The Errantry of Bantam Flyn

Autumn's Fall Saga #2

by Jonathan French

In this epic fantasy from the acclaimed author of The Grey Bastards, a knight's valor is tested as he keeps a closely guarded secret from evil forces.
 
Only the most resolute are chosen to join the ranks of the Knights of the Valiant Spur. Bantam Flyn, hot-headed squire and wielder of the renowned sword Coalspur, yearns to be one of them. When Flyn returns to the ancestral stronghold of the chivalric order, he finds the castle under siege from within by malevolent skin-changers in search of a changeling Flyn would die to protect. Suddenly Flyn finds himself on a quest to keep dear Pocket's location secret. By his side, Deglan Loamtoes, a gnome herbalist with an acerbic wit, and the brilliant but excruciatingly awkward Ingelbert Crane. 
 
Venturing into the unforgiving cold of the island of Middangeard, the trio find themselves close to the historical forces that shaped the very world. Hindered by giants, trolls, bands of berserkers, throngs of restless dead, and haunted by the howling phantoms of his own barbaric past, Flyn must face an ancient horror that threatens not only his life, but the fate of his entire race.
 
"An addictively readable—and undeniably cool—fantasy masterwork." —Kirkus Reviews (starred review) on The Grey Bastards

Genres: Fantasy

413 pages, Kindle Edition

First published July 4, 2014

About the author

Jonathan French is the author of the Autumn’s Fall Saga and The Grey Bastards. His debut novel, The Exiled Heir, was nominated for Best First Novel at the Georgia Author of the Year Awards in 2012. His second book, The Errantry of Bantam Flyn, rose to #6 on the Kindle Norse/Viking Fantasy bestseller list, proudly sharing the top ten with Neil Gaiman. His newest work, The Grey Bastards, is best described as “Sons of Anarchy…with half-orcs” and is poised to be his biggest seller to date. The book is currently a finalist in The Self-Published Fantasy Blog-Off #SPFBO. An outspoken advocate on the merits and future of independent publishing, Jonathan has led panel discussions at conventions such as DragonCon, TimeGate, and CONjuration. Recently, Jonathan had the pleasure of being featured in an episode of the web-series Retroblasting as a consultant on the cultural impact of the Dungeons & Dragons franchise. You can find out more at www.jonathanfrenchbooks.com.


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Reviews

[Derpa · Rating 5 out of 5]

Some ideas are so stupid they might actually just work. That's the case with this one. The protagonist is a gigantic rooster person. We have met them in the previous book, Bantam Flyn and many others, but this goes into more detail about the gigantic anthropomorphic chicken. Aaaand I freaking loved it.

The world needs saving and a legendary monster needs slaying yet again, so Bantam Flyn, a weirdo chronicler, a giantess and Deglan team up this time to do what needs to be done. This time living dead dwarfs are involved as well, which, again, should not work. It does.

Jonathan French can sell absolutely anything to you. The creatures he uses are mostly pretty much standard fantasy and mythological ones. Seriously, you can't go more basic than giants and fairies and such, they are standard since forever. Then he does something I still can't figure out and creates the lore specific to his world around them that brings new life to borderline boring ideas. (Yes, the coburn are freaking hilariously different and at first I wasn't sure what to make of them, but the rest is really nothing that groundbreakingly original.) He has such a special touch with creating a well-populated, interesting world with all the connections and history and it really works.
Jim Butcher had an anecdote where he wrote his Codex Alera series because a dude dared him to combine Roman legions and Pokemon into an actually enjoyable and fun story that works. Mr. French could freaking do the same with anything and part of the fucked up bran I have wants him to do more and more weird stuff. Go ahead. Do it. I am curious to see what sorts of twists and turns he can create around stuff.
Because I want more. I want him to wrote more Autumn's Fall, more Grey Bastards, new stories, a million books a year because I'm already missing his creativity until his new book comes out.
He is really an author to follow. Someone you should keep your eyes on as I have no doubt he will do ridiculously interesting stuff. He has it in him.

The story here is just kind of complicated and I refuse to discuss it. You need to discover it for yourself, because I can't talk about it without making it sound a lot less amazing than it is. That's the thing about it, everything I would say sounds convoluted and stupid. Trust me, I tried explaining this book to people at work and they all just looked at me like I'm mental. But this is GOOOOOOOD.

So yeah, I'm done fangirling.

Good night and don't be a chicken, pick this up!

[Steve Kimmins · Rating 4 out of 5]

Like many others recently I think I’ve read this book, the second in the Autumn’s Fall saga, after reading the same author’s fantastic, more recently published, Grey Bastards, the first in a new series.

The first book in the Autumn Fall saga, The Exiled Heir, was genuinely fascinating with an entirely different world from Grey Bastards, full of classical fantasy creatures as well as humans. This second book continues the tale of gnomes, dwarves, Giants, goblins, human-like roosters (!) and not least zombies, all in a grand magical conflict the roots of which lie deep in the history of the world.

There are many great characters, especially the coburn knights, particularly Flyn, and the grumpy gnome, Deglan. The tale is epic, with plenty of twists along the way, and I very much enjoyed it.

If I have a criticism that knocks it down from the 5* I gave this author’s previous books it was just the extent that magic played a role, with its origins a bit hazy and requiring some long explanations.This threatened to overwhelm the fine characters. Not that a fantasy story shouldn’t have heroes fighting magical forces bravely but it sometimes came down to one empowered mage fighting another, sometimes reducing the brave non-magical characters to spectators, with their determined efforts counting for little.

Nonetheless it was an engrossing story and I’m looking forward to future publications by this newly discovered author (to me). This book concluded in a way that indicated that the Autumn Fall saga still had more life in it, but that was some years ago, and the excellent Grey Bastards seems to be the author’s current project. I’m not unhappy with that.

But while you’re waiting for the Grey Bastards follow up book then the Autumn Fall saga is well worth a visit.

[Tracey Twigg · Rating 5 out of 5]

Well, to begin with folks, I want (no, need) to say, that I absolutely loved this 2 Book Series ~ Autumn’s Fall Saga by Jonathan French; this guy is an INCREDIBLE author, and I love his work.

Jonathan pays such wonderful detail to his characters, the environment, and of course, to his story. I adore such beautiful detail, it just brings the characters and their environment ‘alive’, and for me, that is what matters the most ~ I need to feel that sense of actually ‘being right there’ alongside the characters, and to feel almost involved in the story!

I found the first book (The Exiled Heir) purely by chance, having just devoured ‘The Grey Bastards’ by Jonathan, I was desperate to get my mitts on something else by this brilliant author. Hence, after a quick search, I found this 2 book saga; wow was I pleased😃 However, as I began reading book 1 of this series, I was totally surprised at the difference between The Grey Bastards and The Autumn’s Fall Saga; I’m talking a completely different, utterly different, like these books must have been written by different authors ~ surely 🤔 different!!

At first, I wasn’t sure, but as I continued to read, I realised that my uncertainty was due to the incredible difference in Jonathan’s writing style between The Grey Bastards and The Autumn’s Fall Saga; I had assumed that this saga would be fairly similar in writing style to The Grey Bastards, but my goodness, nothing could be further from that assumption!

While The Autumn’s Fall Saga is based upon mystical and magical 🧙🏻‍♀️ folks, from Elves to Goblins, to Gnomes, to Giants, to Trolls, to the Gruagach, to Coburn/Rooster-Men (a cross between a man and a cockerel 😶), to Faeries 🧚🏽‍♀️, you must believe me when I tell you that this book certainly is not a child’s tale; this saga is one Hell of a fantastical Grim (ish) story. It is filled with chivalry, death, sword fights, the living dead, devastation, corruption, mystery, magic and a whole lot more....

Jonathan has an incredible gift for creating the most amazing characters, people and the Fae! His gift enables one to become totally engaged and engrossed in the lives and actions of the story. The 3 main characters for me (but there are many many more), Master Deglan Loamtoes (a herbalist Gnome with magical gifts, and a very quick witted mind and mouth😃), Inglebert Crane (a super clever chronicler, who is as shy as can be), and the very brave but impulsive and ‘hot headed’ Bantam Flyn ~ a Knight of the Valiant Spur, become unlikely companions who are thrown together, and are tasked with making their way across the Tin Isles to Middangeard in order to.......

Together, they encounter plenty of peril along the way, and are able to use their combined skills and ‘magical gifts’ in order to try to ‘save the day’. But do they succeed........?

This is a wonderful 2 book series, which WILL leave the reader desperately wanting MORE....

And, I’m so pleased to say, that there IS more to come; I cannot wait for Jonathan’s next story!

The Autumn’s Fall Saga is a BRILLIANT two-book story, and I urge you guys to go get yourselves some magical mayhem, death, chivalry, mystery and devastation ~ ENJOY 💖

[Matteo · Rating 5 out of 5]

I tried this series after reading the Grey and the True Bastards, and I have to admit that it was a very pleasant surprise.
This is a more classical fantasy, but with several innovative features and great characterisation.
It's a pity that Mr. French had to stop after 2 books and concentrate on the more successful Lot Lands series, because in my personal opinion the Autumn's Fall Saga is much better, so I really hope the series will continue soon.

[Katharina · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved LOVED LOOOOVED this book! It was even better than the first book and deserves a bigger audience!
Please guys - read these books!
Amazing (anti)-heroes, wonderful worldbuilding, amazing fights with zombie-like dwarves. It has goblins, gnomes, trolls, pixies, humans, mermaids, faeries, and chicken knights! Honestly! C‘mon - have you ever read a book with a chicken as a knight?!
Well, this was my second and I crave for moooooore!
Srsly - read it! Pretty please!

[Brent · Rating 5 out of 5]

While not a perfect series, I give this 5 stars for two reasons:

1. There's a significant improvement from The Exiled Heir, to The Errantry of Bantam Flyn to his published series, The Lot Lands - aka The Grey Bastards.

I believe The Errantry of Bantam Flyn could have been at least 50 pages shorter. There seemed to be some lulls in the book that simply needed to be cleaned up. I think French's writings in The Grey Bastards has shown his improvement as a writer. I'm looking forward to continuing reading anything and everything that French writes.

2. Jonathan French has an incredible ability to make the inane work. Rooster humanoid knights and orc "motorcycle clubs" simply should not work. But I absolutely loved it.

It's fun. The world in Autumn's Fall Saga is pretty classic fantasy - gnomes, dwarves, goblins, etc. French gave an interesting retelling of their origin stories that seems like this is a fresh, new idea while using many recycled tropes.

[Joy · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the third book I've read by this author and I continue to be entertained. It has to be hard to come up with plots around the classic European supernatural creatures but all the book's plots have been orginal while staying true to the historical concepts of elves, gnomes, dwarfs, giants, wizards, etc.

The characters personalities are distinct and engaging. The writing uses enough antiquated speech to give it atmosphere but doesn't become cumbersome or muddled.

I highly recommend this author's works and hope the third book of this story happens.

[Pat · Rating 5 out of 5]

My third Jonathan French read and they have all been good. I love his characters - their flaws, their humour, its hard to pick a favourite character. This book was as much about the supporting characters as Bantam Flynn. My new fav author

[Ed · Rating 3 out of 5]

This tale focuses on two of the more interesting characters from the Exiled Heir, the first book in this series by Jonathan French. These are the ill-tempered gnome Deglan and the brash young warrior Flynn, aided and abetted by a cast of Dwarrow (essentially Dwarfs), Giants and grudge wielding humans modeled on the Norse. This time around Deglan and Flynn are pulled into a web of prophecy and violence as the story moves away from Airlann, the setting for the first book, and over the sea to the wintry land of Middangeard.

As with the Exiled Heir there is much to enjoy for the seasoned fantasy reader. French has a vibrant imagination and creates a well realised world peopled by characters that manage to skirt the edges of genre cliche to provide something fresh and enjoyable. The characters are well written and apart from the odd gripe (more on that below) develop in a satisfying manner. At times the pacing flags and this story could potentially have been edited a little more aggressively, but despite that the story builds to a series of crescendos that benefit from well written action sequences.

Unfortunately, the book also suffers from some of the flaws that afflict its predecessor. Magic and the power derived from it remain largely unexplained and confer ludicrous abilities on characters that haven't in any way earned this power in the course of the narrative. There is also an unfortunate reliance on driving the story using long dead and very cliched villains and artifacts from the past to channel their powers. This can feel like a cheap trick and lessens the impact of the bad guys particularly when compared to the careful and much more nuanced development of the stories heroes. Worst of all is the reappearance of Slouch Hat the husk, a poorly named, intensely irritating cipher of a character who's actions are either indecipherably opaque or just plain stupid and yet once again play a crucial role in driving the story. To top it all, it appears that French has decided that this character has a further role to play and so will back to lessen my enjoyment of the next book in the series. The combination of these two elements and the way they are combined to provide an evil deus ex machina effect are frustrating and detract from what is otherwise an enjoyable romp of a book.

There was a lot to recommend here for fans of the genre and I'll continue reading the series but I hope that in the next book in the series more three dimensional villains are developed and that there is less reliance on daft magical artifacts being employed to drive the story.

[Bret James Stewart · Rating 2 out of 5]

I greatly lament the implosion of exceptional talent and dedication.

As is the case with The Exiled Heir, the setting, characterization, and story are phenomenal. How can one not appreciate the inclusion of anthropomorphic chicken warriors that are incorporated so lovingly into the tale to become realistic? The Errantry of Bantam Flyn includes some other races not present in the initial story, and I like French's imagination and ability to make the book a page-turner.

Unfortunately, as mentioned in the review of Heir, French sabotages his efforts with unnecessary foul language, and it it much worse in the second volume. I support freedom of speech, but anyone thinking books or stories need cursing to get the point across should consider the works of Tolkien. These are powerful renditions of stories without any cursing whatsoever. I am extremely disappointed with French. I will not be reading any more of his books. I regret this as I am still very impressed with his (wasted, to an extent) talent.

[Marcos · Rating 5 out of 5]

The second installment of the saga hasn’t disappointed. This is the way Jonathan French asserts himself as a master of the epic fantasy, by writing an extremely engaging and riddle-ridden sequel.

The book basically takes up after the first one’s end, save for a one-year interlude that helps the story in terms of timings and so on but apparently doesn’t deprive us of any major events. The story develops mainly around Flyn, Deglan and a newcomer to the party, who the reader learns progressively to love, or at least understand.

So, as much as you’d like to find fault with this book, there’s absolutely no besmirch to be found here!

Final rating: 10/10

[Jon · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very Enjoyable

This second installment of the series continues on with some of the characters we met in the first book and journeys to new lands and introduces some interesting individuals. Excellent sequel to the first, fun and adventurous. I do feel the ending could have been fleshed out a bit, especially regarding the Gaunt Princes influences and how they manifest. All in all very good, wish there was more...

[Mark · Rating 5 out of 5]

I am wholly opposed to children being used as plot devices. I won't go in to detail due to spoilers but this book is well written enough that I am willing to forgive French for one of the only things that usually makes me want to put down a book. I am conflicted, to be sure, and don't feel using children in the manner that was used here is necessary, but I do understand why. I am gong to continue down the road should there be more to this series and that should tell you all you need to know.

[Emma Barton · Rating 5 out of 5]

Please can we have more!

Having read and loved the two Bastards books, I wasn't sure about Fae, goblins and giant cockerel knights...'ho hum' I thought 'give it a go'. Well how great are they? The only reason I didn't review the first one ( The Exiled Heir) is because I couldn't wait to start the next.
Please can we have another and soon.

[Nigel P · Rating 5 out of 5]

Awesome

One of the best tales I have read, I strongly suspect that there is more to come- the tales has a distinctly unfinished feel. Which is great, I look forward to more with great pleasure.
Jonathan French is a great writer and I look forward to The Grey Bastards and his other works.

[Philip Spick · Rating 4 out of 5]

Knights Valiant

Excellent story. Enjoyed this as well as his previous book in the series. You need to enjoy dark fantasy but this is for those who do. Will be eagerly looking for the final in the trilogy.

[Jo · Rating 5 out of 5]

A brilliant continuation of the story of Bantam Flyn and the wonderfully grouchy Deglan Loamtoes.
Brilliant storytelling!
I wait in breathless anticipation for anything else this marvellous author produces.

[Berta Kleiner · Rating 5 out of 5]

You get magic, dwarves, giants, surprises and a really well written story - recommended.

[Abu Bakar · Rating 5 out of 5]

much more engaging than the first book. Quite good

[Sean Douglas · Rating 5 out of 5]

Smashing!!

Well worth a look,not the best I've ever read but definitely miles from the worst, give it a go !

[Felix · Rating 4 out of 5]

If you like something out of the ordinary on the fantasy front - try Jonathan French!

[Les Shearsby · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Autumns Fall books 1 + 2

Loved reading these books. May take some time to get acquainted with all the characters, and the integrated plots, but we'll worth it.

[PAUL GOLDSWORTHY · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very different

Good series with clever mixing of story lines over the 2 books. A bit difficult at the start but once you get into them really entertaining.

[Alexandru Ilie · Rating 5 out of 5]

A book about a cock... bizzare as it sounds, it was a great read and a nice continuation for the first book.

[Robert · Rating 5 out of 5]

Who knew a book about giant chickens could be so good?

[Vailhiker · Rating 4 out of 5]

Jonathan French is an outstanding story teller. This book is engaging and original. A bit difficult to imagine giant roosters as knights.
My only complaint is it needs a map!

[Katie Barber · Rating 5 out of 5]

The "Errantry of Bantam Flyn" is best described by one word. Epic. French’s mastery of the written word is complete with this second installment of his fantasy series "The Autumn’s Fall Saga." His writing style is clean yet complex with a beautiful descriptive eye. French’s take on his fantasy world is fresh; aspects are entirely new or a wonderful remaking of the more traditional races such as elves and dwarves. Being a fantasy writer myself and reader of numerous fantasy series, I kept cursing Mr. French under my breath, swiftly realizing that his writing is more improved than my own.

The saga resumes at the Roost, the coburn’s mighty fortress of ancient stone, built with the aid of elven kind. Rooster knights, their order named The Valiant Spur, are no joke in French’s world. They are noble and chaste, as well as fierce fighters, embodying the core of chivalry seen throughout the ages in both fiction and the real world. We readers follow the errantry of one coburn, Flyn. He is both cocky and young, yet his travels, his experiences, his friendships with mortals and immortals alike, and his undying loyalty shape him into an adult, a person worthy of knighthood. Bantam Flyn even earns himself a bittersweet humbling closure to a troubled childhood, making him realize, as all teenagers do at one point in time, that he is far from invulnerable.

The novel is not just about the young strut as French often calls him. The novel is rich with the world’s history and the supporting characters are as vibrant and alive as their stalwart friend. Gnome, dwarf, giantess, coburn, human… all come together to forge this tale.

My favorite character was the giantess Ulfrun. Being a female myself, I tend to love a strong warrior woman in the stories I read. Finally, French put one in his series. There have been a few female characters in French’s books (Rosheen, Beladore, etc) but they have all mostly been timid caregiver types, resilient in a motherly way. Ulfrun is the first character so far who can fight alongside the men and outmatch them as well. I love her unique way of speaking, her wisdom, and her brute strength; she doesn’t need a weapon to crush skulls. Some might think her too well-rounded without much room for development, but I would disagree. Ulfrun embodies her nickname Breaker. She does it well, and she kicks some serious a**. Hers is a witty personality a reader can’t help but love.

"The Errantry of Bantam Flyn" will take you on an adventure like none you have experienced before. It will be a long hard journey that takes the reader into the deepest coldest parts of Middangeard, where the walking dead outnumber the living, the children of immortals are abandoned, and Magic is a withered husk, a faded memory.

I encourage you, yes you right there reading this, to experience "The Exiled Heir," French’s first book in the saga, and then read this treasure as well. You will not be disappointed. Read it. Grin. Laugh. Worry. Cry. Love it.

Five stars, Mr. French. Well done. I cannot wait to read the next book.

[Jay Barber · Rating 5 out of 5]

I thought French couldn't outdo himself, but somehow he took a fantasy world that was already rich and alive and made it even more so. I'm a big fan of Norse mythology and so I was a little skeptical when I realized that was the direction French was going with this book, but I needn't have worried. The personal twist that the author has put on legends that I was pretty familiar with are novel and intriguing. There are a couple familiar characters and a handful of new ones that are a welcome addition to the world(s) that French has built. I love them and what they add to the ongoing saga. I can't wait for the next book in the series.

[Magic · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fantastick sophomore effort by Mr. French; I enjoyed it even more than The Exhiled Heir. The creativity and unperdiciable journey these characters take was so good, I missed stops on my way to work to continue reading. Highly recommended

[Vader · Rating 3 out of 5]

5 star - Perfect
4 star - i would recommend
3 star - good
2 star - struggled to complete
1 star - could not finish