An Orc on the Wild Side

Starred review from July 15, 2019
J.R.R. Tolkien gets what’s coming to him in this hilarious fifth YouSpace novel (after The Good, the Bad, and the Smug), a witty parody of high fantasy. A few contemporary humans travel to an alternate reality known as the Hidden Realms and immediately attempt to gentrify it, though it is one of the oldest and most feared places in the multiverse. Their plans clash with the bureaucratic obsession of the elves, the strangely progressive New Evil governance style of the goblin king, and the avarice of the dwarves, and may also bring about an ancient prophecy spelling out the end of the world. The broad cast includes a wraith who’d rather be a supermodel, a Dark Lord fixated on benevolent reform, a con artist hoping to make her fortune, and some snooty married couples who imagine they’re retiring in style to their very own magical towers. Holt’s dry silliness is the perfect vehicle for critiquing both current events and classic fantasy novels. Clever and entertaining all the way through, this should find a place in the hearts of anyone who likes their fantasy with a side of irreverent humor.

August 30, 2019

The latest hilarious send-up of classic fantasy tropes from Holt (Who's Afraid of Beowolf?) continues in this fifth "Youspace" novel. Humans have arrived in the Hidden Realms and are ready to settle down. But they must contend with things like using spells to open doors as well as dealing with overbearing elves. Then there is King Mordak, the ruler of the goblins, who sets up "New Evil" (less killing and more peaceful coexistence). He finds the humans and their iron products dangerous, but plots to import goods from the human world cheaply and sell them as goblin-made (with a nice mark-up of course). This would benefit both parties, except that the goblin horde would be out of work, unless other jobs are created for them to keep them from rebelling. A plethora of side characters with their own issues completes this absurdist tale. VERDICT Holt has taken over the satirical fantasy novel from writers such as Douglas Adams and Terry Pratchett, with a dose of Kurt Vonnegut tossed in. For readers who do not take their fantasy stories too seriously, or appreciate them a bit silly, this is a gem.--Lucy Roehrig, Ann Arbor Dist. Lib., MI

Copyright 2019 Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

August 1, 2019
Terry and Molly Barrington are settling into their new home, Caras Snorgond, a tower formerly occupied by a great wizard, and figuring out their new life in the Hidden Realms. They have all the comforts they enjoyed in London, when they can get it delivered. King Mordak, Dark Lord and Prince of Evil, has been having trouble implementing his liberal social reforms under the banner of New Evil. As he faces bureaucracy and the limits of Goblinkind, he seeks a new addition. King Drain of the Dwarvenhold is also figuring out his new neighbors while his new human cook, Ms. White, is seeking new opportunities while escaping her past. Holt, author of Doughnut (2012), has created an entertaining intersection of magic, commerce, technology, prophecy, bureaucracy, and conflicting legal systems. He provides a humorous context for a discussion on the nature of evil and figuring out how to get along with others, despite the influence of disembodied evil. For more humorous fantasy, see the Core Collection on p. xx.(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2019, American Library Association.)