Slathbog's Gold

Adventurers Wanted, Book 1

By: M. L. Forman

Narrated by: E. B. Stevens

Length: 10 hrs and 49 mins

Publisher's summary

Do you have the courage, the wits, and the skill to claim a dragon's hoard? If so, apply within . . . The sign is small, tucked into the corner of Mr. Clutter's bookshop window: “Adventurers Wanted. Apply Within.” No one but fifteen-year-old Alex Taylor even seems to notice it is there. And for Alex, who has wished for a change in his life, it is an irresistible invitation.Upon entering Mr. Clutter's shop, Alex is swept away on an incredible adventure to a faraway land filled with heroic warriors, mysterious elves, and hard-working dwarves. Alex becomes the eighth man in a band of adventurers seeking the lair of Slathbog the Red - an evil dragon with a legendary treasure. Along the way, Alex and his new friends must battle dangerous trolls and bandits, face undead wraiths, and seek the wisdom of the Oracle in her White Tower. Alex's adventure takes him to distant and exotic lands where he learns about courage, integrity, honor, and, most importantly, friendship.

©2009 M. L. Forman (P)2009 Shadow Mountain

Critic reviews

"The beginning of an epic fantasy series." ( Library Journal)

"Entertaining ... The series potential is limitless." ( Booklist)

Amazing book, narration could have been better

Having read this book before, I couldn’t resist getting it on Audible for so cheap. I love this story and was very happy to be able to have the series on hand. However, some of the voices used for certain characters(Alex’s in particular), really got on my nerves after time. I imagine them speaking much differently, for one with more confidence and clarity. I’m hoping the narration will change a bit for the second book, as I bought it as well, though it’s not so terrible that I’ll return it if otherwise. Still, it’s a little disappointing that it’s not up to all of my desires.

love this book

I already read this series in hard copy but I could not help but come back to it again

Fun, light fantasy

This was an enjoyable book to listen to. It was like a bedtime story that combines familiar elements of other great stories but adds some twists of its own.

Familiar echoes included the iconic idea of a group quest (Hobbit & Fellowship of the Ring), the beautiful elf of the Dark Woods (Galadriel - Fellowship of the Ring), the developing power of a beginning wizard with a mysterious past (Harry Potter, Eragon), a description of the afterlife as "passing the wall in the shadowlands" and the protagonist ' s experiences there (Earthsea Trilogy), the time shifting between worlds (Chronicles of Narnia), the burning and enabling power of a magical sword (David Eddings' Belgariad series, among others), the ever expanding magical knapsack (Fablehaven #4), an evil dragon with a treasure horde, a magic ring, and a shiny magical stone (Hobbit), and I could go on.

Elements that were a little new, at least to me, were the development of a fairly rigid code of honor along with a formalized profession of adventurers. It was interesting to see Alex learn and stumble through the ropes.

There were a few scary monsters in this story, but surprisingly the dragon wasn't among them. Or rather, it felt like he was defeated too quickly, almost like a B movie that has to rush the final conflict because funding was running out. Still, the scary scenes don't last for too long, and maybe it's supposed to be that way for the intended audience.

Overall my pre-teen boys enjoyed this book and want to hear the others in the series.

enjoyable and fun

Any additional comments?

My wife loved it and I liked it. She wanted to give it a 5 and I wanted a 3, so it got a 4. There is nothing that we found objectionable for our grandchildren. I thought it was a fun listen. I do not think it compares to books by the likes of Michael Sullivan, but it was worth the credit and we will definitely be listening to more in the series. I did not think there was anything unique that we have not heard in other plots or distinctively creative, but good storytelling.

great story! 10 extra stars.

loved the story. I also liked the sound of the narrators voice. this is the third time I've listened to this book. it's been an adventure every time :)

best ever

would recommend to everyone! its fun and suspenseful well worth the time to read anyday.

got it for a road trip with the family

finished all but 3 hours of it on the trip then finished it by myself at work. nice, fun fantasy story

Even though it's a little different from The Lord

Of the rings, I enjoyed it thoroughly and look forward to the other remaining stories.

wow

I have listened to several books narrated by EB Stevens. all of them from Shadow Mountain, I have enjoyed them immensely and pass them on to my boys both enjoyed them as well. while searching for a new series to start I found this one I was immediately intrigued as I am an old-school D&D player after listening to the first book I bought the rest of them. as I am the dungeon master for our group and have been looking for a quest to start I will be taking a lot of ideas from the series to forward our own Adventures. Thank you so much

Coo l

An excellent book to spark the imagination in youth and a bit for the more experienced