Have you ever wondered what would happen if a group of lifelong friends decided to run the world's most unconventional monastery? That's the heart of Andress Floyd's charming and clever novel.

The Story

Brother Anselm arrives at the remote Monastery of the Wandering Star, hoping to leave his troubled past behind. He finds a warm, if eccentric, community. But he soon realizes the truth: these monks are grifters. They fund their quiet life by pulling off low-stakes cons and stealing from corrupt nobles, all while maintaining their holy cover. Anselm is reluctantly pulled into their next job: stealing a jeweled reliquary from a nearby estate. The job goes sideways when they discover the relic isn't just valuable—it's a key to a political secret powerful people have killed to keep hidden. Suddenly, their peaceful scam is over. A ruthless lord and his soldiers lay siege to the monastery, not just for the treasure, but to silence them forever. The brothers must use every trick, prayer, and bit of cunning they have to protect their home and each other.

Why You Should Read It

This book won me over with its characters. These monks aren't saints; they're flawed, funny, and fiercely loyal to each other. Floyd makes you feel the genuine love in this found family, even when they're arguing over a con. The tension between their fraudulent lifestyle and the real peace and purpose they've built is fascinating. It asks a great question: does doing the wrong thing for the right reasons make it okay? The plot moves at a great clip, switching smoothly between laugh-out-loud moments of the monks bickering and genuine edge-of-your-seat suspense as the walls close in.

Final Verdict

'My Monks of Vagabondia' is a total delight. It's perfect for anyone who loves a good underdog story, heist mechanics, or character-driven adventures. If you enjoyed the camaraderie of The Lies of Locke Lamora or the gentle humor of A Psalm for the Wild-Built, you'll find a lot to love here. It's a warm, witty, and ultimately uplifting story about finding your tribe and fighting for them, by any means necessary.