THE FREE BASTARDS

The rip-roaring, shelf-bending conclusion to French’s Lot Lands trilogy—following The Grey Bastards (2018) and The True Bastards (2019)—follows a group of badass, war pig–riding half-orcs as they attempt to end a bloody war with humans (known as "frails") and finally liberate themselves and their lands. It's nothing short of an adventure fantasy masterwork.

With the giant thrice-blood Oats (born of an orc and a half-orc) as the focal character, the story leaves virtual burn marks on the narrative pavement from the action-packed, adrenaline-fueled opening sequence, in which Oats is involved in an audacious mission to free some hoofmates from a frail prison and a subsequent battle in which they're surrounded by enemies atop a mountain of skulls. The action and intensity only increase from there as Oats, Fetching (the hoof’s legendary female chief), Jackal, Polecat, Sluggard, Anvil, and the rest of the band of mongrel orcs maneuver through a gauntlet of adversaries, including invading frail armies, scheming wizards, and god-touched warriors. French’s expert worldbuilding creates a virtual wonderland for fantasy fans, inhabited by half-orcs riding massive war hogs across a sprawling wasteland, giants, cyclopes, monstrous birds of prey, and marauding centaurs. But the real power here is in the author’s ability to bring these fantastical beings to life, with character development so deep and insightful that readers will find themselves emotionally connected not only to the main characters, but to a host of supporting players as well, including Muro, an orphan boy Oats befriends, and even Oats’ giant war pig, Ugfuck. Oats’ poignant journey of self-discovery, in particular, will have more than a few readers weeping by novel’s end.

One of the most original fantasy sagas to come along in years; like Tolkien on a bender.