Orconomics: A Satire

The Dark Profit Saga, Book 1

By: J. Zachary Pike

Narrated by: Doug Tisdale Jr.

Length: 11 hrs and 46 mins

Publisher's summary

Professional heroes kill and loot deadly monsters every day, but Gorm Ingerson's latest quest will be anything but business as usual.

The adventuring industry drives the economy of Arth, a world much like our own but with more magic and fewer vowels. Monsters' hoards are claimed, bought by corporate interests, and sold off to plunder funds long before the Heroes' Guild actually kills the beasts. Of course, that's a terrible arrangement for the Shadowkin; orcs, goblins, kobolds, and their ilk must apply for to become Noncombatant Paper Carriers (or NPCs) to avoid being killed and looted by heroes.

When Gorm Ingerson, a Dwarven ex-hero with a checkered past, stands up for an undocumented goblin, he inadvertently singles himself out for recruitment by a prophet of the mad goddess to undertake a suicidal quest. But there's more to Gorm's new job than an insane prophecy: powerful corporations and governments have shown an unusual interest in the quest. If his party of eccentric misfits can stop fighting each other long enough to recover the Elven Marbles, Gorm might be able to turn a bad deal into a golden opportunity.

©2014 John Zachary Pike (P)2016 John Zachary Pike

High Fantasy meets Economics- hilarity ensues

Would you listen to Orconomics: A Satire again? Why?

Yes, I absolutely would. I really enjoyed the Pratchett-like mash-up of high fantasy, personal story development, humor and meticulous world-building. Replay value will be high on this, as a) it is genuinely funny without being "comedy haha." b) The economics check out. Orconomics isn't just pithy titling- it's the underpinning and motivating force in this world (and in truth, in every world). c) Despite the fact that the characters are ostensibly D&D player characters rendered into literature, they all delightfully both display and break every trope in the book. They are also refreshingly multidimensional and unpredictable. I can't break down specifics about how and why without giving away major plot points you truly want to have unfold in proper order- so I'll just stop here and endorse with a much vaunted "5 out of 5 elephants."

Did you have an extreme reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?

made me laugh out loud numerous times. Had to set down the stuff I was doing while I was listening 'til I could continue.

Any additional comments?

As a card carrying fantasy nerd and classically trained economist, this book scratches multiple sweet spots for me. Bravo sirrah.

Holy shit

I was hoping for a great book. I got a phenomenal one instead. The narrator is great, the writing is excellent, the characters feel real and have real problems. The economy is not ignored and plays a role in the story. It's well thought out and makes logical sense. Would definitely recommend.

nice change of adventuring views

(spoiler free review) this book had me chuckling and there are some pokes at modern terms mixed in that I did not see coming, only to chuckle once I was in on the joke. there are many little jokes hidden behind the more obvious jabs, all wrapped up in well written humor and a great story to boot.

The story - which I was honestly figuring to be a throw away story initially - turned out to be one of my more engrossing reads of the last few years. It had a solid plot, a decent set of twists, and a likable cast of characters.

It was funny when it needed to be, and yet surprisingly serious when the story called for it.

what threw me off the most was how sensible the story flowed. Characters did things with a reason and had reasons for everything they did, which is something that is actually pretty hard to accomplish in writing. It can be even harder when trying to work around lingo, something the author has done masterfully here.

The audio was performed by a reader who really felt invested in the story, who cared about making each character memorable without overshadowing the others in any scene. And of making even the most garbled of dialects understandable and fun.

in short, I will be picking up any of this series I can find and I eagerly await the next audiobook ! I would recommend to anyone who likes the fantasy genre, whether for a laugh or for a good story. No doubt this has both!

Dwarves and orcs and elves and more, OH My!

Disclaimer: I am not a gamer, but I have a great appreciation for satire and fantasy. I am sure the gamers get more of the inside jokes. Nevertheless, I really enjoyed this saga, and was disappointed that because the author has a separate work life, the sequel is not available. I read a lot of fantasy and science fiction, and listen to more. This was one the the more enjoyable. I didn't necessarily laugh out loud, but I did snicker often. I appreciated the gentle life lessons along the adventure road; the flaws of the Heroes; and the amoral economics of the Questing nation. Buy and listen, you won't regret it.

World Building at its funniest!

Orconomics is a real treat. Can you imagine a world where the economy is driven by adventurers, and speculations on their success could dictate the market? Seriously, just think about it. Here's an example, "The Market dropped today as Sam and Frodo vanished from the Fellowship without a trace. Wizard Gandalf has reassured us that the mission will succeed, but stocks are lower than the hair on a hobbit's toes."

This is an original book, and brilliant in its concept. I really could feel a Pratchety/Adams vibe, but the book is also deadly serious at times and it works. This is a joking but not so joking look at our corporate society, our own greed is good mentality, and the way we are destroying ourselves in the quest for the almighty dollar. There were parts in which I literally burst out laughing, and other times when I didn't find the commentary so funny, and that was completely intended by Pike. He really knows how to write a fascinating story, while making subtle points. I think he is a cultural economicist or something. Can you imagine a character having to deal with corporate politics, bureaucratic red tape, and financial conspiracies just to go out and do some adventuring. Look, this is really funnier than it sounds. But you have to admit that you will never hear the term corporate raider the same way again.

Doug Tisdale Jr. really plays this one like he was holding all the aces. He is just excellent, and I have to say he has some pretty darn good comedic timing and knows how to tell funny. He could have seriously dropped the ball, and not told it with that wink in his eye like he does. He can narrate. There is no question of that here. Even though I did receive a promo code for this review it in no way influenced my considerations of the material, and in fact, inspired me to be more honest. In fact, getting a code generally makes me harsher as a reviewer as I am more often concerned what someone like Me will decide based on my review.


If this review helped, please press the YES below. Thank you immensely!!!

Amazing!

Best book I've listened to in a long time. Incredible performance. I loved the voice of the goblin. Can't wait for the next one.

A fun romp

There have been a number of this humorous takes on the D&D / Warcraft type universe. Many that focus on the world as a game and others that simple borrow game mechanics but give them a logical consistency in the world of the story. This is one that keeps it own logical consistency. Characters get XP and level up but its done through membership in a guild etc. for example.

I have read quite a few of this general theme, and quite like J. Zachary Pike's take on the sub genre. The story is interesting, the humor is pleasing. There is one seen about "Aggressive sales tactics" that had me laughing loud enough to get funny looks from my wife.

Overall I quite enjoyed the book and would recommend it to anyone looking for a fun ride.

Awesome! Highly recommend

If you know some economics and details of the recent financial crisis, bits of this will be even funnier, but it's hilarious anyway. Excellently created characters that you want to discover more about. At times their development seems to jump forward suddenly, but it was a minor quibble. Can't wait to buy the next book!

Never have I laughed at economics this way.

This book adds humor in smart ways and makes the economic tones make story sence more then just having a gimic to make it interesting it adds so much to already great story.

Book is genius

The author is brilliant. Enjoyed every minute of this book. Combining high fantasy with the stock exchange seems like it would be odd but it turns out to be awesome. Would recommend this book to any fantasy fan.

Absolutely loved this book!

As a roleplayed I fully appreciated the characters & their higinks. A great story and well narrated, can't wait for book 2 to be released!!!

Too much jokes disguised as worldbuilding

Let's me start by saying that depending on what you are looking for, you might like the book a lot

I didn't like the book because the "main story" is almost non-existent. The main focus is the "worldbuilding", which is just a bunch of small unrelated jokes about the world and its economy. At one point I left the book playing, returned after an hour and it felt as if I didn't miss anything.

The performance wasn't terrible, but wasn't as enjoyable as what I've listened from other performers

So in the end - if you are looking for an interesting story - this book is not for you. If you are looking for a comedic "documentary" for a fictional world where adventuring was a business that accounts for 40% of the economy - you might like the book

Brilliant, funny and enjoyable.

Full of great characters I really enjoyed this and can't wait to read the sequel and find out what happens next.

Great narration loved all the voices.

Late to the party

Myself i mean, I don’t know how I missed this gem of a book, it’s funny, sad, ironic and fun, loved it, on to book 2 now!

Great

Excellent narrator and a very solid story.

Whilst it seems to start off a bit generic, it has excellent characters who you really care for by the end, and the satire of the global financial system was very clever. I went straight into the next book in the series and can't wait for the third book to come out!

Absolute blast

A funny, nuanced, uplifting and heart-breaking take on the fantasy genre.
thoroughly recommended.
Great performance by Doug Tisdale Jr.
All the main characters were easily identifiable and distinct.
Definitely worth a credit if you're a fan of Ben Elton, Terry Pratchett and Stan Nichols.

Chapter 23 is a glossary!

Juat wanted to start with that. The chapter titles aren't named so you won't know chapter 23 is a glossary until you get there. I think the glossary might have been better as a pdf attachment rather than a spoken audio chapter though.

The story is actually pretty good. The satire is a bit too on the nose for my tastes and some of the character progression is a bit standard but overall decent. Some happy bits, some sad bits, no funny bits.

The setting is decent but not spectacular. Lots of Lord of the Rings homages that weren't anything special. You could get a good sense for what sort of environment the characters were in though.

Overall it was good but I won't be picking up the sequel anytime soon.

Fun, versatile, unexpectedly moving

Skillful narration and pacing.
Fun nerding.
Involving character stories.
Touching drama.
Engaging moral discussion.
Delightful!

a great tale

This story surprised me, I came in with low expectations and they were thoroughly surpassed. This book was a great story if growth and friendship

Well done satire, funny & subverts fantasy tropes

The references to business and capitalism are ever present and work well within the world's guild of hero's and monetary system. it's a humorous book that often doesn't take itself too seriously but the stakes are there and it can deal with the darker side of hero's killing orcs for loot. What about the orcs? the goblins who are hunted down and starving, just trying to find food. Its well performed with a lot of variation on the voices.