"The Frugal Wizard's Handbook for Surviving Medieval England" by Brandon Sanderson

The Frugal Wizard’s Handbook for Surviving Medieval England (June 27, 2023) by Brandon Sanderson.

   Steve Argyle, illustrator.

<This is a standalone novel.>

A man awakens in what appears to be medieval England with no inkling of who he is, where he came from or why he’s there. Experiences and people he encounters along the way trigger his hidden memories. While he isn’t the person Ulric Stromfin (cartel leader) is chasing, Runian (Sefawynn’s name for him; she’s a skop a.k.a. poet) has become a person of interest just by being in this particular dimension. As he gains his missing memories, Runian makes allies amongst the locals. Along with Sefawynn, there’s Ealston, the Little Father of Stenford (lesser than an earldom), and Thokk, a spry woman who looks to be 80. Gaining his memories and finding allies will be necessary for him to survive in this Anglo-Saxon-England-type dimension. This dimension also supposedly has some magic, not like the expensive augments Runian has (like plating in his forearms to ward off, say, a knife attack) or his medical nanites (which require him to eat carbon to keep them replenished), but actual magic. Skops have their boasts, and there are wights. Superstition has it that if a skop sees one directly, either the wight will die or the skop will. They can be helpful or mischievous and usually alone aren’t powerful. But together, can they do more? Like overcome invading Hordamen (Vikings with long, enviously well-groomed hair) and the god Woden?

            In the case of this novel, I didn’t judge it by its cover, but by its title. This adult fiction novel is part sci-fi and epic fantasy involving traveling to a different dimension from a futuristic Seattle. When Runian fully recalls his name and who he is, he remembers that he’s not a person who’s made great choices. In this dimension, he can be the hero. It’s eye-opening for him and entertaining for the readers. It’s not without fear of constantly having to defend your territory and those you care about and the hardship of living life without basic amenities, but Sanderson writes it as a constant adventure with high stakes, brilliant world-building, a fast-paced plot and defined characters. Prior to this story, I’d only read one of his middle-grade stories in advanced reader copy (ARC) form, but in reading this novel, I can see why Sanderson’s a prolific author. When reading this story, you might ask yourself, “All Right, WHY Can’t I Have a Dimension Full of Talking Bananas?” Five out of five stars.