Fruits of the Gods – Qing’s Quest
Maybe I’ve just grown as a reader since starting this project, but I’ve found two more completely different novels I’d like to see more from. Both have youthful MCs trapped in a dangerous world.
(from Before We Go Blog)
122. William C Tracy, Fruits of the Gods
Two slave girls find a box while digging a grave. Maybe it could be the key to their freedom if they can get back to the holy site to retrieve it.
This reminds me somewhat of Lewis’s Till We Have Faces, with the small ancient kingdom, ruler, slaves, marriages, offspring and religious idolatry. Here, of course, the magic is real.
I found the prose competent. The focus on story, but does a fine job of weaving a sense of place into the narrative. The result is an absorbing opening full of tension and a refreshing sense of wonder for me.
The characters are in motion. We begin to know them through their fears, their weakness, but their desire for something more, whatever they may be. Their life has not been kind to them.
I found this point somewhat heavy-handed in its presentation with melodramatic backhanding from the king on top of the whipping on top of a reference to past mutilation. The overall dramatic impression is nonetheless totally compelling.
Tho I struggled at first to understand who were the subjects of the opening sentences, the narrative quickly settles into itself with a clear focus and compelling problem.
That our MCs choose to risk this maybe-treasure instead of being forced to it as a last resort is, I think, my favorite piece of this opening. It could be a desperate but damning choice. We’ll see.
I would like to spend more time in this world of sacred trees, the leaves of which give incredible divine power. It is bleak, for now, but somehow effortlessly interesting. What detail. What pace. I’m in.
https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/44438144-fruits-of-the-gods
122) Henrik Saetre, Qing’s Quest 1
A LitRPG where a boy who likes to game goes to sleep and wakes up fighting zombies in his pajamas.
There’s a template that so many of these litRPGs follow that it surpasses cliché. For better or worse, this follows the trend. But, candidly, I found myself enjoying this typical litRPG opening.
This genre comes to us from Japanese Isekais. Although this is playing in the sub genre of gamified mmorpg fantasy world, I felt the tone of this opening learned pleasingly on its anime influences rather than the game influences.
Sure, coins appear by slain victims and a screen pops up that our MC can’t look away from, but the narrative wasn’t in such a rush to get to those moments. It takes some time to ground us in the bewildered experience of our young MC.
I found this humorous without it being ridiculous (beyond the proven conceit). Imagining it as an anime with all the flailing, dramatic action and high pitch screams really carried the fun for me without the text seeming like absurdist schlock.
The MC is sincerely terrified. He does not think this is cool. The narration sticks with his experience. The prose is clear and relates the action with enthusiasm. The MC has a distinct voice. This simply does a lot right and is fun to read.
The fact that our MC isn’t just a blank slate, but has a small family with its own tragedies and difficulties makes him feel more like a real person that can root for. I find myself wondering, jeez, what the heck is this kid gonna do?
He’s already been badly hurt. A healing potion? Yeah, that does sound like it would be nice. Where can I get one of those – uck.
I love manga and anime, and I find this fits right in alongside things I have enjoyed before. I think if you handed me this book when I was 13 I never would have put it or the series down. I’m defenseless. I’m in!
https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/205720051-qing-s-quest-1
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Tom Mock 
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