NPCs (Spells, Swords, Stealth Book 1)

I read everything else that Hayes wrote before attempting this one - which is the first in a series whose premise is: What do the background characters do in role playing games when they are not interacting with the people (From our world) who go there as adventurers? Turns out that they are just people, even the ogres and goblins, who have real lives, jobs, and don't really understand what is happening some of the time. A small group of 'Adventurers' make a bad decision early on and are all killed, so their armor and 'characters' are taken over by some of the locals. This, then, is their story!Like everything he has written (Or anyway, that I have read) this story contains a lot of humor. I don't know what Hayes is like in real life - could be as funny as his writing, or some snarly curmudgeon, but in truth he is one of the best writers I have come across. His characters are actually believable, something that is difficult to do when writing of half orcs and the like, that you can really identify with. And at times laugh at or with.If you like role playing games, you will doubtless like this book and find it extremly amusing. But even if your not into RPG's (Like myself) you will be caught up in the story and before long may start to wonder what your missing by NOT playing RPG's... So read this. In fact, read all of his books and stories. They are truly excellent and fun to read - I like them so much I am on the list to be notified when something new is released. Can't get a much better recommendation than that!

Drew Hayes was just some random indy author who I happened across on Amazon and decided to give his book Powered's a "Sample" read... a 200 page sample... after that I was hooked, now I buy everything he writes and following his fellow Authors and himself in their D&D misadventures. He is quite the character himself, and having been reading avidly for over 30 years I can quite confidently say that he is one of the best new authors I have ever read. He is easily in my top 10 favorite authors, and that's not an easy list to make! Do yourself a favor and get any book one of his various series, give it a read and you will thank me for the profuse recommendation. :) NPC's is witty, wily, and wacky. It's THE most innovative and fresh take on the "gaming group gets transported into the game and gain skills and powers befitting their character, adventures ensue". He blends the outsider story line and insider story line seamlessly, you will do whatever your version of a hearty laugh is... even if it's just cracking a smile or snickering at some point during the read, I guarantee it! Flame and troll me to my grave if you give it a chance and don't enjoy the ride, I will consider it a product of poor taste or anonymity muscle flexing... but I will weather the storm with a smile and floss thoroughly afterward! Buy this book, you won't regret it! His other two series, Powered's and the Vampire Accountant are both excellent as well, I highly recommend anything that has the words "written by/authored by/presented by Drew Hayes" even the very few books I haven't gotten around to reading yet. That is how confident I am in his writing. I realize this is much less of a review than a homage, but I don't want to spoil any of the fun for the future readers by giving spoilers. Download the sample and read it, I would bet money (if I had any) that you immediately buy the book when you finish the sample. :) Happy reading everyone!

I very much enjoyed this book and its accompanying sequels. It is worth both your money and your time.The story follows a group of NPCs who are faced with the choice of "Stand by as the Mad King destroys their village and the certain death that will follow" or "pretend to be adventurers and only probably die in the process". The book not only follows all of the typical roleplaying tropes but also embraces them as part of the reality that is the characters world. Examples like "why are there so many monsters in this area? Well its because there are a lot of adventurers and monsters tend to go where adventurers are for some inexplicable reason" or "Paladins cant run away from evil. Like literally their feet get stuck to the road and they can't move" all make up facets of this story.This could easily become groan worthy but the author manages to tackle these elements and make them feel compelling. So if you want a bit of good old days of roleplaying nostalgia then this is the book for you.