Sanibel
Brandon Sanderson’s The Frugal Wizard’s Handbook for Surviving Medieval England is an isekai story with a clever twist: a handbook designed for time travelers trying to survive (and maybe thrive) in medieval England. While the premise is intriguing and the book shows flashes of brilliance, it ultimately doesn’t deliver on its promise.
As a fan of isekai stories, I appreciated the concept and the nods to irreverent classics like The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy by Douglas Adams and Bring Me the Head of Prince Charming by Roger Zelazny and Robert Sheckley. Much like those works, Sanderson infuses his tale with whimsy, sharp commentary on human nature, and a guidebook that serves as a constant source of humor and charm. The extracts from the titular handbook are a highlight—quirky, clever, and full of personality, they stand out as the most memorable aspect of the book.
Unfortunately, the rest of the narrative doesn’t hold up as well. Despite the promising start, the story quickly loses momentum. The plot, while functional, feels flat, and the characters don’t leave a lasting impression. There’s nothing glaringly wrong, but there’s also nothing gripping about the journey. It’s as if the book drifts into the realm of mediocrity, lacking the spark to make it truly engaging. Personally, I found myself stuck in a bit of a reading slump because of it, unable to pinpoint exactly why the story failed to connect.
That said, the artwork deserves special mention. The illustrations throughout the book are beautifully done, adding an extra layer of enjoyment to the reading experience. They help bring the world and the handbook to life in a way that the prose sometimes struggles to achieve.
In the end, The Frugal Wizard’s Handbook is an amusing diversion that never quite finds its footing. For fans of humorous sci-fi and fantasy, it’s worth a look for the handbook extracts and the artwork alone—but don’t expect a story as gripping or polished as Sanderson’s best works.
Brandon Sanderson’s The Frugal Wizard’s Handbook for Surviving Medieval England is an isekai story with a clever twist: a handbook designed for time travelers trying to survive (and maybe thrive) in medieval England. While the premise is intriguing and the book shows flashes of brilliance, it ultimately doesn’t deliver on its promise.
As a fan of isekai stories, I appreciated the concept and the nods to irreverent classics like The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy by Douglas Adams and Bring Me the Head of Prince Charming by Roger Zelazny and Robert Sheckley. Much like those works, Sanderson infuses his tale with whimsy, sharp commentary on human nature, and a guidebook that serves as a constant source of humor and charm. The extracts from the titular handbook are a highlight—quirky, clever, and full of personality, they stand out as the most memorable aspect of the book.
Unfortunately, the rest of the narrative doesn’t hold up as well. Despite the promising start, the story quickly loses momentum. The plot, while functional, feels flat, and the characters don’t leave a lasting impression. There’s nothing glaringly wrong, but there’s also nothing gripping about the journey. It’s as if the book drifts into the realm of mediocrity, lacking the spark to make it truly engaging. Personally, I found myself stuck in a bit of a reading slump because of it, unable to pinpoint exactly why the story failed to connect.
That said, the artwork deserves special mention. The illustrations throughout the book are beautifully done, adding an extra layer of enjoyment to the reading experience. They help bring the world and the handbook to life in a way that the prose sometimes struggles to achieve.
In the end, The Frugal Wizard’s Handbook is an amusing diversion that never quite finds its footing. For fans of humorous sci-fi and fantasy, it’s worth a look for the handbook extracts and the artwork alone—but don’t expect a story as gripping or polished as Sanderson’s best works.