Fifteen year old Fenzighan Wiznagrik is an gnomish thief who is always careful not to take more than those he targets can afford to lose.  One day he tries his skills in King Erlgrane’s Castle, but without success.  His capture forces him on a mission to steal three flawless emeralds from the Duke of K’Nosha.  He has little choice with his option of punishment by painful death.  Of course, the King’s evil Wizard has placed a homing spell to guaranty he will do what he can to be successful.  Either our little friend filches the gems and returns within two weeks or his escape from death will be tragically brief.  

His quest has him tumbling into trouble, meeting frightening beasts and joining a gregarious peddler of potions and lotions.  Carmen the Magnificent’s wares may not do what they are touted to but he certainly can talk a crowd up in fine showman style.   

This new friend has a few secrets that will flabberghast Fenzig and in the end they will join forces for a common goal.

It is unusual to have a gnome as a main character, but our hero manages the weight of such a title though it is clear that he would prefer to have stayed in the shadows of the situation.  We learn a bit about them as a people and readers may particularly wish for their capacity to indulge at the table, at the campfire, in the kitchen…well you get the picture. 

Although Fenzig was interesting as a character, he was somehow not as endearing as one would have liked him to be.  The device of speaking to himself, muttering to himself and allowing us to be privy to his thoughts sometimes felt excessive. 

Carmen on the other hand was a wonderfully flamboyant snake oil seller and reader’s will find much with which to be both amused and to admire.  This character is enmeshed in the bigger scheme of things and one is thoroughly captivated by the resolve and courage shown. 

FENZIG'S FORTUNE is a generally light-hearted read that has excitement, camaraderie, and peril as well as a good dose of magic.  There are a few creative twists and turns to keep reader’s on their toes in this tale of good against evil and the inadvertent gnome in the middle.

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