I thank NetGalley for an advanced reader copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. My deepest apologies for how long it has taken to complete my task, but at least I can offer a very positive review in return.

The Mongrels have a lot on their plate at the start of this book waging an uphill war with Hispartha. Fetching leads the Hoofs as war chief and Jackal is spreading his charm far and wide. Oats does everything he can to enable his friends, but the war is starting to wear on him. For the first time in his life, he's pulled in two directions: his duty to his Hoof and the freedom/survival of half-orcs everywhere, versus his love for his growing family. With the reappearance of the foreign wizard Crafty, the Bastards brace themselves to curse his sudden and inevitable betrayal while following him into the heartland of enemy territory.

The third and final book of this Sons of Anarchy fanfiction series does an excellent job of providing closure for our main trio and for the Lot Lands. We get to wrap up the lives of our main trio (Jackal, Fetching, and Oats), returning characters (Warbler, Polecat, Sluggard, Thresh, and Fetching's half-orc half-elf brother Ruin), and mysterious characters like Hoodwink finally get their long overdue arcs. New characters appear, but the cast remains balanced and easy to follow. Jonathan French continues to be a quality writer of lovable characters, realistic settings, and logical plots.

I couldn't finish Book #1, so I don't think I'll be getting around to continuing this series. I had started it and was really impressed with the first chapter so I requested Books 2 and 3 when they were available but I should have waited until I'd finished it.

Thanks for consideration.

Endings are hard.

Some authors are known for choking at the end of a book or series. Maybe not Game of Thrones bad, but still "not-the-best".

I'm thinking back to Stephen King's Dark Tower series, 7 epic novels and a sputtering ending.

This book is one of the best endings I can remember.

The main story of this trilogy follows three friends, and each character is the main character for one book. This book is a lot darker than the previous two, in a good way. Old characters come back and new characters move the plot along nicely. The ending is heart-breaking and a little unpredictable, again, in a good way.

**I received this book from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

This volume of the series follows Oats, who is a thrice blood orc, and one of the main crew that were in The Grey Bastards. In this volume, since the events of the first two books have lead to war with Hispartha, Oats and the Bastards are fighting the humans, who they call 'frails' and Oats is on the frontlines.

I quite enjoyed this volume, as I have the previous two. The Free Bastards starts out strong, right into some action and never lets up after that. It's paced very well and I was done before I knew it! Fans of the series will be happy to see faces from previous volumes, most especially Jackal and Fetching. These three have been friends since they were children, so it's nice to see them still together. I thought it was really well paced and well written, and I cheered for Oats throughout.

I (usually) love most of the banter between the Bastards, though it will 100% not be for everyone, as f-bombs (among other things) are thrown around a lot, and I am a fan of sweary banter. There's a lot of 'locker room talk' so to speak, as the half-orcs of the Lot Lands don't give too many thoughts towards propriety. But here is where my criticism comes in.

Look, I love these books, and I do see where the sexism and racism are there because they tie into the bigger story of the Bastards' struggle... but it didn't seem necessary for all the homophobia and fat shaming to be there as well. I mean, I want to rec this series to people who I think would have fun with it, but definitely haven't recced it to several people because of these vibes. It's not egregious (to me), and this volume seemed to have less than previous ones, but it's definitely noticeable enough that I stopped recommending this series to friends of mine in case they'd find it more offensive or egregious than I did.

That said, I've still had a good time with Jack, Fetch, and Oats throughout the series. I wish it was just a bit more inclusive, but it's still a fun read nonetheless. This was an often-funny and sometimes-feelsy ending to the series, and if you are a fan of fantasy with lots of action and sweary banter, then you may enjoy The Free Bastards!

The first book was about Jackal, the second was about Fetching, and this one was, last but not least, Oats’s story, and he was just as interesting. There was a lot going on with him, emotionally, that I never even realized. And as tough as he is, being not only one of the Bastards but also a thrice blood (the child of an orc and half-orc, rather than orc and human), he, in many ways, has a soft and caring heart. At least, for some of the people in his life.

But every character in this series felt so realistic and believable and complex and three-dimensional. This is one of those series in which it truly feels like these are real people (or half-orcs), and I would kind of forget that they were actually created in someone’s head.

Also, I never thought I’d care so much about a giant hog so ugly and smelly it is literally named Ugfuck.

I was a bit bummed that, after the first book, Jackal wasn’t really in the story anymore, and then, in this one, neither Jackal nor Fetching were really in the story. I loved these three, as a trio and individually, and they loved each other, and I just would’ve liked more time with all of them together. But I guess this was what was needed for Oat’s to have his own arc and realize some things about himself and make the hard decisions he had to make.

And it was just a great book! Intricate plotting. Intense action. Laughs and fun moments. Sadness and difficult moments. Gory, brutal fighting. Friendship. A hint of romance. Emotional struggle. And, of course, half-orcs on hogs!

I will once again warn, for anyone who hasn’t read the previous books, that many of the characters are vulgar and crude and say/think things that could be offensive or harmful to some readers, so this may not be a series for everyone.

Overall, this was a solid ending to the series. It was bittersweet, at times it was sad, but this book wrapped up everything nicely without overdoing it. The characters were superbly well-written, the world and plot were complex, and I’m glad I decided to give these half-orcs a chance!

The Lot Lands #3 is out, and I'm happier than a sot in a river o' whiskey! And the best part? Jackal is baaaaaack!

Powerful characters. I especially loved Beryl and her strength and vulnerability. Oats, for all his hardness and sensitivity. The world building and story creation was stronger in this one, but it's the characters that bring The Lot Lands to life. Love these orcs! 5 stars!

I was provided with a complimentary copy of this book, so I could give an honest review.

The Bastard stayed true and consistent throughout this series.. Each book focused on Jackal, Fetching and Oats. The Free Bastards focused on Oats and it was the least favorite of the three books for me I think. Not that Oats isn't a true bad ass or anything but he just got a little to introspective and depressing in a way. The story continued in the vane of the previous books mostly The Bastards remained hard fighting and raunchy brothers to the end. They are orc or half orcs that prove to be just as heroic as any other character that I love to read about in any great fantasy story. There are some twists that happen near the end but the story went the way I expected and could just enjoy reading really. I had forgotten some things that happened in the previous books and maybe that took a little something away from reading one. I will need to reread the whole series back again sometime in the future though. This is a series that surely will appeal to some and probably trigger some others. All in all a good series.

The saddest ending to a great trilogy I wish would continue! There’s so much more story I want to enjoy!

The Free Bastards
(The Lot Lands #3)
by Jonathan French

The first book of the series is one of my favorite books ever! The second one was was excellent too! When I was offered to read this one I was on Cloud 9 for days! This is a series that most people would not associate with me. It's brutal, harsh, foul, violent, but absolutely brilliant! It has orcs, half-orcs who are the main characters, elves, cyclops, minotaurs, wizards, magic, humans, a demon, and more.

The half-orcs are not wanted by man or orcs so the are pushed off to the poorer lands called the lots. They ride big wild hogs as big and vicious as the men and women who ride them. But the half-orcs love their beasts! They are family to them.

This last book centers around a handful of characters we have followed since they were slops (just caring for the hogs and not yet riders). Now they are seasoned warriors. They go through so much in this book! There's a prison break, water/sea battle, and battle against a wizard and demon! They are betrayed numerous times and even in the hands of an evil Queen at one time! It's unpredictable! Besides the terrific characters, suspense, the witty dialogue, great world building, and fantasy, there is some great lines that really stand out. I can't share because I had an arc.

I think this book brings out more of the tenderness beneath the rough exterior more than the other books. It is told from Oat's POV but even from there we see the tenderness, caring, softness of the hoof ( their group). Never thought I would say that about these warriors!

I have to say, I was touched many times during this book. I often just enjoy the book and move on. This book had many parts that continued to linger in my mind.

I want to thank the publisher and NetGalley for letting me read this wonderful, brutal, fantastic book! Oh, and love the incredible cover!

Live in the saddle! Die on the hog!

A terrific conclusion to a series that continued to get better and deeper as it went along. A lot of this one focuses on Oats, and it's a choice that works. Beautiful ending.

A fantastic conclusion to a darn good series. Oats is an awesome and complex character, so much fun to read his POV. There are so many great elements to this, with hog-riding half-orcs, ocean battles, wizards, and action galore. A poignant ending to a wonderful series of books. I hope there will be more Lot Lands stories in the future.

An exciting, fun, and surprising conclusion to the Lot Lands series. Oats may be my favorite protagonist of the three -- he's fallible, emotional, and complicated. Not every plot thread wraps up neatly, but that's in keeping with the messy world of these books. I look forward to seeing what this author does next.

4.5 Stars

I love these guys!! Fetch will always be my favorite, she’s a kickass chief!!

This book was Oats book and it was so good. Who knew a damn book full of half orcs that are foul-mouthed beyond all comprehension, would make me cry!! There are battles and gore and cussing and a bit of tenderness!

If you loved the first two books, you will love this book and the overall outcome. I cried at the end as well. These BASTARDS had a bittersweet ending and above all, remember, "Live in the saddle! Die on the hog!"

This is an uncorrected proof so these few quotes that could be subject to change.

*The rokh shrieked as it dove, snatching the Maiden’s attention. She looked up in time to see the figure leap from the great bird’s back, but she wouldn’t be able to see who it was. Oats couldn’t either, but still he knew. The chief had arrived.*

*Ugfuck was a lumbering mass of sagging pig flesh covered in rashes and stiff patches of louse-ridden hair. One eye was red and bulging, the other small and often clogged with mucus. Born a misshapen runt, he should have been killed on the day he first drew breathe. Were it not for Oats, he would have been. He’d saved the hog’s life that morning.*

You have to love Ug!! This whole trilogy was wonderful and I look forward to more of the authors work.

*Thank you to Netgalley and Del Ray for a digital copy of this book!

Mel

4.5 / 5

The freedom of the mongrels is on the precipice of failure: The Lot Lands are at the tipping point of being crushed between Hispartha and the Tyrkanian empire, and betrayal seeps from every ill-begotten ally. Violent fates for the True Bastard brothers and sisters is inevitable. Hell, the first arc of this book is a non-stop action sequence consisting of a chase scene that culminates in an against-all-odds, fingernail-chewing battle. The Free Bastards is a brutal, thrilling read, laced with dark humor and tough decisions, unexpected gut-punches and genuine surprises.

But it was the quiet moments that hit hardest.

Jackal, Fetch, and Oats have traveled a long road together. We didn’t know them as slops—hoof prospects—but we’ve been at their side as they’ve evolved from the lower ranks of their hoof to the powerful leaders and symbols of hope that they are by story’s end. But with that power comes the inability to connect with their peers like they used to. So the only truest, most honest bonds that they’re able to keep have been with each other.

French reserves these conversations during the calm in between storms where few words are said, but so much more is conveyed -- and they’re beautiful moments, showing just how strong this family knows each other. A look, a smile, a nod of the head, a shared anecdote – the understanding that passes between the three I found to be some of the most powerful moments of the entire trilogy.

As this volume is Oats’ story – we never leave his POV for a single moment – we are privy to some of his other struggles with decisions on his future, his relationships with those who raised him, and those who look to him as a future father and, maybe, something more. French interspersed these story beats incredibly well amongst thrilling ship battles, city clashes, rescue missions, court politics, and tying up mysteries that have been hanging around for the past thousand+ pages. It’s deft work.

One strike against the story was when one of the biggest plot mysteries was finally revealed, I found myself asking a lot of “well why didn’t it” and “how could it” questions. It felt a little forced, a bit too neat, written more for maximum mic-drop effect instead of fitting into the context of the story. It was still a great moment – and while it was somewhat projected and might not pass the closest scrutiny, it does not take away from the satisfaction and epic feel of the conclusion to the Bastards trilogy.

There’s been some chatter about the rampant homophobia by the mongrel community in these books, substituting the word ‘backy’ instead of gay, and using that word as the punchline of some dialogue. And that’s fine, as they’re just characters, and that’s just how some characters are written. But for what it’s worth, I’d like to mention that there is far more positive representation of the LBGTQ+ community in this story than in previous volumes.

Jonathan French is a Crafty one, wrapping up Jackal, Fetching, and Oats’ stories with the heart and loss and depth it deserves, but it also leaves the door open for more Lot Lands stories to explore. No matter what the future may bring, for three books I’ve lived in this saddle, and with the killer conclusion of The Free Bastards, I’m fortunate to die on this hog.

September 21, 2021 is publication day and there are hordes of thicks (orcs), frails (humans), and half-blood mongrels waiting impatiently to get their bloody hands on this. This is the third chapter of French’s amazing trilogy. First, came the Grey Bastards. Then, the True Bastards. Now, the Free Bastards. “Live in the saddle. Die on the hog.”

The Stars of this trilogy are half-orc, half-human mongrel Bastards who no one wants. The thicks or Orcs will rampage across the world, but their bastard children are all that stands between civilization and utter wasteland. In the lots you can find the bawdy, foul-mouthed hoofs of the mongrels, caught in no man’s land between empires that want to wipe them out and the savages from beyond. Ugly, tattooed, fearsome, and riding astride giant barbarian hogs with giant tusks just as fierce as the warriors in the saddles. The story and the language is not for the dainty. These half-breeds fill their speech with every other word a reference to the nether regions of anatomy. The battles are vicious, bloody, unyielding.

This particular volume tells its 600-page story from thrice-born Oat’s point of view. It begins with a prison break and a great battle on a forbidden hill against odds no normal Perron would contemplate. What follows is a long-awaited war with Hispartha, wielding magical forces Oat never imagined would be unearthed. It’s a war the Bastards and their allies must win or the Lots would forever be wiped out.

What makes this volume sizzle is the desperate odds Oats, Fetching, Jackal, and the rest face as the alliances shift. There is no lack of action, no intermission. No dull plodding moments.