July 2024 Indie Book Review

A Gamble of Gods by Mitriel Faywood

Questing Strategies: To Play by the Rules or Not
An Indie Book Review by Joseph Poopinski
4 stars

This story was much more than decent, it was slick.  Like consulting a list while shopping for groceries, A Gamble of Gods checked off several of my favorite themes:  Unknown variables, a nigh invincible antagonist, martial prowess, sci-fi elements, fantasy elements, witty banter, vivid descriptions, personal burdens, sage-like turns of speech & at least one Yodaesque guru.

Most everyone’s mysterious backgrounds remain so despite occasional allusions or nightmares (minus Connor Drew’s stint in the monastery, wildly successful swashbuckling adventures & legendary bedroom liaisons).  Portals between worlds secretly connect the universe for the Order of the Dragon’s members & others too, including the bad guys.  I appreciated many intriguing characters including the protagonists on the cover, especially how Kristian & Connor’s approaches differed (ex. barter vs steal).  However, James Montgomery’s excellence stole the show!  With these various realms’ differences—horses & wagons, knights & witches, Japanese 2000s society, super-advanced technological police (including the mega-awesome Gundam/Robocop, “Hataroke”)—all rolled into one, it’s like finding everything on your list at the grocery store without even consulting it.

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