Poppy Oddwood
The Knight School Dropouts by Poppy Oddwood, cover

The Chronically Chaotic Chronicles · Book 3 of 4

The Knight School Dropouts

The Epic Quest Nobody Was Qualified For

What happens when the kingdom's last hope is a group of misfits who couldn't pass "Heroing 101"?

Sir Oswald Paddock thought his big break had finally arrived. After 312 days of "temporary administrative leave," he's been summoned to the palace for an urgent quest. He was ready. He was prepared.

He was the backup's backup.

When Sir Darian the Dazzling—the actual hero—runs off with the quest funds and the only accurate map, the Crown is left with whoever showed up. That would be Oswald, bearer of a sword he once dropped on an archbishop's foot, wearer of armour that squeaks like a tortured cat, and owner of a family crest that now looks less like a noble frog and more like a diseased waterfowl attempting interpretive dance.

His team isn't any better.

There's Grub, an ogre philosopher who refuses to fight but has very strong opinions about ethical frameworks. Lillipip, a fairy with rainbow hair, sticky fingers, and a talent for "creative acquisition" of anything not nailed down. And Smoky, a dragon who provides excellent sarcasm and absolutely no aerial reconnaissance. Heights are a sensitive subject.

Together, they must retrieve the legendary Dewdrop of Dawn before the Stone Sovereign's curse turns the entire kingdom into very detailed garden statuary. No pressure. Just the fate of civilisation resting on a knight who set fire to his own training grounds, a pacifist ogre, a kleptomaniac fairy, and a dragon who'd rather walk, thanks.

The quest protocol never covered this.

Perfect for readers who love witty, character-driven fantasy comedy, and anyone who's ever felt like the last choice for literally everything.

The Knight School Dropouts is a standalone humorous fantasy novella in The Chronically Chaotic Chronicles, featuring found family, reluctant heroes, and the firm belief that there's more than one way to save the world.

From the Almanac: What is cosy fantasy? A reader's guide

Also on Goodreads.

The Chronically Chaotic Chronicles

Each Chronicle is a complete story with its own cast, so you can start wherever the cover grabs you. If you want the house order, this is it.

Series page and reading order

Hear about the next one first

The Oddwood Letters go out when there is a new book or a free story. Roughly monthly, never daily.

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A letter when there is something worth saying: new releases first, the occasional free story, and news from the house. Roughly monthly, never daily.