So far this year, I’ve read only one other novel that provided such a perspective and that’s The Curse of Chalion by Lois McMaster Bujold. I’ve also realized that this is now a favorite perspective to read from. It was interesting and refreshing to read from such a perspective since I’m used to heroes in stories being young, eager, and inexperienced. I guess I can call them veterans since they are experienced warriors who have been in several battles and have all retired from that life. (I thought I’d have belly-laughs the whole time.)Īpart from the humor, I looked forward to reading this story for its characters, who are all older men. But I guess my expectation was a bit too high because though the story has many funny moments, it didn’t make me laugh as much as I’d expected. However, I expected it to be REALLY funny because that’s how all the reviews I read prior to the book described it. It didn’t stand out strongly to me, but it was entertaining and I enjoyed reading it. So it’s a wonder if the band will succeed in their mission. Also, Matrick’s queen has sent an assassin after them and the druin Lastleaf, leader of the horde of monsters, hates this particular band of warriors and would love to bring about their demise. For not only do they have to fight through the horde of monsters before attempting to breach the walls of Castia, they also have to cross the Heartwyld, a dark, evil forest where one can contract the rot, a disease that infects one’s limbs. The crew reassemble but realize that they are out of shape and will probably die in their attempt to save Gabe’s daughter. Clay is reluctant to leave the comfort of his family, but decides to go because he too is a father and would be willing to do anything to save his daughter if she were in a similar situation. When the story begins, Gabe has travelled long and hard to ask Clay to help him get the band back together so they can save his daughter, Rose, who’s much like her father at his prime as Golden Gabe and has ran off to the city Castia to save it from a horde of monsters.

The only member of the band who remained unchanged over the years is badass Ganelon, who was turned to stone. Moog, the band’s magician, started a lucrative business selling his invention – Magic Moog’s Magnificent Phallic Phylactery while quick, knife-wielding Matrick grew fat and became a cuckold king. Golden Gabe, also married and had a kid but didn’t settle into the peace and monotonous comfort of family life.

Our protagonist, Clay, who’s known for his shield Blackheart, settled down to a comfortable life and has started a family.

Kings of the Wyld is a fantasy novel about a band of warriors who were once the best in the land but have grown old and gone their separate ways.

Nicholas eames book 3