Orconomics (Dark Profits - Book 1)
- J Zachary Pike
Picked this for being a winner at SPFBO 2018.
Started off as a satiric comedy fantasy book that takes digs at capitalism. Heroism (as in defeating evil monsters) has become a business with people investing in quests for a share of loot and then packaging these shares to be traded at exchange. Not quite subtle dig on MBS crisis. They even have names like Goldson Blaggs, Citistate, JP Gorgon etc to rub it in.
The author creates a nice satiric mix of a modern capitalistic society in ancient fantasy world. You get the usual variety of races, gods, religion. The plot starts off as a stereotypical group of washed up fallen heroes banded together for a suicidal quest. Then they add in a unique flavouring of a capitalistic rich company with declining profits creating a crisis so that they can get profits back. The initial 80% of the book goes off lightly in world, character and quest introduction and meanders along making you wonder if the plot would actually pick up at all. Good new is it does. Bad news is that the pick up leads directly to a shattering epic climax that you didn't see coming and drops off as a cliffhanger leading to Book 2.
World building is superb. Writing is uneven in pace and author pays more attention to taking digs at Capitalism rather than moving the plot along. But the climax makes up for it but leaves you to read book 2 to fully understand the plot.
It's interesting enough for me to dive into Book 2 (Son of Liche) right away.
Who could play Druss? Arnie? He's almost too larger than life to capture.
Arnie back from the Conan day would have been a good shout as Druss. I think they would have to CGI him and I don't know how good that would work.
Oh yeah I forgot about the earlier adventures. I mostly remember him from was it Legend where he turned up to help them hold Dros Delnoch?
You're right. He was older in Legend. I think it was good that Legend is the first in the series, as you hear about Druss as an old man and get excited about what adventures that he had leading up to it.
I enjoyed Waylander, although I read it about 15 years ago and until recently hadn't read many since. Haven't read Wolf in the Shadow so not sure about John Shannow but will read soon as I am just recently getting back into books. Thought Olek Skillgallon was amazing. How do you think the Swords of Night and Day would fair against Snaga hypothetically speaking?
I did, the whole series, about 2 years ago. It is similar in many respects to Dresden, but also quite different.
I'm about 50% in and the time thing is confusing me. I gathered it's around 20 years since The Heroes given Leo's age and that comment, but Gorst still being an absolute beast makes it seem like it can't be that long.Hard to tell. Shivers is still around but is a lot older and grey haired now. The only indication of time I recall is Gorst being noted to still train for several hours a day even 30 years or so after the tournament from original book. Also Leos mother claims he was conceived on the battlefield which I think refers to The Heroes?
Having finished it now, I absolutely loved it, his characters are always so engaging. Roll on the next one, God I hope Bayaz ends up getting his comeuppance, insufferable prick
Thanks! Going through Jack Reacher books at the moment but will pick this up once I get saturated with Jack Reacher.
Perhaps a change of scenery would be better. Try Iron Druid or Nightside between the series.
Have read Iron Druid already. Will check out Nightside. Cheers!
Cheers guys. I'll give it a whirl.
