Roll for Initiative

By: Jaime Formato

Narrated by: Tessa Netting

Length: 7 hrs and 53 mins

Publisher's summary

Perfect for fans of Dungeons & Dragons, Raina Telgemeier, and Jessica Kim, a heartfelt coming-of-age middle grade novel about finding your voice and believing in your best geeky self.

Riley Henderson has never taken a bus to school in her entire life. Or made an afterschool snack, or finished her homework on her own, or—ewww—done her own laundry. That’s what her older brother Devin was for.

But now Devin’s gone. He’s off in California attending a fancy college gaming program while Riley is stuck alone in Florida with her mom. That is, until a cool nerd named Lucy gives Riley no choice but to get over her shyness and fear of rejection and become friends. The best part is . . . both girls are into Dungeons & Dragons. In fact, playing D&D was something Riley and Devin used to do together, with Devin as the dungeon master, guiding Riley through his intricately planned campaigns. So, of course, Riley is more than a little nervous when Lucy suggests that she run a campaign for them. For the chance at a friend, though, she’s willing to give it a shot. Soon, their party grows and with the help of her new D&D friends, Riley discovers that not only can she function without Devin, she kind of likes it. She figures out that bus thing, totes the clothes down to the laundry room and sets up her D&D campaigns right there on the slightly suspect folding table, makes her own snacks and dinner— the whole deal. But when Devin runs into trouble with his program and returns home, it's pretty clear, even to Riley, that since he can’t navigate his own life, he’s going to live Riley’s for her. Now she has to help Devin go back to college and prove to her mom that she can take care of herself . . . all before the upcoming Winter-Con.

It's time to Roll for Initiative.

©2022 Jaime Formato (P)2022 Running Press Kids

Narrator is very captivating with great voice acting.

Great story for middle schooler but not too childish as not to be enjoyed by adults. I really enjoyed the in depth character development as well as the personal relationship that Riley( main character) has with each individual character. A great story of a small girl who relies on her older brother transforming into a mature young lady who figures out she can be independent all while helping those around her. Had great Dungeons and Dragons scenes. Author has a way of making the reader/listener experience All the emotions that Riley is feeling.
All in all a great read/listen for anyone into DND both young and older :). Definitely looking forward to future stories to become developed in!

Very heartwarming

I am definitely not the target audience for this book as 27 year old man but I was browsing my local bookstore and saw this on the shelf and it caught my eye as a DnD fan. After reading the teaser on the back I decided to pick it up. As I have a busy schedule I don’t have much time to read so decided to get the audiobook as well and I’m absolutely glad I did. This was a fantastic book, nothing like I usually read but I thoroughly enjoyed it. I resonated with the main character so strongly growing up in a similar situation and having a similar personality, I just wish I was as brave as she eventually becomes. It was such a wholesome story and the narrator did a fantastic job. I wish it was longer or there was a sequel. I also wish I was to go back and experience it for the first time again. I highly recommend it to anyone on the fence