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Dog of War
"Kastle writes like a warrior poet..." Tellest Reviews
Scorn. Abuse. Betrayal.
From bonebreaker in the employ of a heartless moneylender, to fugitive from the law, life isn't easy for a gutter-born sellsword like Geth. When one final injustice lands him on the run, his next stop is the hanging tree, until he pledges his blade to an embattled king.
But has he joined the ranks of a hopeless cause?
Traitors threaten to tear the realm apart, circling the throne like crows. Savage tribes gather at the border. As the kettle of war finally boils over, Geth finds there are more enemies than friends for a foreign mercenary bound to a fledgling king.
Can the war be won?
Horns will sound. War drums will thunder. Geth will face sinister witchcraft, trial by ordeal, single combat, and full-scale battle. He must save the king and his kingdom or die trying. It's that, after all, or lose worthy lord, newfound home, and life as a man, not a mere dog of war.
From fistfights to sword duels to scenes of epic battle, DOG OF WAR will thrill and entertain. Get your copy before the price changes and step into the adventure!
"Gritty, masterful... Dean Kastle is the fresh new voice we've been waiting for in fantasy." Amazon Reviewer
Scorn. Abuse. Betrayal.
From bonebreaker in the employ of a heartless moneylender, to fugitive from the law, life isn't easy for a gutter-born sellsword like Geth. When one final injustice lands him on the run, his next stop is the hanging tree, until he pledges his blade to an embattled king.
But has he joined the ranks of a hopeless cause?
Traitors threaten to tear the realm apart, circling the throne like crows. Savage tribes gather at the border. As the kettle of war finally boils over, Geth finds there are more enemies than friends for a foreign mercenary bound to a fledgling king.
Can the war be won?
Horns will sound. War drums will thunder. Geth will face sinister witchcraft, trial by ordeal, single combat, and full-scale battle. He must save the king and his kingdom or die trying. It's that, after all, or lose worthy lord, newfound home, and life as a man, not a mere dog of war.
From fistfights to sword duels to scenes of epic battle, DOG OF WAR will thrill and entertain. Get your copy before the price changes and step into the adventure!
"Gritty, masterful... Dean Kastle is the fresh new voice we've been waiting for in fantasy." Amazon Reviewer
- GenresFantasy
367 pages, Kindle Edition
Published November 12, 2024
604 people are currently reading
75 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews
July 27, 2025
DNF at 94%
The book started strong but continously went downhill until i found myself skimming more and more through the pages during their northern suicide mission..
The protagonists are a hot tempered, a bit slow minded minion/swordsman who seemingly never thinks about the consequences of his actions and his cleptomanic, compulsive gambling, whore mongering, degenerate companion. Due to their faults they once again have to flee a region and waste a small fortune which could have set them up for life for example as farmers (with all the empty, ownerless farms everywhere).
After fucking up once again they go on a desperate hail mary endeavour that they only survive due to heaviest plot armor..
The major plot twist at the end was absolutely moronic in my opinion.
Criticism and comments
The biological timeline of mother and son doesn't work if the the son is well in his thirties and the mother barely in her fourties..
"Aaaargh" is rather stupid battle cry.
The book started strong but continously went downhill until i found myself skimming more and more through the pages during their northern suicide mission..
The protagonists are a hot tempered, a bit slow minded minion/swordsman who seemingly never thinks about the consequences of his actions and his cleptomanic, compulsive gambling, whore mongering, degenerate companion. Due to their faults they once again have to flee a region and waste a small fortune which could have set them up for life for example as farmers (with all the empty, ownerless farms everywhere).
After fucking up once again they go on a desperate hail mary endeavour that they only survive due to heaviest plot armor..
The major plot twist at the end was absolutely moronic in my opinion.
Criticism and comments
The biological timeline of mother and son doesn't work if the the son is well in his thirties and the mother barely in her fourties..
"Aaaargh" is rather stupid battle cry.
June 27, 2025
Dog of War is a dark fantasy about Geth, a hardened sellsword with a haunted past, who becomes entangled in the struggles of a desperate young king. As war, betrayal, and shifting alliances close in, Geth must decide what kind of man he truly is.
What I loved:
The characters – Especially Phelan, who’s intelligent (his skill with languages is impressive) but also deeply flawed. Thanks to him (and also Geth's temper) they often get problems and/or have to skip town.
The story – Full of twists, betrayals, and sticky situations that kept the tension high and the pages turning.
The world-building – Rich, layered, and immersive. You really feel the weight of history, politics, and culture shaping every corner of the world.
The battles – Brutal, vivid, and tactically smart. They felt raw and real, never just action for action’s sake.
If you enjoy gritty, character-driven fantasy where nothing comes easy and everyone’s a little broken, Dog of War is a must-read. I’ll definitely be reading the other two books in the trilogy.
What I loved:
The characters – Especially Phelan, who’s intelligent (his skill with languages is impressive) but also deeply flawed. Thanks to him (and also Geth's temper) they often get problems and/or have to skip town.
The story – Full of twists, betrayals, and sticky situations that kept the tension high and the pages turning.
The world-building – Rich, layered, and immersive. You really feel the weight of history, politics, and culture shaping every corner of the world.
The battles – Brutal, vivid, and tactically smart. They felt raw and real, never just action for action’s sake.
If you enjoy gritty, character-driven fantasy where nothing comes easy and everyone’s a little broken, Dog of War is a must-read. I’ll definitely be reading the other two books in the trilogy.
February 26, 2025
Great Read!
This is a fast paced sword & sorcery novel featuring a fantastic blend of main characters, tribes of angry warriors, sneaky mages/witches, backstabbing support cast, a bad a$$ sword fighter, and a problem causing, sneak thief of a best friend and partner that is always saving the protagonists a$$. In short, I highly recommend this page-turner. It is well worth the money and time that you will spend to read it! Thank you Dean Kastle, well done!
This is a fast paced sword & sorcery novel featuring a fantastic blend of main characters, tribes of angry warriors, sneaky mages/witches, backstabbing support cast, a bad a$$ sword fighter, and a problem causing, sneak thief of a best friend and partner that is always saving the protagonists a$$. In short, I highly recommend this page-turner. It is well worth the money and time that you will spend to read it! Thank you Dean Kastle, well done!
November 26, 2025
Geth leads a difficult life, made all the more difficult by the choices he makes in life. All he's known is war and fighting. Unfortunately that makes it his first choice when faced with a decision.
“Geth let out a ragged sigh. He had a long history in the revenge business. The venture never paid out like it promised.”
It also means he brings his friends (the few that he has) down with him.
“Geth let out a ragged sigh. He had a long history in the revenge business. The venture never paid out like it promised.”
It also means he brings his friends (the few that he has) down with him.
September 28, 2025
Hard and Tough
Fantastic story with a great character who reminds me of Robert E. Howard’s Conan.
Great work and to finally see a nasty bastard as the hero whose first instinct is to kill whoever annoys him is so very pleasing 🤓
Fantastic story with a great character who reminds me of Robert E. Howard’s Conan.
Great work and to finally see a nasty bastard as the hero whose first instinct is to kill whoever annoys him is so very pleasing 🤓
November 13, 2025
Kinda Dark.
I ended up not wanting to read further. The escape from the pit to escape the sword to escape the axe to escape the... Just really wore me down. And that I've jumped over a cliff ending was just annoying. Needs a real epilogue not just a cessation of words.
I ended up not wanting to read further. The escape from the pit to escape the sword to escape the axe to escape the... Just really wore me down. And that I've jumped over a cliff ending was just annoying. Needs a real epilogue not just a cessation of words.
Read
April 1, 2025this was good enough that I bought the following two book and read them !!!
July 17, 2025
Pretty good
Nice twists in the plot. Geth is an interesting character, and so is Phelan. Gonna read the next one, too.
Nice twists in the plot. Geth is an interesting character, and so is Phelan. Gonna read the next one, too.
August 11, 2025
Fast paced and enjoyable
Much adventure, protagonists are scoundrels with a silver lining and likeable. This was light, but fun, and I have already downloaded the second book.
Much adventure, protagonists are scoundrels with a silver lining and likeable. This was light, but fun, and I have already downloaded the second book.
Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews