Reviews
The Fantastically Underwhelming Epic of a Dead Wizard and an Average Bard by Kian N. Ardalan
gregkontaxis's review
5.0
I really enjoyed this book. This is a promising debut by Kian Ardalan.
There are 5 main characters in this book’s journey. Their goal is to find a mystical treasure that is mentioned in an ancient passage. I loved the adventure and suspense of the journey. Also, the worldbuilding is rich and the characters feel real.
Kian’s prose is great, and I would love to read more from him in the future. I have seen that his next book is the Eleventh Cycle and I can’t wait to read that as well.
There are 5 main characters in this book’s journey. Their goal is to find a mystical treasure that is mentioned in an ancient passage. I loved the adventure and suspense of the journey. Also, the worldbuilding is rich and the characters feel real.
Kian’s prose is great, and I would love to read more from him in the future. I have seen that his next book is the Eleventh Cycle and I can’t wait to read that as well.
shaekin's review
4.0
I liked this book, but it definitely has a beginning effort feel. There were parts with a lack of foreshadowing, repeat use of phrases that felt awkward, and some issues with the skipping around. Overall the pacing was pretty good, the characters were interesting, the world building was great, and I'd like to see this author write more.
szeththeassassin's review
4.0
Please read my review at the following link:
https://escapistbookcompany.com/2022/11/13/the-fantastically-underwhelming-epic-of-a-dead-wizard-and-an-average-bard-by-kian-n-ardalan/
Thank you for taking the time to read my review. As always, Happy Reading and Stay Great!!
https://escapistbookcompany.com/2022/11/13/the-fantastically-underwhelming-epic-of-a-dead-wizard-and-an-average-bard-by-kian-n-ardalan/
Thank you for taking the time to read my review. As always, Happy Reading and Stay Great!!
thinde's review
2.0
Note: My review below is of an older edition. This book has since been re-edited.
There's a decent story in this book but it is drowning in bad grammar and malapropisms. For example, one of Simantiar's contemporaries apparently studies "machinations" rather than mechanical devices... and several times emotions "toil" in someone's stomach rather than roil. At first, the errors happened about every two pages, then every two paragraphs and by the end, they were near-constant irritations. [Please Kian, find a copy editor.]
The second problem I had with the story was the overuse of flashbacks. At times I didn't know which time period we were reading about. The story would stay with the same POV character but in a different time, and then use ambiguous pronouns to keep things as confusing as possible. I suspect all the back and forth was to obscure the gaping plot-hole at the story's core.
We eventually learn that over 1000 years ago there was a big magical battle. A battle that the bad guy won. But, instead of simply killing the good guy, he chose to use a life-after-death curse so that they could face each other again in the far future. A future where one arbitrary and selfish choice by any random stranger would apparently justify the bad guy's moral stance. It made no sense. Here's a tip for arch-villains: When you've defeated your enemy, simply move on to the world domination phase... don't play with your food.
There's a decent story in this book but it is drowning in bad grammar and malapropisms. For example, one of Simantiar's contemporaries apparently studies "machinations" rather than mechanical devices... and several times emotions "toil" in someone's stomach rather than roil. At first, the errors happened about every two pages, then every two paragraphs and by the end, they were near-constant irritations. [Please Kian, find a copy editor.]
The second problem I had with the story was the overuse of flashbacks. At times I didn't know which time period we were reading about. The story would stay with the same POV character but in a different time, and then use ambiguous pronouns to keep things as confusing as possible. I suspect all the back and forth was to obscure the gaping plot-hole at the story's core.
We eventually learn that over 1000 years ago there was a big magical battle. A battle that the bad guy won. But, instead of simply killing the good guy, he chose to use a life-after-death curse so that they could face each other again in the far future. A future where one arbitrary and selfish choice by any random stranger would apparently justify the bad guy's moral stance. It made no sense. Here's a tip for arch-villains: When you've defeated your enemy, simply move on to the world domination phase... don't play with your food.
ubergusterfan's review
funny
lighthearted
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
2.0
I have officially DNFed "The Fantastically Underwhelming Epic of a Dead Wizard and an Average Bard." Too many ideas felt borrowed from other books, the characters were inconsistent, the story somehow managed to be equal parts too slow and too fast, and the humor was, well, not funny.
There were some positives. The author really knows how to write a cinematic scene. The action was pretty good. Though I am DNFing, for a self published work by a first time author, it showed promise. While I probably won't go back to this book, I will probably try this author's next attempt
There were some positives. The author really knows how to write a cinematic scene. The action was pretty good. Though I am DNFing, for a self published work by a first time author, it showed promise. While I probably won't go back to this book, I will probably try this author's next attempt
jamedi's review
adventurous
funny
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? N/A
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Score: 4,5 out of 5 stars
Have you imagined what would happen if Terry Pratchett was playing a D&D campaign where he was given total creative freedom? Well, that’s exactly how I felt while reading The Fantastically Underwhelming. And saying that as a Discworld fan, is a great compliment.
Just the start, how it sets you onto the world and the story, is really brilliant. I fall totally sucked into the book and had to do an auto-control exercise to not finish it on the first day.
About the characters, I’m going back to the D&D comparisons. George is what would happen if you have mediocre stats in your sheet, but it was the luckiest when rolling the dices. Simantiar is totally hitting the nail of subverting expectations, as it doesn’t fit what would you expect from a powerful mage. The secondary characters are also rich and show different archetypes that you would see in Fantasy.
The narrative is agile and hooking. Personally, I loved the way to show the past of the characters via flashbacks, and as a way to understand how they become what they are, even with Kenrith, who is on the border between being a secondary and a main character.
In summary, I would recommend this book to anybody who loves Fantasy, humour and would like to try something different. I cannot say another thing that I really want to see what more Kian N. Ardalan is capable of.
Have you imagined what would happen if Terry Pratchett was playing a D&D campaign where he was given total creative freedom? Well, that’s exactly how I felt while reading The Fantastically Underwhelming. And saying that as a Discworld fan, is a great compliment.
Just the start, how it sets you onto the world and the story, is really brilliant. I fall totally sucked into the book and had to do an auto-control exercise to not finish it on the first day.
About the characters, I’m going back to the D&D comparisons. George is what would happen if you have mediocre stats in your sheet, but it was the luckiest when rolling the dices. Simantiar is totally hitting the nail of subverting expectations, as it doesn’t fit what would you expect from a powerful mage. The secondary characters are also rich and show different archetypes that you would see in Fantasy.
The narrative is agile and hooking. Personally, I loved the way to show the past of the characters via flashbacks, and as a way to understand how they become what they are, even with Kenrith, who is on the border between being a secondary and a main character.
In summary, I would recommend this book to anybody who loves Fantasy, humour and would like to try something different. I cannot say another thing that I really want to see what more Kian N. Ardalan is capable of.
tabdalla's review
5.0
This is a promising debut. The tale takes classic fantasy tropes and gives them their own charm by allying them with the stories of each character.
The ending was very satisfying and tied up all the seemingly lose strings very nicely. Looking forward to the author's future works!
The ending was very satisfying and tied up all the seemingly lose strings very nicely. Looking forward to the author's future works!
starkilla's review
5.0
Over the last 30 years I have seen dragons with Raistlin and Caramon, peaked into the shadows with Erevis and Drasek, been to the underdark with Cattie-Brie, Bruenor, Wulfgar, Regis and Drizzt and experienced magic with Elminster but it has been a long time since an adventure as fresh and engaging as this came along.
We follow George, Simantiar, Kendrith, Kristen and Logan along this breathtaking journey to find the mystical treasure that is mentioned in an old book. Along the journey we laugh, we cry, and we have our breath taken away by suspense. I really loved it! The world feels rich, the characters are relatable, and it is just fun to read.
This book started as a writing prompt on Reddit and evolved into a story that really surprised me. I want to read more from this world and hope that in the future we get more stories from it.
And yes... the book can be a bit rough sometimes on editing and grammar but to be honest I didn't care that much. It just filled my heart!
If you love adventure.... READ IT!
We follow George, Simantiar, Kendrith, Kristen and Logan along this breathtaking journey to find the mystical treasure that is mentioned in an old book. Along the journey we laugh, we cry, and we have our breath taken away by suspense. I really loved it! The world feels rich, the characters are relatable, and it is just fun to read.
This book started as a writing prompt on Reddit and evolved into a story that really surprised me. I want to read more from this world and hope that in the future we get more stories from it.
And yes... the book can be a bit rough sometimes on editing and grammar but to be honest I didn't care that much. It just filled my heart!
If you love adventure.... READ IT!
zentek's review
adventurous
inspiring
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
This book tells a tale of high fantasy without falling into the easy tropes and cliches we see too often. It is a grand adventure that starts very small, with an unlikely hero and a talking skull. While it is self published and could have benefited from another round of editing, it will not fail to entertain and take you in unusual directions. I look forward to reading more from the author.
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