The Forgotten Five

By: Anka B. Troitsky

Narrated by: Sean J. Docherty

Fantasy novella inspired by games and their players.

In a world fractured by magic and time, I, the humble storyteller, find myself piecing together a tale I can scarcely believe.

It begins with a halfling bard named Digram, whose discovery of a forgotten melody sets him and his companions on a dangerous quest.

The dwarf Beryl, the human noble Minelira, and the elven warrior Lord Vaelior all carry their secrets, scars, and simmering tensions into this perilous journey. Together, they brave forests alive with menace, tunnels steeped in shadow, and caves where trolls plot their next meal.

The magic rings promise a wish fulfilled, but as I uncover their history, I see how much more dangerous it is to seek what lies within one’s deepest heart.

Perhaps I am no more than a scribe to their adventure—but if you’re reading this, you too are caught in its spell.

©2025 Anka B Troitsky (P)2025 Anka B Troitsky

the forgotten

Ok storyline, starts slow and gets better as you read more. Give some what of a Lord of the Rings vibe. A good listen if you are exploring something new and different from the typical read.

Short Enough to Devour, Deep Enough to Haunt

I’m a med-school resident who counts reading time in stolen 12-minute chunks between pages. The Forgotten Five is engineered for my chaos: 120 pages that fly like a 30-second timer, yet every paragraph packs a punch. It’s the first book I’ve reread on a post-call bus ride without dozing off.

nice fantasy journey

I love about LitRPG and fantasy rolled into one determination to reclaim her family’s honor and Lord Vaelior’s quiet struggle with the fading legacy of the elves I can’t wait for the next installment!

Reads Like a Campaign You Wish You’d Played

I’m a software dev who moonlights in tabletop RPGs, and I judge fantasy hard—most books feel like lazy reskins of the Player’s Handbook. The Forgotten Five slipped past my defenses with its structure: five tight acts, each ending on a cliffhanger that screams “end of session.” Clean, clever, and criminally re-readable. Five stars, no notes.

Brutally Honest About the Cost of Wishing

I’m a mom who sneaks fantasy reads after the kids crash—usually something fluffy to unwind. The Forgotten Five looked short enough for one sitting, but it gut-punched me in the best way. The part that wrecked me is how the magic rings actually work: every wish drags a hidden price tag out of the wisher’s soul, and the author doesn’t flinch from showing the receipts. I need a sequel to hug these broken weirdos again.