Review: I Overlord (Tower Lords Book 1)

While out walking his dog, Jerry is mistakenly summoned to a magical world, where he accidentally wins a duel to the death, and is made leader of a small village. Now he has to find a way to adjust to his new abilities, save as many people as he can, and if there's time maybe rewrite the entire political system of the whole world.

The story

Sometimes life is too easy and we get bored. Jerry Barrett, bachelor, computer programmer, new dog owner, has that very problem. Or he had that problem. While taking the dog out for a walk, a portal opens, sucking him (and his little dog, too) into another world. Unfortunately for everyone, the mage that summoned him was trying to call up a soulless daemon warrior, and got Jerry instead. After accidentally killing the mage with his own magic, Jerry is in charge of the surrounding village and he’s definitely not bored anymore. 

Arriving at the same moment as a cataclysmic event that’s unraveling the societal structure of the entire world, Jerry has much to learn and not much time to learn it. About the time he realizes that he’s not on Earth anymore, he finds he has to deal with local and national politics, the fact that his dog talks and only he can understand him, and figure out what it means to be an entropy mage. Good thing his smartphone just became sentient through the power of a magic crystal and makes a deal to help him level up. 

Something has gone haywire with the magic of the world. Now every summoner who tries to call up a daemon gets a human like Jerry. Except, unlike Jerry not all of them are as fortunate in where they land, or as good-natured. 

The characters

• Jerry Barrett: A computer programmer who upon arrival is designated leader of a small town, Kasgrad, that’s about to fall under siege 

• Rufus: Jerry’s puppy who acquires the ability to talk

• Harran: One of the village leaders, a hunter, and Jerry’s guide to his new world

• Cytha: The previous lord of the tower’s housekeeper with untapped magical potential of her own

• Tim: An aspiring Marine and something of a psychopath, who sees potential in his new situation

• The Crystal: A magical being that seeks to modify things, it can only fulfil its purpose through a mage, and it can only communicate through Jerry’s smartphone

The world

Komar is a world filled with humans, hobgoblins, and daemons. Like most fantasy worlds, it’s vaguely medieval. Thanks to the influence of the Crystal in combination with his means of arrival, Jerry’s perception of the world is like living in an RPG with stats and quests appearing to him.

The politics

Mages and priests of Light and Dark gods are the political leaders, while kings function more as governors. As long as the priests are in charge people can be killed for rejecting the gods. These gods have been warring for 30 years when Jerry arrives, and two months earlier nine kings led an army against shaman lords. When the priests’ armies are destroyed in a mysterious (nuclear) explosion, the people question their authority and revolt, sending the world into chaos.

Content warning

Some of the battles are a little gruesome, with smashed skulls and impaled fighters. Along the way there’s some colorful language, but nothing is too graphic or excessive.

Who is it for?

Anyone who likes the intricacies of Brandon Sanderson’s magic systems and Douglas Adams’ irreverent approach to genre will feel right at home here. The world building gets a little involved, so if you aren’t terribly interested in the former, the influence of the latter won’t be enough to keep you. Overall, I Overlord is for anyone more interested in RPGs and a chuckle than political theory and nihilism.

Why read it?

The high fantasy genre has taken itself too seriously for too long. We need stories with good-hearted people who aren’t constantly crushed by evil. With some cinematic descriptions, a healthy sense of humor, and positive outlook, I Overlord is worth the effort it takes learn the ins and outs of its world.