‘Kings of the Wyld’ by Nicholas Eames is the story of a group of friends who used to be legendary, but that was many years ago.

Clay Cooper used to be in a mercenary group, or band, called Saga, but those days are long gone, or so he thought. When his friend Gabriel comes knocking to beg for help to rescue his daughter Rose who is in a city surrounded by a huge army, Clay initially refuses until his own daughter sways him. Now it’s time to get the band back together bad backs and all.

This is not a perfect book, but it was hugely entertaining. With it’s not so subtle allusions to rock and roll to it’s touches of humor and heart had me cheering for this group of friends.

Kings of Wyld was one of the most entertaining reads in recent times. It is essentially the fantastical version of the story of how a famous rock band gets back together for a singular mission. The story is essentially a wonderful concoction of lovable characters, amazing action sequences, detailed world-building and beautiful prose, This cocktail was worth savoring every bit of the way. To quote another voracious reader and prolific reviewer - do yourself a favor and read this book!

An entertaining new fantasy novel. There are a lot of great moments throughout this novel (and its sequel). The characters are fun, the story is quickly paced -- the author clearly loves the genre, but doesn't take himself of the tropes too seriously. At times, it suffered a bit from "Early Pratchett Syndrome": that is, too many gags too quickly.

But, on the whole, very enjoyable. Recommended.

What fun!

This book is the Blues Brothers crossed with your D&D campaign. The idea is that adventuring bands in this world have ended up as celebrities sort of like rock musicians do in our own. At the beginning of this book, Clay Cooper is approached by his old bandmate Gabriel, whose daughter is in a horrible jam. She's started her own band and has ended up in a city besieged by a horde of monsters, and Gabriel needs to get the band back together in order to rescue her.

So Clay and Gabriel go around finding their old agent, their old mage, their old rogue, and their old fighter bandmates. Each of these people is at a different place in their lives by far, but in the end the band gets back together (did you think it wouldn't?) and then has to figure out how to get through the most horrible horde in history to rescue young Rose.

This definitely leans on D&D a lot. Moog the mage has never seen the mythical owlbear, and one of his bucket list items is to prove that they do exist. Regenerative trolls, elves with bunny ears, giant gladiator arenas, airships, bags of holding, mystical weapons (all of which are REALLY cool), and more made this feel like a blast from the past, but the author has also made this world unique and very much its own thing.

Women aren't treated the best in this book. The guys' wives are... not good people, and while there is a badass celestial femme fatale, the guys had no female bandmates who are along for the whole ride. I didn't notice this much while I was reading the book, but there are a couple of tropes that i didn't really enjoy re. women.

However, Clay Cooper is a wonderful character to accompany through the book and the action ratchets up from small encounters to a final battle that couldn't be any more epic. The guys' affection and loyalty to each other is touching. The monsters are fun and scary both. There's nothing out there quite like this, and it's a lot of fun.

Kings of the Wyld by Nicholas Eames is the sort of book that sets out to make you laugh, and then accidentally makes you care along the way. In a world similar to D&D’s Forgotten Realms, bands of adventurers have become so revered that they’re treated like rockstars. Clay ‘Slowhand’ Cooper was in Saga, the most famous of them all, but that was twenty years ago, and now he’s settled down in a quiet town with his wife and daughter. But when Gabriel, his old best friend and the frontman of Saga, shows up on his doorstep with the revelation that his daughter is in mortal danger, what choice does Clay have but to get the boys back together and go save her?

It’s like a group of old rockers getting back together for one final tour, and starts out as an amusing look at how adventuring parties could be treated like rockers, down to the sureness that things were far cooler back in the good old days and these new kids don’t know what they’re doing. But the thing about Kings of the Wyld is that the characters are so well-crafted, the writing so solid, and the themes of getting old, friendship, loyalty and loss so well defined, that the story becomes much more than just a light-hearted romp with old warriors slaying goblins, and ends up drawing you in and refusing to let go until the end.

Kings of the Wyld by Nicholas EamesThe characters are great, and Eames manages to pull off a whole-heartedly ‘good’ protagonist very successfully. Clay is tired and old, his back hurts and he just wants to go home, but he can’t abandon his brothers in arms. Joining him in Saga is Gabriel, formerly the band’s frontman Golden Gabe, although his gold is more than a little tarnished by the time we see him. There’s Moog, the scatterbrained but loveable band magician, Matrick, the rogue and pickpocket turned overweight king, and Ganelon, the brooding muscle of the group. The chemistry between them makes for some truly humorous banter and touching moments of brotherhood. They encounter some fantastic secondary characters, like an undead bard, a morally complex daeva, a vengeful ‘booker’ (essentially their crooked band manager) and a tragic villain one can’t help but sympathise with once you’ve actually heard his side of the story. My personal favourite of the secondary characters, however, was an ettin (a two-headed giant). The story of the ettin’s two heads Gregor and Dane, is genuinely touching. Dane is horribly disfigured and blind, but Gregor convinces him that he’s handsome, and that the horrors they experience are wondrous adventures. The touching way their interactions are depicted is one of the most moving things I’ve read recently, made all the more poignant by the fact that Gregor and Dane are monsters one wouldn’t think about just killing off in the sort of D&D game that clearly must have inspired the novel.

Eames has managed to lend a feeling of reality to the sort of larger-than-life, heroic fantasy setting that table-top gamers will be familiar with. This believable quality is perhaps due to the fact that we’re seeing it all from Gabe’s point of view, and he’s so thoroughly unimpressed by all the wondrous things he encounters. The ‘Wyld’, the sprawling, monster-filled, poisonous forest that the band must travel through is a particular highlight, filled to the brim with all sorts of nasties, and a few humorous surprises. Eames has also given his world a credible history and a reason for the existence of these bands of adventurers and the monsters that they exist to combat. Part of the draw of the novel is seeing how the world has changed since Clay’s time adventuring. It feels like an authentic, living world, which isn’t particularly easy to pull of with the ultra-heroic vibe of the book.

The silliness of some of the shenanigans, and the way in which Eames describes them, are reminiscent of Terry Pratchett, and Eames perfectly straddles that line between utterly ridiculous and unfunny. Clay is the sole point of view for the whole novel, and his simultaneous growth and consistency are endearing, as is the almost ridiculously pragmatic way in which he perceives everything. The humour is all the more humorous because Clay doesn’t find it funny.

Now, a caveat, Kings of the Wyld isn’t the darkest book, there’s a lot more light-hearted banter and shenanniganery than one would expect in a purely grimdark book. The protagonist, Clay, is a genuinely good guy, and not a grimdark protagonist. However, there couple of characters that are absolutely morally ambiguous, and it’s easy to find yourself conflicted over whether you’re rooting for the heroes or villains, and the lines between them blur. Because of this, and the fact that Eames is subverting the genre in a clever way with his ageing rocker angle, Kings of the Wyld would, I suspect, be extremely enjoyable for any grimdark fan.

Kings of the Wyld by Nicholas Eames is a fun read that also offers up a satisfyingly deep exploration of what it means to grow old, and the importance of life-long friendships. While lighter than grimdark fantasy, it still provides the sort of moral ambiguity and trope subversion that grimdark fans love. Read this book if you’re looking for something that makes you laugh, and, just maybe, summons forth a manly tear or two.

Bottom Line Review: Kings of the Wyld is WAY more fun than it has any right to be. Read it.

Clay "Slowhand" Cooper used to be in a Band. His band, Saga, was perhaps the best-known band ever. They fought everything imaginable. They have the craziest stories to tell. They'd seen and done it all. And then they broke up. Or retired. Call it what you will.

Clay settled down in the quiet town of Coverdale, and is raising a young daughter with his beloved wife. But one day his old bandmate Gabriel shows up. Gabe's daughter Rose is trapped in a city far away--a city besieged by the Heartwyld Horde, a massive group of the nastiest monsters you can imagine. Gabe needs Clay's help to rescue Rose. In fact, he needs the whole band. So...you guessed it: They're getting the band back together.

So, apparently author Nicholas Eames wondered one day what it would be like if mercenary bands were treated like rock stars. Kings of the Wyld was born. As you could probably tell from the names Slowhand and Coverdale, the book is full of rock star Easter Eggs. But even if you don't know Syrinx from shinola, you'd enjoy this book. You might even enjoy it more, because honestly...the names and rock star connections peppered throughout the book got old by the end. I mean, Neil the Young is fine, but when it's the 1,000th rock joke in the book, I'm kind of over it. Add in the video game references and it's the fantasy version of Ready Player One--but better.

The other thing that keeps it from being a 5-star book is that it suffers from Kitchen Sink Syndrome. Eames put so much cool and fascinating stuff in here that it just gets bloated. Cut out 100 pages of that fluff and you've got a better, tighter book. But both China Mieville and Alastair Reynolds' first books had KSS, and their next ones were more focused and much better, and they've gone on to be two of my favorite authors.

Niggling problems aside, this book was a lot of fun. The characters managed to somehow be both stock and three-dimensional. It walked a line of silly, winking references and compelling, moving drama. Does it veer into melodrama? Maybe. But then it drops in a casual conversation between two trolls about the difference between literal and figurative to even things out. And while it would have been easy for this to be a "dude's book," the female characters are great, too!

If you like fantasy, rock music, on-the-nose jokes, and every creature trope ever, then this battle of the bands will be right up your alley. I can't wait for the next book.

This year has been absolutely packed with fantastic sequels, and new series from authors I love. However, in the midst of all the literary titans releasing their work it is important to not overlook the new players entering the game. Every year I have a couple of dark horses on my release tracker that are new books from debut authors that have drawn my attention based on their description. This year one such book is The Kings of the Wyld, by Nicolas Eames. The premise of the book immediately hooked me: in a world where fantasy adventuring parties function like modern day rock bands, a famous band must do a reunion tour to save the leader's daughter. The only problem is that the members are all old tired men, and they haven’t spoken to each other in a long time. As far as premises go, this is the most intriguing I have seen in awhile, but does it live up to its potential or fall flat?

For me the main draw of this book was the characters. For starters, a large part of the cast is made up of old men and women, something that I wish more authors would do. The band is made up of five characters, each of whom are deeply fleshed out and wonderful to read about. The first half of the book is about getting the band back together’. It consists of the group slowly traveling to new locations, fleshing out the world, and re-recruiting the band. The mini-arcs do a great job bringing each band member to life and endearing them to you. All of them are old-timers with a lot of regrets, each not having quite gotten what they wanted out of life. The support cast is also just as good with several recurring characters I was always excited to see show up. The cast is so diverse and imaginative that I can’t picture a reader picking up Kings of the Wyld and not finding someone that they identify with.

On top of all of this the world and plot are nothing to scoff at. As I mentioned earlier the plot is about the band reuniting to save the daughter of their frontman, Gabe. However, the band did not leave on the best of terms (particularly Gabe) and they have a lot of issues to work through. While they work out their personal issues, the group must also deal with the fact that Gabe’s daughter is trapped on the other side of a siege by a huge army. An army that is comprised of classic fantasy monsters and myths. See, in Kings of the Wyld creatures and humans do not get along, competing for space and resources. To deal with this conflict, bands go out and make a name for themselves killing monsters and defending humans. The monsters have been losing ground for ages and have tired of the arrangement and formed a horde to sweep over humanity. While the horde continues to rout opposition, human nations cannot get past their differences and grievances to organize a response. This backdrop, combined with the personal struggles of our band, make for a read that will keep you on the edge of your seat.

The book is a lot of fun. It has an emphasis on humor and fun that makes it a great and upbeat read, while also taking itself pretty seriously so that it has a lot of immersion. The band theme worked out a lot better than I thought it would with various members of the party filling out roles in a traditional band from bass player to booking agent. The world was also designed very well to the point where the existence of bands of adventurers felt natural. The book also has a soundscape that Eames put up on his site that I am a huge fan of. I have to say I have always felt lukewarm about Led Zeppelin, but thanks to the soundscape I have had them on repeat for a month. As I mentioned, the book is very funny and feels like it was written with the goal of entertaining. Despite this, I found the book to be surprisingly impactful in many instances. There is a particular scene in which two lifelong friends find out that one has been hiding essentially that he has cancer from the other, and the reactions and writing broke my heart. Eames feels like he is trying to put a smile on your face, but never goes for the cheap laugh and never sacrifices the story for a laugh.

No review is complete without me assessing a book's flaws, but Kings of the Wyld does not have many. My main complaint would likely be that the book felt a little less tight and polished towards the end. While the narrative during the first half of the story felt focused and smooth, I thought that the last quarter of the book felt a little hectic and didn’t quite have the level of emotional impact that the first three quarters did. That being said, the ending is still fantastic and I am just complaining about some loose stitching on an otherwise beautiful narrative tapestry.

I am excited to announce that we have a new player on the fantasy scene with a lot of potential. The best debut I have read in awhile, Nicolas Eames’ Kings of the Wyld has everything I love in the fantasy genre with some original twists and angles. Thanks to this book I can’t stop listening to classic rock and I am counting the days until we get a sequel. The Quill to Live estatically recommends Kings of the Wyld, it will put music in your heart.

Rating: Kings of the Wyld - 9.0/10

Kings of the Wyld is a fantasy story which doesn’t take itself too seriously. Sure, it has heroes and villains, combat and death, monsters and magic, but Nicholas Eames adds so much humor and tongue-in-cheek moments that the lighter side of life is what you remember most about this tale of a band getting back together.

No, not that kind of band (though many of the newer bands in this world probably look exactly like KISS). Rather, Kings is about a band of mercenaries coming back together. All of it beginning when Clay Cooper returns home to find his band’s ex-leader Gabriel waiting for him; this once proud and fearless warrior a pathetic caricature of himself. Gabriel quickly telling Clay what has happened, sketching out a ridiculous plan to save someone dear to Gabriel. And even though he knows it is a hopeless endeavor, Clay can’t turn his best friend and former band mate down when he pathetically says “it’s time to get the band back together.” Which is when all the real fun starts.

Without a doubt, this was a fun book. Kings appeal firmly based on its humor. And it is a funny story. From snarky comments to hilarious moments, Nicholas Eames has the perfect comedic touch, keeping the laughs coming even when our heroes are bumbling from one near catastrophe to another.

But Kings is about more than just fun; it is about family, camaraderie, and real friendship. The kind of friendship which makes a grown man leave his beloved wife and daughter to follow along behind his best friend on a hopeless quest because . . . well, because he would do the same for him. And that true friendship is what shines through the jokes in this tale. This group of former badass mercs past their prime, burdened down by responsibility, and worn away by their many mistakes in life, but the one thing they have not forgotten nor are willing to discard the bonds of friendship they have with one another. This tie so strong they can tease one another unmercifully one moment, admit their stupidity the next, then laugh with one another when all hell is breaking loose around them. These guys are a band of brothers, and I, for one, will admit to enjoying all this bromance.

But every good fantasy story needs a good setting, and Kings provides a familiar yet intriguing one. From ancient empires to hair metal merc bands, from monster filled forests to politically charged palaces, from crowd filled arenas to high flying airships, Nicholas Eames takes normal fantasy norms, slaps his own brand on them and remolds them into something perfectly complimentary to this brutal yet humorous bromance.

As for any criticism, my only complaint would be the villain of the story. This bad dude with the rabbit ears just did nothing for me. Initially, I thought he was going to develop into something special, but it didn’t really happen. He wasn’t ominous or scary, nor was he especially silly or humorous. Rather, he just seemed to be there because a fantasy always needs a bad guy to be looming in the shadows ready to slap down the heroes. So while he didn’t ruin the fun, he did not add much either.

So are you looking for some fun in your fantasy? Dig the idea of old bands getting back together for reunion tours? Find yourself in need of some hardcore bromance? If you answered yes to any of those questions, then you need to read Kings of the Wyld quickly, because it will leave you with a smile on your face.

I received an advanced reading copy of this book from the publisher in exchange for a fair and honest review. I’d like to thank them for allowing me to receive this review copy and inform everyone that the review you have read is my opinion alone.

Kings of the Wyld is a fast-paced fantasy adventure. The clever idea of a world where mercenary groups are treated like rock bands is a great start. But it’s where Nicholas Eames takes this concept that makes the book a real rock star.

Clay Cooper’s glory days are long behind him. He spends his days on watch looking out at a mountain where nothing ever happens and then goes home to a wife and daughter who love him. Then one day, Gabriel the former leader of Saga, Clay’s band of mercenaries, shows up at his doorstep. Gabe’s daughter Rose is a mercenary in her own right but she’s trapped in the walled city of Castia, surrounded by a horde of monsters and facing all but certain death. Gabe plans to rescue her but he needs Clay’s help. They need to put the band back together.

If just reading that line puts a smile on your face, then this is the book for you. It’s an adventure full of excitement and humor and surprising moments of real emotion. Most of the members of Saga have aged and settled into new lives, from Matrick who is now a king to Moog, the pajama wearing wizard who finances his arcane research with the profits from a magical erectile dysfunction cure he invented. Ganelon, the remaining band member, has been turned to stone for crimes committed around the time the band broke up.

Putting the band back together takes up the first part of the book and allows the opportunity to get to know the various characters. Once the band is reunited, they must cross the Heartwyld. A vast forest filled with every monster imaginable. On the other side is a horde laying seige to Castia. The forest and the horde is home to more monsters than I’ve seen in any three fantasy novels. That’s part of what makes this book so fun. It is over the top outlandish with great action, wonderful humor and emotional moments that touch you when you least expect them and keep everything grounded. Gabe’s rousing call to battle is a speech that almost made me want to take up a sword and charge onto the field.

This book is a tremendous amount of fun, all the more remarkable that it’s a debut novel. The conclusion wraps up the story arc nicely, while making it clear that this is a world where plenty more adventures are waiting to be had. The world-building is wonderful and populated, no stuffed, with fascinating creatures and characters. Buckle up for a wyld ride. Highly recommended.

I was fortunate to receive an advance copy of this book.

My thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for an advanced reader copy in exchange for an honest review.

In this rock’em sock’em epic fantasy tale, Clay Cooper reunites with his band of mercenary misfits to do battle with a dangerous horde of monsters. It is an undeniably fun journey across a brutal landscape that feels overstuffed with seemingly every fantasy creature…ever. Since the story follows the reunion of the since-retired band Saga, there’s a full career retrospective that has to be explored and explained. This will serve subsequent books in the series well, but it was a lot of information to process while the main story was ongoing.

One fun aspect of Kings of the Wyld was the readily-apparent influence of rock band culture. It became a fun scavenger hunt to identify the parts of the mercenary band world that paralleled the world of rock — from going on tour, to groupies, frontmen, opening acts, headliners, tour bus skyships, battle of the bands, and many more. This was an amusing twist on a genre that often hits similar notes time and time again. While I never quite crossed the threshold from ‘like’ to ‘love’ on this novel, it was an entertaining ride, nonetheless.

Humor can be a tricky beast, as I often say. What works for one reader might not work for another, and what works one day might not work the next. Picking up something labeled “fantasy humor” is therefore always something of a crapshoot because I never know how it’s going to play out, and unfortunately the last couple of years have seen more misses than hits. When I started Kings of the Wyld though, I had a feeling it was going to be special, and I’m glad that my instincts didn’t steer me wrong.

This book has it all: gritty anti-heroes and twisted villains, epic battles and heart-stopping fight scenes, exotic locales and all manner of fantastical creatures. If this sounds like your kind of story, then you’re in for a treat. Nicholas Eames has reworked the classic quest narrative and presented it to us in a fun and refreshing package. You might even find yourself laughing out loud along the way.

Kings of the Wyld follows a motley crew of aging yet charming mercenaries as they reunite to rescue a bandmate’s daughter trapped behind the walls of a city under siege. After years of questing and brawling, Clay Cooper is ready put his past behind him. He’s married now with a young child, and he’s looking forward to retiring to a life of quiet and leisure. Fate, however, has different plans. One day, his old bandmate Gabe shows up with a desperate request for help. It seems Gabe’s daughter Rose has run off and gotten herself into trouble again, only this time it’s a matter of life and death.

At first, Clay is reluctant to get involved. He has his own fledgling family to think of now; no longer can he drop everything to traipse across the world on dangerous missions. But seeing Gabe’s distress, and recalling all the good times he’s had with his friend, he finally relents. Leaving the comfort of home behind, Clay joins Gabe to round up the members of Saga, their old band. This includes Matrick, their resident rogue who is now a drunken cuckolded king; Arcandius Moog, a wizard who has turned to a life of research trying to find a cure for a deadly disease; Ganelon, who has spent the last nineteen years trapped in his own private prison; and along the way, they even meet a Daeva named Larkspur who is in fact more foe than ally.

What follows is an entertaining, brilliantly crafted adventure that takes us across the Wyld by land and by air. If you’re a fan of video games or tabletop RPGs, you’ll feel right at home in this world with these characters who feel like they’ve stepped right out of a D&D campaign. Kings of the Wyld reads like a loving tribute to these types of classic narratives, while giving it heart—which I feel is the secret ingredient that sets this one apart. Somehow, Eames made it possible and even easy for me to relate to this band of mostly drunk, fat and jaded old men by turning their faults into endearing traits. These are genuine characters who have very real hopes and dreams, as well as values and principles that are important to them. After all, the entire premise of this story is driven by Gabe’s love for his daughter, and also by Clay’s loyalty to his old friend. You’ll fall in love the members of Saga and want to cheer them on every step of the way—this I promise you.

And of course, humor is another huge selling point. Kings of the Wyld is a fantasy novel that doesn’t take itself too seriously, and there are elements in it that are unabashedly tongue-in-cheek. The author might have taken a gamble on the style, but in the end I think it paid off. Still, one of the more common criticisms I’ve seen when it comes to fantasy comedy is the use of modern language, slang, or pop culture references. Personally, it doesn’t bother me if it’s second world fantasy, but if such anachronisms aren’t your cup of tea, then you may find it problematic. For me, what matters more is the tone of humor; I prefer my comedy on the subtler side as opposed to more overt styles like slapstick, and this is where the novel really delivered. The lightness kept the story nice and readable throughout while still adhering to epic fantasy traditions.

From the first page to the last, Kings of the Wyld is a rollicking fast-paced read with just the right amount of grit and wit. Nicholas Eames is definitely on to something here with his impressive debut. Bottom line, read this book if you’re a fan of good old-fashioned quest adventure narratives, and if you think you might enjoy one as seen through a modern humorous lens. I’ve tried a lot of books that match this description in recent years, and I have to say this is the best. Already I find myself craving the sequel, for I suspect the best is yet to come.

I can't emphasize enough how much I love this book! From the minute I read the synopsis a couple months ago I absolutely could not wait to read it. Having just finished it, I can't come up with any sort of criticism for the purpose of this review lol it was truly a superb fantasy adventure. The author went above and beyond creating a world so richly detailed and immersive that I half expected to see some of the creatures running around outside any time I was forced to put the book down. The characters were all well developed and relatable. The writing style was great, it had me hooked from the start and was detailed without being bogged down with unnecessary information and had me laughing out loud numerous times. The story develops at a nice pace, everything falls into place without feeling rushed or drawn out and the action never lets up. Kings of the Wyld is definitely one of my all time favorite fantasy adventure stories! I would love to see it as a tv series. Super excited to read the next book in the series!

*Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for the ARC!*

ARC provided by the publisher via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

This is such a beautifully crafted adventuring mission that surrounds a charming band of mercenaries, as they travel from town to town, on foot or sky ship, prepping for what is likely to be their last tour. And these towns are filled with, and surrounded by, every type of fantasy creature and monster that you could ever wish for: Centaurs, Treants, Owlbears, Direwolves, Ogres, Goblins, Kobolds, Gorgons, Wyverns, Chimeras, Gnolls, Harpies, Daevas/Succubus, Trolls, Cannibals, Dragons, Phoenixes, Gremlins, Giants, Slimes, Nymphs, Blood Eaters/Vampires, Moonies, Rakshas, Shifters, Golems, Gargoyles, Demons, Death Knights, Minotaurs, Cyclops, and so much more.

This mercenary band, Saga, was once the greatest band in all of the five kingdoms of Grandual, but after almost twenty years of no longer adventuring, the members find themselves a little older, much slower, and, for the sake of kindness, their bodies a lot softer.

Yet, even though they are older, slower, and softer, they all did their fair share of leveling up and did an even bigger share of killing dangerous monsters in their pasts. Not only do they have a reputation that precedes them, they also have some pretty legendary weapons.

➽ Clay Cooper /Slowhand, who wields Blackheart - a wooden shield made from a very famous battle with a Treant. Clay is working on the Watch, and is happy with his simple life as a husband and father.
➽ Gabriel/Golden Gabe, who wields Vellichor - a sword that is much more powerful than humanly imaginable. Gabe hasn't made the best choices in life, but now is in the dire need for help.
➽ Matrick/Matty Skulldrummer, who dual wields Roxy and Grave - now royal daggers. Matrick is now a King and in a very unhappy and unfaithful marriage.
➽ Arcandius Moog, who carries a Bag of Holding - filled with a vast array of weapons, and a hat that conjures refreshments on a whim. Moog is living in a wizard tower, trying to find a cure to a deadly disease.
➽ Ganelon, who wields Syrinx - a massive battle axe made from the stuff of nightmares. Ganelon has spent the last nineteen-years alone in captivity.
➽ Larkspur/Sabbatha, who wields Umbra - a scythe acquired from killing a very deadly foe. I have played a warlock in World of Warcraft for over ten years; there was no way that this Daevas/Succubus wasn't going to be my favorite character. I loved that she was a bounty hunter, and I loved her path to redemption then deception. I loved the budding romance with Ganelon, and the twist at the end broke my heart and made me leap for joy. Seriously, I need book two, Bloody Rose, now.

“As individuals they were each of them fallible, discordant as notes without harmony. But as a band they were something more, something perfect in its own intangible way.”

The important mission that is throwing Saga back into the spotlight, and forcing them out of retirement, is that Golden Gabe's daughter, Rosie, is trapped deep inside the Heartwyld, in the ruins of Castia, with four-thousand other people. Everyone in Saga knows that this could very well be a suicide mission, but all the members have their different reasons, or lack thereof, for agreeing to help Gabe on this impossible tour.

“But I need you to believe in one more story, Rose.” If Gabe’s voice had been stone before, now it was harder, colder, the mask of ice on a mountain’s wind-scarred face. “I am coming to Castia,” he said. “I am going to save you.”

The Heartwyld is a very dangerous place, filled with many of the creatures I listed above, but in the Heartwyld people can also contract a body eating disease called "the rot" that eats you away very slowly, eventually killing you. It is noncontagious, but easily picked up when an individual spends too much time in the forests of Heartwyld, and is truly the biggest fear in Grandual.

The mercenary bands of today aren't what they were in Saga's day. No one wants to get the rot, but everyone wants to be a hero. So instead of venturing into the forests to kill dangerous monsters, like Saga did back in their day, people in the cities just breed monsters and the bands fight them in the arena to prove their worth and to claim their fame.

“Life was funny, and fickle, and often cruel. Sometimes the unworthy went on living, while those who deserved better were lost.”

And what would this story be without a good villain? Lastleaf, a Druin (which is kind of like a bunny person and makes my heart so happy), is a villain that will also make you feel a great deal of empathy. He is the Master of the Heartwyld Horde, and he wants the destruction that is taking place in Castia to spread, and to enter all the five kingdoms so he can rule, but also because the creatures in Grandual are always deemed monsters and treated inhumanely. I mean, the biggest form of entertainment is to force these monsters, which are being bred in captivity, to fight in arenas against these bands just looking for fame.

This story will make you self reflect and think about what your definition of evil is. Is it the "bad guys" that are performing evil acts to free their people from the terrible treatment they are receiving, or is it the "good guys" doing terrible things to creatures they deem inferior and to each other, on the land they stole from the creatures in the first place.

“You’d be surprised how many choices one makes due to the intrinsic nature of self-preservation”

Between the Heartwyld and Lastleaf, Clay and the gang feel rather hopeless about their chances to rescue Rosie throughout the story, but with some good luck, new information, magical portals, great friends, and wonderful new acquaintances, they are able to have one last amazing adventure that will go down in history.

“This moment, is when you step out from the shadow of the past. Today you make your name. Today your legend is born. Come tomorrow, every tale the bards tell will belong to you, because today we save the world!”

This book reads like you're playing a fresh Dungeons & Dragons campaign, or you're starting a new character on World of Warcraft, or reading the lore behind a new Magic the Gathering set. There are so many nods at other fantasy stories, too, and I appreciated every smile I was forced to make because of them. This book is an ode to fantasy lovers, readers and gamers alike, and the immersion is nothing short of wonderful and all encompassing.

This book is a fantasy lover's dream, with the funniest banter, from characters you can't help but root for and fall in love with. I am so impressed with Nicholas Eames' debut novel, and I see nothing but amazing things in his future. Also, Moog is everything I've ever wanted in a wizard, and I will read any and everything with that little adorable cinnamon roll in it.

Needless to say, my nerdy self absolutely loved and devoured this story. This book is for sure under-hyped and truly is a shining light in today's new fantasy releases. I recommend this with my whole heart, and hope you, too, give it a try, because it is so very worth it. I unquestionably cannot wait to get my hands on book two.