“A complete joy of a book.” — Josh Mauthe, The Library Police
“A humor-infused love letter to the fantasy genre by way of economics… and it’s a blast to read!” — Christopher Kellen
High Comedy Meets High Fantasy in this Best Selling Satire
Professional heroes kill and loot deadly monsters every day, but Gorm Ingerson’s latest quest will be anything but business as usual.
The adventuring … will be anything but business as usual.
The adventuring industry drives the economy of Arth, a world much like our own but with more magic and fewer vowels. Professional heroes are hired to slay fantastic creatures and haul the beasts’ treasure back to town to be divided among investors. It’s a lucrative system for Lightlings like Dwarves and Elves, but Shadowkin, such as Orcs and Goblins, can only escape the guild by applying to become Noncombatant Paper Carriers (NPCs) and taking menial jobs.
When Gorm Ingerson, a Dwarven ex-hero with a checkered past, stands up for an undocumented Goblin, he inadvertently singles himself out for recruitment for a legendarily suicidal quest. But there’s more to Gorm’s new job than an insane prophecy: powerful corporations and governments have shown an unusual interest in his progress. If his party of eccentric misfits can survive the intrigue, fundamentalist lizardmen, purse kobolds, healing potion addicts, and other threats long enough to complete their quest, Gorm might be able to turn a bad deal into a golden opportunity.
Orconomics: A Satire is a critical hit that has readers laughing and cheering. Pick up your copy today.more
Got this book because of the price and the description. I’ve been looking for a worthy successor to Terry Pratchett, and Mr Pike comes pretty darn close! If you’ve been playing RPGs for years – as I have – there will be plenty of chuckles in this book. Good characters and a fun storyline.
Tremendous satire of many classics, but in a fun and unique way. Already started on the sequel!
If you like Terry Pratchett, this series is for you.
If you’re a fan of Dungeons and Dragons, or just High Fantasy in general, this book is a great way to sate those cravings. Between the highly enjoyable characters, the humorous twists and turns, and the look at a dark side of fantasy heroics most don’t think about, you’ll find yourself wanting to keep reading long into the night. And, for any fantasy Game Masters out there, chances are good that you’ll be inspired to add new twists and turns to your games while reading! Bottom-line, Oronomics is a fantastic, easy read that will leave you excited to read and imagine more.
The author describes the book as satire. It is, and a wonderful example. Incisive, ruthless, and candid. It is in the company of Voltaire, Swift, and C. S. Lewis, written for our times. If you read it, and don’t get it, you’re part of the target.
Not entirely satirical, more an earnest tale with an ironic setting. There’s a great balance here, between the author’s cynical view of society and his heartfelt belief in the characters’ capacity for personal growth and redemption. I’ve fallen in love with these characters and their improbable relationships, and I was moved by the tragic events at the book’s culmination. I’m about 3/4 of the way through the second book of the series now, and it’s every bit as witty, engaging and bittersweet.
Genuinely funny, but also jut a great story. Wasn’t expecting the satirical bite but this was deftly done as well. Highly recommend.
video review here— https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k69Zos9Mw2k
podcasts and site link here— https://writingdeconstructed.com/adventuresome-reviews-for-indie-books/
I loved the beginning half of this book. As I occasionally play video games with my husbands and sons (Borderlands 2 is my favorite), I get the frequent references to video game mechanics. The story is witty, made me chuckle, but I was left at the end of Book 1 feeling like there should have been more. And when I find myself without anything to do or read, I may move on to the second installment.
When drunken, outcast dwarf, Gorm Ingerson, uncharacteristically saves a goblin from the hands of another loot-hungry hero, he has no idea how much trouble it will land him in. Thus, starts Orconimics, a satirical tale of economics and orcs! (As well as heroes, loot, quests, monsters, magic, danger and all the other good stuff any role-playing fan will find familiar.)
Pike’s writing is witty and the themes are influenced heavily by D&D, WOW type games. In fact, one line “the well-regarded Silver Slayers were rumoured to have met an unlikely end when their junior member broke rank and charged through a hatchery with an ill-advised war cry” had me positively screaming Leroy Jenkins! in my mind.
The plot is fast paced and the characters an interesting mix that become tighter as a unit as their quest progresses. What I hadn’t expected were the moments of sadness which tasted all the sharper for the light-heartedness that the book begins with.
It’s been many years since I’ve read comedy fantasy (Terry Pratchett) but I enjoyed this book more than I expected. I will definitely be checking out the sequel sometime soon.
A group of ex-heroes, a high scribe and goblin on a quest to get their lives back on track – whether they wanted in or not. But things rarely go to plan and then the plan might not be what you thought it was.
A funny, well-written story in the vein of Terry Pratchett, but with more blood and bigger swords.
This was a fun read. Reminded me of Terry Pratchett and Christopher Moore.
Orconomins brings together humour, engaging character, and thoughtful consideration together to make excellent fantasy.
*** What to expect
The book starts on a light-hearted tone, almost a parody of classic role-playing games and their logical conclusion, by considering how would fantasy economies work with a plethora of adventurer parties running around and looting everything. Don’t be mistaken, as the subtitle says this is satire and not a parody — Pratchett, rather than Piers Anthony.
A band of washed out and shady ex-heroes are forced together to accompany the Seventh Hero (a scribe, with the fighting skills reminiscent of the monk out of Journey to the West – i.e. none). The quest takes them to retrieve stolen marble statues (the elves have lost their marbles) in the hopes of resurrecting their careers. We get to tour an interesting world, with an underlying current of a GFC-style collapse of professional heroism.
*** What I liked
Pike does an amazing job of balancing the three aspects of fantasy. The character are extremely engaging, each with a unique voice and personality. If you normally prefer character-driven stories, this is one for you. The world-building is thoughtful and thought-provoking, rich and deep to support the “what if” of speculative fiction of the best fantasy. The plot, while seemingly straightforward, does have enough twists and turns (especially towards the end) to keep things going.
And, of course, the humour ranges from clever puns to downright hilarious. Some jokes did have me laughing out loud and scaring the pets.
*** What to be aware of
This is isn’t a purely lighthearted, humorous fantasy. There are dark undertones and social criticism, as in Pratchett’s works. I enjoy thought-provoking humour, and while this is a quick read it’s not simple or fluffy.
*** Summary
Highly recommended to anyone who enjoys fantasy, especially those who grew up on role-playing games. I’m off to read the sequel.
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Assaph Mehr, author of Murder In Absentia: A story of Togas, Daggers, and Magic – for lovers of Ancient Rome, Murder Mysteries, and Urban Fantasy.
This book surprised me with how good it was! I enjoyed it very much.
Read as an SPFBO candidate for 2018.
This sounded like a fun read going in, but I was a little hesitant as satires can either be very funny, or pretty bad. Fortunately, this is the former! Like all the best satire, this is funny, yet has a lot of deep meaning when you get into the story, dealing with how we view good and evil, and what’s in between. The characters are based on standard D&D classes and races (which makes me want to play Diablo III…), and the world is build like an RPG game brought to life. Pike takes a good look at what such an economy would really be like (and how it won’t work), but the characters are where this story shines. There are several points of view, and though this starts as a simple tale, the characters grow a lot during the telling, and what was a one-dimension standard fare adventuring party at the start grows into a complex group of individuals. I’m eagerly looking forward to the next book in the series!
This was a very original and entertaining book. I highly recommend it to anyone who loves a good story with an unexpected twist on society.
A fun easy read! Compete escapism!! Loved it.
Masterful satire with a great story and characters. Don’t miss a chance to laugh at this story. I immediately had to purchase the second book.
Slow going at first then I was really caught up in it . By the end I ordered the next book!
A must for RPG players