Fool's Proof: A funny fantasy full of twists, adventure and unforgettable characters.

Eva Sandor

Sep 2020 · The Heart of Stone Adventures Book 1 · Huszar Books

About this ebook

Jester. Juggler. Joker. Jerk. Malfred Murd might be talented, but he’s undeniably abrasive— and he’s pushed the limits of humor right into a ditch.

Sacked from his cushy gig on the Royal island, Fred is left playing bootleg shows in dirtwater towns where crowds are scarce and meals are sparse. His only fan is an infuriatingly optimistic magpie who thinks he’s helping when he steals a bag full of shinies.

But the bag belongs to the ruler of a Tekologically advanced country that, just like Fred, is deep in Royal disfavor. And as our former funnyman blunders into that noble lady’s desperate plan to save her people, all three Hells break hilariously loose!

Enjoy laughter, danger and unforgettable characters galore in this “cleverly plotted, twisty novel with a gratifying conclusion” (the BookLife Prize).

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The inevitable comparisons to Terry Pratchett are accurate. —Andrew Shanahan, author of Before And After

A wonderful read for fans of the fantasy-comedy genre in the spirit of Monty Python or the gleeful musical television series Galavant... a colorful story of adventure, friendship and deception.—Sydney Rappis, Reedsy Discovery

A book and a writer to look out for. — Jim Webster, author of the Tallis Steelyard series

Ratings and reviews

My first thought of Fool's Proof was that if the story inside in any way matched the cover art, I was going to enjoy it immensely. I was not disappointed. Some familiar historical fantasy tropes provide a comfortable framework wherein the author weaves a very colorful tapestry of players, each one worthy of closer scrutiny as their lives and motivations intertwine in sometimes complex (but never confusing) ways. Sandor embroiders a rich and well-rounded world in very few stitches, delivering a lively tale that invites deeper thought but doesn’t demand it - a boon in these tumultuous times. I can read Fool’s Proof and enjoy a humorous escape, yet afterwards find myself thinking back to characters and their actions and the things left unsaid about them. In fact, my biggest criticism of the book is that it does not lag, even where I wish it would. I would gladly read three hundred pages more about any one of these characters or any place in the Fool’s Proof world, provided it was written with the same deft wit and curiosity. I would unhesitatingly recommend Eva Sandor’s book to anyone who has enjoyed Sir Terry Pratchett’s Discworld series.

About the author

Even as she was writing loving descriptions of applewood smoked bacon, luxury real estate and computer parts, advertising copywriter (and longtime illustrator) Eva Sandor had a feeling she would someday create a fictional world full of humor, speculation and joyous wordplay. Join her there and treat yourself to “funny fantasy that hides a serious soul”.

Eva is a graduate of Carnegie-Mellon University, where she learned to work and play hard in equal proportion, and of the University of Wisconsin-Madison, the perfect environment for her alternately wry and ridiculous sense of humor. She lives in the Chicago suburbs with her husband, their horse and a constant stream of creative projects.