Jester by Tim Carter is a rollicking good time. A underdog story that you can’t help but fall in love with. And most importantly, a story that surprises you.
Which shouldn’t have surprised me. Carter’s first novella Majordomo seemed like it was going to be a funny dnd-based fantasy and then it absolutely massacred my feels when it became so much more than that: a heartfelt story about a parent with dementia/alzheimers.
Jester doesn’t go to quite the same places emotionally, but it is an inspiring story of friendship, accepting others for who they are, and underdogs who just won’t quite.
Shelly is a goblin with the worst job ever: he’s a latrine slave who spends all of his time dealing with human refuse. It’s gross. However, it serves a purpose, because this is a story of Shelly’s ascent to one of the most important members of the Castle hierarchy, even if only he and a few others know his true role.
Shelly becomes embroiled in a murder mystery and the resulting politicking amongst the nobles, all while an undead horror, The Skeleton Queen and her massive army of the undead, approach.
There’s not much hope of surviving. How do you even kill the undead?
Well, Shelly and co have a plan. Several of them, actually. He has help from Buckingham, a vampire, Myrryn, a sorceress, Bettecia, a common born woman who is the lover of the new Duke, Alistair,and Rose, another goblin slave who Shelly crushes on. Shelly and co try to fight back against the looming evil all while trying to keep things from crumbling from the inside.
This is a short novel. Under 300 pages, but Carter has a way with characters and he uses his well-done prose and astute character development to tell the story in a way that you don’t need more pages. This isn’t a sprawling epic, but a deeply human (or goblin) story about overcoming prejudice and overwhelming odds through hard work and friendship.
There’s wit, moments of humor, and a cast of lovable characters, but this story is so much more than just a silly dnd book. Carter’s characters will live on with you after you’ve finished the book, and you’ll be wishing for more. So Tim, I need another book, please!
All in all, I highly recommend this novel and Tim’s other work. It’s perfect for fans of Nicholas Eames, Terry Pratchett, Dungeons and Dragons, and anyone who enjoys a good, fun story.
Do yourself a favor and check it out!
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