"[A] fantasy masterwork . . . a dirty, blood-soaked gem of a novel [that reads] like Mad Max set in Tolkien's Middle-earth."-Kirkus Reviews (starred review)
Jackal and his fellow half-orcs patrol the barren wastes of the Lot Lands, spilling their own damned blood to keep civilized folk safe. A rabble of hard-talking, hog-riding, whore-mongering brawlers they may be, but the Grey Bastards are Jackal's sworn brothers, fighting at his side in a land where there's no room for softness.
And once Jackal's in charge-as soon as he can unseat the Bastards' tyrannical, seemingly unkillable founder-there's a few things they'll do different. Better.
Or at least, that's the plan. Until the fallout from a deadly showdown makes Jackal start investigating the Lot Lands for himself. Soon, he's wondering if his feelings have blinded him to ugly truths about this world, and the Bastards' place in it.
In a quest for answers that takes him from decaying dungeons to the frontlines of an ancient feud, Jackal finds himself battling invading orcs, rampaging centaurs, and grubby human conspiracies alike-along with a host of dark magics so terrifying they'd give even the heartiest Bastard pause.
Finally, Jackal must ride to confront a threat that's lain in wait for generations, even as he wonders whether the Bastards can-or should--survive.
Delivered with a generous wink to Sons of Anarchy, featuring sneaky-smart worldbuilding and gobs of fearsomely foul-mouthed charm, The Grey Bastards is a grimy, pulpy, masterpiece-and a raunchy, swaggering, cunningly clever adventure that's like nothing you've read before.
Praise for The Grey Bastards
"Saddle up the war boar and set off on a wild, gory thrill-ride that ends in an awesome climax and begs for a sequel."-Daily Mail (UK)
"Non-stop action, though not for faint hearts . . . the Grey Bastards live up to their name in all respects."-The Wall Street Journal
Jackal and his fellow half-orcs patrol the barren wastes of the Lot Lands, spilling their own damned blood to keep civilized folk safe. A rabble of hard-talking, hog-riding, whore-mongering brawlers they may be, but the Grey Bastards are Jackal's sworn brothers, fighting at his side in a land where there's no room for softness.
And once Jackal's in charge-as soon as he can unseat the Bastards' tyrannical, seemingly unkillable founder-there's a few things they'll do different. Better.
Or at least, that's the plan. Until the fallout from a deadly showdown makes Jackal start investigating the Lot Lands for himself. Soon, he's wondering if his feelings have blinded him to ugly truths about this world, and the Bastards' place in it.
In a quest for answers that takes him from decaying dungeons to the frontlines of an ancient feud, Jackal finds himself battling invading orcs, rampaging centaurs, and grubby human conspiracies alike-along with a host of dark magics so terrifying they'd give even the heartiest Bastard pause.
Finally, Jackal must ride to confront a threat that's lain in wait for generations, even as he wonders whether the Bastards can-or should--survive.
Delivered with a generous wink to Sons of Anarchy, featuring sneaky-smart worldbuilding and gobs of fearsomely foul-mouthed charm, The Grey Bastards is a grimy, pulpy, masterpiece-and a raunchy, swaggering, cunningly clever adventure that's like nothing you've read before.
Praise for The Grey Bastards
"Saddle up the war boar and set off on a wild, gory thrill-ride that ends in an awesome climax and begs for a sequel."-Daily Mail (UK)
"Non-stop action, though not for faint hearts . . . the Grey Bastards live up to their name in all respects."-The Wall Street Journal
eBook epub
The long-awaited war has come in the sweeping conclusion to the Lot Lands trilogy-another irresistibly swashbuckling, swaggering, foul-mouthed fantasy from the author of The Grey Bastards.
"[A] rip-roaring, shelf-bending conclusion . . . nothing short of an adventure fantasy masterwork."-Kirkus Reviews (Best Books of the Year)
War has come to the Lot Lands-and Oats stands upon the frontline.
The Hisparthan armies on the horizon are mighty, bolstered by divine champions, dread sorcerers, and gunpowder. It's almost more than the half-orc rebellion can hope to repel.
But Oats has won impossible fights before. He's a thriceblood, after all, more orc than man. And he hasn't forgotten how to kill. He'll stack the bodies high for his chief and his brethren, if that's the price of freeing the Lots from human tyranny.
Besides, the invading forces are getting a damned sight more than they bargained for. They're not facing a handful of half-orc hoofs, but a true army-one forged from all the peoples of the Lots. At its head are Fetching, in full command of the ruinous power that runs through her veins, and Jackal, armed with the blessings of a dead god.
Yet Oats can't help but find his faith wavering. Once the strongest Bastard, he soon realizes that in this battle, even the strength of a thriceblood is easily conquered. And after a grievous loss strikes, he begins to fear that this war will lead the Lots not to freedom but to ruin.
So when another path to peace beckons, he has no choice but to walk it. Even if it means betting the Lots' fate, and his own, on the promises of the Bastards' wiliest adversary-and making a perilous journey into the heart of Hispartha itself.
Brimming with all the epic battles, surprising sorcery, and fiendish twists a Bastards fan could wish for, alongside unforgettable moments for characters old and new, The Free Bastards builds a new future for the Lots-even as it gives our beloved trio of Jackal, Fetching, and Oats the rousing, blood-soaked sendoff they deserve.
"[A] rip-roaring, shelf-bending conclusion . . . nothing short of an adventure fantasy masterwork."-Kirkus Reviews (Best Books of the Year)
War has come to the Lot Lands-and Oats stands upon the frontline.
The Hisparthan armies on the horizon are mighty, bolstered by divine champions, dread sorcerers, and gunpowder. It's almost more than the half-orc rebellion can hope to repel.
But Oats has won impossible fights before. He's a thriceblood, after all, more orc than man. And he hasn't forgotten how to kill. He'll stack the bodies high for his chief and his brethren, if that's the price of freeing the Lots from human tyranny.
Besides, the invading forces are getting a damned sight more than they bargained for. They're not facing a handful of half-orc hoofs, but a true army-one forged from all the peoples of the Lots. At its head are Fetching, in full command of the ruinous power that runs through her veins, and Jackal, armed with the blessings of a dead god.
Yet Oats can't help but find his faith wavering. Once the strongest Bastard, he soon realizes that in this battle, even the strength of a thriceblood is easily conquered. And after a grievous loss strikes, he begins to fear that this war will lead the Lots not to freedom but to ruin.
So when another path to peace beckons, he has no choice but to walk it. Even if it means betting the Lots' fate, and his own, on the promises of the Bastards' wiliest adversary-and making a perilous journey into the heart of Hispartha itself.
Brimming with all the epic battles, surprising sorcery, and fiendish twists a Bastards fan could wish for, alongside unforgettable moments for characters old and new, The Free Bastards builds a new future for the Lots-even as it gives our beloved trio of Jackal, Fetching, and Oats the rousing, blood-soaked sendoff they deserve.