They Met in a Tavern by Elijah Menchaca is a self-published fantasy novel modeled off the author’s Dungeons and Dragons campaign (4/5 stars)

They Met in a Tavern by Elijah Menchaca is a self-published fantasy novel modeled off the author’s Dungeons and Dragons campaign. I listened to the audiobook, which clocks in at thirteen hours and is narrated by Chris Ciulla. We follow multiple characters with a third-person point-of-view.

An adventuring party known as the Starbreakers ran around as mercenaries in their late teens and early twenties. Their talents melded well, making them the best glint (aka money) chasers in the land of Corsar. But one of their contracts ended poorly–with each member blaming the others–and they haven’t seen each other in seven years. And that’s when a hefty bounty is placed on all of their heads.

I’m a big fan of Dungeons and Dragons. I’ve been in several long-term campaigns and am currently playing a blood cleric of the Matron of Ravens in a Tal’dorei campaign (aka the world of Exandria from Critical Role). Once I heard about this book, I had to get my hands on it.

Overall, the plot could have been tightened up a bit. But I had a great time figuring out what classes and races these characters were while following this group of fools. Figuring out the nods to equipment and spells was also super fun. I read this whole book in one day, I just didn’t want to put it down.

I’m very pleased there will be a second book in this series, slated to publish in 2023.

If you’re a fan of Dungeons and Dragons, or role-playing games in general, you might like this book. If you liked The Witcher series by Andrzej Sapkowski, give this one a try!

Tropes in this book include: mercenary party, getting the gang back together

CW: violence, murder

I was provided an audio galley of this book for review. All opinions contained herein are my own.

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