How to Be a Farmer in a Fantasy World

Cozy Guides to Fantasy Living, Book 1

By: Shawn Wyatt

Narrated by: Ryan Kennard Burke

Drake needed a new start, and the small farm on the outskirts of the kingdom seemed like the perfect chance.

Just one problem: he doesn't know the first thing about farming. He's also not sure how to deal with the giant, magical rooster that lives on his farm.

But it's a fresh start, and Drake intends to make the best of it.

Daily chores, a slew of monsters, and a haunted garden are one thing, but when his past catches up to him, Drake will have to learn to juggle his new responsibilities, a budding social life, and a secret that could cost him everything.

How to Be a Farmer In a Fantasy World is a cozy, slice-of-life GameLit about a man and his farm in a familiar world.

©2022 Shawn Wyatt (P)2024 Podium Audio

Totally not set in Stardew Valley. *wink*

I think this really does fit the bill for a nice cozy adventure. Dealing with crops, occasionally beating off farm-level threats to those crops, maybe romance some local inhabitants. It's all very pleasant. Making friends and growing giant lettuce. Nice low stakes most of the time, but with just enough occasional threat leaking in from the outside world to add some tension. Oh and a fire-breathing lightning rooster. Have fun!

Well written cozy story

It’s a pleasant story of a young man changing his situation. I enjoyed the mild romance. The inclusion of unusual monsters was fun. I liked that most solutions weren’t deadly. I’m looking forward to seeing where the rest of the series goes. The narrator did great job with all their voices, it’s nice to hear someone who doesn’t just pitch their voice too high.
If you’re looking for a good cozy read I recommend this story.

Needed More Care—and Fewer AI Radishes

I found myself genuinely interested at one point, but overall, the book was just… fair. I enjoy cozy fantasy, but this one had some rough edges. The author either relied heavily on ChatGPT or simply needed a stronger editor.

The first harvest being only twelve radishes—twelve!—made me question whether the author has ever actually gardened. Twelve bushels would have made far more sense. And then, at the end, are we talking about 5,000 crowns or 50,000? Consistency matters.

The author introduced a farmer class but barely developed it—one level-up and suddenly he’s a journeyman farmer with 25% better crops. Where was the progression? Where was the growth?

The magical grimoire that granted him his class seemed like it should have held deeper secrets or future power, but that thread was simply dropped.

Rex the chicken could’ve been delightful comic relief or a companion with purpose, but he only appeared when it felt like the author was running out of steam. The ending was rushed—almost as if it had been skipped altogether.

Did the author get tired of writing? Or did ChatGPT run out of words?

And the magic system—really? A copper axe that magically turns a chopped tree into neatly cut lengths of wood? That’s not enchanting; that’s lazy.

I did enjoy the story to a degree, and I don’t mean to sound harsh, but it could’ve been a much better read if more time had been spent tying everything together.

Now I’m left wondering: should I hope the next book improves and give it another try, or just chalk this one up as an okay listen and move on?

Fun, cozy farming book

The narrator was great. The story was laid back and entertaining. If you need a disruption in your heavy stakes fantasy audiobooks, this will give you that.

For low stakes this is highly engaging

I bought the first book on a whim because it was in a two for one sale. I quickly devoured this fun series that proves the stakes don’t have to be high to be engaging. Who would have thought farming could be so exciting? Give this book a chance and you won’t be disappointed.