From the Bookshelf of Grimdark Fantasy…

Kings of the Wyld (The Band, #1)

Nicholas Eames

Start date: January 10, 2018

Finish date: February 28, 2018

Discussion: Group Reads Discussions

Why we're reading this: Poll winner!!
[close] Poll winner!!

Find A Copy At

Libraries

Group Discussions About This Book

Showing 2 of 47 topics — 1,325 comments total

Group Reads Discussions

* May/June '18 - Blackwing - **BEWARE OF SPOILERS**
By Tracey the Li… , First In, Last Out · 11 posts · 81 views

last updated Sep 27, 2018 05:21AM

* May/June '18 - Blackwing by Ed Mcdonald - **NO SPOILERS**
By Tracey the Li… , First In, Last Out · 11 posts · 59 views

last updated May 28, 2018 08:41PM

showing 4 of 4 topics view all »

What Members Thought

Sep 03, 2018 Chris Haught rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

Shelves: fantasy-buddy-reads, read-owned-ebook

That hit the spot. I’ve been looking for this book for years, needing to read something that was just a whole bunch of fun.

Reading this story of a bunch of retired mercenaries getting the band back together for a final tour was a dip into my entertainment history. Back in my Air Force days, I had a group of men and women that gathered once a month for a truly epic Saturday. We’d meet for breakfast and then gather at one of our houses for an all-day session of Advanced Dungeons & Dragons. We boug That hit the spot. I’ve been looking for this book for years, needing to read something that was just a whole bunch of fun.

Reading this story of a bunch of retired mercenaries getting the band back together for a final tour was a dip into my entertainment history. Back in my Air Force days, I had a group of men and women that gathered once a month for a truly epic Saturday. We’d meet for breakfast and then gather at one of our houses for an all-day session of Advanced Dungeons & Dragons. We bought up the 2nd Edition books as they came out and had to try everything.

I’d play those old cassettes on my way to the games (or to breakfast and back if the session was at my house). I remember jamming to Nazareth’s “Hair of the Dog” as I went to one of these, nearly 30 years ago. I even named a character/villain “Britney Fox” after one of the semi-popular hair bands of the day and jammed their cassette while I plotted her diabolical schemes.

So yes, I smile at the idea of calling up all these old friends, getting a few cases of beer and some pizzas, and dragging the old books out. We’d bring back our own band: Qurx Grimthorn, Anastasious Xerxes, Quinta Ish, Marco the Weak, Corwyn, and Borg the Sly. Plus many (bards) whose names I can’t remember. We’d be rusty. We’d probably be embarrassing to our spouses and children. We’d be clumsy and have a lot of false starts as we try to remember all the rules and try to move with our old bones in ways that were second nature back then.

But in the end, I’m sure we’d have a kickass time.

That’s what this book was. It was much fresher and flowing as a story than that fantasy meeting I just described would be (it wouldn’t). But the feelings of nostalgia are one of the key components that drives this story, along with great characters, cool as hell imaginative twists, and a sense of humor that had me laugh out loud as I was caught off guard more than once.

One question I keep seeing is “Is it Grimdark?” when asked about this book. Most argue that it is not. So I had to think on that, and well, I don’t know what to say. It appeals to readers and authors of Grimdark. Eames has been published in Grimdark Magazine, and I keep seeing authors known for their gritty work endorsing this. There are definitely “grimdark” moments and scenes through the story, but no, I don’t think it ends up being such.

I compare this question to that of Pink Floyd. Back in the day when you were only cool if you listened to heavy metal and hard rock, there was Pink Floyd. A trippy band with lots of deep musical experimentation and big ideas, Pink Floyd could play the hell out of their unique music. And while it wasn’t heavy metal at all, one thing I noticed was that metalheads loved it. If you were a metalhead and you had Duran Duran cassettes, you’d better hide them when your headbanger friends came over. But not so with Pink Floyd. Those could be out in front and played loud. It was even a sign of being cool if you had some sort of Pink Floyd poster on the wall. No, Pink Floyd wasn’t metal, but metal fans found them totally cool and acceptable all the same.

That’s how I see Kings of the Wyld. It’s not grimdark, but just about every grimdark reader has tried this book (or plans to). And most love it. It’s found on their shelves beside the works of George R.R. Martin, Joe Abercrombie, and Mark Lawrence. And it looks just fine sitting there with those.
...more

45 likes · Like · see review

Jul 16, 2017 Mili rated it liked it

Shelves: own-the-book

I feel so conflicted...I love how it started, the writing reads smooth and the jokes are epic but a lot of it was boring too! The world has the most magical creatures ever, such a wide variety and yet they get summed up quickly so they get a mention and fall flat. The Heartwyld fell short, this huge ominous forest felt so rushed through. I wanted more! The parts that didnt feel rushed through were vivid and great to read through, I guess it shouldve been split into a trilogy so everything could ...more

31 likes · Like · see review

Jan 23, 2018 Bogdan rated it did not like it

Shelves: stopped-reading-not-for-me, with-a-lot-of-potential-but-no

I really wanted to like this one. Such a positive vibe all around the web. But it was my second try and I truly didn`t like the so called humor or irony, or what is it, and the story with the characters where kind of ...meh...

next! ...more

18 likes · Like · see review

Mar 18, 2017 Greg (adds 2 TBR list daily) Hersom rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

***This review is posted over at fantasyliterature.com*****

When Clay Cooper returns home from work to find his old friend, Gabriel, waiting on him, he knows something is wrong. He learns that Gabe’s headstrong daughter has run off to be a mercenary and ended up in a city besieged by an overwhelming horde of monsters. Gabe is now desperate to get their “band,” Saga, back together and go save her. Saga used to be the most famous mercenary band ever. Tales of Slowhand Clay, Golden Gabe, Arcandius M ***This review is posted over at fantasyliterature.com*****

When Clay Cooper returns home from work to find his old friend, Gabriel, waiting on him, he knows something is wrong. He learns that Gabe’s headstrong daughter has run off to be a mercenary and ended up in a city besieged by an overwhelming horde of monsters. Gabe is now desperate to get their “band,” Saga, back together and go save her. Saga used to be the most famous mercenary band ever. Tales of Slowhand Clay, Golden Gabe, Arcandius Moog, Matrick Skulldrummer, and Ganelon are still told in the pubs throughout the kingdom to this day.
However, that was many years ago, and they’re no longer the young men they used to be. Clay, in particular, has happily retired to a quiet life in the country with his wife and daughter. So, with great reluctance Clay turns his best friend down. But later, when Clay’s nine-year daughter, Tally, asks,”…But you would come if it was me, right Daddy? If I was trapped by bad guys far away? You would come and save me?” thus Saga’s reunion tour begins.
Nicholas Eames asked, “What if Dungeon & Dragon adventurers were like rock bands?” And his answer is: Kings of the Wyld. Saga were real mercenaries, from back when fortune and glory was earned on the battlefield. Nowadays, with the wars are all won and the monsters beaten back, the young badass-wanna-be’s just tour arenas as gladiators or take the occasional gig of handling insignificant incursions from the cursed Heartwyld forest.
The premise alone is enough to sell most sword & sorcery or grimdark nerds — especially the ones with an inclination for head-banging. Kings of the Wyld also has enough combat, mystical creatures, wizardry and/or deviltry, to push the boundaries of polite company. Plus, there are many laugh out-loud moments too — think Joe Abercrombie-Lite, but not too light. Then Eames has to go and mess with his readers’ emotions. If you have a tendency to get attached to fictional characters, prepare to fall in love and have your heart broken by these people — and even a creature or two, but if you’re a cynical old bastard like me … prepare to fall in love and have your heart broken by these people — and even a creature or two.
Personally, Eames had me at the conversation between Clay and his daughter. I know firsthand that there is nothing that a father won’t attempt in order to avoid disappointing his little girl, even if it means risking his life for a friend’s child. Eames proves in Kings of the Wyld that he gets that. He has a deep understanding of human nature and he knows how to exploit it for great storytelling. For my money, that’s what separates the great writers from the good ones. ...more

9 likes · Like · see review

May 16, 2019 Carrie rated it it was amazing

Shelves: fantasy, humor, adventure, wizards, warrior

That was a fantastic journey.

It's made me wish for the good ol'days of my old World of Warcraft guild.

I don't think I can say anything bad about this book, it has humor, adventure, and most importantly heart. ...more

7 likes · Like · see review

Jul 12, 2017 Kati rated it it was amazing

Can I just say how much I hate this book. I finished it over two weeks ago and I'm now sitting on the struggle bus trying to find another humorous fantasy of such high caliber. Uuuuuugggghhhhhhhhh I'm going on strike ...more

4 likes · Like · see review

Mar 28, 2018 Drsilent rated it really liked it

Shelves: fantasy, comedy

A very nice surprise! Grabbed this through goodreads recommendations somewhere for a bargain price, and accordingly was not really expecting much. What I got turned out to be a rompy fantasy which definitely does not take itself seriously, but still manages to provide high entertainment value and an original take on the old trope of the adventuring band.

This reads a bit like Pratchett's silver horde through the lens of grimdark. Group of aging adventurers with their heyday well behind them gets ...more

2 likes · Like · see review

Sep 02, 2017 David rated it it was amazing

Other reviewers have already said it all. A new brilliant author to add to my list of favorites. I highly recommend you give it a try. I really love all the old school D&D references. It was a great ride with a fantastic ending.

1 like · Like · see review