Who Would Like This Book:
If you've ever wanted your epic fantasy with a side of rock-and-roll swagger, this one's for you. "Kings of the Wyld" is a wild mashup of sword-swinging adventure, monster mayhem, and laugh-out-loud humor - all starring a gang of lovable, over-the-hill heroes getting the band back together for one last, impossible quest. It hits all the D&D nostalgia buttons, and the playful worldbuilding (mercenary groups as rock stars!) is clever and fresh. Perfect for anyone who loves fantasy tropes turned upside down, witty banter, and stories with as much heart as hilarity. Fans of The Expendables, Terry Pratchett, or anyone who ever rolled dice late into the night will find a lot to enjoy here.
Who May Not Like This Book:
This book isn’t for everyone. If you're not a fan of raunchy humor, frequent cursing, or don’t like your fantasy mixed with irreverence and pop culture cheekiness, it might not be your thing. Some readers found the story a bit shallow or the tone too light, especially if you're looking for deeper worldbuilding or a more serious, high-stakes fantasy epic. The pacing in the first half (getting the gang back together) can feel slow, and the heavy focus on male characters means some may wish for stronger female representation.
About:
In 'Kings of the Wyld' by Nicholas Eames, the story follows a group of retired mercenaries who reunite to embark on one last adventure to save a member's daughter from a dangerous situation. The book is described as a fun and fast-paced fantasy novel with a humorous and self-aware take on the classic epic fantasy genre. The characters are portrayed as lovable, the plot is filled with thrilling and entertaining moments, and the writing style is engaging and easy to follow.
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From The Publisher:
A retired group of legendary mercenaries get the band back together for one last impossible mission in this award-winning debut epic fantasy.
"Fantastic, funny, ferocious." - Sam Sykes
Clay Cooper and his band were once the best of the best, the most feared and renowned crew of mercenaries this side of the Heartwyld.
Their glory days long past, the mercs have grown apart and grown old, fat, drunk, or a combination of the three. Then an ex-bandmate turns up at Clay's door with a plea for help - the kind of mission that only the very brave or the very stupid would sign up for.
It's time to get the band back together.
Ratings (111)
Incredible (27) | |
Loved It (40) | |
Liked It (18) | |
It Was OK (12) | |
Did Not Like (9) | |
Hated It (5) |
Reader Stats (282):
Read It (106) | |
Currently Reading (5) | |
Want To Read (133) | |
Did Not Finish (12) | |
Not Interested (26) |
4 comment(s)
Easy, page-turning fun. Felt a little rambling and unfocused at times. I feel like I knew exactly what to expect with this one, so I wasn't disappointed by the Guardians of the Galaxy vibe, even though that's usually not my style.
Fun enough and interesting world. But didn’t quite work for me
I picked this up at Vroman’s, my favorite local bookstore, because I liked the cover and the story sounded like fun. The basic premise is that mercenary bands are like rock stars and the main character has to “get the band back together” to save his friend’s daughter from a siege. The book is funny but not silly; one pull-quote on the cover compared it to Terry Pratchett’s work, which is a gross exaggeration, but did convince me to pick it up, so I suppose I can forgive the inaccuracy. Ultimately this is just a fun adventure. It takes the edge off of grimdark without feeling free of consequences.
Many parts of this felt like reading the backstory to someone else's DandD character. Overly concerned with lore, sometimes nonsensical, and above all: irrelevant to my interests and boring.
(Disclaimer: I am a passionate Dungeons and Dragons player.)
The humor just didn't work with me. I think that's what will make or break the book for you, and it was the straw that broke the camel's back for me.
A wise acquaintance said to me, "There's only two types of people who read Kings of the Wyld: people who stopped at the erection joke and people who absolutely love the book." I hoped that I would be in the second camp. To my dismay, I'm actually in the first.
What can you read after
Kings of the Wyld?
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