The Quest Giver: An NPC LitRPG Adventure

The Quest Giver, Book 1

By: A. Stargazer

Narrated by: Matthew Bridges

Length: 15 hrs and 16 mins

Publisher's summary

A young man yearning for adventure must confront the harsh reality of a world that might not be the real one to begin with in this LitRPG fantasy adventure.

For Prince Hail Teoran, there's never been a greater hero than his own father, a true living legend who came through the gates with his fellow Travelers years ago to rescue the continent of Lagrea from the forces of darkness. Unfortunately, when the young prince actually meets his dad for the first time, he turns out to be, well, a total jerkweed.

Naturally, Hail is crushed. That is, until he's visited by a seemingly all-powerful administrator who explains that Hail, his mother, and everyone in their world are part of a game the Travelers are constantly playing. But that doesn't mean Hail isn't special. In fact, as a product of the union between his Traveler father and NPC mother, he's an ever-evolving AI—or native player character—which means he has the ability make his own way, seeking adventure, facing danger, and occasionally screwing up in truly epic fashion.

And the more Hail learns, the stronger he grows in levels, stats, and experience, all of which he'll sorely need when his game world faces a peril that did not come to play . . .

The first volume of the hit LitRPG fantasy series—with almost 400,000 views on Royal Road—now available on Kindle, Kindle Unlimited, and Audible!

©2023 A. Stargazer (P)2023 Podium Audio

An really interesting concept done poorly

Listening to a whining 10 yearly old boy is grating. And while I can appreciate the narrator's ability to render it somewhat realistically, I can't imagine anyone finding that pleasant. Fortunately, it's not constant, but it is a recurring issue.

The story and plot is interesting, and as the story goes on, it poses some very interesting ideas. But dressing those ideas in the form of a completely naive and ignorant kid ruins it. Listening to the protagonist yell to undo certain happenings, even when he's told, repeatedly, that it isn't possible, gets old.

If the book were aimed at a younger portion of the YA audience, and I do mean young, it might be ok (10-12, maybe?). But, given the language, and some of the mature aspects, it's not a fit foe them either.

As I titled this, the overall concept.is good. And when the MC is a whining, complaining, irritating little POS, it's well written. But when the writing focuses on the fact that it's through the simplistic eyes of a kid, it gets clunky and annoying. The stilted voice used for most of the narration, which very much in character, is an ongoing, albeit mild, annoyance.

Looks like a LitRPG

This is one of those novels where the character is young and it shows that off. This book seems to hold some good values for a teenage reader/ listener.
I personally still liked the book and can’t wait for the next.