How to Defeat a Demon King in Ten Easy Steps Book Chat

How to Defeat a Demon King in Ten Easy Steps Book Chat

Author: MJ Munoz March 12, 2026 Duration: 11:57

I usually dislike first person narration in fantasy books. But Andrew Rowe’s How to Defeat a Demon King in Ten Easy Steps completely won me over.

In this Fortress Fiction book chat, I talk about why this Zelda-style fantasy parody works so well, and what it taught me about two different styles of first person storytelling.

It turns out not all first person narration is the same. Some books use a confessional style that focuses heavily on internal thoughts and emotions. Others feel more like someone telling you the story of an adventure.

Andrew Rowe’s book uses that second approach, and it makes all the difference.

I also talk about:

• why Yui Shaw is such a compelling narrator

• how the book cleverly plays with classic Zelda-style adventure logic

• a great example of suspense created through first person narration

• why the final battle still feels exciting even though we know the narrator survives

If you enjoy fantasy parody, game-inspired worlds, or clever adventure stories, this one is definitely worth checking out.

Book:

How to Defeat a Demon King in Ten Easy Steps by Andrew Rowe

Question for you:

Do you like first person fantasy novels, or do you usually avoid them? And what are some first person books that actually work?

BONUS LoZ ALTTP - https://mjmunoz.com/2021/01/25/the-legend-of-zelda-comic-showcases-shotaro-ishinomoris-mastery-celebrateishinomori-2021-stc-56/


Hosted by aspiring author MJ Munoz, Fortress Fiction is a quiet space built for anyone fascinated by the architecture of a good story. Here, the focus isn't just on what happens in books, films, or television, but on how those stories are built from the ground up-the careful craft of making a reader or viewer invest in something they know isn't real. Each episode feels like a shared notebook, where MJ studies narratives of transformation and heroism, breaking down what makes them resonate. You'll hear his personal reflections on the creative process, reviews that dig into the mechanics of storytelling across different media, and chronicles from his own writing endeavors. This podcast is for those who find equal magic in a perfectly turned phrase, a compelling character arc, or a well-framed scene. It’s an ongoing conversation about the alchemy of art, offering both analysis and a candid look at one writer’s journey to build something meaningful, sentence by sentence.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 50

Fortress Fiction
Podcast Episodes
Chapter by Chapter Peter Pan 14 [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 9:45
What did you think of Peter Pan Chapter 14? Are you intrigued by Hook's past?Show notes - https://mjmunoz.com/2024/09/12/cxc14/#amreading #PeterPan #chapterbychapter #middlegrade #bookreview #Book #FOTRESSFICTIONSOE CATA…
Chapter by Chapter Peter Pan 13 [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 8:40
What did you think of #PeterPan Chapter 13? Is this book too dark or just dark enough?Show notes - https://mjmunoz.com/2024/09/11/cxc13/#amreading #PeterPan #chapterbychapter #middlegrade #bookreview #Book #FOTRESSFICTIO…
Chapter by Chapter Peter Pan 12 [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 6:19
What did you think of #PeterPan Chapter 12? Are the "Savages" the real civilized ones among us?Show notes - https://mjmunoz.com/2024/09/10/cxc12/#amreading #PeterPan #chapterbychapter #middlegrade #bookreview #Book #FOTR…
Chapter by Chapter Peter Pan 11 [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 11:09
What did you think of Peter Pan Chapter 11? Does this make Peter a tragic figure? Is he a warning to children?Show Notes - https://mjmunoz.com/2024/09/09/cxc11/#amreading #PeterPan #chapterbychapter #middlegrade #bookrev…
Chapter by Chapter Peter Pan 10 [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 5:34
In Peter Pan Chapter 10 Barrie gives us a lovely cozy scene of family fun. Then he hints at the sorrow to come, effectively creating tension by warning us of the coming danger.Show Notes - https://mjmunoz.com/2024/09/08/…
Chapter by Chapter Peter Pan 9 [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 8:11
While Chapter 9 is brief, it's packed with Barrie's signature mix of whimsy, danger, and moral lessons. It also showcases his ability to craft beautiful, evocative prose even in action-packed moments.Show Notes - https:/…
Chapter by Chapter Peter Pan 8 [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 13:49
Chapter 8 sees Peter Pan, Wendy and the Lost Boys facing the greatest dangers yet. As I thought about this chapter, it occurs to me that Hook may have come to Neverland because the island WANTED him to reach it.Show Note…
Chapter by Chapter Peter Pan 7 [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 9:46
Show Notes - https://mjmunoz.com/2024/09/05/cxc7/#amreading #PeterPan #chapterbychapter #middlegrade #bookreview #Book #FOTRESSFICTIONSOE CATALOG - https://mjmunoz.com/category/podcast/soe/
Chapter by Chapter Peter Pan 6 [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 12:04
Chapter 6 beautifully balances action, emotion, and whimsy. It deepens our understanding of the characters while moving the story forward in engaging ways.What did you think of this chapter? Are you enjoying the blend of…