Trying to figure out, too (or v2)

[Sanjiv]

I read a fantasy book back in middle school, but I have no recollection of the title. Any advice on what it could be, or where to ask would be appreciated.

clues:

0. The book is the first of series.

1. Protagonist is the youngest of three brothers, and is learning sword play. He wants to be like his long lost father who he's never met, but hears stories about form his guardian (and trainer).

2. Education is shown through boyscout-esque badges. Ie. you get a certain level of Chess Badge by beating a player of that rank.

3. There is a spatial zone where a monstrous race lives. That race cannon leave the zone, and the zone itself has weird, non homogeneous effects. I.e. time passes differently in some area, magic is boosted in others, etc.

4. Side plot: The monstrous kingdom is actively trying to breach the barrier by catapulting minions through, perhaps more scientifically than I give them credit for.

5. Adventurers who enter the zone may find themselves warped. I.e. their armor and equipment may mold into them.

6. The book is essentially about the protagonist gathering a team to enter the chaos zone, or whatever it's called.

k, now I'm going to experiment with spoiler tags

(view spoiler)[
7. The protagonist IS his father. This was a result of strategic use of the chaos zone's weird spatial effects.

8. Years ago, he had started a chess game with the monster king. The monster king was playing for the Protagonist's son (who eventually becomes an older brother), and the Protagonist kept his request hidden. At the end of the book, we find out that hidden request turned out to be yet another chess game.

9. The guardian (I believe) was an old ally and friend of the father. Though he appeared to be an ax user, he was actually a magician who was storing a special item (in his eye?) which caused his blasts to appear red (evil) instead of blue (good).

10. A monster breaks through the barrier of the zone.

(hide spoiler)]

[[deleted user]]

Replace the [ and ] with < and >, then the spoiler tag will work

[Sanjiv]

thanks, yeah. I just tried 'replying' to myself to see how they did the italics.

[Stan]

That was. "Once a Hero"' by Michael Stackpole

http://www.amazon.com/Once-Hero-Micha...

Pretty fun book, I seem to remember that he wrote a sequal as well. Michael is a pretty prolific author and even has a free one you can grab right now if you have the kindle app on your phone or PC

"At the Queens Command" - http://www.amazon.com/At-Queens-Comma...

[Sanjiv]

Thanks, and I have Kindle, so I'll take your advice.
Interestingly, It wasn't 'Once a Hero,' but another of Stackpole's books

http://www.amazon.com/Hero-Born-Realm...

which does have a sequel. I'm sure the three have a connection which I'll figure out later. I think Neal, a character from 'Once a Hero,' has the same name as a minor character in the other series.

[Stan]

It's been awhile since I read them, but i think there was also a third book he wrote in this world. I can not remember the name, but it has someone (a book shop employee I think) from our world who gets transported to the Fantasy world of "Once a Hero"