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The True Bastards

Book Two of the Lot Lands
Series: The Lot Lands
4.15 goodreads logo

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( 3,398 ratings, 379 reviews)
Book Hero Magic crafted this summary to help describe this book. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! Summary
The True Bastards by Jonathan French is set in a world where half-orcs, known as the Grey Bastards, fight for survival in a gritty and harsh landscape. The story follows Fetching, a female warband leader, as she faces challenges from within and outside her crew, navigating conflicts, alliances, and the relentless dangers of their unforgiving world. It's a tale of leadership, loyalty, and survival in a realm where strength and cunning are paramount.
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Format: Paperback / softback
$2999
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Book Hero Magic created this recommendation. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! IS THIS YOUR NEXT READ?

You might enjoy this book if you're drawn to a gritty and immersive fantasy world filled with action and adventure. It offers a unique twist on traditional fantasy, featuring a fierce and determined female protagonist leading a half-orc, half-human mercenary company. It's perfect for readers who appreciate rich character development and intricate world-building.

Book Hero thinking about your next read

Following the runaway success of The Grey Bastards - one of the biggest debut fantasy launches of the last five years - comes book two in the Lot Lands series, The True Bastards. Perfect for fans of Joe Abercombie, Mark Lawrence, Markus Heitz's Dwarves series and Stan Nicholl's Orcs series

Book Hero Magic formatted this description to make it easier to read. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! Description
'AN ADDICTIVELY READABLE - AND UNDENIABLY COOL - FANTASY MASTERWORK' Kirkus on THE GREY BASTARDS 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 Abercrombie, Mark Lawrence, Markus Heitz's DWARVES series and Stan Nicholl's ORCS series.

Praise for THE GREY BASTARDS:

'Filthy, charismatic and frankly excellent' Mark Lawrence 'A gritty adventure with a fantastic, foul-mouthed voice . . . Fans of Abercrombie's the First Law . . . will like this a lot' Django Wexler 'A bloody good tale of battle, betrayal and war pigs' Brian McClellan 'Jonathan French has to be lauded for his plot ingenuity, bawdry charm and vicious characters. The Grey Bastards has instantaneously catapulted him into my must-read list' Fantasy Book Critic 'I'd like to raise a tankard to THE GREY BASTARDS' brilliance' Fantasy Faction BRING ON THE ORCS . . .

Series: The Lot Lands

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  • The Free Bastards
    ONE OF THE MOST ORIGINAL FANTASY SAGAS TO COME ALONG IN YEARS Kirkus The long-awaited war has come in the sweeping conclusion to the Lot Lands trilogy, which began with Jonathan French's critically acclaimed debut The Grey Bastards. War has come to the Lot Lands - and Oats stands upon the frontline. The formidable armies on the horizon are bolstered...
    Paperback
    $2999
    Available
    Ships in 4-6 weeks
  • The Grey Bastards
    AN ADDICTIVELY READABLE - AND UNDENIABLY COOL - FANTASY MASTERWORK Kirkus BRING ON THE ORCS . . . Jackal is proud to be a Grey Bastard, member of a sworn brotherhood of half-orcs. Unloved and unwanted in civilised society, the Bastards eke out a hard life in the desolate no-man's-land called the Lots, protecting frail and noble human civilisation from...
    Paperback
    $2999
    Available
    Ships in 4-6 weeks
  • The True Bastards
    'AN ADDICTIVELY READABLE - AND UNDENIABLY COOL - FANTASY MASTERWORK' Kirkus on THE GREY BASTARDS 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...
    Paperback
    $2999
    Available
    Ships in 4-6 weeks

Book Hero Magic summarised reviews for this book. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! HOW HAS THIS BEEN REVIEWED?

The True Bastards by Jonathan French is celebrated for its gritty adventure and unique blend of high-fantasy elements, where half-orcs ride giant hogs through a vividly original world. Reviewers highlight the book's charismatic and foul-mouthed characters, its clever plot, and the way it energetically reimagines traditional fantasy tropes. The narrative has been compared to the soldierly banter found in Erikson's Malazan Book of the Fallen, praised for its blend of battles, intrigue, and the unexpected heroics of its monster protagonists.

Book Hero reading reviews

Book Details

INFORMATION

ISBN: 9780356511665

Publisher: Little, Brown Book Group

Format: Paperback / softback

Date Published: 10 October 2019

Country: United Kingdom

Imprint: Orbit

Audience: General / adult

DIMENSIONS

Spine width: 44.0mm

Width: 126.0mm

Height: 196.0mm

Weight: 433g

Pages: 624

About the Author

Jonathan French resides in Atlanta with his wife, son, and cat. He is a devoted reader of comic books, an expert thrower of oddly-shaped dice and a serial con attendee.

Also by Jonathan French

View all
  • The Free Bastards
    ONE OF THE MOST ORIGINAL FANTASY SAGAS TO COME ALONG IN YEARS Kirkus The long-awaited war has come in the sweeping conclusion to the Lot Lands trilogy, which began with Jonathan French's critically acclaimed debut The Grey Bastards. War has come to the Lot Lands - and Oats stands upon the frontline. The formidable armies on the horizon are bolstered...
    Paperback
    $2999
    Available
    Ships in 4-6 weeks
  • The Grey Bastards
    AN ADDICTIVELY READABLE - AND UNDENIABLY COOL - FANTASY MASTERWORK Kirkus BRING ON THE ORCS . . . Jackal is proud to be a Grey Bastard, member of a sworn brotherhood of half-orcs. Unloved and unwanted in civilised society, the Bastards eke out a hard life in the desolate no-man's-land called the Lots, protecting frail and noble human civilisation from...
    Paperback
    $2999
    Available
    Ships in 4-6 weeks

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