Fantasy author Brandon Sanderson, known for his epic worlds and intricate magic systems, surprised fans in March 2022 by announcing five secret books. These “Secret Projects” were launched via Kickstarter, becoming the platform’s most funded campaign ever. As a dedicated Sanderson reader, I eagerly backed this project to receive deluxe editions. Before the physical books arrive, digital copies are released quarterly, allowing global fans to experience these stories simultaneously.
Having enjoyed the previous Secret Project releases, I was particularly excited for the second installment of April.
Alt text: Cover art for Brandon Sanderson’s Secret Project 2, The Frugal Wizard’s Handbook for Surviving Medieval England, featuring a whimsical fantasy illustration.
The title, The Frugal Wizard’s Handbook for Surviving Medieval England, immediately brought to mind Douglas Adams’ The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy. This promised a blend of fantasy, sci-fi, and humor, a crazy adventure through time and magic. My anticipation was high to see Sanderson’s take on this genre-bending concept.
Brandon Sanderson – The Frugal Wizard’s Handbook for Surviving Medieval England ★★★
Genre: Fantasy/Sci-Fi
The premise is simple yet intriguing: a man wakes up in medieval England with amnesia. Hunted by mysterious figures from his own time, his only hope lies in recovering his lost memories and navigating this unfamiliar world. His supposed lifeline is The Frugal Wizard’s Handbook for Surviving Medieval England, but unfortunately, his copy was destroyed in transit. Scraps of the handbook offer cryptic clues, pushing him to decipher them quickly to survive.
My initial reaction to the official cover was lukewarm. While not drastically different from the placeholder, it felt somewhat unpolished, especially after the stunning cover of the previous Secret Project. However, judging by the e-book, the interior illustrations maintain Sanderson’s high standard of quality. I’ll reserve final judgment on the cover’s physical appearance until I hold the deluxe edition.
But the real question is: how is the story? True to its title, The Frugal Wizard’s Handbook for Surviving Medieval England delivers a fun, lighthearted, and often absurd adventure with impressive worldbuilding at its core.
While the storyline entertained, it felt somewhat rushed. The book’s brevity prevented a more impactful conclusion for several introduced elements. Additionally, I struggled to deeply connect with the characters, which made some plot developments feel less resonant than they could have been.
However, Sanderson’s writing style in this book is noticeably unrestrained and playful. It’s evident he enjoyed writing this story, a feeling that permeates the narrative through its abundant humor. The humor, while occasionally leaning towards the juvenile, generally landed well and strongly echoed the quirky absurdity of The Hitchhiker’s Guide.
Once again, Sanderson’s worldbuilding shines. In The Frugal Wizard’s Handbook for Surviving Medieval England, he doesn’t just create one fascinating universe, but two! Both are distinct and captivating, leaving me wanting to explore more stories within them.
The book cleverly unveils one of these worlds through alternating chapters. The main narrative is interspersed with excerpts from the titular handbook, a technique reminiscent of Hitchhiker’s Guide. This approach efficiently introduces world details without resorting to clunky info dumps. Cartoonish, comic-book-style illustrations accompany these handbook excerpts, enhancing their digestibility, although their direct relevance to the text wasn’t always immediately clear.
In conclusion, The Frugal Wizard’s Handbook for Surviving Medieval England might not become my absolute favorite Sanderson novel, but it was a thoroughly enjoyable read. It’s a breezy, unique, and humorous story – sometimes, that’s precisely what you need. If you are looking for a lighthearted fantasy adventure with a touch of sci-fi silliness and signature Sanderson worldbuilding, this book is worth picking up.
