This is the first book in a Paranormal/Sci-Fi/LitRPG series. There are a lot of books coming out in this style, but this one stands head and shoulders above the rest. Many of them are written for gamers, and the results read like a play-by-play announcer from a hockey game.

Mr. Feeley goes in the other direction. He takes first person point of view one step further, playing a self-conscious author who breaks the fourth wall and talks directly to the readers, making us aware of the games he is playing with our heads. What makes it all work is that Mr. Feeley knows his priorities. Novel first: characters, emotions, conflict, suspense. Then _— a long way down the list — paranormal and sci-fi in the background where they belong.

Rick, the main character, is a normal guy: likeable, charismatic…well, sort of a loser, but too capable to be in this sort of trouble. Rather suspicious… Many of the other players are portrayed in a stereotypical way, but we gradually realize the reason for that.

There is a general rule in Sci-Fi and Fantasy that you don’t mix genres, but somehow this author makes it work, having the paranormal features function like video game characters and the people like people. The world building does not contain creative physical setting, depending rather on the social, legal, and scientific background to support the plot.

There is less violence than you would expect from this sort of book, although we are treated to a few over-the-top fight scenes. The conflict is more strategy than action, like a chess game in which Rick is definitely a pawn. The main story arc is his growth from Plain Old Dad to Hero Dad.

There are a few plot glitches in the MS I was sent. You don’t drop to one knee to hug a sixteen-year-old. There was one page that appears twice, and some confusion whether he has to do one or three jobs to fulfill his legal responsibilities.

As Rick tells us, it’s not a “happily ever after” ending. But this first book has fulfilled its purpose; it has created a hero for the

rest of the series.

This story will appeal to a wide audience. It is unfortunate that the graphic language puts it into the PG-13 range of readers. Highly recommended. Five stars

This review was originally published on Reedsy Discovery.