The Dungeoneers by John David Anderson Review!

Title: The Dungeoneers
Series: Dungeoneers Series #1
Author: John David Anderson
Pages: 448
Published: June 23rd 2015
Publisher: Walden Pond Press
Source: Edelweiss

The Dungeoneers is an action-packed, funny, and heartbreaking middle grade fantasy-adventure from the author of the acclaimed Sidekicked and Minion, John David Anderson.
The world is not a fair place, and Colm Candorly knows it. While his parents and eight sisters seem content living on a lowly cobbler's earnings, Colm can't help but feel that everyone has the right to a more comfortable life. It's just a question of how far you're willing to go to get it.
In an effort to help make ends meet, Colm uses his natural gift for pickpocketing to pilfer a pile of gold from the richer residents of town, but his actions place him at the mercy of a mysterious man named Finn Argos, a gilded-toothed, smooth-tongued rogue who gives Colm a choice: he can be punished for his thievery, or he can become a member of Thwodin's Legions, a guild of dungeoneers who take what they want and live as they will. Colm soon finds himself part of a family of warriors, mages, and hunters, learning to work together in a quest to survive and, perhaps, to find a bit of treasure along the way.

My Thoughts:

This was a fun filled, action packed and intense read! 

I have to say that this was one of the best middle grade books I've read in a while. It has appeal for both younger and older people and hooked me from the start. I know my boys would love to read it and I have a copy ordered for them!

Colm is such a worthy hero. At the start he makes the decision to pickpocket some of the richer folks because he sees how hard his father works and how his mother and sisters do without, and he hates it. So when one of his sisters gets sick, he decides to take some money. This is his first time doing it and is surprised by how easy it is and in no time has an impressive stack of gold. But when his father finds out what he did, he goes crazy and says that he has to return it all and tell the magistrate and beg forgiveness. Colms' father heads out to the magistrate and returns with a mysterious man. Colm first thinks that he is going to go to prison but Finn Argos has a different proposal. He offers Colm a chance to become a Dungeoneer and train in Thwodin's Legions. Colm is afraid but at least he won't be thrown in prison. From the second he accepts the offer his life is changed forever!

Colm isn't the only awesome character. Lena, who is determined to be the fearful barbarian of the group, though she faints at the sight of blood, Quinn, the sorcerer, who stutters over his spells and causes weird things to happen unexpectedly and Serena, who can talk to animals as long as they aren't big scary ones!! These 3 become a part of Colms' Dungeoneer group and who fast become friends. Each and every character that the author has created were wonderful. 

The setting was another plus for the book. It's set in medieval times and the gang live in a castle type school. I always love a good school story and this had all the right elements. We have mages, dragons, ogres, and every other type of magical creature you can imagine! We have magic, mayhem and plenty of intense moments that will have you reading as fast as you can to see what happens! 

This is the first book I've read by this author, but it won't be my last! He has such a witty and fun way of writing that was additive. I started this book and finished it within 2 days, which is impressive for me with it being over 400 pages long! I just couldn't stop reading, and laughing!! 

In all this is a witty, fun, exciting new series and one I would recommend highly. I can't wait to see more from these amazing characters and impressive world that the author has created!