Angst

Fantastic read!

I initially picked up this book because the author started following me on Twitter, and decided to pick it up and give it a try. I have been nothing but pleasantly surprised by the quality of the writing and enjoyability of the story. The characters are fantastically written and more believable than I've read in a long time. It's a really smooth read and I find that I've read for an hour when I intend ten minutes. If you like fun, flowing, enjoyable fantasy with a fantastic plot, then this is a book for you!

2 out of 2 people found this review helpful.

This is a must read for anyone who likes a good laugh with some twists.

I may not be 40 or going thru a midlife crisis however this was one of the best reads I have read in a long time. There were many characters and situtaions that I could relate to. Pedersen brings the book to life on the pages and keeps you wanting to read more. I can not wait to continue to read more of his writing.

1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.

Great book - for $.99 cann't be passed on.

This was a fun read! I am looking forward to getting the authors next book.

A review by Free Book Reviews

David J. Pedersen's debut novel, "Angst", is a wonderful journey through a magical world filled with wonders. The pages of Pedersen's book are filled with wonderful characters to love and hate as they bring joy or frustration to the reader. Pedersen has not only created a vast world bulging with all the elements fans of fantasy crave, but also brings a unique and enjoyable touch to the genre of speculative fiction. Pedersen seems to have taken a page from Kurt Vonnegut's rule book in working hard to make the reading easy. The 767 page novel passes quickly, even when plagued with the. Though geared for an older audience, "Angst" is well suited for fantasy readers of all ages.

Rare Fantasy Treat - Hoping for a Sequel.

Alright, here is the quick summary. Angst (yes, that's really his name) is an overweight paper filer for the kingdom of Unsel. He has control of magic but it's of limited use in a kingdom that has outlawed its use for 2,000 years. Oh yeah, he's also 40-something years old and in the midst of a mid-life crisis. Couple that fact with a disposition that compliments his name and you've got a great everyman character. A character that resonates with any guy who just knew he was destined for greatness but feels his moment has passed him by.

Angst is also something of a ladies' man or at least a shameless flirt. And what man doesn't fancy himself one of those? His wife Heather is the love of his life, but even she throws a dig or two at him about his flirting. His own friends are exasperated when it seems he's found another woman to charm. But when you're a larger than life personality like Angst, you are bound to make a fan or two in places you wouldn't expect. For Angst, that person is the young princess Victoria who our hero meets while ducking out of a particularly boring speech being delivered by the Queen herself.

Despite his flirting Angst is a one woman man and is fiercely protective of his friends. At a party in the castle his friend Rose (yes, another woman) is pursued a bit too aggressively by a knight. Angst does something that surprises everyone and sets in motion the adventure contained in the novel titled after its protagonist.

Some of what I really like about Angst was that it didn't get overly serious or dreary. There was humor. There was quasi-romance. There were reluctant heroes. And you can't discount the twists that you don't see coming. Maybe I've read the same authors too often and so I can predict their next moves but Angst surprised me time and again. I was so pleasantly surprised by what I was reading that I fought the urge on several times to call a friend of mine who reads fantasy and tell him to go buy Angst! Or hell, I'd buy it for him. Just read it! But he doesn't have an eReader and I don't know how I could convince him to read it on his computer.

Angst isn't a breath of fresh air, it's a whole gust. Its fantasy unlike anything I've read lately. If I absolutely had to compare it to another author's series I may compare it to Terry Brooks Landover series; although Angst is about a million times more likable then Ben Holiday. I also really liked the fact that the characters spoke in contemporary language. No, "wouldst thou bringeth me an ale?" I'm just outright running out of superlatives to describe this book. I guess the greatest compliment I can pay is that I'll definitely be buying the authors next book, unless he decides to write a book about dog walking. I'm also giving this book just my second 5 star review of the year. It was that good.

A MUST READ!! Brilliant Debut Fantasy Novel

Angst review on Goodreads:
As a lover of fantasy books I found Angst to be a refreshing change to the heavy, over thought out names and plots that many fantasy novels have resulting in the reader having to think so hard about pronunciation that you can loose track of the story. Angst's story is told in an entertaining and flowing style. Angst is an unlikely wannabe middle aged hero. He finds himself and a group of his friends on a perilous quest that turns into an enormous seemly impossible task. They face many dangers and new experiences on their journey. Although they are on a serious quest Angst has a quirky humour that entertains throughout the story. Angst and his companions constantly doubt there ability to succeed as the the enormity of what they have embarked on begins to over whelm them.
You can't help but fall for Angst flirty charms and wit. All the characters are wonderfully described and add a different quality to the story being told. The details of the story are very descriptive and make it easy for the reader to visualise the characters and scenes which adds to the intensity of the tale.
Angst left me hiding from my children and sitting up have the night so I could enjoy the story in peace lol. I couldn't read fast enough as I was desperate to find out what happens at the end but at the same time I didn't want the story to end. Additionally I think this is a story than can be enjoyed by all ages and you don't need to be a fantasy fanatic to enjoy it.
If you haven't already purchase a copy I promise you won't be disappointed. I'm waiting with bated breath for the next installment. Well done David for a fantastic absorbing debut novel, I hope there's many more to come :)

Everyone Needs a Little Angst

The title of this great book is also the name of its main character. Angst is a 40-something document filer. Not exactly a glorious or exciting profession. And not exactly what Angst had planned for his life. While attending a party at the palace, Angst sees a drunken knight man-handling his friend Rose and he takes a hold of a giant sword that no one has been able to move in centuries and uses it to defend her honor. That one act will send Angst on the adventure of his life.

In the city of Unsel, the use of magic is severely restricted. After hearing of some trouble on the countries borders, Queen Isabelle decides to send Angst on a mission to find out what is going on. In this supposed brilliant move, she thinks she is sending Angst on a mission whereby if he succeeds, he will be knighted with the big blue sword he pulled from the ground. And what 40-something year old man wouldn't want that???

Unfortunately, this mission proves more deadly than any of them ever imagined. Not just to Angst and his friends he chooses to accompany him on this journey, but to the city of Unsel itself. Can Angst be the hero he's always wanted to be and save his friends, his Queen, and his country? Or will the magical forces at work prove too difficult, even for a man wielding a giant magic sword?

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