Kings of the Wyld

Gritty and humorous.

If you could sum up Kings of the Wyld in three words, what would they be?

Camaraderie, adventure and nutjobs.

What other book might you compare Kings of the Wyld to, and why?

I could definetly compare this to Abercrombie's "The first law" series. It shares many themes, though this book is better. It has a broader spectrum of emotions. It's quite funny, even though it can at times be dark. You feel for the characters in it, you care.

Have you listened to any of Jeff Harding’s other performances? How does this one compare?

I havent, I don't think. He was great though. I was a bit sceptical due to the accent, but it worked really well. He manages to differentiate voices very well, he adds feeling and emotion at the right times... When there is humour, he makes you honestly think that the character finds whatever is going on amusing.
He even pulls of gritty voices. I am pleased.

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

It is very long, so no.. But I did finish it in a couple of days, it was more or less impossible to put down.

Any additional comments?

Never heard of either the author or the narrator before, but this was just magnificent... It's like finding a brand of whisky that you've never even heard of before, sampling it and finding something that has the exact amount of sweetness and complexity, countered by a smokey and warm taste.. With an after touch of sensation that leaves you considering it even after you've finished.

18 of 18 people found this review helpful

A refreshing and enjoyable take on a classic tale

Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?

The fantasy is preserved and surprisingly improved upon by the wry and sharp humour which affectionately pokes fun at all the tropes fantasy stories are reputed to embrace.

What other book might you compare Kings of the Wyld to, and why?

It's hard to find a story to accurately compared KotW to - it would be more appropriate to describe it as Game of Thrones tones interlaced with Diskworld humour.

Which character – as performed by Jeff Harding – was your favourite?

The charming southern drawl possessed by the majority of the main cast make it easy to find yourself attached to them - however the character of Clay Cooper, who effectively narrates the story and takes the listener on the journey with him is a particularly charismatic figure, whose tones made the entire experience akin to listening to a friend tell your their life story.

10 of 10 people found this review helpful

A proper sword swashbuckling adventure

Written with a light, humorous touch, and very well narrated. This was a good find!
Some laugh out moments, which I always appreciate. Proper "boys-own" adventure - though some pretty feisty ladies in it too.

The title suggests there are more books to come in this series, and while there are lots of hooks /additional characters who could go on to lead their own stories, this particular story is nicely wrapped up with no gaping loose ends.

A great listen, and I will look out for future books by Nicholas Eames.

6 of 6 people found this review helpful

Great fantasy book. best I've read in ages.

Couldn't stop listening to this book. Jeff Harding's voice brings a twist to the fantasy genre which I loved.
Eames fleshes out not only the ragtag band of bygone heroes, but brings a depth to the host of minor players. Giving some funny and bittersweet moments to this story.

6 of 6 people found this review helpful

ther was nothing I didn't like about this book .

Great story and Jeff was fantastic I loved every minute of it and will listen to it again.

6 of 6 people found this review helpful

A love lettter to classic tabletop RPGs

This book was from start to finish laden with self referencing humour and external references that had me grinning from ear to ear during my commute. Subtle nods to classic RPGs, fiction, and gaming tropes. Intermixed with fun and interesting twists on some old ideas to keep everything fresh.

While you don't need to know your Giant Tarantula from your Tarrasque to enjoy the book you'll defiantly get more out of it. The author does a good job describing the important elements of the exotic monsters encountered on the bands travels, however some of the more brief nods will go over the heads of some readers, especially during the climaxing chapters there are extremely large numbers of monsters mentioned in brief quick succession.

The narration was on point with only a couple of words such as Cuirass sounding off and one or two times during the action where the character inflections seemed to get a bit muddled. Not enough to distract for more than an instant. Each major character gets their own distinct voice so it's never a struggle to work out who is talking.

5 of 5 people found this review helpful

I laughed, I cried and I nearly crashed the car!!

WARNING - start this book and you can kiss family and your podcasts goodbye for a time.
You know when you find a fantasy book that you think was written for you? this is it. No brooding Hero's here, well maybe one. it's full of funny one liners. Great story telling and characters you believe in. Great narration to top it off. well done to all involved. A great geri-action fantasy book

4 of 4 people found this review helpful

Great

Great story, really funny, best story I have listened to for a while. Good action adventure

4 of 4 people found this review helpful

Awesome

Great fantasy for starters, also a brilliant rock parody with more easter-eggs than you'd believe.

3 of 3 people found this review helpful

Born to be Wyld!

"It's a thousand miles to Castia, we've got an airship full of gas, half a tub of deep heat, it's dark and we're wearing cuirasses . . . Hit It!"

Sometimes words fail me, as anyone who's read one of my reviews will likely concur! However, this is just a special case of wordlostiness because this book tickled me in places where most are sensible enough to not even consider venturing. Clay Cooper is reforming the band for one last, final gig to save a bandmate's daughter. This being the fantasy genre the band is of course a mercenary band and the daughter is trapped in Castia surrounded by a ravening horde.

All sounds reasonable but what unfolds is a joyous cacophony of The Blues Brothers, films like RED and the Expendables, wonderful homage to the institution that is D&D and to my happy surprise classic rock. I think the beauty of it is that it's a great fantasy road trip tough action comedy even if you don't like any of those things but they do add some real spice if you do.

It is above all character-led and just like some of those movies you'll find yourself warming to Clay, Gabe, Moog and co as they are warmly depicted and very, very human for fantasy characters. I see one reviewer has likened them to Joe Abercrombie's First Law series characters going so far to say that these are better. It's certainly fair to draw parallels, I think if like me you loved Logan Ninefingers you'll find a lot to like in "Slowhand" Cooper. I wouldn't go as far as saying this book is better in that regard as Abercrombie was going for something more complex in terms of character relationships.

The narration is surprisingly good. I've always rated Jeff Harding's hard as nails gravel tones as Jack Reacher but I did raise an eyebrow when I saw that he had been chosen for this. Here he gets to show much greater versatility and a chance to show his genuine talent as a narrator. An excellent performance indeed!

This book genuinely pressed most of my buttons. I was continually smiling at the classic rock references, both in terms of the story especially with "bands aren't like they were in the old days" and the continuous name checks; a wizard called Moog, place names like Coverdale, a "gambling house" burning down near a lake doubtless spreading "Smoke on the Water" and my personal favourite, an axe named in honour of the holy trinity themselves.

So, even if you are not a fan of the music or old RPGs I have little trouble recommending this to anyone who enjoys action packed fantasy with a good helping of humour.

Note to author: I'm not sure how anyone can doubt the existence of owlbears when they are clearly described in even the First Edition Monster Manual. Tsk tsk!

12 of 16 people found this review helpful