Death is temporary. Bureaucracy is forever.

That’s not just a tagline—it’s the truth in In the Company of Ogres by A. Lee Martinez. Ned the main character? He’s already died. Several times, actually. But the universe won’t let him go because, apparently, he’s “important.” Which is news to him—and honestly, to everyone else too.

This book is a blast of weird, wickedly fun fantasy with a dash of existential crisis. It reads like someone tossed a high fantasy epic, a soul-sucking desk job, and an orc pit into a blender—and hit purée.

You want action? It’s got it. Humor? Tons. A protagonist who has no idea what’s going on but somehow ends up in charge of a bunch of bloodthirsty ogres? Absolutely. One of the best lines in the book? “When the gods need paperwork done, they call the Department of Death.” That's the energy you’re getting.

It’s absurd. It’s brilliant. And it’s available right now for free PDF download on Bookdio. If you're looking for a free books download that delivers laughs, monsters, and some wildly unexpected heart—this one’s for you.

Martinez doesn’t just tell a story. He builds a whole chaotic world that still feels oddly relatable. Office politics? Existential dread? Unexpected promotions? All here—just with more explosions and mythical creatures.

So what do you get? A comedy-fantasy that breaks rules, flips tropes, and somehow makes the undead... likable. You can download it free right now on Bookdio, no strings attached.

If you’ve ever wondered what it’s like to run an army of ogres while dodging divine bureaucracy—this book’s your answer.