"In this half-parody, half-homage to the traditional fantasy role-playing game adventure, Costikyan includes just about every RPG cliche and novice-player error. The group of adventurers (I chose the main character at random from the party) head out to the local dungeon for a typical dungeon crawl. They survive - and even get treasure - but when they head home they rapidly discover that keeping the treasure will be harder than finding it was. Everyone and his brother seems interested in something they brought out of the dungeon, and pretty soon they're under attack by local organized crime, a horde of undead, some demons, some elves, a few representatives of some minority races, and a bunch of do-gooders. If you've ever played AD&D or its ilk, you'll be overwhelmed with a wave of nostalgia upon reading this - and you'll be giggling, too, remembering the time *you* made these mistakes."
Ivy, Resident Greg Costikyan Scholar
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Overall Review
Our unique search engine breaks down books and movies into
dozens of literary elements, all of which are searchable.
Ratings are on a 1-10 scale (Low to High)
Plot
FANTASY or SCIENCE FICTION?
- fantasy world/fantasy past
Explore/1st contact/ enviro story
Yes
Plotlets:
- exploring a wondrous planet or phenomena
Spying & Investigations
Yes
What is main char. doing?
- rescue mission/escape from confinement
Tech./$$$/Info hunt
Yes
Stealing/recovering/destroying
- magical artifact
- money/gems/treasure
Is this an adult or child's book?
- Adult or Young Adult Book
Main Character
Identity:
- Male
Profession/status:
- thief/con artist
Age:
- 20's-30's
How sensitive is this character?
- sensitive to others' feelings
Sense of humor
- Cynical sense of humor
Intelligence
- Average intelligence
Physique
- average physique
Main Adversary
How sensitive is this character?
- hard edged
Sense of humor
- Mostly serious with occasional humor
Intelligence
- Average intelligence
Physique
- average physique
Setting
A substantial portion of this book takes place on a non-Earth planetary body:
- humans in a primitive/fantasy society
Planet outside solar system?
Yes
Style
Person?
- mostly 3rd
Accounts of torture and death?
- generic/vague references to death/punishment
How much dialogue?
- roughly even amounts of descript and dialog
