The Grey Bastards

A Novel

By: Jonathan French

Narrated by: Will Damron

Length: 17 hrs and 47 mins

Publisher's summary

“[A] fantasy masterwork.... A dirty, blood-soaked gem of a novel [that reads] like Mad Max set in Tolkien's Middle Earth. A fantasy masterwork." (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 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 front lines 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 heard 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)

©2018 Jonathan French (P)2018 Random House Audio

Critic reviews

"A filthy, charismatic and frankly excellent read." (Mark Lawrence, international best-selling author of Prince of Thorns and Red Sister)

“A funny thing happens when reading The Grey Bastards. You’re rolling along, smiling at the novelties on display, but then, almost without warning, you find yourself truly in the world French has created, and it all becomes wonderfully familiar and convincing. The world-building creates exactly the kind of seamless transition that makes fantasy literature compelling, informative, and just plain fun.” (R.A. Salvatore, New York Times best-selling author of The Legend of Drizzt)

"French flips the fantasy script as the monsters become the good guys, fueling an action-packed, sneakily smart adventure. Half orc and all badass, Jackal is a hero you won't soon forget." (Scott Sigler, New York Times best-selling author of Alive and Infected)

"Refashions high-fantasy tropes into something both vibrant and highly entertaining..a fantasy take on Sons of Anarchy might seem an unlikely starting point for an excellent novel, but Jonathan French manages it with considerable aplomb." (Anthony Ryan, New York Times best-selling author of the Raven's Shadow trilogy)

Flawless

most days, after a long day in the salt mines the only thing I want to put in my ears is grandmother's icepick. I then found The Grey Bastards and now there are two things. for fans of Joe Abercrombie, Scott Lynch, Sam Sykes, and any other authors of dark, gritty fantasy with. an oxcart full of black humor and well defined and represented characters. this nifty collection of words elicited many genuine LOLs from me and I quickly became invested in these wonderfully unique half orc antiheros. Author has created a refreshingly new fantasy world that I can not get enough of. buy this book.

Get ready for a wild ride!

What a wild hog ride this story is. Lots of raunchy fun, intermingled with political power plays, and deception galore.
I can say I can't remember a slow spot in this uniquely original escape from reality. How can I explain a book about half-orcs riding around on hogs, supposedly protecting the lands from invading orcs and centaurs. Adding to that a dubious wizard, a captive elf girl, a plague ridden chieftain, some of the foulest-mouthed dialogue I've heard, and ending up with a memorable tale you just have to experience.

different and very good!

The tagline caught my eye for a book for my boyfriend. A chapter in, he insisted I listen too. I'm very glad I did.

Agitating yet Great and Gritty

Very fun and exciting! loved it! only reason I didn't give 5 stars was that I felt there were a few minor plot holes. The gritty and grim humor was my favorite part. Unfortunately though, I predicted most of the small character outcomes. Although one character threw me a loop and blindsided me. That being said I cant wait for the next one!

The Scribblings Review of The Grey Bastards

Jackal is a Bastard, and proud of it.
One of several groups sworn to protect the hostile Lot Lands, these half-orcs patrol the area on their giant war hogs; fighting, carousing and generally behaving more like a gang than knights.

Orcs are often given short shrift in fantasy, portrayed as blood-thirsty savage creatures. Jackal and his cohorts, especially his two closest friends, while certainly capable of extreme violence are warm, mostly likable frequently funny. The bantering conversations between the three of them is a highlight.

Jackel, for all his qualities; strong, protective, loyal to his friends, is definitely flawed. Less an unreliable narrator and more of an unsophisticated one; he has a tendency to take everyone he meets on his pre-conceived notions and is frequently unwilling to listen to any opinion that contrasts with his own. Only when he is forced to by the actions (and the history) of others, does he reassess his thoughts.

The world building involved in this book is both fascinating and unexpected. The Bastards, and other groups of half-orcs, call themselves hoofs, and live by the creed of "Live in the saddle, die on the hog'; both by virtue of their war-hogs. These hogs are treated less like disposable mounts (a la many other fantasy novels involving horses) and more like beloved pets. The patterning of them after biker gangs seems almost inevitable.

Given the violence and language involved with this story, it's not necessarily going to be for everyone. But if that won't trouble you, I wholeheartedly recommend this book.

Need Moar!!

I blew through this one! Well narrated, well written. Grabbed me from chapter 1 and finished strong. Worth the credit 100x over!

Sons of Warcraft - and so much more.

World of Warcraft meets Sons of Anarchy is a completely apt description for this book. If that doesn't sound like your cup of tea, by all means, skip it. - But if you've got a whiff of chocolate coupling with peanut butter, then I strongly recommend you give it a taste. The window dressing is of a rollicking grimdark fantasy novel featuring a band of Half-Orcs patroling on their giant warhogs like a gang of badass bikers, but take a step inside and you'll find hidden depths. Just as Sons of Anarchy ambushes viewers with the complexity of Hamlet, The Grey Bastards will surprise you with its endearing characters, great story and a lush fantasy world. Rampant swiving, crude jokes and splatterhouse battles abound for sure, but also a damn fine fantasy novel. I'm fully in love with these characters now, and i'm totally on board for their future adventures!

Worth the credit

It was a bit slow for the first hour or two but once there it had a good hook and kept me interested till the end. It had a satisfying ending while still making look forward to the second book. If you like fantasy with some good fighting this is a book to listen to

great story

i really liked the perspective of this book. you read books all the time where the heroes are human or elf or dwarf even, but rarely half orc it was a refreshing twist.

Dark, sweaty, visceral.

There are so many layers to the unfolding political drama here but it is surprisingly easy to follow.

The characters are carefully built and their banter had me laughing out loud. The reader never gets a chance to settle in and get comfortable but that is the first thing I look for in dark fantasy. You will laugh, wince, and scream at these characters. I applaud the carefully woven social commentary as well.

The narrator is new to me and brilliant.

I need to get a paycheck so I can pick up the sequels 🤓