The Frugal Wizard's Handbook is a funny tale with some more serious themes that are only explored at a surface level. I found that I enjoyed my time with this story - Sanderson's writing will always hold my attention - even if I didn't love the plot or the characters. I think the real shining point of this was the setting. Sanderson built an interesting world that I wish I could have gotten more of. The images and excerpts of the handbook between chapters was a fun touch as well.

Overall, I think this was a just fine read. The closest comparison I could make is a Blake Crouch novel but with much more humor. I would recommend this to readers who enjoy sci-fi/fantasy and a humorous tone, though I don't think this will be many people's favorite book.

This book has been a blast to read! If you're new to Sanderson's books and want a low-stake story to get into, I would highly recommend The Frugal Wizard's Handbook for Surviving Medieval England.
Thank you to the publishers and Netgalley for providing an advance copy of this title in exchange for honest feedback.

Let's do this! My breakdown on this different turn from Brandon Sanderson:

CHARACTERS-I couldn't get into them. There was something that just didn't work for me there. Though there were some funny moments, it felt like they were trying too hard (the rating system was fun, but the eye roll gag got old after being used too many times in a row.)

PLOT- after a thrilling opening, it subsided into ok, but then kinda boring. It did pick up towards the end. The end was what saved this from being an eh 2 star book for me.

OVERALL- It was only because this futuristic story was by Sanderson that I pushed past putting this down several times. This was just not for me, evidently, as some people loved it.

2023 is an experimental year for all books Sanderson. He’s trying something new this year with the staggered Secret Projects, and I am here for it. As a bookseller with a stupid large passion for the industry, it is really cool to see an author stick his fingers in the mould and say no, we’re going to do it differently. I love it.

And along those lines, The Frugal Wizard is no Stormlight-Archive-esque highly-detailed epic fantasy that Sanderson readers are accustomed to. Sanderson was having fun with this story, and you can tell. He wasn’t writing it for his normal audience, he was writing it with the intention of experimenting and trying something new for the simple pleasure of writing, and then decided to share it with the world.

However, if the reader goes into this expecting typical Sanderson, they’re going to be disappointed. So just bear that in mind and swallow that pill before opening this book, because it's good, it’s just not the usual meal.

The Frugal Wizard is an amnesiac multiverse/time-travel cop-chase science fiction neatly wrapped up in a fantasy blanket. The characters don’t take themselves too seriously, the plot is comfortably predictable, the world-building is kind of flat, but out of it you get this pleasantly unexpected adventure through medieval England as a cybernetically enhanced trouble-maker. And if that doesn’t sound like the giant dollop of fun that it is then I don’t know what does.

Thank you to the publishers and Netgalley for providing an advance copy of this title in exchange for honest feedback.

This such a fun and whimsical read. It is fast paced, fun, and pretty goofy with low(ish) stakes and interdimensional travel.

The story building was executed excellently, as we are learning along with the main character. I loved the excerpts from the Handbook after the chapters, which helped to fill in some information (or were just fun!). The characters felt a bit more lackluster than the world that they live in, but the story was filled with enough fun and surprising twists that it makes up for it. The plot to finding out who the main character actually is, together with the little pieces of his history in his memory, is the best part about this book.

It is very different for Sanderson, as it is not a serious element and probably isn't a good place to start with Sanderson's works. However, it makes for a fun and easy read if you're looking for a standalone story from Sanderson.

Unknown magics, medieval England, and an unlikely hero…. 4 stars. (I had to!)

This book was a lot of fun! It’s definitely not Sanderson’s usual fare but you can tell he had a great time writing it. It’s in the vein of Terry Pratchett and Douglas Adams so if you like adventure stories with goofy elements it’s perfect for you. It’s a fast and amusing book, not too many stakes and an interesting take on interdimensional travel.

I’m a sucker for in-world books and the titular Frugal Wizards Guide and FAQs are so hilariously silly, and I loved the little breaks in narrative to understand the greater story at play. Don’t expect Cosmere levels of world building and intricate plot, this is a fun sci-fi romp and should be read with that in mind. Steve Argyle’s art also adds a fun aspect to the book and makes the whole story very unique!

I liked this much more than I thought I would. It was such a fun time, I thought the world building was excellent and the storyline was well executed. My first time reading anything by this author and it was very good.

Thank you Netgalley and Publisher for this advanced copy.

I wasn't pretty sure about this book. It was my least anticipated novel in the secret project. But, it was a refreshing one. I loved it. But, not as much as I loved cosmere books. It was okay and entertaining.

Overall if you compared this to the cosmere books, or even SA books, you will be disappointed, but if you wanted some refreshment, The Frugal Wizard's Handbook for Surviving Medieval England was a great choice with unique concept.

The premise is fun and some of the jokes are fun but I felt like he was trying to give a Douglas Adams vibe that just completely missed the mark. Douglas Adams is a witty high-level tongue-in-cheek sort with top-notch prose, and Sanderson just… isn’t. Stopped at 22%. This is book 2 of his top secret four book Kickstarter campaign, which I didn’t realize.

Thank you to NetGalley and Tor for the ARC.

This was a fun read. I don't know much about Brandon Sanderson, but I know that Mistborn has been on my TBR for sometime. However, I think that Misborn must be a different sort of book that The Frugal Wizards Handbook for Surviving Medieval England. Having said that, I would recommend this book to anyone who wants to read it. It is a really fun read as we watch how the protagonist figured out the world around him.

Thanks so much to the publisher and Netgalley for providing me with this e-Arc! I have a planned review of this on my Instagram and will also review on Goodreads once I get to this read. This is one of my most anticipated reads of this year! Until then, I am giving a star rating as a placeholder on Netgalley. Stay tuned for my in depth review on all my social media platforms!

Brandon Sanderson's THE FRUGAL WIZARD'S HANDBOOK FOR SURVIVING MEDIEVAL ENGLAND is an action-packed science fiction-adjacent ride that, ultimately, is lackluster compared to the author's other work. The premise is strange and undermines what I thought the book was about based on the title (my feeling is that someone liked the title and decided to use it, regardless of whether it fit the story or not). And while the story moves with Sanderson's typical good pacing towards a satisfying conclusion, I found the main character annoying, and the humor fell flat for me. Perhaps most problematic is that the ARC was simply terrible - the formatting was atrocious, which meant I couldn't enjoy the artwork and non-flowable text.

This relatively short novel from Sanderson is one of his 'secret project' stories, written during the Covid pandemic. As usual, Sanderson has a long timeline of what the books are that he is working on and when they will come out. This was big news last year - and interesting as the novels do not fall into the 'known' set.

"Frugal", by his word, is an anomaly even in this set, as it is mostly Sci-Fi and does not fall into the overall Cosmere. Furthermore, it is written in first person - and thus perhaps the most interesting of the bunch.

Story: The protagonist wakes up in a medieval world with no prior knowledge of himself or how he got there, in the beginning only carrying a few pages of the Frugal Wizard's Handbook - a book that feels more like an advertisement rather than an actual guidebook. As the story unfolds, there is a twist/reveal that packs the punch of the story.

The concept of the book feels like a curious variant of the anime "isekai" trope - a (theoretical) power fantasy just without a death and rebirth into the other world. The memory loss works great here to provide the necessary exposition as do the delightful excerpts from the titular guide book. The main story, and the characters, are perhaps a bit less interesting than the world building, and I've never really liked an alternate history style setting. Still, the beginning is very strong with genuinely surprising twists, as the story moves on it eventually becomes fairly predictable.

As a shorter story, this only takes a few hours to read and feels more like a novella, which honestly is the perfect length.

I enjoyed the book quite a bit, especially the world building which is fascinating (though unfortunately it cannot be discussed without spoilers). For Sanderson fans, this is likely a given, though it is not tied to any of his other books. For new readers - this is a true standalone and thus perfect for an entry. Reviewed from an advance reader copy provided by the publisher.

Brandon Sanderson's "The Frugal Wizard's Handbook for Surviving Medieval England" takes readers on a thrilling journey through time, blending elements of mystery, fantasy, and historical fiction. With a compelling premise and a captivating exploration of identity, this novel offers an intriguing reading experience.

The story opens with a man awakening in a clearing, finding himself stranded in what appears to be medieval England. Plagued by amnesia, he must navigate the treacherous landscape while being pursued by a group from his own time. With his survival hanging by a thread, his only hope lies in piecing together his lost memories, forging alliances with the locals, and delving into the world of superstition and folklore.

One of the highlights of this book is the intricate puzzle of the protagonist's identity. As readers follow the main character's journey to rediscover his past, they are drawn into the enigma alongside him. Sanderson skillfully weaves clues and fragments of memories, enticing readers to piece them together and uncover the truth. This aspect of the narrative creates an engaging reading experience, fueling the desire to unravel the mystery.

"The Frugal Wizard's Handbook for Surviving Medieval England" also excels in its portrayal of different belief systems and the lore surrounding the gods. Sanderson's attention to detail and world-building prowess shine through, as he incorporates various mythologies and superstitions into the story. The exploration of different belief systems adds depth to the narrative and contributes to the rich tapestry of the medieval setting.

While the book keeps readers engaged with its intriguing premise and well-crafted world, the pacing occasionally falters. Some sections may feel slower compared to others, impacting the overall flow of the story. However, the strengths of the narrative and the compelling nature of the protagonist's journey overshadow this minor setback.

In conclusion, "The Frugal Wizard's Handbook for Surviving Medieval England" is an enjoyable read for fans of mystery, fantasy, and historical fiction. Brandon Sanderson's ability to create intricate puzzles and immersive worlds is on full display in this novel. With its exploration of identity, captivating mystery, and well-developed lore, it offers a unique reading experience.

I personally rated this book four stars, as I thoroughly enjoyed the challenge of unraveling the main character's past while they themselves were struggling to remember. The representation of different belief systems and the intricate lore surrounding the gods added an extra layer of depth to the story, further enhancing my reading experience.

Disclaimer: I would like to express my appreciation to the publisher and NetGalley for providing me with an advance copy of "The Frugal Wizard's Handbook for Surviving Medieval England."

I gave 3 stars to The Frugal Wizard's Handbook for Surviving Medieval England by Brandon Sanderson

A man awakes in a clearing in what appears to be medieval England with no memory of who he is, where he came from, or why he is there. Chased by a group from his own time, his sole hope for survival lies in regaining his missing memories, making allies among the locals, and perhaps even trusting in their superstitious boasts. His only help from the “real world” should have been a guidebook entitled The Frugal Wizard’s Handbook for Surviving Medieval England, except his copy exploded during transit. The few fragments he managed to save provide clues to his situation, but can he figure them out in time to survive?

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I like reading fantasy books and this was an okay read. It was very quick with shorter chapters and FAQ in between. I was not a big fan of the writing style, can't really pinpoint it, but it felt like the author tried a bit too much to be witty.

I am sure many people are going to love this book. For me, it was an okay read, nothing more, nothing less.

This book comes out 27 June.

Thank you, Net Galley and Tor Publishing Group for the ARC in exchange for my honest review.

Thank you to NetGalley, Tor, and most especially Brandon Sanderson for this eARC of The Frugal Wizards Handbook for Surviving Medieval England.

Of all the Secret Projects Mr. Sanderson is publishing this year, this is the title I was most anxious about - a seemingly middle grade, non-cosmere work with a silliness rivalling the Alcatraz series. While I enjoy Mr. Sanderson's middle grade works (the Steelheart series especially), they're not nearly up to bar with his adult novels, nor is the humor quite in line with my own - not to mention a non-Cosmere book could never slake my thirst for more Cosmere lore. So while I expected to enjoy the novel, my expectations were generally low.

Thankfully, I was in for a surprise. In classic Brandon Sanderson fashion, The Frugal Wizard's Handbook for Surviving Medieval England made considerable use of over-wrought tropes, only to subvert each and every one along the way - though it never felt forced or trite. The worldbuilding is solid, but reads far more as an author writing purely for the play and the joy of a wacky idea and far less with an audience in mind. Honestly, while I generally prefer his other works, this lighthearted and rambunctious tale provided a welcome insight into Mr. Sanderson's inner world and it was refreshing to read something he wrote unconstrained by sales, the market, or fan expectations.

If you enjoy a lark and are open to something a little different, give this one a read. It's quick and a lot of fun. If you're expecting classic Sanderson, you may want to look elsewhere.

3/5

I'm surprised to be giving less than five stars to Sanderson but he just turn a very typical story from the 00's into a book, and he even used clichés and conversations very frequent on these movies. It was entertaining, but probably the worst of his books.

This was a very strange book. It was unlike most anything I had read before because it shared similar themes to many other books I'd read and enjoyed, such as time travel, science fiction, and magic, but it was the strange way in which they were combined that made it so unusual. I don't want to give any spoilers, so I'll simply say that the main character was not your typical protagonist; he started that way but as he regained his memory, he realized just how terrible he truly was. I enjoyed the historic elements. Science fiction fans who have an interest in Anglo-Saxon England would appreciate this book.

The Frugal Wizard’s Handbook for Surviving Medieval England
By Brandon Sanderson

Disclaimer: the images in the book went all wonky, so there were sections I couldn’t read very well since it broke the text up strangely as well.

That being said, this was my first Sanderson! I know it’s not his usual kind of writing, but it was neat to see his style and a taste of his characters. And it’s made me excited to get into his series! (Probably next year)

I enjoyed the story and the characters. There was one… quirk of the main character that was mostly just annoying but I see why it was added. Overall, it was a fun story that made decent use of the amnesia trope.

Thanks to @netgalley for the arc in exchange for an honest review.