This Used to Be About Dungeons: Volume 1

This Used to Be About Dungeons, Book 1

By: Alexander Wales

Narrated by: Zura Johnson

This is a tale that used to be about dungeons...

Now it's mostly about walking in the woods with a friend, looking for mushrooms to put in your soup. Maybe haggling with the squash seller, or taking care of a neglected garden, or even just putting some jam on a good shortbread biscuit. And yes, sometimes you still go down into the dungeons with your friends, and kill monsters there, disarm traps, avoid spiked pits etcetera, etcetera. But when you come out now, it's not really about the gold and loot. It's about realizing you've got a good cure for that old shepherd's cough, or maybe you even found the perfect magic trinket to give to the local kids who helped you out when your cat was sick.

Just remember that dungeons are always going to be there. Yes, sometimes you might need to make a journey to one of the Spirit Gates or a pilgrimage with the local Cleric of Symmetry to a holy shrine. But your tour through the local lairs can wait. There's a big world out there, a mostly tame place with lots of magic and even more to do and see...

Join me, won't you?

©2023 Alexander Wales (P)2023 Podium Audio

Great book

also, love the edits. was worth listening to again, added some color to the previous version.

listen to if you enjoy the Wandering Inn

This is my favorite type of dungeon fantasy because its an actual story and not just the dull dnd character log otherwise known as "Litrpg". The characters all feel like authentic individuals grounded in their reality. The author does a fantastic job of differentiating their personalities and playing with the interactions between them as it relates to forming a dungeon party. At its heart, it's a found family story about a band of misfits coming together to form a dungeoneering party and finding themselves and each other in the process. But the world itself also feels unique, vast, and well-thought-out.

I'm still pretty early in the story, so the comparison to the Behemoth that is The Wandering Inn is probably unmerited, but reading this story does have them same feel as reading the Wandering inn, if maybe on a much smaller scale (for now). it's a very peaceful and easy read so far, unlike the Rollercoaster of emotions that is The Wandering Inn.

The Narrator also does a very good job with the accents, though occasionally, I think they get confused as to who is talking and use the wrong character voice. Overall, I highly recommend this. it's easy listening , and this series deserves more attention on this platform.

work the risk of a low reviewed book

it has a low amount of reviews but not a lack of quality. I look forward to further novels in this series

The best LitRPG author out there

Wales represents the very best of the LitRPG genre. This read feels like a cozy evening with friends in all the best ways.

Zero investment

I kept thinking, there has to be a reason for me to care about the characters or the story or the world, something. Then the end just kinda plopped down and I just cannot find a reason to care, I might just be better off the story is over. Meh at best!

I enjoy slice of life but this isn't for me

I'll start with the narration. It's just OK. A couple voices sound the same, but it's mostly fairly lifeless and devoid of excitement. It also is a bit airy/nasal for several voices.


The story though is just slow. Hours in and I have no hooks at all beyond wondering why all the characters feel shallow and completely uninformed about the world they live in.

If I had to describe the feel of this story it would be that all the characters feel like they are wandering around in a self medicated haze.


If you're looking for something like beware of chicken, this isn't that.

Great story, greater performance

Zyra's performance, with both character voices and just natural story-telling ability, really enhanced the tale that Wales had woven.

Fun easy listening story that sets up for more

Really liked this slice of life fantasy story. Felt like a well developed retelling of a DnD campaign. I’m excited for the next one and to see where the story goes!

Good book

I found this book a good listen it flowed and was easy to follow waiting on next in the series

Excellent

Wales combines strong worldbuilding with strong characters, relationships, and dialogue in a way that is rare. The performance is great; Zura has a good range and gives each of the characters, especially the main cast, individual voices that are very suited to each character. The only time I was slightly pulled out of the experience was when Alfric is supposedly "yelling" in a dungeon, but is sounds more like a whisper yell. Though I also don't want someone yelling in my ear, so not sure what the right answer is. Regardless the overall level of quality is still 5-stars.

I'm not LGBT, but I found this books LGBT representation to be unusually robust and well written, if that matters to you.