Reviews - The Wandering Inn

90 reviews for:

The Wandering Inn

Pirateaba

4.07 AVERAGE

millierose99's review against another edition

4.75

adventurous funny lighthearted medium-paced

Plot or Character Driven: Character

Strong character development: Yes

Loveable characters: Yes

Diverse cast of characters: Yes

graff_fuller's review against another edition

4.75

adventurous challenging emotional funny hopeful inspiring lighthearted mysterious reflective relaxing sad tense medium-paced

Plot or Character Driven: Character

Strong character development: Yes

Loveable characters: Yes

Diverse cast of characters: Yes

Flaws of characters a main focus: Yes

What can I say? I never thought I'd read a Web Serial. I'm not a "book snob", but honestly...maybe I was (unknowingly...sadly). Well, I'm not one now. Recovered "book snob".

If it hadn't been for a new YouTube channel that I started watching (new to me, but also about three to six months old, so STILL a BookTube newbie), I don't think I would've given it a try (again, sadly). Sam Harrison has similar story tastes, and I had been looking for someone that was down to earth, to talk to about the stories that we could read together). This seemed like the perfect thing, for all the books that Pirate Aba has written are all FREE on the internet at her website - The Wandering Inn

So, I started reading the story...and was immediately taken by the Video Game style narrative. I'd never read anything like it, other than Ready Player One, but this was different. It is a Portal Fantasy story...and it just beckoned me to read more.

Our internet is spotty in the house, and practically non-existant in the bedroom, which up until now was a good thing, but I kept wanting to read THIS book at bedtime, and it wasn't working the way that I wanted it to...so after reading the first 8-10 chapters...I just bought the eBook. I do know that the online version has all the new edits, so...while watching Sam's journey on BookTube, I have been going back and reading THOSE new parts online...that are not intergrated into the eBook at this time.

The world is amazing. Your first steps with the protagonist, Erin are practically her literal first steps into this world, so....you are LEARNING how everything works, just like she is. It seems SO small and intimate, but as the chapters proceed, your world expands.

Also, the beginning is from ONLY one POV (which is always a safe bet), but I was honestly impressed that THAT didn't last as long as I thought it would.

I love the characters and the way they are introduced and how they interact with Erin and The Wandering Inn.

As we (and Erin) grow in knowledge (and experience), we are "leveling up", just like in a video game.

Now, I need there to be transperancy...I have not really played any video games (of this generation). My video game experience is Pong, Scott Adams Adventures (solely word driven stories from the late 70s to early/mid-80s), Pac Man, Donky Kong, to Intellavision's MLB Baseball and Golf. And, that's about it.

Now, I have watched a few "walk throughs" of Star Wars First Person games, just for the story elements, but that is about it.

I have watched our grown kids play Call of Duty and other First Person Shooter games, so I'm not totally "out of touch", but haven't played any of them personally.

So, the understanding of "leveling up" is something I do understand...and how it is incorporated here in this story is great. Oh, and to expand on the clarification, I have played and DM'd DnD...so that concept is in my wheel house.

...fast forward to my thoughts at the end of this VERY long story/book...as you can see...from the rating, I loved it.

It was "docked" a quarter star because of the NEW edits not being in the eBook (or that I had to switch to the eBook to readi it...within our house)...the inconvenience...but the story and the characters and the world are FANTASTIC.

I am and will be recommending this to EVERYONE that I know...to support these types of storytelling.

I'm not sure WHEN I will finish this series (currently TWELVE volumes) and I have just finished the first one...and I hear the next (or rest) are a LOT bigger/chonkier than this first book/volume.

So, pick it up...IF you love falling in love with great characters, great worldbuilding and generally a great adventure in a Portal Fantasy story.

ryanklynn's review against another edition

4.0

adventurous dark emotional funny mysterious tense medium-paced

Plot or Character Driven: A mix

Strong character development: Yes

Loveable characters: No

Diverse cast of characters: Yes

Flaws of characters a main focus: Yes

lydiajmayer's review against another edition

4.0

adventurous lighthearted medium-paced

Plot or Character Driven: Character

Strong character development: Complicated

Loveable characters: Complicated

Diverse cast of characters: Yes

Flaws of characters a main focus: Yes

cosmictreeslug's review against another edition

5.0

adventurous challenging dark emotional funny mysterious sad tense medium-paced

Plot or Character Driven: A mix

Strong character development: Yes

Loveable characters: Yes

Diverse cast of characters: Yes

Flaws of characters a main focus: Yes

If I could give this a 10 I would. It's incredibly ridiculous and silly. It's cozy, until it isn't. Who would have thought I'd

be crying over an insect?

and that was only the first time I cried at this beautiful story. Even through the horrible things, the author manages to keep a cozy vibe.

The last hundred pages or so had me sobbing. I havent full on sobbed at a book since I was 11 (I am 27 now). The author lures you into a false sense of security and then bam, the tides turn. I was not, in any way, expecting the entirety of the Horns of the Hammerad wiped out. I ugly cried and had to put the book down when Calruz was slain. He was one of my favourite characters.

Erin is by far my favourite, followed by Ryoka and Calruz. Erin's character development was superb and well written. It's nothing compared to the depth Ryoka has. I have bpd. While the author hasn't stated this character has bpd, it is disgustingly and perfectly reminiscent of the deep pits of my own past mental illness struggles. The rage, the guilt and despair. It was beautifully written, and I sincerely hope she has a chance to change and grow, as I myself have (maybe selfish, but it is sincerely so well written).

Klbkch coming back and punching Ksmvr was a glory unto itself. The physical justice was dispensed and thoroughly enjoyed. I wonder what will become of Ksmvr... But when Klbkch came to save Erin, that's where the real magic happened. Drake, dead, humans, necromancer, antinium and goblin all converging together to protect someone so powerful in her ability to instill change was superbly written. I cried and cried, the whole story leading up to that one, single pivotal moment. I don't know if I will ever recover from the emotional strain.

Side note, that cliff hanger is a doozy and I shall not recover.