Kings of the Wyld by Nicholas Eames

Posted on by Lashaan Balasingam @ Roars and Echoes

kingsofthewyldcoverTitle: Kings of the Wyld
Series: The Band #1
Author(s): Nicholas Eames
Publisher: Orbit
Format: Paperback
Release Date: February 21st 2017
Pages: 502
Genre(s): Fantasy
ISBN13: 9780316362474

Who said old geezers didn’t know how to have fun? I know I won’t after reading Kings of the Wyld. This book single-handedly rejuvenated every lifeless cell in my body. What Nicholas Eames brings to the table is an exquisite and juicy adventure with raw friendship sharpened by the experience that comes from doing the impossible.

Now let me tell you all about Clay Cooper. Old and content with a stable life alongside his wife and daughter, he had no worries to torture him at night and a fresh brew of whatever he wanted to look forward to in the morning. There simply was nothing that could stagger the old man until the knock on his door promised to toss him right back into a life that he had long abandoned. This is where hid buddy Gabriel arrives with a favour that only a long-established friend could understand. The words came right at him like a dreaded crazy ex-girlfriend you’ve been avoiding for years:

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(c) Background art by Richard Anderson

And upon uttering these words, Clay Cooper found himself dragged back into what he whole-heartedly wished was just a good ol’ joke by a good ol’ friend. The words still reverberates through my mind from the moment I first read them. They sounded innocent and didn’t hiss like a viper at first, but when Nicholas Eames smoothly unveils the history of this band, Saga, that has known fame in Grandual like no other, you knew they were in for some big shit hitting the big fan. Saving Gabriel’s only daughter from the inhuman dangers that lurk in Heartwyld is what will ultimately bring this band to reunite and attempt to repeat history. Only that it has been almost twenty years since they had slain anything but ham for breakfast.

Two things really stand out in this tour de force: the characters and the humour. Reuniting the band inevitably means putting together five different characters with each of their own individual baggage together. After almost two decades of inactivity, none of them are what they used to be. But getting back together with those friends with whom you had the most fun in your life is also a hell of a trip that will bring everyone down memory lane. Throughout Kings of the Wyld, a whole analogy to bands—the rock star kind—also shines within all the danger they go through. The cool part is that each of these dudes have a special bond with their weapons, similar to rock stars and their instruments. Half of the fun is seeing them make use of their weapons to play some of the most deadliest tunes.

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(c) Background art by Felix Ortiz

But the humour? The goddamn humour is bloody brilliant. It is their genuine banter that really got me attached to every single one of them. With their personalities, it was almost impossible to not love every one of them as they all strive to win me over. I honestly don’t know how Nicholas Eames did it, but this is the most fun I had since reading The Lies of Locke Lamora by Scott Lynch. And honestly, I didn’t think I’d find any other author who’d be able to bring to life such an awesome chemistry between such badass characters. But the humour doesn’t bloom alone. With the help of an astonishingly beautiful world-building, there was so many different cues to work with and deliver hilarious moments.

In fact, Kings of the Wyld is overflowing with every possible creature that epic fantasy has ever created. With Nicholas Eames masterful writing skills, he incorporates everything seamlessly and humourously conveys the danger that lurks in this universe. Even if you turn out to giggle at the atrocities that crawl around, you’ll sooner or later end up finding out that the exploits of this band back in the days was no joke. They’ve done the impossible and they are now in for another frenzied adventure. It might seem linear at first, but don’t fret. You’re in for a surprise with these fellas. Nothing ever goes according to plan, and that’s probably the best part of it all. Bring on the next book already. I’m dying here!

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Thank you to Hachette Book Group Canada and Orbit for sending me a copy for review!

MY OVERALL RATING: ★★★★★

Have you read it yet? Do you plan to?

What do you think about Kings of the Wyld?

Share your thoughts with me!

Till next time,

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Published by Lashaan Balasingam @ Roars and Echoes

Reader. Reviewer. Researcher. Criminology Ph.D. Candidate. Montreal, Quebec (Canada). Want to know more? Connect with him!

48 thoughts on “Kings of the Wyld by Nicholas Eames”

  5. Whoa this is one hell of a review! A five star rating, and some very high words of praise. Really have gotten curious for this one. I love the premise and overflowing with every possible creature that fantasy ever created?? This I have to read…especially since I love fantasy creatures! Fantastic review!! 😊😊

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    2. Oh man, you know it. It deserved all the praise it could muster out of me. It’s fun as hell, savage as well, I could go on forever, but I’ll leave it at: You gottttaaaa try it out hahah Thanks for reading as well, man! I appreciate the kind words! 😀

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  10. Lol! Yea, some of those creatures I’ve never heard of before. It was a fun read and I really like how he writes too. The more I think back on this book, the more I like it. I recently loaned it to my bro to read. I’ll have to get and read the next one.

    Btw, my fav thing about the story was the worldbuilding, particularly the religion mentioned and the basis of it and how it relates to the druins and all that. I really like the part when all that was revealed.
    The zombie bard dude was really cool too. 🙂

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    1. Oh yeh! Some of them are references to things that not a lot of people might even know about! Like owlbears that are from Dungeons & Dragons hahah You totally should reread it before Bloody Rose. I honestly can’t wait for the sequel!

      I can see why hahah You also have quite an interest for religion in stories, so it’s cool that this one satisfied your craving for that! Awww yes! Everything was so memorable in this. And such a visual treat too! 😀

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    1. Aw yeee!!! You sure do make me smile with those comments. Always motivates me more to keep on reviewing and sharing my thoughts. Your appreciation is absolutely valuable for me; not something you get from everywhere and everyone all the time!! 😀 While reading, when I got to the “cake is a lie” part, your review came bashing into my mind hahahah I remember how you loved the reference and now I love it even more just cause I got the context for it! #portal Can’t wait for Bloody Rose!!!! 😀 Hope we both love it as much and even more than this one! Thanks for reading, Danielle!

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  13. Yeeeeesssss! You finally read it and I bet you’re sorry you took so long 😀 😛 hahaha… but so glad you enjoyed it as much as me, Dani and drew and the lot! It’s just a cracking book and Bloody Rose- can’t wait for it, you and me both! 😉

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    1. Absolutely, Liz!!! 🤣 You guys sparked the interest in me for this book and it has almost been exactly a year since its release! I also wasn’t yet fully immersed in the world of fantasy though, but now I know what I sure as hell hope to not miss out upon!!! #BloodyRose !!! So close yet so far!

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  15. This sounds like a brilliant book Lashaan and I’m so glad you enjoyed it enough to rate it five stars as well. 🙂 I can’t deny I kind of like the fact that the thing that draws Clay back into the life he left behind isn’t the tragic death of his family (unless that does happen and you didn’t mention it in your review). Also the humour sounds incredible as well. I have a weakness for books that will make me laugh out loud on the train while reading and get me some strange looks from the other passengers! 😀
    Great review and again I’m really glad you enjoyed this one as well. 🙂 ❤

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    1. It really is Beth. Loads of fun. Nah, it really is just helping his friend Gabriel save his daughter from the dangers that lurk in Heartwyld. Since he’s a father to a daughter, he sort of quickly felt compelled into helping his friend out in reuniting the band. Yep, yep. This book had me smirking sooooooooooooooo often throughout it. I rarely react openly when I’m reading, it’s just such a hard thing for a book to do, but when it DOES, oh man, I just know I’ve got a precious gem in my hands! 😀 Thanks for reading, Beth!!

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  16. “This book single-handedly rejuvenated every lifeless cell in my body”- wow. Just wow- this book sounds amazing and wow your review is so brilliant!! I’ve definitely been planning to read this- and the characters and humour sound fantastic. I seriously look forward to this, because I love books with great banter 😀 And the writing sounds so so good!! Again, brilliant review!!

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    1. Hahaahh thank you!! No lies, I love when fantasy blends in humour and violence so well. It’s so savagely hilarious. Have you ever tried The Lies of Locke Lamora? Another fantastic fantasy series that you should totally give a shot some day. But since you already planned on trying this one soon enough, I say: go go go!!! 🤣 Its sequel is coming out in July too I believe. You’ve got this! 😀 Thank you so much for reading and for your kind words!! ❤

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  17. Ahoy there matey! I only had me mitts on this one for a short while and didn’t get to finish it before it was snatched away. I am looking to finish it one of this days. Yer review reminded me why I need to. Lovely review.
    x The Captain

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    1. Sounds like you’ve got yourself your own Moby Dick!!! Don’t let it slip again, you have to complete this one. Especially as its sequel is in the horizons; somewhere around July I believe!! But thank you so much for your kind words Captain and thank you so much for reading!! 😀

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  18. I was thinking to suggest this to a friend… from your gorgeous review it sounds incredible and I admit I will be adding it to my TBR… but back to my friend… does it have cussing? It’s like a total deal breaker for her and actually I can’t imagine this is cuss free…? I love the idea of their relationships with their weapons and the fact they are aged!! I really like the sound of it! 😍

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    1. I’d definitely recommend this to anyone who likes an action-packed, hilarious and language-heavy fantasy story hahah Definitely not cuss-free. Then again, it doesn’t abuse foul language, I find it was brilliantly used and really brings to life the cast. Their relationship to their weapon, and to each other is amazing. It makes everything so much better, especially the action sequences! Thanks for reading, Dani!! ❤

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  20. Pingback: Monthly Wrap-Up | February 2018 – Bookidote | Book Reviews

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