Off the Shelf: Adventurers Wanted

New series brings Dungeons and Dragons-like experience to novels.

Adventurers Wanted is a pentalogy of books written by M.L Forman, a series of fantasy stories which are both written in a highly classical setting, but not one often seen in literature. The narrative Forman uses throughout his writing reminded me of that which might be used in a role-playing game, somewhat in line with Dungeons and Dragons or one of many video games which exist online. 

This interesting style makes the series feel more realistic and charming to read, focusing on the smaller aspects of adventuring like the collection and distribution of loot, specific interactions with characters other than the main protagonists, and the cultures and habits of common fantasy races. Not only do these aspects make for a comfortable environment for the reader, but the content of the books themselves are also tailored to make for an easy read. 

Utilizing common fantasy idols like elves, dwarves, and dragons, Forman helps depict a much livelier and more malleable image of their stereotypical traits, helping use what would otherwise be considered clichés to elevate characters and make them more familiar and relatable to the common reader. Everything about this novel is tailored to fit the teenage mind in a cozy wrapping of classic fantasy literature, giving a beautifully written representation of core values residing in its fictional fields along with new life to old figures. 

A great read for high schoolers or those who would enjoy a look at boardgame-like storytelling, the Adventurers Wanted books certainly provide, with myself giving it full marks as a five-out-of-five nostalgic trip in the fantasy world of writing. This line of stories is currently the only published work of M.L Forman, but I (and surely others) look forward to seeing more from him in the future.