Synopsis
Sir Dashing Junior was only knighted because they couldn’t knight his father twice. Now he’s determined to prove he’s worthy of his new title.
With an aspiring ranger, an awkward friar, and a book-loving orc, DJ will venture across the territory of Uh to reach the Amulet of the Goddess, proving that he’s truly worthy of knighthood.
Along the way, he and his companions will encounter a cursed author, a violent noodle cult, democratic goblins, and a whole lot more.
It’s a journey fraught with danger and discovery, and the territory is rich with monsters and magic, so is DJ’s quest for respect really worth the cost?
Review
I first started with Aaron Hall’s poetry books before I picked up his fantasy novel. His humor is continuous throughout all his works, which is especially true in this novel. It’s been a while since I’ve read a YA book, and I really enjoyed the lightheartedness of the story and the dark moments that were like a splash of cold water while reading. There were tons of Lord of the Rings, Monty Python, Adventure Time (the cover gives off that look), and classic adventure vibes wrapped up in The Legend of Uh that had a refreshingness to them at the same time.
Hall mixes together a cast of unlikely adventurers and sends them off into a fun and dangerous world that flows like a video game at times, with sidequests, coin collecting, and plenty of memorable side characters. I enjoyed all of the main characters and their growth throughout the story. And who couldn’t love the timely placed waffle wizard? A true icon and a fun way to incorporate healing items.
There were moments where the pacing felt a little rushed, and the book could have benefited from some scene breaks in places where the story kind of just ran into itself. There were moments, too, where things got wrapped up a little too nicely, but that’s often the nature of YA stories, and this is one that doesn’t take itself too seriously.
Despite the jovial tone of the book, there are some moments where DJ and the gang are placed in real peril. They experience physical pain, near-death experiences, and other hazards. These moments weren’t overdone and helped to balance out the silly and fun moments with real-life consequences of adventuring.
The ending was especially sweet with DJ and his father growing closer in the relationship, and I did tear up a bit. I could feel some of the author’s relationship with his own father reflected in the book, especially at the end.
While I was reading this book, I was reminded of a quote from Parks and Rec that perfectly sums up this book for me:
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