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charlietuna92's review against another edition
5.0
I absolutely loved this book! It was like the best night of 80s rock inspired D&D with your friends. The idea of a band of heroes getting back together to save someone they love isn’t new, but the author does this in such a refreshing way. Whether it’s complaining about back pain or lamenting about how soft and narcissist the new generation of heroes has become, these characters felt so real. The perfect mix of touching moments, action sequences, and humor. Can’t wait to read the next one.
mcharrycats's review against another edition
3.0
Really fun fight scenes and awesome characters meet pretty lackluster world-building and underwhelming stakes. Definitely plays to its strength by committing to the "mercenary bands are rock-stars" bit, including allegories for various changes in rock and roll culture between the 70s-90s, which kept things fresh in an otherwise pretty standard D&D/WoW-derived setting.
unpetitcreux's review against another edition
5.0
Book Type:
-Digital book and Kindle assisted reading!
Would I recommend? :
-Yes, to my hardcore fantasy lovers
Things I liked :
-I LOVE the premise (the ol’ band of adventurers gets back together)
-IT IS SO FUNNY!! Some of the jokes are very fantasy-specific and some are just general fun :).
-The overall plot and arch is meaningful, humorous, and entertaining. The ending was so heartwarming!
Things I disliked :
-I wish there had been some women in their main band
-Sometimes the story lulled a little and got slow and was less funny, so I had a hard time staying motivated.
Other thoughts? :
-This book reminds me a lot of the Epic podcast: Dungeon & Daddies, which I highly recommend
-Digital book and Kindle assisted reading!
Would I recommend? :
-Yes, to my hardcore fantasy lovers
Things I liked :
-I LOVE the premise (the ol’ band of adventurers gets back together)
-IT IS SO FUNNY!! Some of the jokes are very fantasy-specific and some are just general fun :).
-The overall plot and arch is meaningful, humorous, and entertaining. The ending was so heartwarming!
Things I disliked :
-I wish there had been some women in their main band
-Sometimes the story lulled a little and got slow and was less funny, so I had a hard time staying motivated.
Other thoughts? :
-This book reminds me a lot of the Epic podcast: Dungeon & Daddies, which I highly recommend
impalingheaven's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
funny
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
I loved this book. I didn't know much going in, but it was fantastic. It's amazing how Eames uses so few words to describe so accurately and well. No word is wasted, and there is such a tone of humor that is all Eames' own. Someone might try saying that the character or plots is 'trope-y', but it is done in just the best way, it's a conscious, well-handled choice, not someone leaning on the tropes because they can't think of anything for themselves.
One of the best books I've read this year.
One of the best books I've read this year.
borjabilbao's review against another edition
4.0
3,5
Una macarrada divertida, llena de homenajes a escenas y personajes clasicos de la fantasia. La mezcla junto con escenas y batallas llenas de barro y mugre resulta interesante.
Por otro lado, el argumento en sí se me ha hecho largo y las vueltas que dan para llegar al objetivo marcado al principio de la novela son demasiadas y es algo frustrante.
Una macarrada divertida, llena de homenajes a escenas y personajes clasicos de la fantasia. La mezcla junto con escenas y batallas llenas de barro y mugre resulta interesante.
Por otro lado, el argumento en sí se me ha hecho largo y las vueltas que dan para llegar al objetivo marcado al principio de la novela son demasiadas y es algo frustrante.
paulablanc's review against another edition
le tenía mucha fe y pensé que me iba a gustar más pero es obvio que no soy el publico al que apunta este libro. no me gusta la escritura, no siento una conexión con los personajes ni me atrapa el "humor" que manejan. en varias reseñas dicen que es es básicamente una partida de d&d y me parece una buena descripción.
dnf al 20%
dnf al 20%
cnnr876's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.0
really wanted to vibe with kings of the wyld but it was just a total slog. there were parts I found funny and engaging, but on the whole it felt formulaic and slapdash. bummer
penguin_emperor_of_the_north's review against another edition
4.0
I was surprised by how much I liked it. I had heard a lot about the humor but the humor didn't really register for me (like I didn't even realize jokes were happening, in most of those situations I just thought, "Oh, that's an interesting development" or something like that) but the fast pace and upbeat tone were what I really enjoyed.
I could see how the band/rock references might get jarring, referring to groups as 'bands', quests as 'gigs', each band having a frontman but they worked well enough in the story that it never bothered me.
One thing that did bother me was how dumb/random Moog was. I guess it's a joke on how the bandmember he represents is stereotyped but I mostly wondered how this guy was able to survive in civilization let alone on a quest into the wild. On the other hand, Ganelon was a great character, so were Gabe, Clay and Mattrick but Ganelon was awesome. Like everyone's friends but Ganelon is that psycho friend.
This is one book where I'd be interested in prequels. Seeing Saga adventure in their prime would be great and it'd be cool to see some of the references to the past fleshed out.
I could see how the band/rock references might get jarring, referring to groups as 'bands', quests as 'gigs', each band having a frontman but they worked well enough in the story that it never bothered me.
One thing that did bother me was how dumb/random Moog was. I guess it's a joke on how the bandmember he represents is stereotyped but I mostly wondered how this guy was able to survive in civilization let alone on a quest into the wild. On the other hand, Ganelon was a great character, so were Gabe, Clay and Mattrick but Ganelon was awesome. Like everyone's friends but Ganelon is that psycho friend.
This is one book where I'd be interested in prequels. Seeing Saga adventure in their prime would be great and it'd be cool to see some of the references to the past fleshed out.
sunnyevie's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
3.75
I went back and forth with this book. The beginning had promise, the end was heart pounding, fun and fierce but that middle slog was just too long and too full of teenage boy humor (as I woman I kept rolling my eyes) for me to give it a full 4 stars or more.
This book is in the middle of a ven diagram for if you love Tress of the Emerald Sea's humor on every page, the Dungeons and Dragons movies' a loveable band of misfit heros, and The Hobbits' far, far too many side quests and the slow journey that it takes to get there (for heavens sake, 100 pages could have been cut and I would have had a better time. In both The Hobbit AND Kings of the Wyld.)
Apart from too much potty humor and innuendo, which I also think could have been toned down, I did really enjoy a lot of things about this book.
I enjoyed the characters, who I felt were full or grit, heart and personality. I did enjoy the plot and how it played out. I enjoyed the way the end had me cheering (chapter 49 and the last lines of chapter 50 in particular). I do think it was more well written than things like Caraval but I did find my mind wandering occasionally.
I think it all balanced out for a 3.75. It was a good slightly above medium read for me when I think about ever rereading it. I think my husband may like it more. I'm unsure whether I'll read Bloody Rose, though I do own it already lol.
This book is in the middle of a ven diagram for if you love Tress of the Emerald Sea's humor on every page, the Dungeons and Dragons movies' a loveable band of misfit heros, and The Hobbits' far, far too many side quests and the slow journey that it takes to get there (for heavens sake, 100 pages could have been cut and I would have had a better time. In both The Hobbit AND Kings of the Wyld.)
Apart from too much potty humor and innuendo, which I also think could have been toned down, I did really enjoy a lot of things about this book.
I enjoyed the characters, who I felt were full or grit, heart and personality. I did enjoy the plot and how it played out. I enjoyed the way the end had me cheering (chapter 49 and the last lines of chapter 50 in particular). I do think it was more well written than things like Caraval but I did find my mind wandering occasionally.
I think it all balanced out for a 3.75. It was a good slightly above medium read for me when I think about ever rereading it. I think my husband may like it more. I'm unsure whether I'll read Bloody Rose, though I do own it already lol.
pipcorn's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
funny
hopeful
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
I almost loved this book. The world was interesting, the characters were loveable, and the humor made me laugh. Could've done without the excessive fat phobia and the evil, cannibal "natives" though. Disappointed to have had unnecessary shit like that spoil an otherwise good time.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Body shaming, Fatphobia, and Cannibalism
Moderate: Alcoholism, Terminal illness, Xenophobia, Cultural appropriation, Injury/Injury detail, and Classism