Audio Book Review: The Utterly Uninteresting and Unadventurous Tales of Fred, the Vampire Accountant by Drew Hayes

This is fun, easy listening.

The Utterly Uninteresting and Unadventurous Tales of Fred, the Vampire Accountant --
Written by Drew Hayes
Narrated by Kirby Heyborne

Series: Fred, the Vampire Accountant, Book 1
Length: 7 hrs and 2 mins
Unabridged Audiobook
Release date: 02-24-15
Language: English
Publisher: Tantor Audio
Genre: Adventure, Fantasy, Humor, Satire
My Rating: 4.25 of 5.0 Overall; Story 4.25; Narration 4.25.

Publisher Description
Some people are born boring. Some live boring. Some even die boring. Fred managed to do all three, and when he woke up as a vampire, he did so as a boring one. Timid, socially awkward, and plagued by self-esteem issues, Fred has never been the adventurous sort.
One fateful night-different from the night he died, which was more inconvenient than fateful-Fred reconnects with an old friend at his high school reunion. This rekindled relationship sets off a chain of events thrusting him right into the chaos of the parahuman world: a world with chipper zombies, truck driver wereponies, maniacal necromancers, ancient dragons, and now one undead accountant trying his best to “survive.”
Because even after it’s over, life can still be a downright bloody mess.

Review:
Many people expect a vampire to be powerful, fierce, and maybe even suave. That isn’t Fred. Fred tells you himself that he was a timid, awkward, physically soft nerd while living and that didn’t change too much when he died. He may have slimmed down some and has strengths he calls on occasionally, but he is still timid and socially awkward. Fred attends his high school reunion and runs into a girl he liked during school but who he thought barely noticed him. Surprisingly, Krystal recognizes Fred and treats him nicely. Not only that, it turns out she recognizes what he is because she is an agent who hunts down out of control parahumans.

Though it is a bumble, Fred manages to help Krystal escape a dangerous situation. Then he joins her on several unexpected adventures where Fred accumulates unique friends like a cheerful zombie (not a brain-eating variety), a werepony. Fred and Krystal also face their share of monsters and Fred has to try to outthink some of them since he certainly can’t outwrestle them.

Fred may be mild-mannered, but he isn’t totally uninteresting. He repeatedly ends up in engaging adventures where it is fun to watch Fred outwit his opponents/enemies. I liked the easy flow of the chapters that share different misadventures, introducing the new characters along the way. In the end, there is a fun, interesting twist. The author is creative in the parahumans and writes with light humor that makes it fun to read/listen. I recommend this to readers who enjoy lighter paranormal characters.

Audio Notes: Kirby Heyborne does a good job with the narration. He captures Fred’s mild personality and manages to make the listening move along with interest. I am glad I listened to this.

Source: September 2019 Chirp Purchase $.99. This qualifies for 2020TBR and 2020Audiobook goals.

Audible Book Review: NPCs by Drew Hayes

This is fun 'gaming' adventure - rooting for the underdogs!

NPCs
By: Drew Hayes
Narrated by: Roger Wayne

Series: Spells, Swords, & Stealth, Book 1
Length: 7 hrs and 50 mins
Unabridged Audiobook
Release date: 09-23-14
Language: English
Publisher: Tantor Audio
Genre: Fantasy, Humor
My Rating: 4.5 of 5.0

Publisher's Summary
What happens when the haggling is done and the shops are closed? When the quest has been given, the steeds saddled, and the adventurers are off to their next encounter? They keep the world running, the food cooked, and the horses shoed, yet what adventurer has ever spared a thought or concern for the Non-Player Characters? In the town of Maplebark, four such NPCs settle in for a night of actively ignoring the adventurers drinking in the tavern when things go quickly and fatally awry. Once the dust settles, these four find themselves faced with an impossible choice: pretend to be adventurers undertaking a task of near-certain death or see their town and loved ones destroyed. Armed only with salvaged equipment, second-hand knowledge, and a secret that could get them killed, it will take all manner of miracles if they hope to pull off their charade. And even if they succeed, the deadliest part of their journey may well be what awaits them at its end.
©2014 Andrew Hayes (P)2014 Tantor

Review:
This story starts with four rough Role Playing Game characters (RPGs) making errors and dying in a tavern. The death is observed by four Non Player Characters: the half-ogre tavern owner/bartender named Grumph, a roughish gnome named Thistle, a rather clumsy local guard, Eric, and the mayor’s tomboyish daughter, Gabrielle. The NPCs find a summons from the King requiring four unnamed ‘heroes’ to travel to Solium to receive a quest.

The summons calls for a paladin (guard), a barbarian, a wizard and a rogue. If the group doesn’t arrive, it could anger the King and result in the destruction of their entire town. Rather than allow that, the four NPCs decide to take the summons and seek the quest, hoping for rewards…and adventure. The intrepid four assign themselves the roles they think fit and head off.

Shortly after beginning their journey the new heroes are captured by Goblins. By a strange magical event the heroes escape, discovering their true roles in the process. They each will grow into their roles as they pursue the quest with bravery, strength, magic and cleverness.

I haven’t played an RPG in years since they take time (that I prefer to use reading). The story concept was interesting, and the execution was fun and engaging. I listened late into the night and was rooting for the underdog NPC heroes all the way! I will be getting book two to continue with the adventure. I recommend this to readers who enjoy action adventure served up with humor.

Audio Notes: Roger Wayne does a wonderful job with the narration. He provides clear narration with distinct voices for the characters. The audio enhanced my enjoyment of the story.

Source: 2017 Audible Credit Purchase. This is part of 2018TBR, Audiobook and Alphabet Challenges.