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The NPC Paperback – December 22, 2021

by Timothy David (Author)
4.9 4.9 out of 5 stars 28 ratings
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The mages had entered the building and sealed the exits. As they searched for him, Deodin overheard their whispered plans to destroy him with deadly spells. This was the fourth time today that someone had tried to kill him. He groaned, annoyed by the interruption. Murderous wizards threatened his patience, not his life.

Born as sheyaktu, Deodin is the world’s most powerful magical warrior. Instead of villains and monsters, however, his greatest adversary is a flawed and inconsistent reality. Merchants assign him dangerous quests. Strangers attack without provocation. Caves and dungeons ignore physical laws and common sense. Deodin lives in a universe that disregards its own rules to keep him as the primary player in a repetitive game of survival, exploration, and adventure.

Recently, he learned that a mysterious queen has awakened and threatens to smother the land with fire and ash. If he doesn’t stop her, the light of humanity will be snuffed out forever. But as he embarks on yet another quest to prevent oblivion, he doesn’t feel like a hero. He feels like the world’s favorite toy.

Deodin begrudgingly agrees to travel to the Crown and stop the apocalypse, but only on one condition: he will first learn why he must be the protagonist in a game he no longer wants to play.
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  1. Print length
    494 pages
  2. Language
    English
  3. Publication date
    December 22, 2021
  4. Dimensions
    5 x 1.24 x 8 inches
  5. ISBN-10
    0988227819
  6. ISBN-13
    978-0988227811
  7. See all details
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Product details

  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ SCSI320 (December 22, 2021)
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • Paperback ‏ : ‎ 494 pages
  • ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 0988227819
  • ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-0988227811
  • Item Weight ‏ : ‎ 1.17 pounds
  • Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 5 x 1.24 x 8 inches
  • Customer Reviews:
    4.9 4.9 out of 5 stars 28 ratings

Customer reviews

4.9 out of 5 stars
4.9 out of 5
28 global ratings
For Fantasy fans, Gamers, and/or DnD players
5 Stars
For Fantasy fans, Gamers, and/or DnD players
I really enjoyed this book! It was wonderfully written, had great character development, and was so delightfully snarky that I often found myself snickering aloud as I read. I'm not normally a fantasy book reader, but having played online RPGs, I'm glad I gave this book a chance because it was a really fun read! I love when authors write from the perspective of different characters throughout the book. I won't give any spoilers but I loved the ending. I thought it wrapped everything up perfectly. 10/10 would recommend!!
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Top reviews from the United States

Angela
5.0 out of 5 stars A fantasy adventure unlike any other I've read.
Reviewed in the United States on March 23, 2022
Verified Purchase
Turns so many stereotypes on their heads. Fast paced, irreverent, and yet strangely wholesome, this book is very much written for the modern fantasy-adventure fan. With how the stories from videogames, fantasy, and tabletop games all intersect, this book smushes them all together in a weird and wonderful design. Read it in two days, highly recommend.
2 people found this helpful
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Nicholas T.
5.0 out of 5 stars I seriously couldn't put this down
Reviewed in the United States on July 1, 2022
Verified Purchase
What a great book. The plot moves at a great pace. Enough that I had a hard time putting it down, I wanted to know where it was going next. It takes the whole fantasy genre and adds a unique twist. Here's hoping for another book in this universe!
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Kindle Customer
5.0 out of 5 stars Read this book.
Reviewed in the United States on February 7, 2022
Verified Purchase
This book is awesome.
Irreverent and delightfully self aware, this is how I picture life going for the MC after you put down the controller and chip enough away at the 4th wall to peek through to see what happens next.
Please take a chance like I did and read this book. I'm very glad I did.
2 people found this helpful
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Anonymous
4.0 out of 5 stars A easy fun read for people who enjoy an RPG trope
Reviewed in the United States on December 11, 2022
The NPC was slow in the beginning, but was an enjoyable read. The author described his scenes well and created a pretty unique world, but still familiar to people who enjoy the traditional fantasy words. The characters are interesting and their interactions with each other are also interesting. Toward the end, the MC's frustration was clear and I could feel his emotions in his words and actions. I enjoyed the plot too.

Biggest complaint is the length of the chapters and each chapter was a different point of view. It helped give a thorough look of everything, but I felt each time I got settled into a character, the chapter ended and I had to move on to a different point of view.
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Barbara S
5.0 out of 5 stars Gorgeously written, magical hero's quest!
Reviewed in the United States on February 12, 2022
Verified Purchase
The NPC, is a fast moving page- turner that is well written, that pulls you in with humorous and witty dialogue and loveable characters. If you like fantasy fiction, role playing, adventure, heroes and quests similar to Harry Potter, Lord of the Rings , genre, this is for you.
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Christina
5.0 out of 5 stars For Fantasy fans, Gamers, and/or DnD players
Reviewed in the United States on July 1, 2023
I really enjoyed this book! It was wonderfully written, had great character development, and was so delightfully snarky that I often found myself snickering aloud as I read. I'm not normally a fantasy book reader, but having played online RPGs, I'm glad I gave this book a chance because it was a really fun read! I love when authors write from the perspective of different characters throughout the book. I won't give any spoilers but I loved the ending. I thought it wrapped everything up perfectly. 10/10 would recommend!!
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Christina
5.0 out of 5 stars For Fantasy fans, Gamers, and/or DnD players
Reviewed in the United States on July 1, 2023
I really enjoyed this book! It was wonderfully written, had great character development, and was so delightfully snarky that I often found myself snickering aloud as I read. I'm not normally a fantasy book reader, but having played online RPGs, I'm glad I gave this book a chance because it was a really fun read! I love when authors write from the perspective of different characters throughout the book. I won't give any spoilers but I loved the ending. I thought it wrapped everything up perfectly. 10/10 would recommend!!
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Rich
5.0 out of 5 stars Fun, humorous and builds characters you care about
Reviewed in the United States on September 12, 2022
I make games for a living (and also play them). I hope the characters in my games have the sort of lives that this book creates for "the NPCs" in its story - because then they would be interesting, charming (or villainous) and care for each other while experiencing adventures any game maker would be proud of creating.

To be clear, you don't need to be a gamer to enjoy this novel. The narrative deftly weaves in the "game rules" without breaking the fourth wall. It can be viewed as a pure fantasy novel with an entertaining story on its own merits. But for people who do game, there will be the added layer of relating to the hero character, and his constant struggle to make sense of an arbitrary and randomly cruel world.

While the story wraps up well for this installment, it leaves room at the end to return. Here's to hoping we see more adventures with these engaging characters!
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Craig M Beck
5.0 out of 5 stars As you round the bend, you stumble upon a pack of hungry Direwolves...
Reviewed in the United States on July 24, 2022
A delightfully sardonic journey into the musings and escapades of Deodin, a fearless adventurer who begins to question the meaning of life, as he ponders his insatiable drive to complete an endless series of tasks thrust upon him by The Universe, regardless of his success, failure or interest in doing so.

For anyone who has ever played an RPG and wondered what their character might be contemplating as they interact with wily merchants, encounter potential friends or enemies, slog through endless marshes, battle packs of wolves, ambush hordes of goblins, explore troll caves, or face down fearsome dragons, The NPC is a joyful slash and stab at that most fearsome of existential monsters: the choices we make.

Driven by a twisting, slow burn plot worthy of an experienced Dungeon Master, and complemented by a compelling cast of fully developed characters who aid Deodin as he traverses the realm to save the Crown, The NPC will leave you chuckling in your chair, grinning like a goblin, and laughing out loud, longing to know what happens after the last page, and possibly wondering if you are actively crafting your own life’s path, or just checking off someone else’s boxes yourself.

— Craig Michael Beck, Actor, SAG-AFTRA
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Craig M Beck
5.0 out of 5 stars As you round the bend, you stumble upon a pack of hungry Direwolves...
Reviewed in the United States on July 24, 2022
A delightfully sardonic journey into the musings and escapades of Deodin, a fearless adventurer who begins to question the meaning of life, as he ponders his insatiable drive to complete an endless series of tasks thrust upon him by The Universe, regardless of his success, failure or interest in doing so.

For anyone who has ever played an RPG and wondered what their character might be contemplating as they interact with wily merchants, encounter potential friends or enemies, slog through endless marshes, battle packs of wolves, ambush hordes of goblins, explore troll caves, or face down fearsome dragons, The NPC is a joyful slash and stab at that most fearsome of existential monsters: the choices we make.

Driven by a twisting, slow burn plot worthy of an experienced Dungeon Master, and complemented by a compelling cast of fully developed characters who aid Deodin as he traverses the realm to save the Crown, The NPC will leave you chuckling in your chair, grinning like a goblin, and laughing out loud, longing to know what happens after the last page, and possibly wondering if you are actively crafting your own life’s path, or just checking off someone else’s boxes yourself.

— Craig Michael Beck, Actor, SAG-AFTRA
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2 people found this helpful
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Top reviews from other countries

sdrbell
5.0 out of 5 stars A fun read for (former?) RPGers
Reviewed in Canada on April 1, 2022
Verified Purchase
This was a surprisingly fun read. A simple fantasy novel integrating the tropes computer role playing gamers have embraced for years. More "Hitchhiker's Guide" than "Game of Thrones", this will tickle anyone with a mild sense of humour and a background of playing games like the early online MUDs through Everquest, World of Warcraft, standalone cRPGs and beyond.
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