Book One - A Fantasy Hardboiled, Ratcatchers

Loved your book Priest and about to start reading thief. I was confused on a few places were heden could have easily changed the outcome but was need to progress story. In future might want to think about things like why heden didn't ward the green night who came to there rescue right away. Seams like a rookie mistake for him. Anyway love your YouTube videos more and watch everyone. Keep up the great work. And I will give my 2 cents after finished reading thief.

I bought the kindle edition based on the recommendation of the author and I found myself unable to put it down until closing. This book is part of a series and does a great job of introducing the world and main characters.

If you are looking for a book with a happy ending though look elsewhere, this book sets up for future entries and as such leaves characters in a broken state but it is the story that needed to be told. And the pieces get picked up in the sequel.

Can't wait for more!

I grabbed this book after watching almost all of Matt Colville's YouTube videos. He kept mentioning the books and the link in the dooblity-doo. I needed a book to read, and figured I should give it a shot since I enjoyed his videos so much. Man, what a great book. So happy I took the chance. And Thief is even better. I can't wait for the 3rd book!

Gripping and fantastic, it's a hard boiled detective novel set in an amazing fantasy setting--so hard to put down! The characters and dialogue are top notch.

Once I finished with the first novel I immediately jumped into the sequel.

I would have EASILY paid more for this on Kindle, I enjoyed it that much.

Being a fan and avid follower of yours on YouTube, I thought this would be a kind of meeting your hero and being let down by reality. I was proven so wrong. I haven't read a book for pleasure in years, I read this book ravenously. Less than 24 hours, with breaks for sleep and university. The story of Heden, which I had been prefaced with from one of your videos was able to give me aha moments, tying the words son eater in my mind. Thank you, it was the utmost pleasure reading your work!

This is a book where the author assumes the reader is intelligent, and I eat that up. Matt, you have a great grasp on what drives human beings to do the things that they do. As a veteran with PTSD, I can tell you definitely did your research on what was going on in Heden's mind, and why.

This book has literally changed how I view myself. There is a very deep understanding of humanity and pain displayed on the pages of Matthew Colville's first 'Ratcatchers' novel, and it is quite literally my favorite book of all time now.

Like all truly simple stories, this work drives the reader through a thoroughly complex tapestry of grief, hardship, suffering, and many other challenges, so that when you get to the conclusion, you feel as though it meant something. Job well done, Sir.
I had to give a high rating. I have read a lot of books in my time, and this one belongs on the shelf where you put the good ones.

The writing style is a little stunted at points, but overall it's an amazing story. It channels all the fun of a campaign but in a more cohesive and singular experience.

Heden's experience being influenced by soldiers coming back from war makes this fantasy novel apply to psychological impacts that people in the real world experience. Matt Colville's philosophy in his writing is admirable and his voice in his writing is a real pleasure to read.

Priest is an outstanding foray into published authorship by Matthew Colville.

The editing is not perfect, but lovers of medieval fantasy will find themselves profoundly affected by Colville's unique world and deeply resonating characters.

Heden is a particularly moving hero with whom we feel the spectrum of despair and hope: the incredible and pervasive darkness of the world is contrasted with a pinhole light that keeps him living and fighting, even when death seems a preferable escape.

I stumbled across Matt via his sub-reddit and YouTube series (which are both required content for RPG Players). I discovered that Mr. Colville and I share many common literary influences in the likes of Donaldson, Howard, Herbert and Moorcock, so I knew I would have to give his work a look. When I received a Kindle for Christmas, this was my very first purchase. "Priest" is fast-paced, engaging and the end hit me like an emotional freight train. What is left of a man whose duty has destroyed him? Find out. Read this book.

I bought this to support Matt and his online efforts and ended up enjoying the hell out of the book. The characters are great and the story is not what you would expect. I am not a fan of noir so initially had to get my head around a noir fantasy story and ended up a fan.

This is an adventure investigation from the point of view of a cleric (DnD). Mr Colville has written in a fast paced style that makes it really hard to put down, I just kept wanting to follow the story to the next page and the best part is that the action always continued on the next page ( no filler chapters introducing a character that won't be relevant till the end of the book). I thoroughly enjoyed it and am purchasing the next book once I submit this review.

Absolutely devoured this book. One thing I'm big on is not having too much exposition in fantasy books that have a big world. I get the desire to explain everything but it's unnecessary and slows down the pace of the story. Matthew Colville does an awesome job with his exposition. His world feels expansive yet only parcels out what you need to know for the story to continue.

This was a great read. The writing style is straight forward and easy to read without being simple. The lead character is interesting and complicated,a very powerful but very broken man. I found the story compelling, and desperately need to know what happens next!

Colville has created a unique and intriguing fantasy world. Elements of traditional fantasy are given an interesting twist in this novel, and discovering the workings of Colville's world provide a thought provoking experience.

I chose this book because I just wanted to support a YouTuber who I really liked but then I read the reviews of it and decided to give it a try. I honestly went in rather underwhelmed for the first few chapters with his lack of high-level vocabulary but by the end of the book I was entranced. A must-read for anyone trying to get into the fantasy genre. Entry level vocabulary high level drama.

This has the makings of a fantastic new series. Intelligently written and fast paced, it should appeal to those who are looking for a new voice in contemporary fantasy. The main character, Heden, is well-developed and presented with interesting glimpses into a back-story that leaves the reader intrigued without feeling like it's a Hollywood sequel set-up. The supporting characters are also fleshed-out, with their own motivations and mannerisms.

The plot itself revolves around a mystery that will draw in the reader just as it draws in the characters. Pacing is used to great effect - some chapters are short, some are long, always serving to move the story forward. The ending is surprising while at the same time a logical culmination of the journey.

If you're looking for something new, try Priest.

I know you mentioned that publishers read it and didn't go for it but this is far and wide better than a lot of professionally published novels. Writers never give themselves enough credit but I would have paid top dollar for Heden's story and still given it 5stars. Kudos Matt! The twists and turns drew me like the stories we were told as kids while at the same time, feeling pulled into the mind of a broken man.

The pacing is new. The story has depth. Every character feels like they could have their own book someday. The world building is intriguing and offers so many clues to future and past events that you want to totally immerse yourself in the wonderland that Priest creates. It's gritty. It's filthy. It's noble. It's heartfelt and you should read it. I'm off to get the next book, and then help however I can to continue learning of this world.

The pacing is new. The story has depth. Every character feels like they could have their own book someday. The world building is intriguing and offers so many clues to future and past events that you want to totally immerse yourself in the wonderland that Priest creates. It's gritty. It's filthy. It's noble. It's heartfelt and you should read it. I'm off to get the next book, and then help however I can to continue learning of this world.

One of the most tactfully written stories I have yet read. While there were some short lulls and I was left questioning the connection between all that was written for the majority of the book. The artful way Matt brought all threads together washed away all in my doubts and misleading. Can’t wait to start on the follow up.

Really like Colville's writing style. It is action-packed. Efficient of description. Reveals details when needed and at the dramatic moment. I have THOROUGHLY enjoyed this book and looking for the next book!

I really enjoyed Priest. Great world building and well written characters. A fun take on fantasy and really felt like following along with a retired high level RPG player character on an adventure.

I especially liked the interaction with the other campaigners / ratcatchers he met along the way. Very fun read.

Preist is a fascinating introduction to the Ratcatchers series. I had no idea what to expect when i started reading but ended up finishing the book in two days, finding it hard to down. A deep world building experience with lots of unique quirks and interesting ...turns... a world im looking forward to learning much more about. (I got the second book as soon as i finished this one)

I first heard of Matthew Colville through his youtube videos on How To run a game as a DM in dungeons and dragons. After a while he made his own subreddit on [...] and there I heard his first 1 hour reading of Priest. And I was hooked.

The book is great and it really captivates your attention. The book is short (by todays standard) and manages to tell a story I will remember more vividly than Harry Potter in the years to come. All in all brilliant story in a great universe.

I expected a loosely translated DnD adventure crammed into a book. Which, written by Matt Colville, probably wouldn't have been that bad. But Priest is not that, it is a fantastic exploration of a character that excels at judging others while struggling to understand themself.

"Priest" is an intriguing story, full of flavorful characters in a delightfully woven tapestry of the familiar and strange. The dark side of Good is finally revealed. If you're into RPGs, and want to see what Knights (or Paladins) can be like, here is your chance for a new perspective.

Matthew Colville provides a great balance of twists and predictability. Each twist comes well earned and supported, while the predictable sections give a nice break for your brain. The language and quips throughout kept me smiling, and I cannot wait to read the next book in the series.

With a strong no-nonsense writing style, the reader is easily swept away into an unforgiving fwntasy setting. The protagonist is incredibly nuanced and I found myself rooting for him and grumbling with him from page 1.

I do feel as if the mystery reveal could have come a chapter or so sooner. But that's a minor quibble in an otherwise great book.

I have read many fantasy authors but never before have I so absolutely fallen in love with a story and a world like this (well....maybe Kingkiller Chronicles...) even so, my adoration of this book cannot be understated. Thank you Matt Colville for my newest addiction.

Colville's writing style is very workman/everyman. He doesnt go to great lengths to make the prose overly flowered and cuts to the chase. I appreciate this as it feel like sometimes authors are more focused on the wordsmithing than the story. This story was very good and a fun read. I really look forward to more of this series.

This book completely captivated my attention, so much so I spent just as much time reading in my tree stand as I did hunting in it. The story is very engrossing and kept me wanting to read the next chapter to see what happens. This is only the second book i have read in under a week, with the first being The Hobbit. Could not pull myself away from this until it ended, at which point I immediately began reading Thief.

A fantastic story about a veteran adventurer with major personal problems! The tiny bites of world mythology gave me cravings for more. The characters in this book seem very real, mostly because you want to strangle them all! I will certainly read it again and would even pay for the privilege if I had to!

Fans of Matt's YouTube channel will enjoy this fantasy novel. Very well done, with hints at D&D tropes that gamers will appreciate but nothing so much to confuse any non-gamers. Add in solid characterization, an intriguing plot, and emotional action and you have a good novel for any fantasy fan.

Colville proves he is among the best story tellers. His story flows, leading you in the direction you think you're going, only to take you where you should be. His world is uniquely immersive, yet simple enough to dive straight into. A better story than Tolkien, better written Rothfuss, more wrenching than Brooks. I can't give this enough praise and I can't wait for the next book.

Mr Colville's world-building and characters are top-notch. Some might be turned off by the somewhat clipped nature of his writing, but it's worth riding to the end. Well worth the price and I can't wait to get into the rest of the Rat-Catcher series.

After watching Matt's youtube videos about D&D, I assumed these books would at least be decent. But I was completely blown away. These books are easily in the top 10 of fantasy books. Well worth the kindle price!

This book was a nice departure from the "traditional" fantasy genre.

Heden was a great flawed protagonist and the world building was well done without being exposition heavy.

The only minor downside was the subplot, I failed to see the relevance in this story (which cold be my own fault) or setting up a larger atx over the course of the series.