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The Trickster's Tale #2

Gnomes Don't Rule

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He came. He saw. He kicked a goblin shaman's ass.

With one Champion under his belt, Perry is ready to set his sight on new horizons.

The human city of Eldar's Port is in dire straits. Gnomish entities are taking control of the economy and children are disappearing off the streets. Domestic terrorists are making lives difficult for everyone and the Thieves Guild alone can't solve the people's problems.

Even though Perry sympathizes, finding the Champions who serve Tracy the Devourer and defeating them is his primary goal. However, if they're the mysterious entity behind the city's downfall, Perry might just become an unwilling hero.

Book 2 in the next LitRPG series from the hit author of They Called Me Mad and The Houndsman is here! Trickster's Tale has everything you love from the genre, and more laughs than you can shake a Gnome at.

526 pages, Kindle Edition

First published August 11, 2022

44 people are currently reading
16 people want to read

About the author

J. Pal

23 books93 followers

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5 stars
73 (54%)
4 stars
42 (31%)
3 stars
15 (11%)
2 stars
1 (<1%)
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2 (1%)
Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews
Profile Image for Akshay.
849 reviews6 followers
October 11, 2023
Gnome's Don't Rule (The Trickster's Tale #2)" - A Whimsical Sequel that Keeps the Laughter Rolling


"Gnome's Don't Rule," the second installment in J. Pal's "The Trickster's Tale" series, is a humorous and enchanting continuation of the trickster's adventures, blending wit, charm, and gaming in a way that makes for a wildly entertaining literary romp. This sequel proves that laughter and lighthearted mischief are still the order of the day.




In this book, we rejoin the beloved trickster, whose knack for pranks and clever jests remains unmatched. The narrative embarks on a quest filled with peculiar gnomes, magical tomfoolery, and more laughs than you can shake a lute at. J. Pal's signature witty storytelling style is as engaging as ever, making the humor and absurdity a delightful constant throughout the tale.



The trickster's character continues to shine, as their quick thinking and amusing antics keep the reader thoroughly entertained. Their humorous escapades are a testament to J. Pal's skill in crafting a protagonist who thrives on mischief but possesses a heart of gold beneath it all.



The litRPG elements are again seamlessly integrated into the story, offering a perfect blend of gaming elements, character growth, and hilarious outcomes. The author's playful take on the genre remains fresh and engaging, ensuring that this book remains a standout example of how to use gaming mechanics to elevate a story.



The humor in "Gnome's Don't Rule" is its defining feature, and J. Pal's clever wordplay and comic situations continue to bring hearty laughs. The story is a testament to the author's wit and ability to create comedic situations that are genuinely funny. It's a book that will keep you grinning from start to finish.



While the book primarily focuses on humor, it also introduces moments of warmth and camaraderie. The trickster's interactions with a cast of charming characters add depth to the narrative, and the underlying themes of friendship and unity remain central to the story.



Comparing "Gnome's Don't Rule" to its contemporaries in the litRPG and humorous fantasy genres, it stands out as a shining example of how to merge gaming elements with laugh-out-loud comedy. While the litRPG genre often delves into epic battles and intricate gaming mechanics, J. Pal takes a refreshing and lighthearted approach, demonstrating that humor can be just as compelling as action in this setting. In this sense, it carves its unique niche and is a refreshing alternative to more serious litRPG works.



In conclusion, "Gnome's Don't Rule" is a delightful and amusing sequel that doesn't miss a beat. J. Pal continues to deliver a captivating tale filled with laughter, whimsy, and camaraderie. If you're looking for a book that will have you in stitches while embarking on an adventure with a lovable trickster, this is the perfect choice. It remains a standout example of how to infuse humor into the litRPG genre and offers a refreshing and enjoyable alternative to its contemporaries.

2,381 reviews
August 14, 2022
Seriously I loved "Is That a Lute in Your Pocket" and as soon as I saw that "Gnome's Don't Rule" bk2 was available I pulled the trigger and immediately read it! Breaking my rule to wait for the audio version and I love Jeff Hays and the Soundbooth Theater Productions. Don't get me wrong I will get, listen, and enjoy the Audible edition as well.
There is so much for me to love in these books. I genuinely love stories about Bards, Storytelling, Cooking and I really, Really Love books about Trickster Gods, be they Coyote, Raven, or the Spider. That's why I read it!!
The story takes us right back to the conclusion of book1 as Perrigrin (Perry for short) and his friend Hruk escape from Grogs table! Ready to tackle Perry's next quest together! To kill Tracy's champion, but first the duo realizes they hafta take down the cult of Oth and the Gnome's chokehold that has paralyzed the city...
So yeah grab the book to get the scoop!

Here's some quotes from the book that caused me to laugh 😃 out loud!

"Liv’s right hand solidified and she placed it on my shoulder. “I’d love it if you visited the next time you’re in the region.” “If you’re ever dying, it isn’t a terrible place to move on either,” Edgar added. “I think you’d have a lot of fun with life after death.”

"Bridge trolls often suffer the blame for grabber shroom attacks. The strange fungus grows under dark bridges and hunt by sensing mana signatures."

"A crossbow bolt put my little break to a sudden end. The projectile embedded itself in the plank next to my head with a thud, making both my heart and testicles react simultaneously. The first tried to leap out of my chest and the latter attempted a retreat up into the groin. Neither succeeded, leaving me no option but to continue living."

“My kneecaps might have transformed into slugs and are a heartbeat from crawling away.”
Profile Image for William Howe.
1,813 reviews88 followers
August 16, 2022
5 stars, but it’s a bit rough

A few more copy editing errors than I find acceptable. Especially since some of them confuse matters more than clarify.

I did struggle a bit maintaining focus while reading this. It’s a measure of how well written a novel is. If I get distracted, then it has a pacing issue.

All that said, there was a lot of imaginative world-building and interesting hijinks.

I *am* interested in a sequel. But I hope more time is spent cleaning the prose before release.
Profile Image for Johnny.
2,187 reviews86 followers
December 7, 2022
Book two

Well, this is a really good story with an interesting main character. The editing leaves a lot to be desired.
I found multiple missing words. Words used in the wrong text. It just really needs a better editing.
The story itself is a lot of fun. The main characters interesting with interesting companions and powers.

I’ll give this book a five out of 10 would be higher, except for the editing is bad.
Profile Image for Clint Young.
849 reviews
October 10, 2022
KU Review

I love the craziness and creativity the mc has to come up with to avoid direct combat. It definitely makes the story more fun.

As the title says this is a review for Kindle Unlimited and as such is a reflection of my enjoyment of the book and in no way reflects cost to value analysis.
Profile Image for Charles Daniel.
586 reviews6 followers
January 21, 2023
Finding A Sponsor Is Never Easy.

Perry's greatest hindrance on the Disk has been his lack of a sponsoring power to put him on a more equal field facing down Tracy the Devourer's Champions. It's past time he becomes a Champion himself; he just needs to contract with a deity who is the right fit.
13 reviews
November 4, 2022
Can't wait!!!!

Great book series. Nice to read a book that the main character is not over powered from the start. Can't wait for the next book.
Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews

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