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The Mages of Velmyra Saga
Perception Check
Her favorite tabletop roleplaying game is real, and her kidnapped childhood best friend is trapped in a far off land. Will she be able to save her? Let's roll initiative!
Violet Spence wants nothing more than to have a normal life. After witnessing her childhood best friend get abducted by monsters, that’s easier said than done. At twenty-three years old, Violet cannot seem to move past that fateful night ten years ago. Her only solace is Mages of Velmyra, a tabletop roleplaying game filled with goblins, fairies, and all-powerful magicians. But of course, that’s all fantasy.
Or, so she thought. As it turns out, the land of Velmyra is very real and the home of the monsters that took her best friend.
With the help of her friends (and the creator of the game itself), Violet must navigate the once-fictional creatures and powerful mages of Velmyra to retrieve a set of ancient relics—all in the hopes that the journey will lead her back to her friend. But for Violet, fighting monsters and magic workers doesn’t seem nearly as terrifying as confronting her own demons. And she’ll soon realize fighting the battle within herself can be just as tough as those fought against demigods.
Perception Check is the magical first installment of the Mages of Velmyra Saga, great for fans of Dungeons and Dragons, Critical Role, and The Magicians. With endearing and hilarious characters, an exploration of mental health and trauma, LGBTQ+ representation, gut-wrenching twists, and a whirlwind of an ending, you will never want to leave the world of Velmyra.
NOTE: Perception Check deals with the topics of mental health (specifically depression, anxiety, post-traumatic stress disorder, and suicidality) with mentions of childhood sexual assault, alcohol abuse, and animal violence.
Violet Spence wants nothing more than to have a normal life. After witnessing her childhood best friend get abducted by monsters, that’s easier said than done. At twenty-three years old, Violet cannot seem to move past that fateful night ten years ago. Her only solace is Mages of Velmyra, a tabletop roleplaying game filled with goblins, fairies, and all-powerful magicians. But of course, that’s all fantasy.
Or, so she thought. As it turns out, the land of Velmyra is very real and the home of the monsters that took her best friend.
With the help of her friends (and the creator of the game itself), Violet must navigate the once-fictional creatures and powerful mages of Velmyra to retrieve a set of ancient relics—all in the hopes that the journey will lead her back to her friend. But for Violet, fighting monsters and magic workers doesn’t seem nearly as terrifying as confronting her own demons. And she’ll soon realize fighting the battle within herself can be just as tough as those fought against demigods.
Perception Check is the magical first installment of the Mages of Velmyra Saga, great for fans of Dungeons and Dragons, Critical Role, and The Magicians. With endearing and hilarious characters, an exploration of mental health and trauma, LGBTQ+ representation, gut-wrenching twists, and a whirlwind of an ending, you will never want to leave the world of Velmyra.
NOTE: Perception Check deals with the topics of mental health (specifically depression, anxiety, post-traumatic stress disorder, and suicidality) with mentions of childhood sexual assault, alcohol abuse, and animal violence.
514 pages, Kindle Edition
Published May 24, 2022
58 people are currently reading
1233 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 79 reviews
October 6, 2024
Perception Check by Astrid Knight
3.5 out of 5 stars
I really enjoyed reading Perception Check. It's a beautiful fantasy book that pays a huge homage to Dungeons and Dragons. I loved how Astrid created the world and magic system of Velmyra. And how complete it felt.
In this novel we follow Violet who suffers from severe PTSD. 10 years ago her friend May got taken away by demons. Well demons you say? She has been in therapy ever since. But all she remembers is creatures taking her best friend.
Now she is friends with Eddie and Eddie loves playing Mages of Velmyra. Violet doesn't really play it but is obsessed with the games manual. And when she sees her friend May pop up in the book. She realizes the game is a real world. Things change and she is on a quest to find the creator of the book. Eddie helps her and together they find Adrian. Adrian gives them a stone that allows them to travel to Velmyra. But he pushes them out of his studio as fast as he can. Their friend Jackson finds out what is going on and he wants to travel with them to Velmyra. They reluctantly agree. And when Adrian does pop up their earthly party is complete and they travel to another dimension and a new world.
And that is what kickstarts this story. They need to find four items to form a dagger so that they can trade it for May. A few other people join their party and they set off on an exciting journey.
I really loved the world Astrid created. It was addictive and the start of the book is top notch.
But there were a few things here and there that I liked a little less. I fell madly in love with Jackson before they travelled to Velmyra. But the second they arrive his character instantly gets a lot less presence in the book. I really missed his fun and entertaining character.
The book is also overly detailed. The conversations are long and a lot of focus is on the talking side of the book. I missed a bit of world building. I wish Astrid had more focus on the environment. I wish I saw where they walked, where they were. I wish I was more immersed into the world of Velmyra.
The characters are in their early twenties. But they felt very young. They felt 16-ish at most. I wish the book had more of an adult feel to it instead of a young adult feel.
I think a few chapters could have been shortened to make the impact of the chapters more stronger.
I also really missed the presence of May. A lot of focus is on Violet and the powers she gets in the book. But she doesn't think a lot about May. I never got to know May. I wish there were more flashbacks or more memories of May.
And while I liked the mental health representation of the book. I kinda missed some depth to it. I didn't feel their grief or their pain throughout their journey. When it was mentioned it almost felt a little out of place.
I wish just the huge amount of details were more focussed on the world building and mental health side.
I just wished I felt all the emotions more. When Adrian tells his backstory I just didn't feel it. I wish I did feel it more. That felt like such a missed opportunity.
But I also loved a few things. I loved the references to The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy and the Millenium Falcon. And there were more references that made me smile.
I also loved how the boys told stories of earth to Kai, Gren and Milandrich about Rasputin and other earthly tales.
I also felt realistic that Violet lost her focus on her friends halfway through the book and focussed more on her own journey. I liked how Eddie dealt with that and let his feelings known.
All in all this book was a joy to read and I am glad I did! It's also so difficult to create a whole new world and Astrid did an amazing job.
3.5 out of 5 big stars from me for this wonderful book!
3.5 out of 5 stars
I really enjoyed reading Perception Check. It's a beautiful fantasy book that pays a huge homage to Dungeons and Dragons. I loved how Astrid created the world and magic system of Velmyra. And how complete it felt.
In this novel we follow Violet who suffers from severe PTSD. 10 years ago her friend May got taken away by demons. Well demons you say? She has been in therapy ever since. But all she remembers is creatures taking her best friend.
Now she is friends with Eddie and Eddie loves playing Mages of Velmyra. Violet doesn't really play it but is obsessed with the games manual. And when she sees her friend May pop up in the book. She realizes the game is a real world. Things change and she is on a quest to find the creator of the book. Eddie helps her and together they find Adrian. Adrian gives them a stone that allows them to travel to Velmyra. But he pushes them out of his studio as fast as he can. Their friend Jackson finds out what is going on and he wants to travel with them to Velmyra. They reluctantly agree. And when Adrian does pop up their earthly party is complete and they travel to another dimension and a new world.
And that is what kickstarts this story. They need to find four items to form a dagger so that they can trade it for May. A few other people join their party and they set off on an exciting journey.
I really loved the world Astrid created. It was addictive and the start of the book is top notch.
But there were a few things here and there that I liked a little less. I fell madly in love with Jackson before they travelled to Velmyra. But the second they arrive his character instantly gets a lot less presence in the book. I really missed his fun and entertaining character.
The book is also overly detailed. The conversations are long and a lot of focus is on the talking side of the book. I missed a bit of world building. I wish Astrid had more focus on the environment. I wish I saw where they walked, where they were. I wish I was more immersed into the world of Velmyra.
The characters are in their early twenties. But they felt very young. They felt 16-ish at most. I wish the book had more of an adult feel to it instead of a young adult feel.
I think a few chapters could have been shortened to make the impact of the chapters more stronger.
I also really missed the presence of May. A lot of focus is on Violet and the powers she gets in the book. But she doesn't think a lot about May. I never got to know May. I wish there were more flashbacks or more memories of May.
And while I liked the mental health representation of the book. I kinda missed some depth to it. I didn't feel their grief or their pain throughout their journey. When it was mentioned it almost felt a little out of place.
I wish just the huge amount of details were more focussed on the world building and mental health side.
I just wished I felt all the emotions more. When Adrian tells his backstory I just didn't feel it. I wish I did feel it more. That felt like such a missed opportunity.
But I also loved a few things. I loved the references to The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy and the Millenium Falcon. And there were more references that made me smile.
I also loved how the boys told stories of earth to Kai, Gren and Milandrich about Rasputin and other earthly tales.
I also felt realistic that Violet lost her focus on her friends halfway through the book and focussed more on her own journey. I liked how Eddie dealt with that and let his feelings known.
All in all this book was a joy to read and I am glad I did! It's also so difficult to create a whole new world and Astrid did an amazing job.
3.5 out of 5 big stars from me for this wonderful book!
August 14, 2022
Astrid Knight absolutely slays in this breakout debut. With endearing characters, relatable moments, and heavy doses of nerdom, Perception Check is an unputdownable read.
Violet is an incredible main character who faces past trauma, new friendships, and trouble with old friendships, all while finding out the far-off fantasy land in her favorite ttrpg is real. She’s even more entwined when she discovers the root of her trauma—the kidnapping of her best friend—continues on in Velmyra, the land from the game. Toss in sexy, dorky, and funny new characters, high stakes, and magic and you have a recipe for one hell of a ride.
I cannot wait for the second book in this series and am so excited to learn more about Violet, Eddie, the land of mages and magic, and everyone they met along the way.
An easy 5-star read and perfect for anyone who loves gaming, geeking out, magical lands, and tongue-in-cheek humor.
Violet is an incredible main character who faces past trauma, new friendships, and trouble with old friendships, all while finding out the far-off fantasy land in her favorite ttrpg is real. She’s even more entwined when she discovers the root of her trauma—the kidnapping of her best friend—continues on in Velmyra, the land from the game. Toss in sexy, dorky, and funny new characters, high stakes, and magic and you have a recipe for one hell of a ride.
I cannot wait for the second book in this series and am so excited to learn more about Violet, Eddie, the land of mages and magic, and everyone they met along the way.
An easy 5-star read and perfect for anyone who loves gaming, geeking out, magical lands, and tongue-in-cheek humor.
May 18, 2022
A perfect book for lovers of DnD or fantasy!
Perception Check is the story of Violet, a 20-something who survived the horrific - and supernatural - attack that took her best friend as a child and has been living with the trauma ever since. She is obessed with reading about Mages of Velymra - a DnD style game - and a character who bears a resemble to her lost friend. Then she starts having visions on that land, and when searching for more information Iearns it's a real place and her friend may still be there. So, obviously, a quest must be undertaken!
The world-building here was top-notch. I felt immediately dropped into the characters' lives - both their ordinary lives in Earth and then their experiences in Velymra. And Velymra itself is an interesting setting - you can see its TTRPG influences clearly, but it does also feel like a unique world all of its own, with its own lore, magic system etc.
I also loved all the characters - even if they did occasionally annoy me, but in a very realistic 'people can be annoying and flawed sometimes' way.
Violet was a compelling MC and I rooted for her from the start. However, the story didn't shy away from addressing her flaws and regrets and struggles, which really helped flesh her out into a very real feeling person.
I particularly loved the three additional members to the party they picked up in Velymra (in classic DnD style). There's the mercenary adventurers - Kai the Calamitous and Gren the Gentle - a kindred folk and troll whose friendship I adored, and half-fey royal guard Melandrich with a deep curiosity about the world and a backstory I want to learn more of!
There's also some LGBTQA+ rep - including a surprise little bit of demisexual rep which you know I love to see.
The plot is well-paced and once they get to Velymra there's some familiar beats for DnD players. There are also two twists in this story. One is breadcrumbed in such a way that it allows readers to have their suspicions before it is revealed and then the other is a complete shock (for me, at least), though once revealed you can see how it was hinted towards beforehand. (I hope that makes some sense as I'm trying to avoid spoilers here!) And honestly, both worked really well for me as a reader. You get to have both the 'aha, I figured that out!' and the 'oh, I did not see that coming!' moment.
Speaking of the second twist, this is an ending that has left me already eagerly awaiting the sequel! More please!
My thanks to the author for sending me a free copy in exchange for an honest review.
Perception Check is the story of Violet, a 20-something who survived the horrific - and supernatural - attack that took her best friend as a child and has been living with the trauma ever since. She is obessed with reading about Mages of Velymra - a DnD style game - and a character who bears a resemble to her lost friend. Then she starts having visions on that land, and when searching for more information Iearns it's a real place and her friend may still be there. So, obviously, a quest must be undertaken!
The world-building here was top-notch. I felt immediately dropped into the characters' lives - both their ordinary lives in Earth and then their experiences in Velymra. And Velymra itself is an interesting setting - you can see its TTRPG influences clearly, but it does also feel like a unique world all of its own, with its own lore, magic system etc.
I also loved all the characters - even if they did occasionally annoy me, but in a very realistic 'people can be annoying and flawed sometimes' way.
Violet was a compelling MC and I rooted for her from the start. However, the story didn't shy away from addressing her flaws and regrets and struggles, which really helped flesh her out into a very real feeling person.
I particularly loved the three additional members to the party they picked up in Velymra (in classic DnD style). There's the mercenary adventurers - Kai the Calamitous and Gren the Gentle - a kindred folk and troll whose friendship I adored, and half-fey royal guard Melandrich with a deep curiosity about the world and a backstory I want to learn more of!
There's also some LGBTQA+ rep - including a surprise little bit of demisexual rep which you know I love to see.
The plot is well-paced and once they get to Velymra there's some familiar beats for DnD players. There are also two twists in this story. One is breadcrumbed in such a way that it allows readers to have their suspicions before it is revealed and then the other is a complete shock (for me, at least), though once revealed you can see how it was hinted towards beforehand. (I hope that makes some sense as I'm trying to avoid spoilers here!) And honestly, both worked really well for me as a reader. You get to have both the 'aha, I figured that out!' and the 'oh, I did not see that coming!' moment.
Speaking of the second twist, this is an ending that has left me already eagerly awaiting the sequel! More please!
My thanks to the author for sending me a free copy in exchange for an honest review.
July 12, 2024
This story was the only one out of the three full books I was given for BBNYA that I hadn't previously read the excerpt of, and at over 500 pages, initially I was a little daunted. However, within a couple of chapters this story gtabbed me and pulled me along for an epic, dimension jumping adventure.
I think the page count may be a little off, as I was easily reading 100 pages of this in the time it would normally take me to read 50. It's fast paced, but leaves time to get to know the characters, the world they find themselves in, and let them sit down and rest before the next battles.
The idea that Violet's friend May was brutally taken across Dimensions to the very world Violet's friend now plays as a D&D style game completely captivated me, and I am so ready for that moment when they finally meet again after all these years.
I am so, so ready for the sequel, I need to get buy a physical copy of this and I'm holding out for the audiobook so I can get my partner to read this too. Needless to say I'm extremely emotionally invested in this series!
I think the page count may be a little off, as I was easily reading 100 pages of this in the time it would normally take me to read 50. It's fast paced, but leaves time to get to know the characters, the world they find themselves in, and let them sit down and rest before the next battles.
The idea that Violet's friend May was brutally taken across Dimensions to the very world Violet's friend now plays as a D&D style game completely captivated me, and I am so ready for that moment when they finally meet again after all these years.
I am so, so ready for the sequel, I need to get buy a physical copy of this and I'm holding out for the audiobook so I can get my partner to read this too. Needless to say I'm extremely emotionally invested in this series!
June 11, 2022
This book is fantastic. I'm so glad I accidentally bought it. Now I just need the next one. 🤩
April 1, 2022
I'm actually really annoyed that I got an advance copy of this book (thanks, Astrid) because it means I have to wait way long until the next installment. This book, and by extension this series, is just everything I wanted to read.
Perception Check is an isekai novel that reminds me more than anything else of Kieron Gillen's DIE graphic novels: both follow a group of role-playing gamers from our Earth who find themselves inside their game, and both deal heavily with past traumas. Compared to DIE this is certainly more whimsical and perhaps less worried about developing strict mechanics and rules, which frees it up to spend more time exploring its protagonist's journey. It's not a huge book, but it manages to feel like the world is really enormous - both deep and broad - without getting bogged down in info-dumping or anything. Things keep moving at an exciting pace while the magnitude of the setting just sort of falls into place around it, which I think is really impressive.
Actually, I think 'lean' would be a fairly good way to describe the job Perception Check does building its story, characters, and world. It gives you enough to always feel like there's a lot, like things are rich and complex, while only actually requiring you to remember a few key details. For example, we find out early on that there are four elemental Mages, but only really discuss them in the context of why they're important to our protagonist's story - we feel like we get to know enough about them without, say, getting bombarded early on with ten pages on each of them, full of made-up words and concepts we'll never remember. (Which would be easy enough to do, since there exists a Game Master's guide to the world that would give Perception Check a ready-made excuse to do some text-within-a-text encyclopaediaing if it felt like it.) Instead, we get the bits we need to know, and that's enough to convince us that there is all this other history behind everything. It's a fine line to walk but Knight does it brilliantly.
Similarly, the balance of humour and seriousness is a tricky one, and I think Perception Check's success depends on both being well executed. No worries here: it's consistently funny without overdoing it on pop culture references (they're there, but because that's true to the characters rather than in an obnoxious way), and it's also deeply affecting when the moment calls for it. Those two things manage to enhance each other rather than getting in the way.
I only have two complaints: the aforementioned fact that I can't read more of it right now, and the consistent capitalisation of 'Residuum' (a material used for magic) while 'residuuist' (a person who magicks) is staunchly lowercase. I find that more irritating than is at all proportional, but I love this book enough that I can forgive even that most heinous of crimes.
Perception Check is an isekai novel that reminds me more than anything else of Kieron Gillen's DIE graphic novels: both follow a group of role-playing gamers from our Earth who find themselves inside their game, and both deal heavily with past traumas. Compared to DIE this is certainly more whimsical and perhaps less worried about developing strict mechanics and rules, which frees it up to spend more time exploring its protagonist's journey. It's not a huge book, but it manages to feel like the world is really enormous - both deep and broad - without getting bogged down in info-dumping or anything. Things keep moving at an exciting pace while the magnitude of the setting just sort of falls into place around it, which I think is really impressive.
Actually, I think 'lean' would be a fairly good way to describe the job Perception Check does building its story, characters, and world. It gives you enough to always feel like there's a lot, like things are rich and complex, while only actually requiring you to remember a few key details. For example, we find out early on that there are four elemental Mages, but only really discuss them in the context of why they're important to our protagonist's story - we feel like we get to know enough about them without, say, getting bombarded early on with ten pages on each of them, full of made-up words and concepts we'll never remember. (Which would be easy enough to do, since there exists a Game Master's guide to the world that would give Perception Check a ready-made excuse to do some text-within-a-text encyclopaediaing if it felt like it.) Instead, we get the bits we need to know, and that's enough to convince us that there is all this other history behind everything. It's a fine line to walk but Knight does it brilliantly.
Similarly, the balance of humour and seriousness is a tricky one, and I think Perception Check's success depends on both being well executed. No worries here: it's consistently funny without overdoing it on pop culture references (they're there, but because that's true to the characters rather than in an obnoxious way), and it's also deeply affecting when the moment calls for it. Those two things manage to enhance each other rather than getting in the way.
I only have two complaints: the aforementioned fact that I can't read more of it right now, and the consistent capitalisation of 'Residuum' (a material used for magic) while 'residuuist' (a person who magicks) is staunchly lowercase. I find that more irritating than is at all proportional, but I love this book enough that I can forgive even that most heinous of crimes.
August 22, 2022
I recently got into playing Dungeons and Dragons and it has taken over all my hobby time, so when I came across Perception Check I knew it would be the perfect book for combining my love of D&D with my love of reading. And wow, did it satisfy both loves perfectly!
The plot has a super fun premise and I was hooked from the start. I loved the D&D references, but I also loved how unique the storyline was. The cast of characters was diverse and all of them were super well-rounded. Eddie was such fun and I loved watching Jackson warm up as the story progressed, but my favorite character would have to be Adriane. The more I learned about him and his background, the more I liked him. But all the characters are amazing!!
I highly recommend Perception Check for all lovers of fantasy, but if you're like me and have a special fondness for D&D, then this book is 100% the one for you. It's got tons of action, unique magic, monsters, relatable characters, and emotion! Check it out!
The plot has a super fun premise and I was hooked from the start. I loved the D&D references, but I also loved how unique the storyline was. The cast of characters was diverse and all of them were super well-rounded. Eddie was such fun and I loved watching Jackson warm up as the story progressed, but my favorite character would have to be Adriane. The more I learned about him and his background, the more I liked him. But all the characters are amazing!!
I highly recommend Perception Check for all lovers of fantasy, but if you're like me and have a special fondness for D&D, then this book is 100% the one for you. It's got tons of action, unique magic, monsters, relatable characters, and emotion! Check it out!
December 20, 2023
Five absolutely SHINING stars to this phenomenal debut!
I promise to write a more concise review on BeforeWeGoBlog and crosspost it here, but for now all I can say it this book is fantastic!
We get a little bit of everything, a ragtag found family, queer rep, magical creatures, amazing worldbuilding and intense mental health rep.
I loved every single character in this friend group - especially Kai, my snarky little enby.
This is such a hidden gem of a novel, and after that ending I really need to read book two as soon as possible.
I promise to write a more concise review on BeforeWeGoBlog and crosspost it here, but for now all I can say it this book is fantastic!
We get a little bit of everything, a ragtag found family, queer rep, magical creatures, amazing worldbuilding and intense mental health rep.
I loved every single character in this friend group - especially Kai, my snarky little enby.
This is such a hidden gem of a novel, and after that ending I really need to read book two as soon as possible.
May 5, 2022
Since joining the Twitter writing community a couple of years ago, I’ve learned several things. For instance, that writers are, by and large, kind, welcoming, generous with their time, and insanely talented. I’ve made what I hope will be lasting friendships. And, as I’ve ventured out from the usual writers who make up my towering TBR pile to read some of their work, I’ve been reminded over and over that self-published and indie-published books are every bit as well-written as their traditionally published counterparts.
Case in point: Perception Check by Astrid Knight. I met Astrid, as I’ve met many writers, when we both wrote stories for the same anthology. I liked her short story work right away, and Perception Check (The Mages of Valmyra Saga Book One), an epic fantasy, is a rollicking good time.
When Violet Spence was 13, her and her best friend May were attacked by monsters, and May was abducted. No one quite believed her story, of course, and now, ten years later, she’s still haunted by that night. Her only solace is a Dungeons and Dragons-like tabletop roleplaying game called Mages of Valmyra that she doesn’t actually play, but studies obsessively. Then one day she finds a character in the guidebook that looks and sounds exactly like May.
Through a combination of sleuthing and luck, Violet and some friends find themselves in a real life Valmyra, a land of goblins and magic tormented by powerful mages. Their quest to find May and bring her home is an exciting, sometimes harrowing, and altogether epic adventure. Knight writes with spirit and imagination, with plenty of humor to leaven the tension. Her characters feel real and well-rounded, each of them flawed but with moments of heroism. I found myself cheering for them to succeed.
Knight mentions in the afterword that Dungeons and Dragons played an important part at a crucial time in her life, and that’s clear in every paragraph of Perception Check. If you’re a fan of tabletop games, you’ll find plenty of knowing asides. Knight plays with fantasy and gaming tropes like a pro. The magic system that infuses the novel is well thought out, inventive and internally consistent.
Perception Check releases May 24th, and is available for pre-order now. Whether you’re a tabletop gamer, a lover of fantasy, or just someone who appreciates an epically fun read, give this one a try!
Case in point: Perception Check by Astrid Knight. I met Astrid, as I’ve met many writers, when we both wrote stories for the same anthology. I liked her short story work right away, and Perception Check (The Mages of Valmyra Saga Book One), an epic fantasy, is a rollicking good time.
When Violet Spence was 13, her and her best friend May were attacked by monsters, and May was abducted. No one quite believed her story, of course, and now, ten years later, she’s still haunted by that night. Her only solace is a Dungeons and Dragons-like tabletop roleplaying game called Mages of Valmyra that she doesn’t actually play, but studies obsessively. Then one day she finds a character in the guidebook that looks and sounds exactly like May.
Through a combination of sleuthing and luck, Violet and some friends find themselves in a real life Valmyra, a land of goblins and magic tormented by powerful mages. Their quest to find May and bring her home is an exciting, sometimes harrowing, and altogether epic adventure. Knight writes with spirit and imagination, with plenty of humor to leaven the tension. Her characters feel real and well-rounded, each of them flawed but with moments of heroism. I found myself cheering for them to succeed.
Knight mentions in the afterword that Dungeons and Dragons played an important part at a crucial time in her life, and that’s clear in every paragraph of Perception Check. If you’re a fan of tabletop games, you’ll find plenty of knowing asides. Knight plays with fantasy and gaming tropes like a pro. The magic system that infuses the novel is well thought out, inventive and internally consistent.
Perception Check releases May 24th, and is available for pre-order now. Whether you’re a tabletop gamer, a lover of fantasy, or just someone who appreciates an epically fun read, give this one a try!
January 12, 2024
Oh, I gotta tell you, I ate this book UP. My first 5 star read of the year. I love how openly LGBTQIA+ this book is. I love the trauma and mental state it deals with. I’m in my dungeons & dragons era so this was such a wonderful read. Twists I didn’t see coming, and even some twist I did see coming but that was still so well done. Every character had something wonderful and unique about them. I seriously cannot wait for the next book to come out!
July 29, 2024
This is an excellent book for readers who want DnD vibes with introspection into grief and emotion, but also a backdrop that's weirdly cozy? Found family and messy relationships but also not so dark that it's a hard pill to swallow. Perhaps that makes no sense, but there's a reason I am not a reviewer by trade XD
The next book comes out in the near future and I'm excited to see where the story goes!
The next book comes out in the near future and I'm excited to see where the story goes!
October 19, 2022
Thank god, it's over.
I know book club had hopes but we all ended up agreeing that we didn't like this book very much.
I will say in compliment to the book that the writing is competent. I've seen way worse. Also the writer's approach to mental illness and past trauma wasn't bad.
But with that said what really needs improvement is the author's voice. The writing felt amateurish and lacked presence. There was always a strange balance of not enough detail to too many specific details about stuff that doesn't matter. Do I need to know your character is listening to Kingdom Hearts music? Is it important that character is wearing a DBZ hoodie? What if I didn't know what those properties were? These references took me out of the story and started to annoy me quite a bit.
Violet was such a bore of a main character. She really suffered from being the pov narrator cause I had a (slightly) better grasp on the other characters and their personalities. What was Violet's identity besides trauma victim? I never understood her motivation to rescue May cause who was May? I've read stories where the absence of a character leaves a distinct space in the story. Not so much here. I also found many of the side characters to be flat with very superficial motivations.
I know this didn't go the traditional route of publishing but the pacing really felt off and I think there was a ton of the plot that needed to be cut and/or restructured.
Anyway, all that to say, the book wasn't for me and I wish the other author well in her future writing endeavors.
I know book club had hopes but we all ended up agreeing that we didn't like this book very much.
I will say in compliment to the book that the writing is competent. I've seen way worse. Also the writer's approach to mental illness and past trauma wasn't bad.
But with that said what really needs improvement is the author's voice. The writing felt amateurish and lacked presence. There was always a strange balance of not enough detail to too many specific details about stuff that doesn't matter. Do I need to know your character is listening to Kingdom Hearts music? Is it important that character is wearing a DBZ hoodie? What if I didn't know what those properties were? These references took me out of the story and started to annoy me quite a bit.
Violet was such a bore of a main character. She really suffered from being the pov narrator cause I had a (slightly) better grasp on the other characters and their personalities. What was Violet's identity besides trauma victim? I never understood her motivation to rescue May cause who was May? I've read stories where the absence of a character leaves a distinct space in the story. Not so much here. I also found many of the side characters to be flat with very superficial motivations.
I know this didn't go the traditional route of publishing but the pacing really felt off and I think there was a ton of the plot that needed to be cut and/or restructured.
Anyway, all that to say, the book wasn't for me and I wish the other author well in her future writing endeavors.
May 23, 2022
Rating : 4.5 ★
Exhilarating. Awe-striking. More, please!
What a delightful introduction to the world of tabletop roleplaying games — a topic that’s intrigued me for as long as I can remember, but never actually dipped a toe into yet.
“ We’ll be that obvious?”
“As obvious as a bunch of ren faire cosplayers on a city bus. And there’s no comic con excuse you guys can use. ”
I’m not that big of a geek about stuff like these, only spectating from a distance, but I’ve always been so fascinated with D&D and cosplaying : the storytelling and the costumes and the community, and the courage it takes to actually go out into the world and show off that love, even in their very nerdy ways, is its own unique magic. And I really believe the world can be inspired by that.
The game rules and language were very easy to digest as well, even for someone with no experience in actual play. This book is filled with goofy shenanigans and banter, plus some pop culture and nerdy references that made me laugh out loud into the dead of night. It feels like I’ve joined a new book crew, and I didn’t think to expect that in the beginning, so that was a lot of fun.
Eddie and Melandrich – the jester/knight and the golden-hearted soldier – are the sweetest, most endearing characters in all the realms, and I am all here for them 🥹💕
Adrian is probably the most likable attention-seeking bastard I’ve ever encountered, and I love his bond with Violet. And although his and Eddie’s dynamic might be the most hilarious thing, I don’t think we ever got an explanation of how their connection began so fraught with loathing 🤔 (I kind of put the pieces of Adrian’s sketchy character together slowly throughout the read, but damn, those revelations were intense!)
Jackson . . . is mostly a broody jerk . . . But he’s got issues, and he is doing his best to make this whole quest work, so I forgive him. There’s so much about him that we haven’t yet touched, and I think it would be great if we got to see his POV as well. I’d also love to see him and Violet actually become friends, they have so much potential.
It took a while for Kai to grow on me though; despite their sometimes annoying temper and snarky attitude, they’ve got such a big heart that they would choose almost certain death with their crew than walk away unscathed . . . why do I find that so adorable?? 😂 (Also, they are most certainly a hobbit, and you can’t convince me otherwise)
Gren was mostly just in the background, so I hope we get to see more of her in the next book!
More Orla as well! She’s such a shady little bitch, but I absolutely adore her 🤭
I’m also looking forward to establishing a deeper reader-connection with May soon, because sometimes I forget that she’s even the goal of the mission 🤷🏻♀️
This book made me feel so many things, especially coming from Violet’s point of view, of which I identified with a lot of her struggles with depression and anxiety.
The desire to be able to live your life “normally”, but for the life of you, you don’t understand why you can’t get out of your own way to achieve that . . . To the outside world, it makes you seem selfish for keeping to yourself, but in times like these, your own person is the only thing you can even try to handle at the moment. And self-care (or desperately trying to care for oneself) is never a selfish thing; it is necessary. It doesn’t mean you’re always right, but it also doesn’t mean you’re wrong.
“ So, your advice is, what? Feel my feelings?”
“As absolutely fucking hokey as that sounds, yeah.” He smiles back at me, but there’s no hint of malice in it. “My emotions can absolutely destroy me if I let them. But they’re also the things that allow me to make magic.” (…) “My thoughts and feelings are the things that allow me to create. Why would I ever deny myself that? ”
It is so much easier to avoid your feelings, but in the end, it’s only going to make you miserable. I truly needed to hear this right now ❤️🔥
Getting to know these characters and how they work together has been so much fun, sometimes frustrating, and other times just plain sad. But I sure as hell want to know more!
The foreign food though, oh my goodness, they sound so delicious 🤤
The magic system is uncomplicated and exciting, even I want to learn the practice!
The setting . . . needs more bathhouses, please 🫣 I’d love to go on an adventure like this, but I cannot stand not being able to wash regularly. I’m like Kai when there’s so much dirt. We hate dirt. It’s dirty. (that quote is sooo me 😂🙌🏼)
This book is a little burst of joy and hope and wonder, and Velmyra is a magical land that I definitely want to return to.
“ Hey, you guys killed it! Not bad for a bunch of level eight dipshits, huh? ”
Truthfully, that ending still has me in shock, in a way of nervous excitement, so I am very much anticipating the sequel! Sooo ready to kick some mage ass! 😱
I received an ARC from BookSirens in exchange for an honest review.
April 13, 2023
Perception Check was a whole lot of fun to read. D&D meets Jumanji as an RPG comes to life in this quest fantasy. When she was 13, Violet was attacked by demons and witnessed her friend being abducted through a portal. Now 10 years later, she believes her traumatized mind imagined the whole scenario when she discovers her friend and the demons within the mythology of a popular tabletop roleplaying game Mages of Velmyra. Along with her best friend, they hunt down the creator of the game and discover that Velmyra is very real. What follows is the first installment in an epic quest to rescue her best friend as Violet and some friends enter Velmyra and find allies along the way.
I really enjoy quest fantasies as well as these games-come-to-life stories (even though I don’t usually ever play any video games nor RPGs) so this was right up my alley. The book was action-packed and perfectly paced with simple prose that made it infinitely readable and a breeze to get through. The world of Velmyra felt well thought-out with its own history, peoples, and mythology. And the whole epic fantasy is grounded by likable but realistic and flawed characters that form a dysfunction found family of sorts.
Violet is still traumatized by what she went through and suffers from panic attacks and PTSD and is sometimes unable to see past her own trauma. Alongside her are her best friend Eddie (a pansexual man who loves stories and dreams of being a hero) and her frenemy Jackson (a trans man with his own issues). Game creator Adrian is a gay man with a secret and a past best left behind. Melandrich is a demisexual half fey bound by honor and an identify that always falls in between. Smooth-talking Kai and their companion muscle Gren are two conwomen who find themselves part of the quest. Each brings something to the table and make for some fun interactions, banter, and bickering. They are also mostly queer but it is never a defining characteristic for any of them.
Perception Check is a quest fantasy series starter about an RPG come to life with a queer cast that is fun, action-packed, and charming.
*I read this as a judge for the Indie Ink Awards and my rating here may not directly reflect how I scored it there.
I really enjoy quest fantasies as well as these games-come-to-life stories (even though I don’t usually ever play any video games nor RPGs) so this was right up my alley. The book was action-packed and perfectly paced with simple prose that made it infinitely readable and a breeze to get through. The world of Velmyra felt well thought-out with its own history, peoples, and mythology. And the whole epic fantasy is grounded by likable but realistic and flawed characters that form a dysfunction found family of sorts.
Violet is still traumatized by what she went through and suffers from panic attacks and PTSD and is sometimes unable to see past her own trauma. Alongside her are her best friend Eddie (a pansexual man who loves stories and dreams of being a hero) and her frenemy Jackson (a trans man with his own issues). Game creator Adrian is a gay man with a secret and a past best left behind. Melandrich is a demisexual half fey bound by honor and an identify that always falls in between. Smooth-talking Kai and their companion muscle Gren are two conwomen who find themselves part of the quest. Each brings something to the table and make for some fun interactions, banter, and bickering. They are also mostly queer but it is never a defining characteristic for any of them.
Perception Check is a quest fantasy series starter about an RPG come to life with a queer cast that is fun, action-packed, and charming.
*I read this as a judge for the Indie Ink Awards and my rating here may not directly reflect how I scored it there.
June 20, 2022
Oh my gooooodd this book was so fucking good I honestly can’t handle it. The world building was rich & realistic, with just enough shared with D&D and other standard fantasy stock to make it simultaneously nostalgic and fascinatingly new. The storyline was amazing, toeing the line between a hero’s tale and something darker. But what really made it for me was the depiction of trauma & PTSD, and the ways those things destroy and shape you. It was easily the rawest, most realistic depiction of that I’ve ever read outside a memoir. Several points shattered me and made me feel seen & understood all at once.
If you’re a lover of fantasy going through some shit, this is the book to read. I cannot wait for the next one.
If you’re a lover of fantasy going through some shit, this is the book to read. I cannot wait for the next one.
January 28, 2024
One of the most captivating, brilliant books I have EVER read. As a newfound fantasy lover, this story kept my attention for the entire novel with relatable characters and a beautifully gripping plot with several unexpected turns. I lovingly describe this book as Jumanji meets DnD, and Knight’s writing absolutely indebted me to this story and what will happen next. I loved that parts of this book were set in Michigan, specifically Grand Rapids where I live. It makes absolute sense to me why Perception Check was voted #1 Indie Book by the Book Bloggers’ Novel of the Year award, and I would easily recommend to any and all fantasy lovers!!
Please blow up this absolutely kickass novel and amazing author !!!
Please blow up this absolutely kickass novel and amazing author !!!
November 20, 2023
I would honestly rate this 4.5. Let me just start with saying the story is amazing. I enjoyed seeing Violet grow and learn and not just her but the whole crew throughout the story. The characters in this were relatable and I felt understood in a way, that I have yet to find in other books. Violet’s struggle with PTSD and anxiety hits close to home. I also loved that her growth didn’t overshadow the others’, especially Eddie and Jackson. Also the fact, that she isn’t perfect and can be seen in a bad light is refreshing for a protagonist, at least to me. However, I couldn’t give it five stars as I didn’t like how cheesy some parts were and one of the twists was pretty obvious to me. However, I loved the book and cannot wait for the next installment!
October 1, 2022
3.5 ☆
It took me a little while to get invested in this book but once I did get invested I was hooked. I love the magic system in perception check as well as how the world and lore was built around Velmyra.
As a note of warning this is definitely a book to make sure that you read the trigger warnings before hand, as it does involve some heavy and possibly triggering topics throughout.
It took me a little while to get invested in this book but once I did get invested I was hooked. I love the magic system in perception check as well as how the world and lore was built around Velmyra.
As a note of warning this is definitely a book to make sure that you read the trigger warnings before hand, as it does involve some heavy and possibly triggering topics throughout.
July 31, 2025
3.5/ 3.75 stars rounded up for GR. I really liked the premise of this book, and I loved Knight’s writing style. You feel like you are transported, and as a player of TTRPG’s that is the goal! However I don’t know that any of the 3 or 4 main characters are likable, which is a tough pill to swallow when it is a 476 page book.
February 20, 2025
If you love playing TTRPGs or love reading about epic quests then this is the book for you! It’s LGBTQ+, and has really good depictions of dealing with trauma and anxiety. The next book comes out later this year and I can’t wait!
April 6, 2022
Fantasy and adventure; two of my favorite types of stories, and boy, were both executed marvelously in this book. The story is about a girl named Violet who suffered from a gruesome and tragic event in which her friend goes missing. Vi from the start is a very likable and driven protagonist and I just couldn't help but root for her. I also enjoyed the relationships between her and her friends, both old and new. The world they explore is fascinating and the magic is wonderful. I really enjoy the parts where we learn more about magic and how it is wielded, as well as demonstrations of it. The story does a good job balancing humor with drama and there was never a time where the story felt weighed down by either. For fantasy lovers and D&D fanatics, this book is a must-read!
May 25, 2022
AHHH! This book left me needing the sequel in my hands. NOW.
I was lucky enough to read an advance copy of Perception Check, and I haven't been able to shake it from my mind. If this book were only a modern-day epic fantasy, it would still be great, but it does so much more. It meaningfully explores mental illness in a way that many people struggling will feel seen by.
The characters and dialogue are spot-on. Even the characters I didn't like, I loved reading about. Everyone is complex in such a way I felt like they could be people plucked from real life. The banter was everything I needed to read, and the comedic points brought me so much joy.
I will be waiting to read the next book!
I was lucky enough to read an advance copy of Perception Check, and I haven't been able to shake it from my mind. If this book were only a modern-day epic fantasy, it would still be great, but it does so much more. It meaningfully explores mental illness in a way that many people struggling will feel seen by.
The characters and dialogue are spot-on. Even the characters I didn't like, I loved reading about. Everyone is complex in such a way I felt like they could be people plucked from real life. The banter was everything I needed to read, and the comedic points brought me so much joy.
I will be waiting to read the next book!
April 20, 2022
Perception check is the perfect read for D&D lovers
A realistic and exciting adventure story where you get to know and love Violet, Adrian, Eddie and Jackson. Each character has a rich and detailed backstory, lending them complexity and depth.
Together with the supporting cast, of local characters, you feel like you're actually taking part in a quest to a strange land.
This book includes magic, adventure, but also heartbreak, loss, and dealing with trauma.
First in the series and promising lots more to come.
A realistic and exciting adventure story where you get to know and love Violet, Adrian, Eddie and Jackson. Each character has a rich and detailed backstory, lending them complexity and depth.
Together with the supporting cast, of local characters, you feel like you're actually taking part in a quest to a strange land.
This book includes magic, adventure, but also heartbreak, loss, and dealing with trauma.
First in the series and promising lots more to come.
April 26, 2022
This is a book that I would recommend to anyone who likes adventure novels, fantasy, world-building, or DnD. As someone who has never played DnD, knowledge of the game is not required, and it’s not difficult to keep up with the story. The protagonist, Violet, is a likable and well-developed character from the start. The plot is exciting and has some injections of humor that make this even more enjoyable. It covers some touchy subjects and features discussions of past trauma, but it doesn’t feel particularly heavy or adult to me. If I were reading this as a young teen, I probably would've loved this.
I received an ARC for free and am leaving this review voluntarily.
I received an ARC for free and am leaving this review voluntarily.
May 31, 2022
Perception Check is a real treat for fans of fantasy and TTRPGs alike. The characterisation and world-building is exceptional, and I was hooked from start to finish. Writing about both every day life in the world we know and adventures in a fantasy world is a tough thing to master, but Knight pulls off both with great skill.
The final chapters had me on the end of my seat, and I absolutely can't wait for the next book. Keep it coming!
The final chapters had me on the end of my seat, and I absolutely can't wait for the next book. Keep it coming!
December 8, 2023
I am the narrator for the upcoming audiobook version of this book, so I have spent a lot of time with the text. I love it. The characters are so rich and compelling, each one on a journey I would read a whole series about. The themes of mental health and trauma are very well thought out and I am on the edge of my seat for the next one
August 29, 2022
Where’s the next one?
June 16, 2022
Be still my nerdy heart…
“As obvious as a bunch of ren faire cosplayers on a city bus. And there’s no comic con excuse you guys can use.”
While you can see the TTRPG influence (particularly if you are a player yourself), it is only one element, and Perception Check does a fantastic job of using that element and turning it into a multi-faceted adventure and emotional journey – and that is why it works so well regardless of if you have that experience or not. The sheer heart of this story, the exploration of trauma, and dealing with your emotions even if it’s just letting yourself experience them, and the coming together of different personalities in a situation and world that applies varied (and unusual pressure) is captivating from start to finish, and it lets Perception Check hit home in spectacular fashion because for all the action and fantastical element, this is a an incredibly human and relatable story.
As you might have guessed, this was very much a character driven story – and what characters! Knight has taken all those elements, that emotional depth, and created a cast of diverse, well-realised characters. Violet is a fantastic POV character to be our gateway to this story, and this is where we see the characterisation at its best and most layered, because there is no shying away from her past trauma, or the struggle she has with finding normal, and the flaws and cracks around that. But, at the same time, she is so much more than that. She’s such a driven character in her own way, and so amazingly relatable, that you find yourself rooting for her right from the beginning even before Knight has fully pulled us into the story.
While Violet was the star of the show, the entire cast of characters has the same depth and emotional complexity, and Knight has a way of making you want to shout at some of them, even as you are drawn into their personalities and place in the world. It’s honestly hard to choose favourites, and even ones like Jackson who had me wanting to shake him at points are absolutely fantastic, because we get to see the different sides of these characters and find points to relate to. I adored Melandrich, but I think after Violet my favourite is probably Kai – even though he was also a character that took me a little while to warm to them.
The relationships in this book are just as beautifully done as the individual characters themselves, and it was that wonderful blend of a party coming together and nerdy friends hanging out together (with a healthy dose of the messiness that is real life, really bringing it to life). Violet may be our POV and protagonist, but this is really an ensemble effort – and it works brilliantly.
The worldbuilding was also brilliant, and for the most part sparing – in the sense that we had everything we needed, with the feeling that there was so much more to learn and uncover, which is one of my favourite feelings to get from worldbuilding. I also really enjoyed that we got to see both sides of this world, from their life on Earth, to the ins and outs (and food) of Velmyra – and I loved how you could see the influence of each world in the other, and I enjoyed the pop culture references and ended up snorting with laughter more than once (and appreciated that it felt very much like when you sit around the table or on discord and make real world comments and connections in a D&D game). As I said above though, Velmyra is very much its own world though, with lore and flavour, and magic and Knight does an excellent job of creating a thoroughly immersive experience in this world and leaving you wanting more!
The plot pulls the book along nicely, and while there is action and peril, the pacing is steadier, and I felt that really encapsulated that this is an adventure – a journey on more than one level. Which you also feel in how information is revealed, and I liked that there were breadcrumbs and hints that you could follow, adding that wonderful feeling of mystery and exploration. There were a couple of places where the exposition felt a little clunkier, but for the most part it felt very organic as the characters learned more about the world so did the reader. The writing itself is accessible and flowed really well, and one aspect I really appreciated was the careful balance between humour (and this book made me laugh as much as it made me feel) and emotional drama, and action.
Perception Check is absolutely the book for you if you love D&D and fantasy. It’s also fantastic if you’ve ever spent a rainy afternoon (I live in Scotland…these are more common than sunny ones) trying to imagine what it would be like to be dropped into a different world and into an adventure – it’s probably not as glamourous as we’d hope, and I loved that aspect of this book. Excellent characterisation and a fascinating world, but what stood out for me about this book was its heart and that has stuck with me since finishing it. ALSO, THE ENDING! I can’t wait for the next instalment in this series and look forward to seeing where Knight takes these characters and this world in the future.
“As obvious as a bunch of ren faire cosplayers on a city bus. And there’s no comic con excuse you guys can use.”
While you can see the TTRPG influence (particularly if you are a player yourself), it is only one element, and Perception Check does a fantastic job of using that element and turning it into a multi-faceted adventure and emotional journey – and that is why it works so well regardless of if you have that experience or not. The sheer heart of this story, the exploration of trauma, and dealing with your emotions even if it’s just letting yourself experience them, and the coming together of different personalities in a situation and world that applies varied (and unusual pressure) is captivating from start to finish, and it lets Perception Check hit home in spectacular fashion because for all the action and fantastical element, this is a an incredibly human and relatable story.
As you might have guessed, this was very much a character driven story – and what characters! Knight has taken all those elements, that emotional depth, and created a cast of diverse, well-realised characters. Violet is a fantastic POV character to be our gateway to this story, and this is where we see the characterisation at its best and most layered, because there is no shying away from her past trauma, or the struggle she has with finding normal, and the flaws and cracks around that. But, at the same time, she is so much more than that. She’s such a driven character in her own way, and so amazingly relatable, that you find yourself rooting for her right from the beginning even before Knight has fully pulled us into the story.
While Violet was the star of the show, the entire cast of characters has the same depth and emotional complexity, and Knight has a way of making you want to shout at some of them, even as you are drawn into their personalities and place in the world. It’s honestly hard to choose favourites, and even ones like Jackson who had me wanting to shake him at points are absolutely fantastic, because we get to see the different sides of these characters and find points to relate to. I adored Melandrich, but I think after Violet my favourite is probably Kai – even though he was also a character that took me a little while to warm to them.
The relationships in this book are just as beautifully done as the individual characters themselves, and it was that wonderful blend of a party coming together and nerdy friends hanging out together (with a healthy dose of the messiness that is real life, really bringing it to life). Violet may be our POV and protagonist, but this is really an ensemble effort – and it works brilliantly.
The worldbuilding was also brilliant, and for the most part sparing – in the sense that we had everything we needed, with the feeling that there was so much more to learn and uncover, which is one of my favourite feelings to get from worldbuilding. I also really enjoyed that we got to see both sides of this world, from their life on Earth, to the ins and outs (and food) of Velmyra – and I loved how you could see the influence of each world in the other, and I enjoyed the pop culture references and ended up snorting with laughter more than once (and appreciated that it felt very much like when you sit around the table or on discord and make real world comments and connections in a D&D game). As I said above though, Velmyra is very much its own world though, with lore and flavour, and magic and Knight does an excellent job of creating a thoroughly immersive experience in this world and leaving you wanting more!
The plot pulls the book along nicely, and while there is action and peril, the pacing is steadier, and I felt that really encapsulated that this is an adventure – a journey on more than one level. Which you also feel in how information is revealed, and I liked that there were breadcrumbs and hints that you could follow, adding that wonderful feeling of mystery and exploration. There were a couple of places where the exposition felt a little clunkier, but for the most part it felt very organic as the characters learned more about the world so did the reader. The writing itself is accessible and flowed really well, and one aspect I really appreciated was the careful balance between humour (and this book made me laugh as much as it made me feel) and emotional drama, and action.
Perception Check is absolutely the book for you if you love D&D and fantasy. It’s also fantastic if you’ve ever spent a rainy afternoon (I live in Scotland…these are more common than sunny ones) trying to imagine what it would be like to be dropped into a different world and into an adventure – it’s probably not as glamourous as we’d hope, and I loved that aspect of this book. Excellent characterisation and a fascinating world, but what stood out for me about this book was its heart and that has stuck with me since finishing it. ALSO, THE ENDING! I can’t wait for the next instalment in this series and look forward to seeing where Knight takes these characters and this world in the future.
January 26, 2023
Oh man, I was into this so much. And now I'm left with this ending and what am I supposed to do?!
Somehow, the "author/player gets sucked into their fictional world"-type of stories have found me recently, and I'm really not complaining because yay, this trope is an endless source of angst and suffering...I mean, FUN, haha! Anyway, I was immediately interested in this book when I heard it involves a TTRPG world, because I love and do peruse the hobby once in a while. Even though that element is not too deeply present in the book. Sure, the fantasy world is based on a roleplaying game world, but the mechanics and stuff don't appear too much (I guess, the magic does). It's only there very occasionally as little colorful additions and some nerdy comments here and there which are always entertaining if done in moderation, so I was alright with it.
What the book is, though, is a heartbreaking exploration of trauma and PTSD and a quest to save a loved one. It's dark, or at least it was for me; the real-life implications, emotions, and involvement always there in the background while the characters explored the magical world of Velmyra. It didn't mean I couldn't get immersed, it was just less of a fun adventure mostly, and more of a pressing, anxiety-inducing issue (even during whimsical fight scenes or while trying to flirt with an elf and stuff like that). The group of characters also each have their own wounds and troubles, and the voyage to save their friend brings the worst and occasionally the best out of them. Although the dynamics between Vi, Eddie, Jackson, and Adrian killed me, it was also masterfully done. I loved to suffer through their conversations, their "bumping into-pushing-pulling-cutting-tearing each other"-s. The characters were likeable in their own ways, and also each had loads of flaws, as real people do...somehow, I think I should have been annoyed by some of their conflicts, but I really wasn't, it was realistically done and (mostly) resolved (although, sequel stuff, of course).
I did like Melandrich, Kai, and Gren too, of course, they were more in the background, and only had a little time to shine, but I was happy they were present. My fave was unabashadly Adrian And my fave scene was definitely
I suppose some of the twists could be guessed (at least the fact that there will be a twist somewhere there) but it wasn't the point? The story was nicely told, the writing was interesting (even the fights! which is always a big thing for me, I don't usually like to read fights), the pacing is not too fast, but I never felt we were just lounging around. Okay, I was a bit hurt by the fact that we The ending was left nice and open though, full of new and old questions and fears and challenges. Truthfully, I'm very scared for Violet. :S
Oh, also, the crystal magic system was very cool. Hope (terrified?) that the rest of the Mages appear more in the sequel!
Needless to say, I'm here for the next book!!
Somehow, the "author/player gets sucked into their fictional world"-type of stories have found me recently, and I'm really not complaining because yay, this trope is an endless source of angst and suffering...I mean, FUN, haha! Anyway, I was immediately interested in this book when I heard it involves a TTRPG world, because I love and do peruse the hobby once in a while. Even though that element is not too deeply present in the book. Sure, the fantasy world is based on a roleplaying game world, but the mechanics and stuff don't appear too much (I guess, the magic does). It's only there very occasionally as little colorful additions and some nerdy comments here and there which are always entertaining if done in moderation, so I was alright with it.
What the book is, though, is a heartbreaking exploration of trauma and PTSD and a quest to save a loved one. It's dark, or at least it was for me; the real-life implications, emotions, and involvement always there in the background while the characters explored the magical world of Velmyra. It didn't mean I couldn't get immersed, it was just less of a fun adventure mostly, and more of a pressing, anxiety-inducing issue (even during whimsical fight scenes or while trying to flirt with an elf and stuff like that). The group of characters also each have their own wounds and troubles, and the voyage to save their friend brings the worst and occasionally the best out of them. Although the dynamics between Vi, Eddie, Jackson, and Adrian killed me, it was also masterfully done. I loved to suffer through their conversations, their "bumping into-pushing-pulling-cutting-tearing each other"-s. The characters were likeable in their own ways, and also each had loads of flaws, as real people do...somehow, I think I should have been annoyed by some of their conflicts, but I really wasn't, it was realistically done and (mostly) resolved (although, sequel stuff, of course).
I did like Melandrich, Kai, and Gren too, of course, they were more in the background, and only had a little time to shine, but I was happy they were present. My fave was unabashadly Adrian And my fave scene was definitely
I suppose some of the twists could be guessed (at least the fact that there will be a twist somewhere there) but it wasn't the point? The story was nicely told, the writing was interesting (even the fights! which is always a big thing for me, I don't usually like to read fights), the pacing is not too fast, but I never felt we were just lounging around. Okay, I was a bit hurt by the fact that we The ending was left nice and open though, full of new and old questions and fears and challenges. Truthfully, I'm very scared for Violet. :S
Oh, also, the crystal magic system was very cool. Hope (terrified?) that the rest of the Mages appear more in the sequel!
Needless to say, I'm here for the next book!!
June 12, 2022
Synopsis
Violet Spence’s life hasn’t been the same since she watched her best friend taken into another realm by demons. Ten years have passed and with a lot of therapy, video games and an obsession with the TTRPG Mages of Velmyra, she’s just about coping with the trauma.
Now she’s seeing demons again and stumbling into another realm. It turns out that Mages is actually very real, and her best friend is trapped there.
Review
Wear your reading glasses of true sight (+1 INT), grab your bookmark of literary mana (+1 WIS), and roll for initiative because we’re going to Velmyra! But is Astrid Knight’s portal fantasy adventure a natural 20 or a crit fail?
Found Familiar
I should state that I am a huge TTRPG nerd, so when I had the opportunity to read a D&D-inspired fantasy novel I wasn’t going to pass it up. That said, it’s important to state the obvious that this isn’t a D&D novel. What it is instead, is a capture of that round the table spirit you get from the very best RPG nights. That feeling of familiarity stayed throughout the book and Knight uses it well to keep the pace and tone of the story in line.
One of PC’s greatest strengths is its hook. What if your D&D game turned out to be real? Knight works that premise well and it’s a smart choice to pitch several non-spectacular characters into a world of swords and sorcery. The result is that this novel felt very much like a modern day The Lion, The Witch, and the Wardrobe but without being so terribly lovely and saccharinely twee as the TLTWW siblings found their excursion.
Further recognition has to go to the portrayal of a completely platonic friendship between Violet and Eddie. I loved to see two people who are soul mates but not having to have an obligatory scene where they jump into bed together. They unquestionably have each other’s backs. On top of this, the book’s handling of LGBTQ+ characters is also appropriately-handled. No tokenism here, just sound characters.
Magic Initiate
The magic system is solid too. Central character Violet finds that she’s rather adept at using Residuum, crystals of magic formed by the magics of the Velmyran mages - demi-gods who use their god-given powers to wreck havok across the lands. Sounds an awful lot like a warlock, no? Neat.
Violet’s absolute turnaround from a place of guilt and PTSD to accomplished magic user is delicately done and shows off the lore of Velmyra well. I have certain theories about the mages and how they relate to Vi but I won’t be spoiling anything in this review. That said, the book’s twist was very satisfying in that I had predicted it but was still suitably delivered. I always think it’s the sign of a strong writer when the reader can have some fun coming up with theories, especially seeing them pan out.
Taking 20
What moved me when reading Perception Check is the characters’ flaws having actual meaning. Nothing is simply swept under the carpet. Their various traumas matter to each other and to the story. Every major character strives to overcome their demons whether that’s through tackling their fears head on (Vi), accepting their limitations for the greater good of their friends (Eddie), accepting their purpose (Jackson) or striving for redemption (Adrian).
Each and every character grows in power and self-belief and it shows in the bouncing dynamic of their relationships. People’s decisions really matter and actions carry consequences whether that’s in terms of physical danger or fraying relationships. There’s real danger. Power received often comes with a heavy price that characters suffer for.
Multiclassing
Perception Check is, at the end of it all, a warm-hearted adventure that certainly feels like the homage to tabletop gaming it is trying to be. The characters all resonate, the world grows and grows with the help of a strong magic system and lore. It’s an accomplished debut from Knight and a saga I hope will be a critical success.
I won’t spoil anything but somebody is definitely rolling with advantage into the second book of the series …
Violet Spence’s life hasn’t been the same since she watched her best friend taken into another realm by demons. Ten years have passed and with a lot of therapy, video games and an obsession with the TTRPG Mages of Velmyra, she’s just about coping with the trauma.
Now she’s seeing demons again and stumbling into another realm. It turns out that Mages is actually very real, and her best friend is trapped there.
Review
Wear your reading glasses of true sight (+1 INT), grab your bookmark of literary mana (+1 WIS), and roll for initiative because we’re going to Velmyra! But is Astrid Knight’s portal fantasy adventure a natural 20 or a crit fail?
Found Familiar
I should state that I am a huge TTRPG nerd, so when I had the opportunity to read a D&D-inspired fantasy novel I wasn’t going to pass it up. That said, it’s important to state the obvious that this isn’t a D&D novel. What it is instead, is a capture of that round the table spirit you get from the very best RPG nights. That feeling of familiarity stayed throughout the book and Knight uses it well to keep the pace and tone of the story in line.
One of PC’s greatest strengths is its hook. What if your D&D game turned out to be real? Knight works that premise well and it’s a smart choice to pitch several non-spectacular characters into a world of swords and sorcery. The result is that this novel felt very much like a modern day The Lion, The Witch, and the Wardrobe but without being so terribly lovely and saccharinely twee as the TLTWW siblings found their excursion.
Further recognition has to go to the portrayal of a completely platonic friendship between Violet and Eddie. I loved to see two people who are soul mates but not having to have an obligatory scene where they jump into bed together. They unquestionably have each other’s backs. On top of this, the book’s handling of LGBTQ+ characters is also appropriately-handled. No tokenism here, just sound characters.
Magic Initiate
The magic system is solid too. Central character Violet finds that she’s rather adept at using Residuum, crystals of magic formed by the magics of the Velmyran mages - demi-gods who use their god-given powers to wreck havok across the lands. Sounds an awful lot like a warlock, no? Neat.
Violet’s absolute turnaround from a place of guilt and PTSD to accomplished magic user is delicately done and shows off the lore of Velmyra well. I have certain theories about the mages and how they relate to Vi but I won’t be spoiling anything in this review. That said, the book’s twist was very satisfying in that I had predicted it but was still suitably delivered. I always think it’s the sign of a strong writer when the reader can have some fun coming up with theories, especially seeing them pan out.
Taking 20
What moved me when reading Perception Check is the characters’ flaws having actual meaning. Nothing is simply swept under the carpet. Their various traumas matter to each other and to the story. Every major character strives to overcome their demons whether that’s through tackling their fears head on (Vi), accepting their limitations for the greater good of their friends (Eddie), accepting their purpose (Jackson) or striving for redemption (Adrian).
Each and every character grows in power and self-belief and it shows in the bouncing dynamic of their relationships. People’s decisions really matter and actions carry consequences whether that’s in terms of physical danger or fraying relationships. There’s real danger. Power received often comes with a heavy price that characters suffer for.
Multiclassing
Perception Check is, at the end of it all, a warm-hearted adventure that certainly feels like the homage to tabletop gaming it is trying to be. The characters all resonate, the world grows and grows with the help of a strong magic system and lore. It’s an accomplished debut from Knight and a saga I hope will be a critical success.
I won’t spoil anything but somebody is definitely rolling with advantage into the second book of the series …
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