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Kings of the Wyld

Book 1 in the series:The Band

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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.

Characters:

The characters are a diverse group of aging mercenaries, each with distinctive personalities and relatable struggles that add depth and humor to the story.

Writing/Prose:

The writing style is humorous and modern, blending traditional fantasy with contemporary references and emotional resonance.

Plot/Storyline:

The plot focuses on a group of aging mercenaries who come out of retirement for one last adventure, highlighting themes of friendship, heroism, and nostalgia.

Setting:

The setting is a vibrant fantasy world where mercenary adventurers are celebrated like rock stars, incorporating a mix of traditional fantasy elements.

Pacing:

The pacing includes a slower introduction for character development followed by a quicker, action-packed adventure.
Should you wish to learn what became of those who survived the Battle for Castia, I suggest you visit either your local library or your favorite pub. What you find in the library might be closer to th...

Notes:

Kings of the Wyld is about a band of middle-aged, overweight ex-mercenaries who reunite for one last adventure.
The premise compares mercenary bands to rock bands, highlighting fame and glory.
The main characters are a retired group called Saga, who were once legendary heroes.
Their mission is to rescue a front man's daughter trapped in a city besieged by monsters.
The story features humor with a blend of action and heartfelt moments, making it both funny and poignant.
Each character has a rich backstory; for example, Clay Cooper's weapon is a wooden shield made from a Treant.
Moog, the wizard in the band, is known for selling a magical Viagra-like product.
A Daeva bounty hunter is among the antagonists, providing a twist on traditional fantasy elements.
Nicholas Eames combines elements of fantasy, adventure, and rock music culture in a unique way.
The book received praise for its character development and humor, making it a standout in the fantasy genre.

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 (57)

Incredible (13)
Loved It (18)
Liked It (10)
It Was OK (8)
Did Not Like (5)
Hated It (3)

Reader Stats (142):

Read It (56)
Currently Reading (3)
Want To Read (67)
Did Not Finish (6)
Not Interested (10)

2 comment(s)

Incredible
1 month

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.

 
Hated It
8 months

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.

 
 
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