DNF at page 400. Not worth the effort. ( )

This isn't high lit. Simply a fun D&D campaign with a sense of humor. Fun! ( )

Although it took me for some reason quite a while to finally finish this book, I ended up really liking it. In a genre that is filled with nihilistic, grim-dark stories, this novel is exactly what the doctor ordered to help cure readers of the grimdark blues. Don't worry however. Kings of the Wyld includes enough grit for fans of George R.R. Martin and Scott Lynch but includes enough silliness and humorous moments to rival the work of Sir Terry Pratchett. At the same time, this novel has a few moments of genuine poignancy that really make you care about the characters. Kuddos to Mr. Eames for somehow pulling his crazy rock & roll inspired fantasy novel off.

So what's it about? KINGS OF THE WYLD is about five male friends, an old mercenary band (similar to maybe, I don't know - Black Sabbath or KISS) that get together after a long retirement to tour once again (except that for this group of mercs this isn't a farewell rock tour, it's a perceived suicide mission). Clay Cooper and his "Band", Saga (The Kings of the Wyld) were once the greatest of the greatest mercenary Bands, but now the members have separated and grown old, fat, drunk or a combination of the three. Until one day, one of Clay’s band mates, Gabriel, came asking for help with an incredibly dangerous quest (to rescue his daughter Rose who went off and formed a band of her own) that will require the Band getting back together for one more tour across the Heartwyld, a gigantic forest filled with a plethora of monsters, beasts, and many other deadly sentient beings.

With an impressive combination of lovable characters, gripping actions, intricate world-building, humorous moments and well-polished prose, Kings of the Wyld is a rocking good time (filled with fun rock n' roll references to boot).

For fans of: Scott Lynch, Jim Hines, Patrick Rothfuss. ( )

I thoroughly enjoyed this book. It was flat out hilarious. It also did a great job of making me care about all the characters. The best part is it never really took itself completely serious. A very funny fantasy novel with a touch of heart felt joy to hit you right in the feels. Also, bloody as hell and reads like an out of control roller coaster. I look forward to reading the next one. ( )

Aaaah, where do I even start with this book? I LOVED IT. I loved it more than I've loved anything I've read in ages. I had to look back through my book journal... the last book I enjoyed this much was A GAME OF THRONES (because, of course it was!).

KINGS OF THE WYLD reminded me of all the reasons I love fantasy. It's campaign D&D at its very best, and it brought back every sweet memory I have of falling in love with Dragonlance, and World of Warcraft, and Lord of the Rings. I adored the characters - every single one of the guys in the band was so well crafted, so perfectly drawn. Throw in a few secondary characters who were just as magical -- the ettin, the revenant, the daeva -- and I just couldn't put this book down. And yet I also didn't want it to ever end, so I found myself reading slowly, in small chunks, savouring every page like another bite of a chocolate cake, so I could let it linger on my tongue until I had to have another taste.

I am absolutely delighted that there's a sequel, and I will certainly be picking up everything Nicholas Eames writes from now on. I love finding a new favourite author! ( )