The True Bastards

The Lot Lands, Book 2

By: Jonathan French

Narrated by: Lisa Flanagan

Length: 21 hrs and 50 mins

Publisher's summary

Following the runaway success of Jonathan French's critically acclaimed fantasy adventure The Grey Bastards comes book two in the Lot Lands series - The True Bastards. 

Lead from the saddle. Dare to survive. 

Fetching was once the only female rider in the Lot Lands. Now she is the leader of her own hoof, a band of loyal half-orcs sworn to her command. But in the year since she took power, the True Bastards have struggled to survive. Tested to the breaking point by the burdens of leadership, Fetching battles desperately to stave off famine, desertion and the scorn of the other half-orc chieftains, even as orcs and humans alike threaten the Lots' very existence. Then an old enemy finds a way to strike at her from beyond the grave - and suddenly only one faint hope for salvation remains. 

A standout adventure fantasy debut that's down, dirty and damn good fun - perfect for fans of Joe Abercombie, Mark Lawrence, Markus Heitz's Dwarves series and Stan Nicholl's Orcs series.

©2019 Jonathan French (P)2019 Hachette Audio UK

Brave Mr French!

So having wowed us with the first book in the series it would have been very easy for the author to have just trotted out more of the same. However, following what seems to be a growing trend he consigned a lot of the previous lead characters to near history and swapped things around considerably. It takes guts to play with a winning formula and having found characters and a narrator that got him rave reviews French has not only produced a compelling new lead but swapped sexes which of course does pretty much mean a new narrator too.

There's still lots of what made the first book so great, the 'hoof' is still as bad-ass as it was before and Fetch is certainly no shrinking violet! It's still crude and irreverent, it's still violent and not scared to have characters perform vile acts though I would actually say that this time possibly the crudity went up a notch and possible wore on me just a little as I went through it, not too much but it did get a bit repetitive.

So, very brave, even quite daring from Mr French and I think that he's pulled it off. I wasn't quite so enamored with this one as I was the first one but I'll still be looking in to see where he goes next!

Typical second trilogy filler.

Loved the first one, the development of the characters was a particular strength. The instalment chose not to focus on that strength and it just seemed like it was a set of unfortunate incidences, all saved by a blinding stroke of luck. Ponderous is the word that comes to mind. I really enjoyed the narration of the first book and although dismayed by the change initially, Lisa Flanagan did a good job with some ordinary material. There were times I could almost hear her thinking ‘really?’

Good book, poorly read

Good story but the narrator can only seem to do 3 voices. Would pay again for a proper narration.

Excellent sequel

I loved the first book and this second book has not let me down. Really cant wait for the third book.

can't wait for the next one.

Good sequel. looking forward to the next installment. Well read, had no trouble distinguishing the characters.

French!..You must finish this story.

I totally enjoyed the Grey Bastards and True Bastards was just as entertaining with a brilliant story full of action and mystery. I truly cannot wait to hear how this ends... Does Ruin return to aid his sis? How will Hyspartha respond..cant wait!

Great second instalment

Not sure why the negative comments about the narrator, made sense to have a woman as lead character is a woman. Loved the pace and story line. Looking forward to the next book

terrible narrator

enjoyed the first in the trilogy and was looking forward to the next. I can't really comment on the story which so far seems all over the place. It's the narrator that ruins it for me. I can see the point of having a lady narrator as the story concentrates on a female lead but it's in a mainly male world and the attempts of making them sound like the big brutes the story portrays them as makes me cringe. I'm sorry but lady narrators just never get it right with that type of character.
I'm returning this book

Great book

Great book I couldn't put it down. started the third book in the trilogy straight away

Excellent sequel

as others have said switching main character and narrator after a successful first book seems strange, but it works. fetch is who you are listening too and it works. if you are not sure give it a go you can always return, but do give it a go get a couple of chapters in first.