Kings of the Wyld
4.7
23
5
1
Paperback
USD
15.29
$15.29
Product Details
| ISBN-13: | 9780316362474 |
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| Publisher: | Orbit |
| Publication date: | 02/21/2017 |
| Series: | Band Series |
| Pages: | 544 |
| Sales rank: | 45,795 |
| Product dimensions: | 5.40(w) x 8.20(h) x 1.60(d) |
About the Author
Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
Kings of the Wyld
4.7 out of 5
based on
0 ratings.
24 reviews.
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Amazing debut...must purchase
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Extremely entertaining. Just 'cuse you get old, doesn't mean the fun has to end forever. Eagerly awaiting the sequel.
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I loved it! Fantasy has been missing something for a long time to me. This was it. Once the ball got rolling there was no stopping it.
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All Clay Cooper wanted to do was settle down, raise a family and try to put the past behind him. For ten years, he'd been doing just that. But when his old comrade in arms turns up at his door, asking for help, Clay can't do anything other than help his friend save his daughter, save a city and maybe even save the world.
At its core, Kings of the Wyld has a very simple premise: what if the groups of mercenaries or adventurers common to many fantasy novels were treated like rock bands?
Fortunately, it's an idea that works very well. Groups are described as taking tours of the wilderness to establish their monster killing credentials, they have agents to book their jobs & the like and, in the case of Clay & the other members of Saga, the repeated refrain is 'getting the band back together'.
Far from resting on this basic conceit, Kings of the Wyld offers a number of other pleasures. The camaraderie between Saga's members is at times foul-mouthed, bantering or poignant, but always rings true to the characters. And speaking of true to life characters, it's refreshing to have one major character in this type of group be gay without it being a major plot point and another who discovers that rising to become a king isn't the fix-all for some other stories would have it be.
The world-building is also a lot of fun, with hints about the history of the characters, their acquaintances and the places they visit dropped into the narrative, enough to keep the story moving but not too much to risk the dreaded infodump. Everything moves a goodly pace from beginning to end, with hardly any slow points to let things drag.
All in all, it's a fun action-packed romp, with a fresh view on some fantasy tropes and some great dialogue along the way.
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What should have been over the top ridiculous, he made heart warming, funny, and serious.
In a big fantasy fan, and from the hair band days. This book captures all the great from both, and maybe the bad, but in a good way.
Great story, great book.
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This book had me chuckling by page two. Literally. After that, I pretty much never stopped.
Comedic fantasy is my new favorite sub-genre. I had a hunch I would enjoy this book, but I didn’t know how deeply I’d love it or how funny it would be! This book has a lot of sarcasm, swearing and heart.
Washed up up mercs getting together again to save the day is definitely a theme I can get behind. I think having Clay, the reluctant tough-guy and all-around gentle-hearted man as the voice of the story was a smart move. He’s a man of few words but strong feelings and the unofficially (ok, or maybe officially) second-in-command. It’s Gabe’s time of need, but it’s Clay who really reunites the band. His weapon of choice is also a shield (made from a giant treant the group killed in the past), which is interesting and says a lot about his character.
This book has awesome weapons, crazy creatures (like, every fantasy/mythical beast and then some), mercenaries galore, magic, murder, and a villain with furry bunny ears.
Yep.
I’m not going to go into the plot – it’s fairly standard fantasy fare. The characters and the world-building are what make this book. Here's one of the many quotes I flagged:
“’Really?’ Gabriel sounded skeptical.
‘Really!’ Matrick said proudly.
‘Really…?’ Moog stroked his chin, intrigued.
‘Really?’ snapped the queen. “I swear by the Summer Lord’s beard, I have laundry maids who talk less than you three.’ She gestured at Clay with a white-gloved hand. ‘Kale, at least, knows when to keep his mouth shut.’
‘It’s Clay, actually.’
Lillith pouted haughtily. ‘And you were doing so well.’”
This book isn’t all humor though. The boys (ok, old men) of the band all have dark and sometimes sordid pasts. Not to mention the quest they embark on is basically hopeless. There are definitely some heavy hitting chapters in the latter part of the book. Just enough to solidify the characters and story, so they don’t become too farcical.
I’ve only one sin to hit this book with: the accursed line!
“Clay let out a breath he didn’t know he’d been holding…”
Damnit, Eames! Clay’s too good for that!
All jokes aside, this book is hilarious with a dash of feels for good measure. Easily one of my favorite books of the year and definitely one of my favorite fantasy novels. Can’t wait for Bloody Rose in August!
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Everything you would want in a fantasy book. Takes me back to my D&D days.
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I am glad that I read this book! The characters are awesome, the storyline is incredible, and the fight scenes were epic. The entire time I kept looking at how many pages were left because I did not want the book to end! I really hated knowing I was getting closer and closer to the end. I laughed, I cried, and I cried from laughing. Most of the fantasy books I have been reading recently have been so intense and serious. It was a huge treat to read one that was just as epic, if not more, and hilarious! Nicholas Eames is now favorite writer, he knew how to pull on all of my heart strings.
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The rock band fusion with fantasy is an awesome angle. The story felt like a new take on fantasy but there were so many creatures mentioned that were from traditional fantasy games like D&D. Truly a fun read. I kept imagining what it would be like as a movie.
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A lot of humor mixed with violence and drama. Fun and worth reading. The pace was good and the characters were likeable.
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Really enjoyed the characters.
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Rollicking, fast paced, humorous and even manages to tug at the heart strings here and there. Fantasy done well lives here. Unique application of inspiration for character and world building. Read it and see.
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The characters of this ridiculously fun romp draw you in and make you their friend. The relationships between them are great and their shared humor is the best part of the book. I could see everyone in my head and it made the book so fun to read. I did have some difficulty imagining some of the monsters (I apparently have a stunted monster image gallery in my brain), but the action never left me confused as to what was happening or where anyone was. I flew though the book and would highly recommend to any fantasy reader.
Moog is the best.
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A near perfect mix of comedy, action, heart and more comedy.
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I loved the characters and story! I would definitely read again!
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Pretty fresh take on fantastic creatures and the new world of wild
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A great opening novel. Nicholas Eames weaves a great tale of a band of older, not quite washed-up heroes who join together for one last do or die adventure. "The Boys are indeed back in town!". Well done, Mr. Eames, well done!
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This book was so funny I had to put it down because I was laughing so hard. The adventure was intriguing and the fight scenes were exciting. I love this book and strongly recommend it!
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“There was something wrong about this moment. Like watching a beard-spider dance, or getting stabbed on your birthday.”
If you’re looking for the perfect balance of blues, you’re last D&D campaign, and a bunch of old dudes, then rest your weary toes and dive into Nicholas Eames’ debut novel. With a dark sense of humor and characters that surprise you with moments of earnest depth, “Kings of the Wyld” is a brilliant reminder that a story doesn’t need to be dark, moody, or even overly unique, to sweep you away in a new world and leave you aching to stay there for just a page more.
“Slowhand” Clay Cooper is a retired member of the legendary mercenary band “Saga.” Or at least they were legendary 18 years ago, but now Clay is married, has a daughter, and is undisputedly… old. When his best friend and former band mate Gabe shows up on his doorstep begging for help to save his daughter, Clay reluctantly leaves his family, helps Gabe gather the band back together. They bumble through aching backs, creatures pulled straight from the D&D monster manual, and face an enemy more deadly than any they did in their glory days.
Solid 8.5/10, and I would definitely recommend to a friend. A fantastic mix of Grimdark and Sword and Sorcery, for a story that will leave you laughing, and then suckerpunch you in the feels before you can recover.
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Fantastic debut! The idea of a group of adventurers being equated to rock bands is a fresh take on the swords and sorcery worldview, and Eames executed with precision, developing a cadre of sympathetic characters with a strong lead. I'll be reading this one again!
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Excellent story, good character development, one of the best new authors of the genre I've read in a while! Looking forward to the next installment!
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Buy this book! If your into sword and sorcery fantasy you can't go wrong. A great first book. Looking forward to the next one. Buy it.
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The conceit of Kings of the Wylde is that, in Nicholas Eames world, our familiar bands of adventurers are treated as just that, bands, who go on tour, take gigs, and have admiring followers. It would be easy to go too far with this, but Eames walks the fine line between amusing and silly perfectly.
There's nothing here we haven't seen before and will see again, but somehow the author makes it all great fun from beginning to end.
I've never used the term "page turner" in a book review, but this time I'm really, really tempted to.
Especially as a first novel, this is an excellent work. Tastes of Joe Abercrombie, and that's no bad thing.
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Great first novel. The Band is the kind of group you would enjoy a Saturday night with. This is a great vacation read!!!
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