Tournament of Losers

By: Megan Derr

Narrated by: Michael Stellman

Length: 6 hrs and 26 mins

Publisher's summary

All Rath wants is a quiet, peaceful life. Unfortunately, his father brings him too much trouble - and too many debts to pay - for that to ever be possible. When the local crime lord drags Rath out of bed and tells him he has three days to pay his father's latest debt, Rath doesn't know what to do. There's no way to come up with so much money in so little time.

Then a friend poses an idea just ridiculous enough to work: enter the Tournament of Losers, where every 75 years, peasants compete for the chance to marry into the noble and royal houses. All competitors are given a stipend to live on for the duration of the tournament - funds enough to cover his father's debt. All he has to do is win the first few rounds, collect his stipend, and then it's back to trying to live a quiet life....

©2015, 2016 Megan Derr (P)2016 Less Than Three Press, LLC

Fantastic rags to riches story!

This is one of those stories, that I thought was one thing – but it’s really something else.

I chose it for a Paranormal story and there are some elements of that – but far and away – this is more an historical fantasy rather than anything else.

It has a romantic thread – to be sure – but it’s mostly about a young boy with no prospects finding his way to the top of the food chain simply because he’s such a good hearted person.

It’s fast paced (after the first 25%) and a page turner. Usually I’m disappointed when the romance isn’t the central part of the story, but in this case the story itself is so charming that I couldn’t be sad!

The narration is done very well by Michael Stellman and though he doesn’t go crazy with the accents, it’s always clear who is speaking and I felt very immersed in the time.

If you’re in the mood for a really uplifting story where the good guy gets what he deserves, this is it!

Highly Recommended!

(Not spooky at all!)


5 of 5 stars

Top of my Fantasy Romance list.

I have listened to this story probably twenty times. It is a fallback story for me. When all the other stories slip into the forgotten, this one is always pulls me back for a listen. Good guys bad guys, romance, prince and pauper,. it has it all.

Great Short Book That You Can Finish In A Day.

PLOT - Rath has to enter the Tournament of Loser. When had to get money to pay off his father debt. He get the money then his wants to quit the tournament by his lover tell him to stay in it. Rath try to found why and who was hurt he family.
NARRATED - Michael Stellman - The narrated tell the story great. He create the character that sound different and you can really get in to the story.
RATE - I rated it 5 of 5 because the author write a really great book. The author writes book the really suck you in.
#Marriage #SecretIdentities #Relationships #LGBTQIA+…or any other point of view #HappyEnding #tagsgiving #sweepstakes

Michael Stellman OUTDID HIMSELF!!!

Any additional comments?

Michael freakin' Stellman outdid his performance in this tale of hard knocks! And yeah, I absolutely fell head-over-heels with Rath.

You get so much more in this story than just a romance! You get adventure, friendship, kindness, charity, deception, violence, cruelty, and a wonderful message of humanity being more important than money.

I just loved this story. The best part of the story is being gay made no difference in this world. The world that Megan Derr created treated being gay the exact way as being straight is treated...no issue what so ever! And that was just awesome! And my heart was left wrapped in happiness. - happy sigh -

LOVED LOVED LOVED this story and Michael Stellman 💖

A joy

I enjoyed this book very much I could hardly put it down. Rath and Tress are wonderful characters.

Good, gay, fun

As fun as it was predictable, this book was an enjoyable romp down tried and true tropes with an oblivious but enjoyable protagonist. Sometimes all you really want is a feel good story with a happy ending, and that can be exceedingly difficult to find with queer protagonist.

The strong narration added to the book in a way that definitely endeared me to the story.

If the idea of a heart of gold commoner winning his way through a rigged royal marriage tournament no matter how many people beat him up sounds like fun, give Tournament of Losers a listen.

Predictable but every word is a delight

This is the first book I've listened to from Megan Derr but it won't be my last. Her writing pairs well with Michael Stellman's narration. She captures the heart of meager but honest young man who is so wickedly snarky but good natured that it's impossible not to pull for him through every hardship and setback. Stellman's voice provides nuance, humor, and personality. This is a terrific book.

Great world building

Fun adventurish story with a great setting. Yes it was predictable but still enjoyable and entertaining. The lack of gender roles or expectations associated with sexuality was so refreshing. It was also great to have race never mentioned but diversity in the central characters.

Hoity-toity!!!!

Quaint story about princes and strange endeavors of love.
Really enjoyed that one. Maybe if it'd been a bit longer, it would've indulged more the little prince n me.

Hoity-toity-toity-toity!!!

Satisfaction!

I will admit at first i wasn't sure about this book. It was a far cry from what I was expecting when i purchased it, but it was every bit as good if not leagues better.

I enjoined every bit of it, from the challenges to Rath's pure and noble heart.