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theforereffect's review
5.0
I have a weird relationship with reading, rooted in childhood emotional trauma (long story), so I missed out on being that nerdy kid with books as friends.
This book was a second chance for my wounded psyche to finally experience the soothing power of book-friendship. The entirety of this book felt like a big hug from someone who deeply understood me on a level most people don't. I felt seen, heard, understood, and cared for while traveling Vanthis with Tar and The Amethyst Hand.
There are so many things about this book that I lived, but I have to start with my only critique. The only real problem with this book is that it is incredibly niche. I would love to buy 100 copies of this book to hand out to everyone I know, because it's really that good, but unfortunately this book hinges greatly on the bet that readers will have more than a passing familiarity with TTRPGs and game mechanics.
I don't. I know about RPGs in a pop-culturey sense, but game mechanics are lost on me. That left me confused and in the dark through parts of the book. I wish there had been a newbie info dump or a glossary for people like me, but I assume that the author did not imagine a person who does not play RPGs to pick up a book titled Non Player Character.
I am still going to recommend this book to ad many people as possible, but I know many will not stick with it and that's a shame. For me, the character development, representation, and Tar's story was worth muddling through the things that weren't so clear, but I know that's not the case for everyone and that's a shame.
The representation is just that good.
So let's talk about that. Tar is a nonbinary, asexual, autistic, fat 32 year old. I told my sister about Tar and she said "I'm reading a book about a coyote shifter!". Booooring. Shifters are over represented, but how often do we see just one of Tar's identities depicted in a main character? It's hard enough to find books about people over 30!
I found this book by accident, when my enby friend recommended a book about gender failure. I tried looking for it through my Libby App, but came upon this gem instead. The description sold me!
I consider myself gender expansive, but what I appreciated about the representation of gender in this book was that it was subtle. Tar is nonbinary, but it's not a plot point. It's mentioned a few times, it definitely informs many of their choices, and being a nonbinary person is an important part to their character (in that Tar would be completely different if their gender was changed), but it's not a story about gender. It's just there. Like it's a valid part of the human experience. Because it is.
This theme continues. Characters and animals are often referred to with they/them pronouns until gender is confirmed, and sometimes it is never confirmed. It doesn't need to be. Often I feel NB rep follows a checklist by which the author takes great pains to describe a character that is gender-less, with a gender neutral name and a cool gender neutral hair style. I appreciated that the author did not spend too much time on descriptions of physical characteristics, but instead focused on the fantastical details and the over all vibe of the character, letting the reader fill in the rest and accept each character for who they are and what they bring to the story.
Then we have the ace representation. I am not ace, but I have ace people in my life and learning about the harm that books and other media has done by pushing ideas about romance and sex on them that do not match their live experienced has motivated me to seek out more asexual representation. I have found some great books with characters on the asexual spectrum (usually demisexual, because you know, romance novels), but this is probably my favorite so far.
I actually misinterpreted some things in the beginning and thought Tar was aro-ace. As they met the Kin group I had to constantly remind myself that Tar was not going to have a love interest and that I don't have to ship ALL the characters and that friendship is more than enough is a fantasy adventure.
So when it turned out Tar did have a love interest, I was just as surprised as Tar was. It made for a cute little heart swelling moment. I appreciated that I didn't need or expect romance in this book.
The romance itself is sweet and slow burn, but the slow burn is not frustrating. It feels natural, because how else would two autistic asexuals approach romance? It felt right for them.
Tar is also fat, and it's mentioned a few times in ways that are respectful and add dimension to Tar's character. I appreciated that Tar is fit enough to get down on the floor with no issues, but doesn't like to because of how it makes their body look and feel. Relatable. Often fat acceptance in books tries so hard to be accepting that it misses the point. Bodies come in all shapes and sizes and all bodies deserve respect. Tar is just Tar. Their body happens to be larger, but that doesn't mean anything other than what it is. Tar doesn't have to prove they are worthy or attractive or healthy. They can just live in their body whatever size it happens to be.
This is the type of fat representation I like. So often fat characters are consumed by being fat that it becomes a character trait. A lot of people have larger bodies, it's pretty normal, it doesn't have to be a plot point!
Quickly I'd also like to show some love to how this is an adult book written about adults for adults but it isn't violent or sexual. Tar is 32 and their friends are all 20's-30's. Sometimes as a late 30 something I feel like a creep reading books about young people, and yet YA is nice because the stakes are low and it's less anxiety inducing. There are adult themes, like how to make friends in your 30's and how to navigate a world that isn't built for you, but it isn't adult. It's nice.
The autism representation is my absolute favorite part and what makes me want to get this book into everybody's hands. I have read autistic writers and their autistic protagonists before, but often those characters feel like an NT character with added "quirks". Like, they take the idea of a non disabled person and just add a great memory, some social awkwardness, and a special interest and call it autism. It's that Sheldon Cooper kind of white guy autism stereotype that does nothing to represent what autism actually is or help the community.
Tar has a disability. They struggled to work a full time job, so they work part time in a job that does not require much out of them beyond reading a script. Even 20hrs a week is too much and they spend most of their off time recovering from the exertion of their job. They rent a room, not only because having part time work is not lucrative, but also because they likely struggle with household tasks and remembering to pay bills and keep up with repairs. This is not explicitly mentioned, but it doesn't need to be. They do not visit their mother often because driving is hard for them and the train is draining. Between masking at work and trying to survive every day, energy is a limited resource.
This is the reality for many autistics. Although many autistic people can hold down full time jobs and live on their own and even take care of family and pets and additional responsibilities, autism can affect someone's daily life beyond being socially awkward.
In fact Tar isn't even that socially awkward! They are a kind person who genuinely likes people and wants everyone to feel comfortable in their presence, but avoids social situations because it is hard and draining for them. Such wonderful and realistic representation of what many autistic people face. I appreciated that the author was not afraid to go there. I think ableism is still rooted in books, especially romances, and Corva goes ahead and portrays it the same way they portrayed gender and fatness. As a simple reality and a valid way to experience life with no judgement.
Sometimes with characters like Tar, authors lean a little into the trauma of it all. Corva does not do that, they don't need to. The reader knows that Tar experiences trauma just living in the body and living in the mind that they do, so instead Corva focuses on the joy and acceptance. Yes, Tar gets misgendered a little and feels some fat-phobia from friends. Yes, sometimes their autism isn't understood even by those that care about them. But love and friendship and acceptance is the driving force.
I especially loved the interactions between Tar and their mom. There didn't need to be a ton of trauma and drama there, so the author kept it loving and sweet. It feels realistic, Tar's mom isn't perfect, but Tar is supported.
And that's the thing. Tar is never fixed because they aren't broken. The development Tar has is through the support and acceptance they find. They still have melt downs at inopportune times, but having their needs met means they can be the hero of their own story.
I love this book so much. To Anybody who has read this review (all of it! It's a long review but I didn't want to miss anything!), I hope I've convinced you to read this book. Absolutely excellent and I hope to read more by this author. (I usually do not carebfor series, but I will pick up any book set in this world. I want every character to have a perspective book).
This book was a second chance for my wounded psyche to finally experience the soothing power of book-friendship. The entirety of this book felt like a big hug from someone who deeply understood me on a level most people don't. I felt seen, heard, understood, and cared for while traveling Vanthis with Tar and The Amethyst Hand.
There are so many things about this book that I lived, but I have to start with my only critique. The only real problem with this book is that it is incredibly niche. I would love to buy 100 copies of this book to hand out to everyone I know, because it's really that good, but unfortunately this book hinges greatly on the bet that readers will have more than a passing familiarity with TTRPGs and game mechanics.
I don't. I know about RPGs in a pop-culturey sense, but game mechanics are lost on me. That left me confused and in the dark through parts of the book. I wish there had been a newbie info dump or a glossary for people like me, but I assume that the author did not imagine a person who does not play RPGs to pick up a book titled Non Player Character.
I am still going to recommend this book to ad many people as possible, but I know many will not stick with it and that's a shame. For me, the character development, representation, and Tar's story was worth muddling through the things that weren't so clear, but I know that's not the case for everyone and that's a shame.
The representation is just that good.
So let's talk about that. Tar is a nonbinary, asexual, autistic, fat 32 year old. I told my sister about Tar and she said "I'm reading a book about a coyote shifter!". Booooring. Shifters are over represented, but how often do we see just one of Tar's identities depicted in a main character? It's hard enough to find books about people over 30!
I found this book by accident, when my enby friend recommended a book about gender failure. I tried looking for it through my Libby App, but came upon this gem instead. The description sold me!
I consider myself gender expansive, but what I appreciated about the representation of gender in this book was that it was subtle. Tar is nonbinary, but it's not a plot point. It's mentioned a few times, it definitely informs many of their choices, and being a nonbinary person is an important part to their character (in that Tar would be completely different if their gender was changed), but it's not a story about gender. It's just there. Like it's a valid part of the human experience. Because it is.
This theme continues. Characters and animals are often referred to with they/them pronouns until gender is confirmed, and sometimes it is never confirmed. It doesn't need to be. Often I feel NB rep follows a checklist by which the author takes great pains to describe a character that is gender-less, with a gender neutral name and a cool gender neutral hair style. I appreciated that the author did not spend too much time on descriptions of physical characteristics, but instead focused on the fantastical details and the over all vibe of the character, letting the reader fill in the rest and accept each character for who they are and what they bring to the story.
Then we have the ace representation. I am not ace, but I have ace people in my life and learning about the harm that books and other media has done by pushing ideas about romance and sex on them that do not match their live experienced has motivated me to seek out more asexual representation. I have found some great books with characters on the asexual spectrum (usually demisexual, because you know, romance novels), but this is probably my favorite so far.
I actually misinterpreted some things in the beginning and thought Tar was aro-ace. As they met the Kin group I had to constantly remind myself that Tar was not going to have a love interest and that I don't have to ship ALL the characters and that friendship is more than enough is a fantasy adventure.
So when it turned out Tar did have a love interest, I was just as surprised as Tar was. It made for a cute little heart swelling moment. I appreciated that I didn't need or expect romance in this book.
The romance itself is sweet and slow burn, but the slow burn is not frustrating. It feels natural, because how else would two autistic asexuals approach romance? It felt right for them.
Tar is also fat, and it's mentioned a few times in ways that are respectful and add dimension to Tar's character. I appreciated that Tar is fit enough to get down on the floor with no issues, but doesn't like to because of how it makes their body look and feel. Relatable. Often fat acceptance in books tries so hard to be accepting that it misses the point. Bodies come in all shapes and sizes and all bodies deserve respect. Tar is just Tar. Their body happens to be larger, but that doesn't mean anything other than what it is. Tar doesn't have to prove they are worthy or attractive or healthy. They can just live in their body whatever size it happens to be.
This is the type of fat representation I like. So often fat characters are consumed by being fat that it becomes a character trait. A lot of people have larger bodies, it's pretty normal, it doesn't have to be a plot point!
Quickly I'd also like to show some love to how this is an adult book written about adults for adults but it isn't violent or sexual. Tar is 32 and their friends are all 20's-30's. Sometimes as a late 30 something I feel like a creep reading books about young people, and yet YA is nice because the stakes are low and it's less anxiety inducing. There are adult themes, like how to make friends in your 30's and how to navigate a world that isn't built for you, but it isn't adult. It's nice.
The autism representation is my absolute favorite part and what makes me want to get this book into everybody's hands. I have read autistic writers and their autistic protagonists before, but often those characters feel like an NT character with added "quirks". Like, they take the idea of a non disabled person and just add a great memory, some social awkwardness, and a special interest and call it autism. It's that Sheldon Cooper kind of white guy autism stereotype that does nothing to represent what autism actually is or help the community.
Tar has a disability. They struggled to work a full time job, so they work part time in a job that does not require much out of them beyond reading a script. Even 20hrs a week is too much and they spend most of their off time recovering from the exertion of their job. They rent a room, not only because having part time work is not lucrative, but also because they likely struggle with household tasks and remembering to pay bills and keep up with repairs. This is not explicitly mentioned, but it doesn't need to be. They do not visit their mother often because driving is hard for them and the train is draining. Between masking at work and trying to survive every day, energy is a limited resource.
This is the reality for many autistics. Although many autistic people can hold down full time jobs and live on their own and even take care of family and pets and additional responsibilities, autism can affect someone's daily life beyond being socially awkward.
In fact Tar isn't even that socially awkward! They are a kind person who genuinely likes people and wants everyone to feel comfortable in their presence, but avoids social situations because it is hard and draining for them. Such wonderful and realistic representation of what many autistic people face. I appreciated that the author was not afraid to go there. I think ableism is still rooted in books, especially romances, and Corva goes ahead and portrays it the same way they portrayed gender and fatness. As a simple reality and a valid way to experience life with no judgement.
Sometimes with characters like Tar, authors lean a little into the trauma of it all. Corva does not do that, they don't need to. The reader knows that Tar experiences trauma just living in the body and living in the mind that they do, so instead Corva focuses on the joy and acceptance. Yes, Tar gets misgendered a little and feels some fat-phobia from friends. Yes, sometimes their autism isn't understood even by those that care about them. But love and friendship and acceptance is the driving force.
I especially loved the interactions between Tar and their mom. There didn't need to be a ton of trauma and drama there, so the author kept it loving and sweet. It feels realistic, Tar's mom isn't perfect, but Tar is supported.
And that's the thing. Tar is never fixed because they aren't broken. The development Tar has is through the support and acceptance they find. They still have melt downs at inopportune times, but having their needs met means they can be the hero of their own story.
I love this book so much. To Anybody who has read this review (all of it! It's a long review but I didn't want to miss anything!), I hope I've convinced you to read this book. Absolutely excellent and I hope to read more by this author. (I usually do not carebfor series, but I will pick up any book set in this world. I want every character to have a perspective book).
ahuggingsam's review
5.0
Absolutely loved it. Even though it is a book about being stuck in a fantasy world, it has felt the most true to life book I have read in a long long time. The writing is great, easy to read, the characters feel entirely real, the tension is strong when it needs to be but doesn't outstay it welcome. I love the diversity in this book and how real issues like queer identity and racism are handles with a deft touch that acknowledges them without feeling the need to shoehorn it in where it isn't necessary. Honestly Corva handles delicate matters in a way that I love that I wouldn't have trusted other authors to touch with a ten foot pole. If you're in any way queer, neurodivergent, a nerd or just in the mood for something cosy, you don't wanna miss this one!
adragoninspace's review
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
4.75
karcitis's review
adventurous
funny
lighthearted
mysterious
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
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Chronic illness, Mental illness, and Panic attacks/disorders
Moderate: Blood
Minor: Infidelity, Injury/Injury detail, Violence, Medical trauma, and Self harm
aimlessinkpot's review
adventurous
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
mysterious
relaxing
slow-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
3.0
lokenstein's review
adventurous
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
mysterious
relaxing
fast-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
5.0
This book was so good! A whole queer cast, with many neuro-divergent, disabled and people of color?! And then it's about being sucked into a magical TTRPG world? And they use empathy instead of force to solve problems? Hell yes! This was extremely cozy and the characters made me feel like I was just hanging out with my friends. It also made me want to DM or play a TTRPG, which I haven't done in two long! Maybe I should try out Kin - which the author also released as a TTRPG manual. I really hope there would be another book set in this universe, there are still so many mysteries in this story and I want to see more of all the characters!
tarturo's review
adventurous
emotional
funny
lighthearted
fast-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
5.0
windprinzessin_'s review
adventurous
emotional
funny
hopeful
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
4.5
storydragon's review
adventurous
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
relaxing
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Non-Player Character is an absolutely lovely book about adults who get unexpectedly teleported to a different world, where they have magic and other special abilities. It is not only about their wonderful adventure in Vanthis, but it is also about how changing your setting doesn't change you.
It is about how everyone has their own difficulties and so much more.
It is just an incredibly well-written book and I truly recommend you to read it if you haven't already.
This might be one of the few books that I want to read a second or maybe even a third time. Maybe this has actually became one of my favourite books.
It is about how everyone has their own difficulties and so much more.
It is just an incredibly well-written book and I truly recommend you to read it if you haven't already.
This might be one of the few books that I want to read a second or maybe even a third time. Maybe this has actually became one of my favourite books.
vortacist's review
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.25