
A short romp through magical lands with dungeon and dragons abound.
A fun light read for fans of Robert Asprin.
A short romp through magical lands with dungeon and dragons abound.
A fun light read for fans of Robert Asprin.
June 28, 2021
Spartan Times
A short, thankfully, book. Getting caught up in a dungeon & dragons game literally is no fun for the inept. They stayed Spartan to the end. It appears there are more hard bloke stories, but for me, one is enough.
A short, thankfully, book. Getting caught up in a dungeon & dragons game literally is no fun for the inept. They stayed Spartan to the end. It appears there are more hard bloke stories, but for me, one is enough.
June 19, 2024
I'd like to read more
I really enjoyed this short story. I didn't realize it was a short as it is when I picked it up but I'm very glad that I read it. I would love to see more from this world
I really enjoyed this short story. I didn't realize it was a short as it is when I picked it up but I'm very glad that I read it. I would love to see more from this world
January 1, 2023
Adventuring
Enjoyed the storyline and characters and looking forward to the rest of the series as well as learning the name of the spartans new business.
Enjoyed the storyline and characters and looking forward to the rest of the series as well as learning the name of the spartans new business.
September 8, 2024
the hard blokes of Sparta
This was a good book easy to read and an interesting subject with some funny parts. The plot was easy to follow with a few twists in it.
This was a good book easy to read and an interesting subject with some funny parts. The plot was easy to follow with a few twists in it.
April 18, 2021
Can’t wait for the next in the Series.
Set in a Fantasy world this is the first novel in what I hope will be a long running series.
Jamie Brindle has a very Terry Prachett, Neil Gaiman style of writing that is clever, humorous and wildly witty.
In a world of sorcery, monsters, dragons, and magical relics we are introduced to Dave and his team of Spartan hard bloke mates Chad and Phil. They have not worked for a while so will pretty much take on anything that might come their way.
So, when a wizard, a dwarf and an elf walk into a bar and ask the hard blokes to clear out a monster invested dungeon to retrieve an old relic, the blokes accept (well sort of) and the fun ensues. You cannot help but be on their cheer leading squad.
This short book is filled with action, humour, romance, magic and the odd fight all packed within a crazily well-designed and brilliantly entertaining 90 odd pages. And I for one loved it, I practically devoured it and am already googling to get the next in the series.
I received a copy of this book from Voracious Readers.
Set in a Fantasy world this is the first novel in what I hope will be a long running series.
Jamie Brindle has a very Terry Prachett, Neil Gaiman style of writing that is clever, humorous and wildly witty.
In a world of sorcery, monsters, dragons, and magical relics we are introduced to Dave and his team of Spartan hard bloke mates Chad and Phil. They have not worked for a while so will pretty much take on anything that might come their way.
So, when a wizard, a dwarf and an elf walk into a bar and ask the hard blokes to clear out a monster invested dungeon to retrieve an old relic, the blokes accept (well sort of) and the fun ensues. You cannot help but be on their cheer leading squad.
This short book is filled with action, humour, romance, magic and the odd fight all packed within a crazily well-designed and brilliantly entertaining 90 odd pages. And I for one loved it, I practically devoured it and am already googling to get the next in the series.
I received a copy of this book from Voracious Readers.
July 12, 2021
Only in Level 31 can a soul be contained in a withered old hand, guarded (via a time loop) by a giantess — who isn’t meant to be a giant — who in a previous world was a dragon... and Spartans magically pretend to be sheep. No joke.
Did I just spoil half the plot for you? Maybe. Will I apologise? No. You’ll still enjoy reading it 🤷🏼♀️
Also, just some appreciation for Phil: doubling as comic relief and an excuse to explain everything can’t be easy!
*I received a free review copy via Voracious Readers Only. *
Did I just spoil half the plot for you? Maybe. Will I apologise? No. You’ll still enjoy reading it 🤷🏼♀️
Also, just some appreciation for Phil: doubling as comic relief and an excuse to explain everything can’t be easy!
*I received a free review copy via Voracious Readers Only. *
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 6, 2023
Old world Spartans fall into a video game world. A world they know nothing about and are ill equipped to survive within. How will they survive against trolls, dragons, wizards and elves. A short story great for young readers.
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