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Tales From the Land of Ononokin #1
A Quest of Undoing
Why does questing have to be so persnickety?
Xebdigon Whizzfiddle is a wizard who has to find a quest, get it contracted, and finish it to the letter within 30 days or he'll lose his guild membership status, meaning he'll have to actually work for a living. At the perpetual age of 650, this is really no longer an option.
After interviewing countless people who are looking for a wizard to quest with, Whizzfiddle all but gives up. But then one last questing party arrives, and they're the oddest bunch he's seen in a long time--and being a wizard in the land of Ononokin, that's saying something!
They have to traverse the portals from the Upperworld to the Underworld; deal with Trolls, Ogres, Gorgans, Orcs, and worst of all...Humans; survive the land of professional salespeople; go through the afterlife; and fight to avoid Whizzfiddle's disgruntled past-apprentice's attempts to thwart them at every turn.
Going through all of this makes Whizzfiddle wonder if maybe he shouldn't just give up magic and go back to his roots of being a farmer.
The land of Ononokin gets its influence as a hodgepodge from Monty Python, National Lampoon, Family Guy, Terry Pratchett, Piers Anthony, Douglas Adams, Harry Harrison, and countless other comedic mediums. Readers will find a new, fun, comedic fantasy world to play in. Wizards, magic, Dwarfs, Orcs, Ogres, Trolls, Gnomes, Halflings, Vampires, Zombies, Dragons, Gorgans, and more fill the vastness of Ononokin.
Xebdigon Whizzfiddle is a wizard who has to find a quest, get it contracted, and finish it to the letter within 30 days or he'll lose his guild membership status, meaning he'll have to actually work for a living. At the perpetual age of 650, this is really no longer an option.
After interviewing countless people who are looking for a wizard to quest with, Whizzfiddle all but gives up. But then one last questing party arrives, and they're the oddest bunch he's seen in a long time--and being a wizard in the land of Ononokin, that's saying something!
They have to traverse the portals from the Upperworld to the Underworld; deal with Trolls, Ogres, Gorgans, Orcs, and worst of all...Humans; survive the land of professional salespeople; go through the afterlife; and fight to avoid Whizzfiddle's disgruntled past-apprentice's attempts to thwart them at every turn.
Going through all of this makes Whizzfiddle wonder if maybe he shouldn't just give up magic and go back to his roots of being a farmer.
The land of Ononokin gets its influence as a hodgepodge from Monty Python, National Lampoon, Family Guy, Terry Pratchett, Piers Anthony, Douglas Adams, Harry Harrison, and countless other comedic mediums. Readers will find a new, fun, comedic fantasy world to play in. Wizards, magic, Dwarfs, Orcs, Ogres, Trolls, Gnomes, Halflings, Vampires, Zombies, Dragons, Gorgans, and more fill the vastness of Ononokin.
279 pages, Kindle Edition
First published February 22, 2013
About the author
John P. Logsdon
116 books309 followersJohn P. Logsdon is a former game designer, producer, and software engineer who shamelessly digs into the deep recesses of his mind to bring forth oddball characters and hilarious plots. He writes primarily in fantasy, urban fantasy, and science fiction, but he's also dabbled in cozy mystery from time to time. To see John's vast library of laughs, visit www.johnplogsdon.com.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 64 reviews
August 24, 2013
Xebdigon Whizzfiddle is a wizard with a problem.
Having been set up with the Wizards' Guild by a disgruntled and devious former apprentice, Whizzfiddle must complete a wizardly quest to the letter, or face the loss of his magic privileges.
The quest in question involves undoing a spell cast by another wizard against a handful of fantasy-world type beings, which rendered them opposites of their former selves. Thus begins what Whizzfiddle hopes will be the last adventure for an old wizard who prefers rest and relaxation to, well, anything, really.
There are fantasy novels and there are parodies of fantasy novels. "A Quest of Undoing" is a combination of both. It is not exactly a parody, though there are a few tongue-in-cheek references most people should recognize. Rather, it is a very funny fantasy novel. Absent are the massive layers of fantasy-lit stuff, and equally detailed descriptions and explanations of the fantasy-lit stuff, that sometimes make a reader pine for a mental machete to help in cutting a swath through.
"A Quest of Undoing" is well-written and a joy to read.
Having been set up with the Wizards' Guild by a disgruntled and devious former apprentice, Whizzfiddle must complete a wizardly quest to the letter, or face the loss of his magic privileges.
The quest in question involves undoing a spell cast by another wizard against a handful of fantasy-world type beings, which rendered them opposites of their former selves. Thus begins what Whizzfiddle hopes will be the last adventure for an old wizard who prefers rest and relaxation to, well, anything, really.
There are fantasy novels and there are parodies of fantasy novels. "A Quest of Undoing" is a combination of both. It is not exactly a parody, though there are a few tongue-in-cheek references most people should recognize. Rather, it is a very funny fantasy novel. Absent are the massive layers of fantasy-lit stuff, and equally detailed descriptions and explanations of the fantasy-lit stuff, that sometimes make a reader pine for a mental machete to help in cutting a swath through.
"A Quest of Undoing" is well-written and a joy to read.
September 25, 2013
I received this book as a Goodreads Giveaway. I was hoping this would be something I could recommend to the middle schoolers - however it is much more of an adult book. The wit and humor as well as the characters make this a fun and entertaining read. A dragon, who is now a lizard, starting a nudie magazine, a gay elf and a giant who wants to be a wizard??? What could be more funny!?!? I will be recommending this to adult readers.
September 20, 2013
An imaginatively witty world wherein worldly Wizards and epic quests collide in a magnificent explosion!!
This truly inspired fantasy creation of sheer genius left me awestruck, for it was unexpectedly exceptional and just brilliant. As an avid reader of the fantasy genre (from high/ epic fantasy like Tolkien, Erikson, Elliot and Donaldson to the more contemporary and modern), I was greatly impressed by John P Logsdon’s well-written story. “A Quest of Undoing” contains similarities as to the outlandish, peculiar style of Terry Pratchett who captures humour and bizarreness in a nutshell. Hilariously funny, exciting and totally mind-blowing this novel epitomizes all that is great about this genre and why when reading fantasy it is easy to “escape” from reality. I would highly recommend to all readers of this genre.
“Thus, anything requiring heavy channeling often ended in a slur of words, haphazard lightning bolts sizzling this way and that, and Whizzfiddle himself being chased by an agglomeration of bunny rabbits and geese.”
- Quote
This book is a ‘light’ read and is highly readable, for it doesn’t have you sinking in excessive detail. Inspired and inventive, the author’s singular vision and in-depth world building is brilliant and dazzling. I felt like I was reading a conglomeration of parodies, of other fantasy works (such as JRR Tolkien’s ‘the lord of the rings’ for example) with J P Logsdon seeing the funny side of events. Set within a distinctly unique world where bizarre characters journey on a quest, this book sets itself apart from everything else within this genre due to the plot and distinct storyline. Fabulously fun and full of tongue-in-cheek references this wonderful book is a joy to read!
“…The land of Ononokin is much like other lands, though quite different at the same time…there is also a divide that separates two distinct realities. One of these realities is known as the upperworld.”
- Quote
*I won a copy of John P Logsdon’s fantasy novel “A Quest of Undoing: A Tale from the land of Ononokin” through a Goodreads, first-read giveaway*
October 15, 2016
I loved this book, it was very funny, It was a tale of a wizard who was very lazy and it turns out he has never finished off a quest, but now he has to complete one to keep his wizard status.
Have fun reading it is well worth the money, I will be reading more from this author.
Have fun reading it is well worth the money, I will be reading more from this author.
October 6, 2013
This is a pretty good book. Certainly not amazing, but a nice fluffy read. I didn't find it particularly funny, as it is toted to be, but I did enjoy reading it.
October 6, 2015
A fun little read to clean your palate before the next "big" book. I enjoyed the antics of the various characters.
July 22, 2019
I enjoyed this book a lot. The characters were fun and I also enjoyed the humor in this book. The narrator for the audiobook brought the characters to life and I'm definitely looking forward to the next book.
September 13, 2015
I saw this series on a Facebook ad and its the first ad that's ever held any interest for me and I'm so glad I found out more about, not only this series of Comic fantasy world books, but that John P. Logsdon has also written several other series of comedic books including comic Space adventure, my favourite!
Anyway, back to 'A Quest of Undoing'. Its always a good sign when you are hooked into a world within a few pages. The writing is very natural and keeps you smiling and often laughing out loud with a comedic idea or a funny turn of phrase. John P. Logsdon is from The USA, but to my British ears, his writing voice is very familiar sounding - if you've read Douglas Adams and Terry Pratchett or know Monty Python, Fawlty Towers etc you will be at home here. there is also an element of US comedy in there too - think Southpark, Family guy. Different series have different mixes of these influences. The Ononokin series probably feels weighted more towards Pratchett I would say.
Although set in the fantasy genre, the plot and ideas in the book are not crazy, wacky or annoyingly far fetched. Everything has to make sense within the laws of albeit a magical world of Elves, Orcs, Wizards etc.
As a read, its an easy mixture of dialogue and plot with some description, but not too much to get in the way of things.
There are many great original ideas here such as, that in this world a Wizard must find their unique source of magical power. The main character, Whizzfiddle's source is 'ale' which means he must basically get drunk to be able to cast spells - but the more he drinks, the less he is able to control his powers! His nemesis', Treneth of Dahl's power, poor soul, comes from having ostrich dung under his finger nails - which brilliantly conveys partly why he is so bad tempered and socially unwelcome! That single idea makes for much hilarity all the way through the book.
The arc of the book is a satisfying quest of a journey, travelling to a few interesting lands and concluding in a non-obvious way.
After finishing this book, my quest to find a great new author is also over 10/10. Highly recommended!
Anyway, back to 'A Quest of Undoing'. Its always a good sign when you are hooked into a world within a few pages. The writing is very natural and keeps you smiling and often laughing out loud with a comedic idea or a funny turn of phrase. John P. Logsdon is from The USA, but to my British ears, his writing voice is very familiar sounding - if you've read Douglas Adams and Terry Pratchett or know Monty Python, Fawlty Towers etc you will be at home here. there is also an element of US comedy in there too - think Southpark, Family guy. Different series have different mixes of these influences. The Ononokin series probably feels weighted more towards Pratchett I would say.
Although set in the fantasy genre, the plot and ideas in the book are not crazy, wacky or annoyingly far fetched. Everything has to make sense within the laws of albeit a magical world of Elves, Orcs, Wizards etc.
As a read, its an easy mixture of dialogue and plot with some description, but not too much to get in the way of things.
There are many great original ideas here such as, that in this world a Wizard must find their unique source of magical power. The main character, Whizzfiddle's source is 'ale' which means he must basically get drunk to be able to cast spells - but the more he drinks, the less he is able to control his powers! His nemesis', Treneth of Dahl's power, poor soul, comes from having ostrich dung under his finger nails - which brilliantly conveys partly why he is so bad tempered and socially unwelcome! That single idea makes for much hilarity all the way through the book.
The arc of the book is a satisfying quest of a journey, travelling to a few interesting lands and concluding in a non-obvious way.
After finishing this book, my quest to find a great new author is also over 10/10. Highly recommended!
September 9, 2013
"A Quest of Undoing: A Tale from the Land of Ononokin" is a fantastic read for anyone looking for something on the lighter side of fantasy. Funny, inventive and not laboriously detailed, this is a read that will have you smiling and chuckling the entire way through.
The book successfully parodies other fantasy and adventure staples, such as "Lord of the Rings," while maintaining it's own plot. Set in a rather distinct world, with bizarre characters and an interesting quest, "A Quest of Undoing" sets itself apart from many other works in its genre.
Plus the book features quite a few writing gems, such as this one:
“Thus, anything requiring heavy channeling often ended in a slur of words, haphazard lightning bolts sizzling this way and that, and Whizzfiddle himself being chased by an agglomeration of bunny rabbits and geese.”
Overall, this was an enjoyable book that I would recommend to anyone who enjoys any form of fantasy.
The book successfully parodies other fantasy and adventure staples, such as "Lord of the Rings," while maintaining it's own plot. Set in a rather distinct world, with bizarre characters and an interesting quest, "A Quest of Undoing" sets itself apart from many other works in its genre.
Plus the book features quite a few writing gems, such as this one:
“Thus, anything requiring heavy channeling often ended in a slur of words, haphazard lightning bolts sizzling this way and that, and Whizzfiddle himself being chased by an agglomeration of bunny rabbits and geese.”
Overall, this was an enjoyable book that I would recommend to anyone who enjoys any form of fantasy.
January 3, 2014
This book is a enjoyable diversion from the heavy reading that I usually have on my shelf. The story is reminiscent of an outtake on the hobbit. The group of misfits are on a quest with a little old wizard and many mishaps befall them. It was not predictable and did not feel contrived. Some of it was funny and other parts rather clever in their execution. I would recommend this book to those who enjoy tales of adventure, comic reading, and lighthearted stories of wizarding.
This book was won as part of the goodreads first reads program, however, the review that I have written is entirely my own and not influence or directed by author, publisher, or as part of the contest.
This book was won as part of the goodreads first reads program, however, the review that I have written is entirely my own and not influence or directed by author, publisher, or as part of the contest.
November 30, 2014
This book was a fun read, it was like a combination of Terry Pratchett + Piers Anthony + Craig Shaw Gardner.
There was a lot of whimsy, bumbling wizards, plays on words, and little insider jokes about the Hobbit/Lord of the Rings (and probably some more that I didn't have the geek-level clearance to understand).
So if you like any of the three authors I mentioned in the beginning, then you will probably be entertained on some level by this book.
There was a lot of whimsy, bumbling wizards, plays on words, and little insider jokes about the Hobbit/Lord of the Rings (and probably some more that I didn't have the geek-level clearance to understand).
So if you like any of the three authors I mentioned in the beginning, then you will probably be entertained on some level by this book.
February 18, 2014
Brilliant! I won this book in a Goodreads giveaway, which I entered mostly because my name was listed as one of the authors. It's a light comedic fantasy romp, following the wizard Whizzfiddle as he bumbles his way through a quest. I can't say much more without handing out spoilers, so just pick up a copy and read it!
October 3, 2015
Absolutely loved this book had me giggling and wanting more when I'd finished being a Terry Pratchett fan I didn't think I'd find any other books that matched that wit after reading this I think I may have just found it so much so I've moved straight onto reading the Full Moon Event and already I'm giggling
July 27, 2016
A whimsical tale
Each main character grows in detail through the story. I like character development rather then all given out in a page or two monologue. I also enjoyed the dry humor more like Douglas Adams then Terry Pratchet.
Each main character grows in detail through the story. I like character development rather then all given out in a page or two monologue. I also enjoyed the dry humor more like Douglas Adams then Terry Pratchet.
December 9, 2014
Really good book i got a free copy and i must say was enjoyable. The wizard characters did remind me some what of Terry Pratchett's wizards.
December 18, 2016
Excellent, fun lighthearted easy read, can see a series of these books doing very well indeed.
August 26, 2018
Hilarious!!
January 19, 2018
Rating 1.5 When I began this book it seemed funny and whimsical but after a time the humor began to seem heavy-handed and tired. I would have stayed with it because I liked the quest and the main character, but what made me finally stop in disgust was the way that the gay character was handled. There were some sly digs in the beginning that I wasn't sure if they were just the kind of over the top humor the book is written in and not intended to be prejudiced or insulting but, as the story went on, this became more and more of an issue. Finally right before I was 3/4 of the way in there was something that was a hard stop for me. I was mad at myself that I had excused the book by thinking that the author was just being over the top, as with all the characters. The slights and lampooning, however, were just unacceptable. This type of stuff would have never flown for a racial depiction so what made it okay for a gay character? Too bad because the story had some real merits.
February 17, 2022
I have a few problems with this book, unfortunately.
1, there are way too many characters for me to keep track of. All the characters have strange, non-English names (as is standard for fantasy novels) and because they were weird names I couldn't keep anyone straight. I should have written down who who who, that would have helped.
2. The storyline diverts too much. If if was just about the quest, it would have been better. But theres a subplot about the council, and other things that just made it hard to keep track of the plots.
3. The portrayal of women. I could be wrong, but most if not all of the women in this book are either horny/eager for sex, or happy to pose nude for a magazine. Why aren't there any actual female characters? The men aren't that way, at all.
I did find one bit enjoyable - the lord of the rings bit when Whizzfiddle is picking a quest, even though it was brief.
1, there are way too many characters for me to keep track of. All the characters have strange, non-English names (as is standard for fantasy novels) and because they were weird names I couldn't keep anyone straight. I should have written down who who who, that would have helped.
2. The storyline diverts too much. If if was just about the quest, it would have been better. But theres a subplot about the council, and other things that just made it hard to keep track of the plots.
3. The portrayal of women. I could be wrong, but most if not all of the women in this book are either horny/eager for sex, or happy to pose nude for a magazine. Why aren't there any actual female characters? The men aren't that way, at all.
I did find one bit enjoyable - the lord of the rings bit when Whizzfiddle is picking a quest, even though it was brief.
November 27, 2016
So I read this quirky little adventure between audiobooks, thus it took a few weeks. It’s a hilarious, fast paced and simplistic in its writing, which made it all the easier to get through quickly. It looks like each new book in the series will be about new characters and new escapades.
Perks
• Enough characters to keep the book interesting as well as giving each character hilarious quirks
• A good length novel for a short adventure
• A multi book series with new adventures and characters with each new instalment
So lets bring on book 2 and see where it takes us, hopefully some of the characters from book one will show up.
Perks
• Enough characters to keep the book interesting as well as giving each character hilarious quirks
• A good length novel for a short adventure
• A multi book series with new adventures and characters with each new instalment
So lets bring on book 2 and see where it takes us, hopefully some of the characters from book one will show up.
September 8, 2018
I must admit I was not expecting much from this book, though I had no logical reason why.
But I was wrong, I loved it!
It was a funny, enjoyable read with great characters. I mean who wouldn't love a seven foot tall dwarf, a four foot giant who wants to be a wizard, a gay elf, a lizard who is really a dragon and a power hungry, vengeful wizard. Add in a lad's mag with naked dragons and orcs and there's bound to be hilarious situations.
If you like funny fantasy then give it a read.
I would add I felt certain comments and situations were meant to be tongue in cheek though they could offend some people.
But I was wrong, I loved it!
It was a funny, enjoyable read with great characters. I mean who wouldn't love a seven foot tall dwarf, a four foot giant who wants to be a wizard, a gay elf, a lizard who is really a dragon and a power hungry, vengeful wizard. Add in a lad's mag with naked dragons and orcs and there's bound to be hilarious situations.
If you like funny fantasy then give it a read.
I would add I felt certain comments and situations were meant to be tongue in cheek though they could offend some people.
September 16, 2017
This is the first book of a large series which gives us you many options.
Great story of a bumbling wizard and a motley crew of quest seekers who are out to return their bodies back to their normal selfs.
Some quick witted and clever quips and moments abound in this story which makes for a pleasant read.
If you enjoy quacky and silly then this story is for you.
Narrator does a great job of conveying the wide range of characters throughout this story. Shall also be keeping an eye out for more of his work as well as the authors.
Great story of a bumbling wizard and a motley crew of quest seekers who are out to return their bodies back to their normal selfs.
Some quick witted and clever quips and moments abound in this story which makes for a pleasant read.
If you enjoy quacky and silly then this story is for you.
Narrator does a great job of conveying the wide range of characters throughout this story. Shall also be keeping an eye out for more of his work as well as the authors.
March 1, 2018
So in the first couple of chapters our main characters relates to a prince how some bandits are going "have a little fun" with a princess for something approaching a fortnight. But it's OK because she'll "learn a few tricks" that the prince will appreciate later and "she'll be fine" after being rescued by a wizard who will only demand she regularly prostitute herself to him multiple times a year for an indeterminate number of years.
Apparently I am supposed to view this as funny somehow.
It is not funny and it killed any interest I had in this character or this story.
Apparently I am supposed to view this as funny somehow.
It is not funny and it killed any interest I had in this character or this story.
October 19, 2016
I bought this book because it is advertised as being similar to Terry Pratchett and there are mostly 5 star reviews. I am going out on a limb to say that I don't agree with this rating (sorry). I so wanted to like it because of the Pratchett connection but, because the book badly needs to be proofread, silly errors distracted my reading. Character names are spelled differently throughout (main example is Beckner/Bekner, but there are others) and I struggled to finish it because once I'd noticed the first error, the rest jumped out at me.
The general concept is good and, if the author has someone professional cast their eye over it and makes amendments to spelling errors and clunky prose (not a lot, but it's there), this could then be a winner.
The general concept is good and, if the author has someone professional cast their eye over it and makes amendments to spelling errors and clunky prose (not a lot, but it's there), this could then be a winner.
March 29, 2022
To summarize, I made it halfway through the book thinking this was written in the 70s or 80s and that I was so glad that modern comedic fantasy didn't rely on such awful ableism and sexism and homophobia... then looked for the publication date... and realized that this was published in 2013.
I finished the book to see if the book would redeem itself and absolutely fucking not.
Don't read this.
I finished the book to see if the book would redeem itself and absolutely fucking not.
Don't read this.
December 16, 2017
I highly recommend this book and indeed the whole Tales From the Land of Ononokin series, which I have read and thoroughly enjoyed. In fact I’ve read A Quest of Undoing before and it looses none of it’s charm second time around. An easy read that is funny, clever and entertaining! Have a read yourself and I’m sure you’ll be glad you did.
October 2, 2018
It was fun, and kind of fluff. I do hate it when the description says, "If you loved Terry Pratchett or Douglas Adams, you will love this one!" Fun yes, as wildly silly as Douglas Adams, or as amazingly multileveled as Terry Pratchett, absolutely not. Push it on being silly without saying that he is the next Pratchett or Adams.
April 16, 2020
For the most part this was a fun fantasy adventure.
I enjoyed most of the humour and gentle mockery of other epic-fantasy-type books, although there were a few things that were a little too close to the bone and so did not amuse (early in the book with the comments about the princess quest, the lampooning of the gay elf etc.). I liked the characters and general story line, though.
I enjoyed most of the humour and gentle mockery of other epic-fantasy-type books, although there were a few things that were a little too close to the bone and so did not amuse (early in the book with the comments about the princess quest, the lampooning of the gay elf etc.). I liked the characters and general story line, though.
December 27, 2020
Fantasy with a twist of mirth!
The tone is light-hearted, while still being clever and engaging. Whizzfiddle, the protagonist, is the “straight man”, and everyone else provides the comic relief. The story moves along nicely, keeping to the fantasy adventure premise without bogging down in trying to be too cleverly funny. Well-crafted and easy to enjoy.
The tone is light-hearted, while still being clever and engaging. Whizzfiddle, the protagonist, is the “straight man”, and everyone else provides the comic relief. The story moves along nicely, keeping to the fantasy adventure premise without bogging down in trying to be too cleverly funny. Well-crafted and easy to enjoy.
October 26, 2021
Love this book so much!! Whizzfiddle and Gungren may not replace my love for Terry Pratchett and his world, but it sure helps. Although this book is way more humorous, and definitely goes for the obvious joke, I still really enjoy it. If you are a fan of Terry or Robert Aspin, give this series a shot.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 64 reviews