In short this is a book that takes a sharp look at conflict – who benefits from war and how to make a business out of it whilst at the same time taking a good look at prejudice and the deliberate ‘turning of a blind eye’ to things that are blatantly and grossly unfair.

And yet, here I am about to sing its praises. Satires can be hit and miss after all, particularly if you’re not quite in the right sort of mood when you pick the book up, and I would say that I was in the wrong sort of mood when I started this so it certainly had its work cut out. To be totally frank, when I started Orconomics I really didn’t think it was going to work out for me at all. A very enjoyable read that surpassed my expectations. Upfront and the TL:DR version is 9.5 out of 10 for this book. Through a series of unfortunate choices and with the guiding hand of an insane goddess, Gorm inadvertently sets off a chain of events that will change his life-and the world-forever.Orconomics is my final review for this year’s SPFBO competition and it seems purely by chance I’ve saved what turned out to be my best for last. With one shot at redemption, Gorm must get his party of eccentric misfits to stop fighting each other long enough to recover a stolen treasure and stay one step ahead of the powerful organizations showing an unusual interest in their progress. When Gorm Ingerson, a disgraced and drunken Dwarven ex-hero with a checkered past, stands up for an undocumented Goblin, he is forced to accept a suicidal quest to save himself and his new friend from certain death. This works out well for everyone but the Shadowkin-Orcs, Goblins, Kobolds and the like-who must apply to become Noncombatant Paper Carriers (or NPCs) to avoid being killed and looted by heroes. After said slaying, the loot gets hauled back and divided among investors, banks, plunder funds, adventurers, and the Heroes' Guild. The adventuring industry drives the economy of Arth, where professional heroes are hired to risk their lives to slay fantastic creatures. Winner for Humor and Finalist for Fantasy in the 10th Annual National Indie Excellence Awards High Comedy Meets High Fantasy in an Award-Winning, Best Selling Satire

Orconomics book