It was a pleasure to return to Sprikit’s world with this hilarious tale set in the heart of the Galzarian Empire.

The story is told from the point of view of three main characters: Rella (the clerk), Bek (the farmer) and the Monster Slayer, who does not want to tell his name!

The Slayer is hired in the Free Lands to, well, slay a monster causing some trouble, but he ends up in a Galzarian village causing a lot more havoc than he had anticipated – and ending up with a pile of paperwork to sort out to set things right in the orderly empire.

I loved the unique style of this tale as we flashback to the “incident” that brought these three characters, who are absolutely unsuited to work together, in the same room.

Seán O’Boyle’s sharp humour brings comedy to fantasy in his own unique way, without forgetting to dive deep into the human heart.

A great introduction to Sprikit’s world, if you haven’t read it yet and a lovely return to it if you did. Expect cameos!

Warning: uncontrollable bursts of laughter might disturb non-readers (I am sure there is a form and a fine for that in Galzar!)