What do you think?
Rate this book
The Lost Company
There are many stories about the Lost Company. Were they heroes or villains? Saviours or traitors? Or merely legend. But all legends have a grain of truth they say, and all stories have a beginning.
The Aenean Empire, the godless Empire of the Fist, stretches from the Wall of Civilization in the east to the Cold Sea in the west. The small, proud kingdom of Ethylund is the last bastion of freedom in the western world. These warrior people are tied to the land and worship the spirits that reside there; but what chance do they have against the all-conquering Empire?
Yet hope remains. Led by the legendary swordsman Harold Hadrin and the fearsome Captain Roma, the Ethyl have won a historic victory against the Aeneans, sending shockwaves across the land and spelling a change in the war.
But when catastrophe strikes - for reasons no one understands - and the Ethyl army are forced to fight a desperate retreat, one company finds itself behind Imperial lines with enemies all around them. It falls to the indomitable Captain Roma, who is said to be wedded to death, Sergeant Tuggs, a man held back by guilt, and the cowardly squad-mage Mane, whose own men despise him as much as the enemy, to get the company home.
Their struggle will see mountains toppled, ancient powers awoken, and the embers of rebellion fanned to life.
But with enemies within the company as well as without, and a strange dark presence haunting their every step, will they have the strength and courage to bring the lost company home?
The Aenean Empire, the godless Empire of the Fist, stretches from the Wall of Civilization in the east to the Cold Sea in the west. The small, proud kingdom of Ethylund is the last bastion of freedom in the western world. These warrior people are tied to the land and worship the spirits that reside there; but what chance do they have against the all-conquering Empire?
Yet hope remains. Led by the legendary swordsman Harold Hadrin and the fearsome Captain Roma, the Ethyl have won a historic victory against the Aeneans, sending shockwaves across the land and spelling a change in the war.
But when catastrophe strikes - for reasons no one understands - and the Ethyl army are forced to fight a desperate retreat, one company finds itself behind Imperial lines with enemies all around them. It falls to the indomitable Captain Roma, who is said to be wedded to death, Sergeant Tuggs, a man held back by guilt, and the cowardly squad-mage Mane, whose own men despise him as much as the enemy, to get the company home.
Their struggle will see mountains toppled, ancient powers awoken, and the embers of rebellion fanned to life.
But with enemies within the company as well as without, and a strange dark presence haunting their every step, will they have the strength and courage to bring the lost company home?
- GenresFantasy
359 pages, Unknown Binding
Published April 11, 2025
2 people are currently reading
26 people want to read
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 21 of 21 reviews
April 1, 2025
thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for an e-arc in exchange for an honest review! <3
’Plenty have tried, now they’re all dead’
The Lost Company is an unremarkable but acceptable fantasy debut, claiming to be inspired by the likes of Steven Erikson and Joe Abercrombie, but doing very little to live up to that claim.
While its premise initially hooked me and world-building appeared at first glance to be quite rich, this story quickly devolved to one of mediocrity within the first 10 or so chapters. We follow Sergeant Tuggs and his company as they are stranded in a foreign land after a battle with the invading Imperial Army. Their aim is to get home, and under the leadership of the formidable Captain Roma, they attempt just that. Captain Roma was possibly the only highlight character-wise, I will always adore a no-nonsense big badass lady, but the rest, including Tuggs, were pretty indistinguishable from one another, and boring to say the least.
The story, while nothing offensive, has been done over and over again and at a much higher quality, so I wasn’t taken with it at all. The world-building which, going by the cover, seems to be Norse / Goth inspired had little depth, and scarce Norse / Goth elements. The best section of world-building was the magic system, subtle but effective, and the enemy Imperials, whose Roman-inspired naming conventions and battle tactics were interesting. Other than that, nothing in this world or plot was new, and none of it was engaging. By the half-way mark I can say that I was wholeheartedly bored, and really had to push myself through to the end.
The book is also pockmarked with both spelling errors and repetitive and quite clumsy descriptions, words used multiple times in quick succession, that give the book an unfortunate amateur feel. I commend Maguire for taking such a dive into a complicated and saturated genre like fantasy, but this could certainly have done with more revisions.
Overall, The Lost Company gets 3/5 stars. It has potential, and I could see myself being curious enough to read on in the series, but I can’t say this is anything I’d particularly rush to recommend.
’Plenty have tried, now they’re all dead’
The Lost Company is an unremarkable but acceptable fantasy debut, claiming to be inspired by the likes of Steven Erikson and Joe Abercrombie, but doing very little to live up to that claim.
While its premise initially hooked me and world-building appeared at first glance to be quite rich, this story quickly devolved to one of mediocrity within the first 10 or so chapters. We follow Sergeant Tuggs and his company as they are stranded in a foreign land after a battle with the invading Imperial Army. Their aim is to get home, and under the leadership of the formidable Captain Roma, they attempt just that. Captain Roma was possibly the only highlight character-wise, I will always adore a no-nonsense big badass lady, but the rest, including Tuggs, were pretty indistinguishable from one another, and boring to say the least.
The story, while nothing offensive, has been done over and over again and at a much higher quality, so I wasn’t taken with it at all. The world-building which, going by the cover, seems to be Norse / Goth inspired had little depth, and scarce Norse / Goth elements. The best section of world-building was the magic system, subtle but effective, and the enemy Imperials, whose Roman-inspired naming conventions and battle tactics were interesting. Other than that, nothing in this world or plot was new, and none of it was engaging. By the half-way mark I can say that I was wholeheartedly bored, and really had to push myself through to the end.
The book is also pockmarked with both spelling errors and repetitive and quite clumsy descriptions, words used multiple times in quick succession, that give the book an unfortunate amateur feel. I commend Maguire for taking such a dive into a complicated and saturated genre like fantasy, but this could certainly have done with more revisions.
Overall, The Lost Company gets 3/5 stars. It has potential, and I could see myself being curious enough to read on in the series, but I can’t say this is anything I’d particularly rush to recommend.
March 31, 2025
Loved it! I truly appreciated this gritty tale of a bunch of soldiers trying to get home after a battle hone wrong. The very real issues of fatigue, hunger, and mental and emotional exhaustion struck home. The complexities of intra-unit backbiting and subversion, questions of morality and whether or not to follow orders, and lack of trust brought up some deeper issues of humanity when pushed yo the extremes. The characters were all very well developed and allowed me to make connections, both good and bad, to all of them. I am very much looking forward to the next chapter in their story.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
April 14, 2025
Military Fantasy romance is my new jam! As a mythology and ancient history buff this so gave me Ancient Rome v Celts vibes. The "baddies" were Roman and the lost company had a miscellany of British accents, lol.
The pacing was really good and I didn't think it slowed too badly. The characters were funny, war-weary, flawed and complicated. They really leaped off the page for me and I could pretty much relate each character to any multitude of military or police officer I know!
Tuggs and Captain Roma are complete opposites but they both know how to get the job done, just in different styles. Did I love the fact that the Captain was a no nonsense woman? You betcha. The entire company is mixed and whilst there is more than a little "fraternisation" it mostly takes place off page and is only referred to on page. There is still a bit of misogyny to be faced by the women, can't escape it even in a fantasy world sadly.
Mane has a real development through the book and Danza remains the dependable second, but even she makes a few revelations along their journey.
Solid debut novel and I'd happily read more books set in this world!
The pacing was really good and I didn't think it slowed too badly. The characters were funny, war-weary, flawed and complicated. They really leaped off the page for me and I could pretty much relate each character to any multitude of military or police officer I know!
Tuggs and Captain Roma are complete opposites but they both know how to get the job done, just in different styles. Did I love the fact that the Captain was a no nonsense woman? You betcha. The entire company is mixed and whilst there is more than a little "fraternisation" it mostly takes place off page and is only referred to on page. There is still a bit of misogyny to be faced by the women, can't escape it even in a fantasy world sadly.
Mane has a real development through the book and Danza remains the dependable second, but even she makes a few revelations along their journey.
Solid debut novel and I'd happily read more books set in this world!
April 26, 2025
A good solid 4star start to this fantasy military novel, first book in a series I am looking forward to continuing in the future.
Author says he’s a big fan of David Gemmell, and it shows, in the story telling and the characters building.
As I mentioned it’s character lead, with great story flow, which draws us in as readers.
Author says he’s a big fan of David Gemmell, and it shows, in the story telling and the characters building.
As I mentioned it’s character lead, with great story flow, which draws us in as readers.
June 4, 2025
If we take a look at the current fantasy/sword and sorcery genre, there are mainly two trends that dominate the marketplace: romantasy and epic/high fantasy.
Romantasy really just uses the elements of the fantasy genre to present an inherently romantic story or simply put—a love story.
Epic/high fantasy instead focuses more on ‘scope’: epic battles, large groups of characters, vast lands populated by a plethora of fantastic races.
Whether you enjoy either trend of fantasy, too much of anything after some time can get boring and exhausting, even. Sometimes it is more beneficial to turn down the heat some, dim the lights, and instead of throwing a huge party have a small get-together with only a few yet good friends, if you know where I’m going with my metaphor.
THE COVER:
When Maguire first invited me to review his book, The Forgotten Saga of the Lost Company, what first got my attention was its cover. In a AI-art age where most covers are filled with unrealistically beautiful women, with all the right curves and all the right ‘assets’, this cover presented a subject that to me came across as unique, intriguing, and mysterious. Not your stereotypical book cover pin up girl but rather a female warrior that instantly makes you want to open the book and find out her story.
SELF-CONTAINED NARRATIVE:
Going back to my initial thoughts, as soon as we start reading the prologue and then dive into chapter 1, we quickly find out that this is not going to be a colossal epic story with scope, multiple settings, and multiple casts of characters. The story is very self-contained, beginning to end. We start our journey with the Company and we end our journey with the Company.
This was a breath of fresh air because let’s face it, we can easily get burned out on reading epic fantasy books, all trying to be massive in scope. By focusing just on this group of men and women who form the Lost Company, everything feels more personal and more intimate, even. We get to know these characters in ways that otherwise we could never know and understand, and this creates a stronger emotional engagement on behalf of me and you—the readers.
PLOT:
When a company of the army of Ethylund goes into battle to defend their country against the invaders known as the Aeneans (inspired certainly by the Romans), things don’t go as planned and they find themselves lost behind enemy lines. Captain Roma (the woman on the cover) is now tasked with bringing her men back home, but the problem is, the way back is now patrolled by enemy garrisons, so they must find another way to get back home, which entails marching straight into enemy territory.
MAGES AND THE MAGIC FACTOR:
It is interesting to notice how in this world, both armies make use of mages for military purposes. So while the Aeneans use mages to invade Ethylund and other countries, the defenders also use mages of their own to counter the magic of their invaders.
When our company gets lost within enemy territory, it is thanks to mage Mane and his incantations that they are able to avoid being spotted by the enemy for so long. A cat and mouse game will begin within the realm of magic between Mane and the mages who work for the enemy, while Captain Roma and her men try to figure out a way not to starve while finding a way home.
CAPTAIN ROMA/STRONG FEMALE CHARACTER:
Roma, to me, IS the story, period. My first sense of intrigue with the cover artwork was soon replaced with absolute love and admiration for this character once I read more about her. Do you want to know how to write a strong female character that works? Then read The Forgotten Saga!
Roma is strong, but not in the sense that she could match a man twice her size in strength. Though a skilled fighter with the sword, her true strength is being a leader at heart, and knowing when to push her men at times and when to sacrifice herself for them, at other times. What makes her also so compelling is the fact that until the end, there is an aura of mystery around her past, about her background. Who was Roma before the war? Before becoming captain? With other characters such as Tuggs or Tris, we get to know who they were before joining the ranks. But with Roma, we never find out, which in this case works in a fantastic way because as a reader, I couldn’t stop thinking about her even after I closed the book.
PROSE:
I thought the prose overall was ‘just okay’ and felt like the writer could have chosen a more evocative style to match the setting. This is not to say that we encounter too much modern vernacular in the book, but lines like:
“But I won’t be able to relax until I see everyone is okay. So, just help me up, okay?”
To me, lines like the above full of ‘okays’ just don’t bode well, given the nature of the characters, the period, and the place.
INFO-DUMP:
As I said already, what I enjoyed about this story is how it is focused only on this company of soldiers and their efforts to get back home. We don’t need to know why there’s a war; knowing there’s one is good enough. We don’t need to know why the Aeneans want to invade Ethylund so bad; knowing that they want to invade is enough. However at some point Maguire decided that some of this stuff was important to know:
“Of course, Ethylund had once been part of the Empire only two hundred years ago. The many, leaderless tribes had been easily conquered by the Empire of the Fist and over time had been taught civility.”
And it goes on and on with more exposition dump that we really don’t care about, nor do we need. We want to know about this company and how the hell will they be able to make it home alive, that’s it!
CONCLUSIONS:
The Forgotten Saga of the Lost Company is exactly what I wanted to read right now in an oversaturated marketplace of epic fantasy stories. It achieved its goal in creating a smaller-scale, yet more intimate narrative, in which we establish a strong emotional attachment to several of the characters. I mentioned Captain Roma but honestly there are more than a handful of other characters who grabbed my attention: Sharp, the soldier who can never stop sharpening his knives; Danza, the giant woman with a heart of gold; Lash, who, though seriously wounded to the leg, kept on going without wavering… the list of memorable characters goes on and on.
Oh, and folks die here too! All jokes aside, Maguire is not afraid of killing off characters when the story rightfully calls for it. Even main characters at times will be sacrificed for the greater good of the company, which might make some of us (myself included) even temporarily hate the author for doing so (thanks for making me shed a few tears, Michael!)
The prose is decent but I feel like with some more awareness Maguire could write in a style that feels more evocative. The use of ‘okay’ was a little too distracting for me at times.
The unnecessary info-dump, albeit not too extensive, could have also been eliminated altogether. We don’t care why they are at war. Usually the motives of war never change anyway. If we are going to keep things self-contained let’s keep them self-contained all the way, shall we?
If you love fantasy but feel burned out on all the mega epic tales and long for a story that is more personable, more intimate, and with characters you will end up laughing with, crying with, even suffering with at some level, pick up a copy of The Forgotten Saga today!
And a note to Maguire: how about a novel focused exclusively on Roma? I think she deserves it and yours truly would certainly appreciate it!
🦀
Romantasy really just uses the elements of the fantasy genre to present an inherently romantic story or simply put—a love story.
Epic/high fantasy instead focuses more on ‘scope’: epic battles, large groups of characters, vast lands populated by a plethora of fantastic races.
Whether you enjoy either trend of fantasy, too much of anything after some time can get boring and exhausting, even. Sometimes it is more beneficial to turn down the heat some, dim the lights, and instead of throwing a huge party have a small get-together with only a few yet good friends, if you know where I’m going with my metaphor.
THE COVER:
When Maguire first invited me to review his book, The Forgotten Saga of the Lost Company, what first got my attention was its cover. In a AI-art age where most covers are filled with unrealistically beautiful women, with all the right curves and all the right ‘assets’, this cover presented a subject that to me came across as unique, intriguing, and mysterious. Not your stereotypical book cover pin up girl but rather a female warrior that instantly makes you want to open the book and find out her story.
SELF-CONTAINED NARRATIVE:
Going back to my initial thoughts, as soon as we start reading the prologue and then dive into chapter 1, we quickly find out that this is not going to be a colossal epic story with scope, multiple settings, and multiple casts of characters. The story is very self-contained, beginning to end. We start our journey with the Company and we end our journey with the Company.
This was a breath of fresh air because let’s face it, we can easily get burned out on reading epic fantasy books, all trying to be massive in scope. By focusing just on this group of men and women who form the Lost Company, everything feels more personal and more intimate, even. We get to know these characters in ways that otherwise we could never know and understand, and this creates a stronger emotional engagement on behalf of me and you—the readers.
PLOT:
When a company of the army of Ethylund goes into battle to defend their country against the invaders known as the Aeneans (inspired certainly by the Romans), things don’t go as planned and they find themselves lost behind enemy lines. Captain Roma (the woman on the cover) is now tasked with bringing her men back home, but the problem is, the way back is now patrolled by enemy garrisons, so they must find another way to get back home, which entails marching straight into enemy territory.
MAGES AND THE MAGIC FACTOR:
It is interesting to notice how in this world, both armies make use of mages for military purposes. So while the Aeneans use mages to invade Ethylund and other countries, the defenders also use mages of their own to counter the magic of their invaders.
When our company gets lost within enemy territory, it is thanks to mage Mane and his incantations that they are able to avoid being spotted by the enemy for so long. A cat and mouse game will begin within the realm of magic between Mane and the mages who work for the enemy, while Captain Roma and her men try to figure out a way not to starve while finding a way home.
CAPTAIN ROMA/STRONG FEMALE CHARACTER:
Roma, to me, IS the story, period. My first sense of intrigue with the cover artwork was soon replaced with absolute love and admiration for this character once I read more about her. Do you want to know how to write a strong female character that works? Then read The Forgotten Saga!
Roma is strong, but not in the sense that she could match a man twice her size in strength. Though a skilled fighter with the sword, her true strength is being a leader at heart, and knowing when to push her men at times and when to sacrifice herself for them, at other times. What makes her also so compelling is the fact that until the end, there is an aura of mystery around her past, about her background. Who was Roma before the war? Before becoming captain? With other characters such as Tuggs or Tris, we get to know who they were before joining the ranks. But with Roma, we never find out, which in this case works in a fantastic way because as a reader, I couldn’t stop thinking about her even after I closed the book.
PROSE:
I thought the prose overall was ‘just okay’ and felt like the writer could have chosen a more evocative style to match the setting. This is not to say that we encounter too much modern vernacular in the book, but lines like:
“But I won’t be able to relax until I see everyone is okay. So, just help me up, okay?”
To me, lines like the above full of ‘okays’ just don’t bode well, given the nature of the characters, the period, and the place.
INFO-DUMP:
As I said already, what I enjoyed about this story is how it is focused only on this company of soldiers and their efforts to get back home. We don’t need to know why there’s a war; knowing there’s one is good enough. We don’t need to know why the Aeneans want to invade Ethylund so bad; knowing that they want to invade is enough. However at some point Maguire decided that some of this stuff was important to know:
“Of course, Ethylund had once been part of the Empire only two hundred years ago. The many, leaderless tribes had been easily conquered by the Empire of the Fist and over time had been taught civility.”
And it goes on and on with more exposition dump that we really don’t care about, nor do we need. We want to know about this company and how the hell will they be able to make it home alive, that’s it!
CONCLUSIONS:
The Forgotten Saga of the Lost Company is exactly what I wanted to read right now in an oversaturated marketplace of epic fantasy stories. It achieved its goal in creating a smaller-scale, yet more intimate narrative, in which we establish a strong emotional attachment to several of the characters. I mentioned Captain Roma but honestly there are more than a handful of other characters who grabbed my attention: Sharp, the soldier who can never stop sharpening his knives; Danza, the giant woman with a heart of gold; Lash, who, though seriously wounded to the leg, kept on going without wavering… the list of memorable characters goes on and on.
Oh, and folks die here too! All jokes aside, Maguire is not afraid of killing off characters when the story rightfully calls for it. Even main characters at times will be sacrificed for the greater good of the company, which might make some of us (myself included) even temporarily hate the author for doing so (thanks for making me shed a few tears, Michael!)
The prose is decent but I feel like with some more awareness Maguire could write in a style that feels more evocative. The use of ‘okay’ was a little too distracting for me at times.
The unnecessary info-dump, albeit not too extensive, could have also been eliminated altogether. We don’t care why they are at war. Usually the motives of war never change anyway. If we are going to keep things self-contained let’s keep them self-contained all the way, shall we?
If you love fantasy but feel burned out on all the mega epic tales and long for a story that is more personable, more intimate, and with characters you will end up laughing with, crying with, even suffering with at some level, pick up a copy of The Forgotten Saga today!
And a note to Maguire: how about a novel focused exclusively on Roma? I think she deserves it and yours truly would certainly appreciate it!
🦀
March 25, 2025
Highly addictive read I couldn't put it down!
As a fan of Military Fantasy, I really enjoyed being thrown in the deep end with a squad of soldiers who have found themselves behind enemy lines. Reading about the characters and dynamic of the soldiers over the course of the book is probably the highlight of the book for me. Both the high and the lows. I don't think I'll forget the scenes around that big hill any time soon!
I did really like the world building and magic system, especially when it is given to us bit by bit over the course of the book, and I did like the use of squad mages.
With themes of just trying to be yourself and kindness, even in and around a war I thought how the main character was battling this was pretty clever.
This can be read as a standalone as its ending is pretty complete. However I am already looking forward to the next one, as I really want to know what happens next.
As a fan of Military Fantasy, I really enjoyed being thrown in the deep end with a squad of soldiers who have found themselves behind enemy lines. Reading about the characters and dynamic of the soldiers over the course of the book is probably the highlight of the book for me. Both the high and the lows. I don't think I'll forget the scenes around that big hill any time soon!
I did really like the world building and magic system, especially when it is given to us bit by bit over the course of the book, and I did like the use of squad mages.
With themes of just trying to be yourself and kindness, even in and around a war I thought how the main character was battling this was pretty clever.
This can be read as a standalone as its ending is pretty complete. However I am already looking forward to the next one, as I really want to know what happens next.
September 29, 2025
Simple, effective military fantasy
On my YouTube channel, I exclusively review self-published and indie fantasy books. This was a pretty straightforward story, but I enjoyed it and gave it a solid 8.4/10 overall. My full review can be seen here: https://youtu.be/3Og9e9xn1sw?si=qa0oR...
Here is a brief overview of my breakdown:
Immersion (worldbuilding): 8.5/10 - The worldbuilding is pretty simple, but it does still have depth. You have the conquering empire stopped dead in its tracks by a small country with vicious warriors and magic. It also has varying landscapes as a lost company of soldiers is fleeing behind enemy lines. We also get a pretty clear picture of the different cultures as we're exposed to the different countries and beliefs.
Names (characters): 8/10 - I feel like the group dynamics of this company was great. Tuggs was a compelling main character with emotional depth. Captain Roma was a very intimidating leader. Bracken was absolutely insufferable. So I really enjoyed how these characters interacted with each other during their desperate circumstances. I just felt like there was a little too much exposition with their backstories. I didn't think that was necessary.
Da Magic (& creatures): 8/10 - The magic was pretty basic I'd say. These warriors have mages that they use in battle, with some being lower ranked distractions, while the more powerful ones throw fireballs and such. There is also a spiritual-type magic where some mages can leave their bodies and float around to see what's going on. But there are evil spirits hunting mages with this capability. So it ties in to the story really well and keeps things interesting, even if it is somewhat simplistic.
Infrastructure (plot, pacing, prose, etc.): 9/10 - I felt like the prose and exposition needed some work. However, the plot and pacing was so good that I gave this category a high score. It was just constant tension and conflict that had me stressing the whole time. That level of gripping desperation was enough for me to overlook some of the other flaws of the infrastructure.
Enjoyment: 8.5/10 - This felt like a pretty quick and easy read, so I had a good time with it. Nothing too complicated or new, but still satisfying to see these character journeys. It was nice to get a different style of military fantasy.
If you like David and Goliath storytelling, then I'd give this one a shot.
On my YouTube channel, I exclusively review self-published and indie fantasy books. This was a pretty straightforward story, but I enjoyed it and gave it a solid 8.4/10 overall. My full review can be seen here: https://youtu.be/3Og9e9xn1sw?si=qa0oR...
Here is a brief overview of my breakdown:
Immersion (worldbuilding): 8.5/10 - The worldbuilding is pretty simple, but it does still have depth. You have the conquering empire stopped dead in its tracks by a small country with vicious warriors and magic. It also has varying landscapes as a lost company of soldiers is fleeing behind enemy lines. We also get a pretty clear picture of the different cultures as we're exposed to the different countries and beliefs.
Names (characters): 8/10 - I feel like the group dynamics of this company was great. Tuggs was a compelling main character with emotional depth. Captain Roma was a very intimidating leader. Bracken was absolutely insufferable. So I really enjoyed how these characters interacted with each other during their desperate circumstances. I just felt like there was a little too much exposition with their backstories. I didn't think that was necessary.
Da Magic (& creatures): 8/10 - The magic was pretty basic I'd say. These warriors have mages that they use in battle, with some being lower ranked distractions, while the more powerful ones throw fireballs and such. There is also a spiritual-type magic where some mages can leave their bodies and float around to see what's going on. But there are evil spirits hunting mages with this capability. So it ties in to the story really well and keeps things interesting, even if it is somewhat simplistic.
Infrastructure (plot, pacing, prose, etc.): 9/10 - I felt like the prose and exposition needed some work. However, the plot and pacing was so good that I gave this category a high score. It was just constant tension and conflict that had me stressing the whole time. That level of gripping desperation was enough for me to overlook some of the other flaws of the infrastructure.
Enjoyment: 8.5/10 - This felt like a pretty quick and easy read, so I had a good time with it. Nothing too complicated or new, but still satisfying to see these character journeys. It was nice to get a different style of military fantasy.
If you like David and Goliath storytelling, then I'd give this one a shot.
April 27, 2025
A truly impressive debut novel, that easily compares to the many fantasy favourites that inspired it.
We’re plunged straight into the heat of battle, with vivid depictions of intricate military strategy and hints to the wider politics of the Aenean Empire. My typical genre is neither fantasy nor military, and I easily followed the plan of attack and was invested in its outcome. The pace steadies and the Lost Company embark on the expedition that earns them their name. We come to understand whilst the challenges faced by the squad reaching their homeland are exciting, the real story’s meaning lies in the journey.
As the richly imagined worlds of Epathia and Ethyland unfold, so do the complex magical stratifications and histories that underpin them. The range of squad mates too are tested, developed and unravelled to reveal a range of genuinely inspiring people that demonstrate diverse responses to predicaments they're faced with.
Particularly moving are approaches to leadership embodied in Captain Roma and our protagonist Tuggs "someone had asked where Tuggs had gotten his name ... If it isn't obvious, don't ask". One is cold, impressive and ultimately sefless, the other warm, solid and emotionally sensitive; gently challenging the gender stereotypes attached to these qualities. Building insight into how Tuggs responds to increased responsibilities for his squad, I found myself imagining how he might react to my life's everyday challenges, channeling his people-focussed and honour-based strategic thinking. It feels significant that a character can help you unlock a better way to live.
Other characters are not so developed but inject emotional direction, we find hope in their relationships, relief in their lighthearted humour and anger in their selfishness. There is a beautiful handle on different life experiences and perspectives they offer.
There is so much potential to learn more about the Aenean Empires and its people. I will treasure the mystery of its magic and warmth of the squad until next time and encourage other readers, fantsay fans or not, to also.
We’re plunged straight into the heat of battle, with vivid depictions of intricate military strategy and hints to the wider politics of the Aenean Empire. My typical genre is neither fantasy nor military, and I easily followed the plan of attack and was invested in its outcome. The pace steadies and the Lost Company embark on the expedition that earns them their name. We come to understand whilst the challenges faced by the squad reaching their homeland are exciting, the real story’s meaning lies in the journey.
As the richly imagined worlds of Epathia and Ethyland unfold, so do the complex magical stratifications and histories that underpin them. The range of squad mates too are tested, developed and unravelled to reveal a range of genuinely inspiring people that demonstrate diverse responses to predicaments they're faced with.
Particularly moving are approaches to leadership embodied in Captain Roma and our protagonist Tuggs "someone had asked where Tuggs had gotten his name ... If it isn't obvious, don't ask". One is cold, impressive and ultimately sefless, the other warm, solid and emotionally sensitive; gently challenging the gender stereotypes attached to these qualities. Building insight into how Tuggs responds to increased responsibilities for his squad, I found myself imagining how he might react to my life's everyday challenges, channeling his people-focussed and honour-based strategic thinking. It feels significant that a character can help you unlock a better way to live.
Other characters are not so developed but inject emotional direction, we find hope in their relationships, relief in their lighthearted humour and anger in their selfishness. There is a beautiful handle on different life experiences and perspectives they offer.
There is so much potential to learn more about the Aenean Empires and its people. I will treasure the mystery of its magic and warmth of the squad until next time and encourage other readers, fantsay fans or not, to also.
January 17, 2026
Book Review: The Lost Company by Michael Maguire
The Lost Company is a remarkably well-written debut novel.
The premise concerns a company of soldiers who find themselves isolated in enemy territory and forced to endeavour to make their way home against overwhelming odds, while facing many hardships and obstacles during the course of their odyssey.
Maguire elevates the story by introducing a varied group of well-fleshed, believable, likeable characters and depicting their struggles with grounded, gritty realism. The moral rectitude and inherent decency displayed by the characters, in spite of their grim situation, encourages the reader to become engaged and care about what happens to them throughout. There are some genuinely poignant moments during their tribulations, which lend the work considerable pathos.
Reading The Lost Company, I was struck by the marked similarities between Maguire’s novel and the work of one of my favourite writers and the master of the heroic fantasy genre, the late David Gemmell. Maguire adroitly incorporates the finest elements of Gemmell’s novels and succinct writing style, without descending into the realm of pastiche or having The Lost Company ever feel like a poor imitation.
The interactions between the disparate characters are plausible and relatable, as are their individual motivations, fears, foibles and traits. Action and combat sequences are fluidly-written and the pace is consistently maintained to great effect throughout the novel; at no point did I feel that the narrative lagged or became encumbered with dull, superfluous exposition.
The Lost Company is a gripping read and when I finished the novel, I felt as if I had accompanied the resolute band of soldiers on their harrowing journey. I enjoyed The Lost Company immensely and eagerly anticipate its sequel.
Jason Thompson 17/1/2026
The Lost Company is a remarkably well-written debut novel.
The premise concerns a company of soldiers who find themselves isolated in enemy territory and forced to endeavour to make their way home against overwhelming odds, while facing many hardships and obstacles during the course of their odyssey.
Maguire elevates the story by introducing a varied group of well-fleshed, believable, likeable characters and depicting their struggles with grounded, gritty realism. The moral rectitude and inherent decency displayed by the characters, in spite of their grim situation, encourages the reader to become engaged and care about what happens to them throughout. There are some genuinely poignant moments during their tribulations, which lend the work considerable pathos.
Reading The Lost Company, I was struck by the marked similarities between Maguire’s novel and the work of one of my favourite writers and the master of the heroic fantasy genre, the late David Gemmell. Maguire adroitly incorporates the finest elements of Gemmell’s novels and succinct writing style, without descending into the realm of pastiche or having The Lost Company ever feel like a poor imitation.
The interactions between the disparate characters are plausible and relatable, as are their individual motivations, fears, foibles and traits. Action and combat sequences are fluidly-written and the pace is consistently maintained to great effect throughout the novel; at no point did I feel that the narrative lagged or became encumbered with dull, superfluous exposition.
The Lost Company is a gripping read and when I finished the novel, I felt as if I had accompanied the resolute band of soldiers on their harrowing journey. I enjoyed The Lost Company immensely and eagerly anticipate its sequel.
Jason Thompson 17/1/2026
April 8, 2025
Firstly I’d like to thank Michael Maguire for sending me a copy of his book in exchange for an honest review. Notably the first copy of his book that was ever printed which is mental and generous.
Headlines out of the way this is a 3.5/5 for me. I liked it but it didn’t set me alight. The book is competently written but not without its flaws.
Most of the issues I had with this book came from the writing, which isn’t to say Maguire is a bad writer, just that he’s making a lot of the mistakes you see Indie Authors make with their first book. I hate the “show don’t tell” cliché, but it was really applicable to this book, a lot of the time you’re just getting things described to you when there are more organic ways that the story can be told through dialogue. The most glaring example of this is when we get updates on the squad, it’s often just a list of each person and what they’re doing. The dialogue feels a bit inorganic, I didn’t really get the Norse theme that the cover would suggest and the plot is relatively basic military fantasy.
With all of that aside I still enjoyed this book a decent amount. There are some really great characters (probably the highlight of the book for me), a solid magic system and the Maguires pacing is well managed, the book ticks over nicely enough that you don’t find yourself drifting off to other things when reading. Maguire definitely shows flashes of what he’s capable of throughout this book and it’s one he grows into as it progresses.
There’s enough here to keep me interested for book two, I’ll definitely be reading on when the time comes.
Headlines out of the way this is a 3.5/5 for me. I liked it but it didn’t set me alight. The book is competently written but not without its flaws.
Most of the issues I had with this book came from the writing, which isn’t to say Maguire is a bad writer, just that he’s making a lot of the mistakes you see Indie Authors make with their first book. I hate the “show don’t tell” cliché, but it was really applicable to this book, a lot of the time you’re just getting things described to you when there are more organic ways that the story can be told through dialogue. The most glaring example of this is when we get updates on the squad, it’s often just a list of each person and what they’re doing. The dialogue feels a bit inorganic, I didn’t really get the Norse theme that the cover would suggest and the plot is relatively basic military fantasy.
With all of that aside I still enjoyed this book a decent amount. There are some really great characters (probably the highlight of the book for me), a solid magic system and the Maguires pacing is well managed, the book ticks over nicely enough that you don’t find yourself drifting off to other things when reading. Maguire definitely shows flashes of what he’s capable of throughout this book and it’s one he grows into as it progresses.
There’s enough here to keep me interested for book two, I’ll definitely be reading on when the time comes.
December 8, 2025
An exceptional military fantasy, fast paced and with a strangely intimate feel this debut novel is a real cracking good read.
stripped to bare bones, we follow a company of the Ethylund army going to war with the Aenean Empire Of The Fist ( think Roman army )
before long the company is cut off and stuck behind enemy lines, with the direct route to home swarming with the enemy the redoubtable Captain Roma comes up with an unpopular solution, double down and head further into enemy territory.
As the situation becomes not only dangerous but dire it's left to this strong-willed woman and the dependable sergeant Tuggs to keep the men and women of the company moving against impossible odds.
this is a really smooth and accomplished debut novel, fast paced hard hitting, not afraid to make some bold choices the author keeps the reader on the edge of their seat, never quite knowing which way any encounter will go.
I liked the fact that the story only ever focused on the company and their struggle, leaving the wider world building for another time (hopefully)
Roma bears the heavy burden of command Stoically and is definitely not afraid to make decisions that are definitely not well received, leaving Sergeant Tuggs as a much needed bridge between her and the rest of the company.
There are so wonderfully interesting characters in the Company and we get to meet a few, my favourite being Mane the magic user, a self confessed coward who nonetheless keeps the company safe by engaging in an excellently described game of cat and mouse.
this is fast paced military fantasy with a definite feel of David Gemmell about it and I am genuinely looking forward to the sequel (hopefully?)
stripped to bare bones, we follow a company of the Ethylund army going to war with the Aenean Empire Of The Fist ( think Roman army )
before long the company is cut off and stuck behind enemy lines, with the direct route to home swarming with the enemy the redoubtable Captain Roma comes up with an unpopular solution, double down and head further into enemy territory.
As the situation becomes not only dangerous but dire it's left to this strong-willed woman and the dependable sergeant Tuggs to keep the men and women of the company moving against impossible odds.
this is a really smooth and accomplished debut novel, fast paced hard hitting, not afraid to make some bold choices the author keeps the reader on the edge of their seat, never quite knowing which way any encounter will go.
I liked the fact that the story only ever focused on the company and their struggle, leaving the wider world building for another time (hopefully)
Roma bears the heavy burden of command Stoically and is definitely not afraid to make decisions that are definitely not well received, leaving Sergeant Tuggs as a much needed bridge between her and the rest of the company.
There are so wonderfully interesting characters in the Company and we get to meet a few, my favourite being Mane the magic user, a self confessed coward who nonetheless keeps the company safe by engaging in an excellently described game of cat and mouse.
this is fast paced military fantasy with a definite feel of David Gemmell about it and I am genuinely looking forward to the sequel (hopefully?)
June 3, 2025
I read this book a few months, so I've had a good amount of time to reflect on the story and the characters. Firstly, I absolutely LOVE Captain Roma! Her character has stayed in my mind since reading this book. So often I find that female characters are badly written in fantasy novels, but Maguire's portrayal of Roma and Tris is genuine and authentic. They go beyond the 'strong woman' trope (thank God!) and are portrayed sensitively, but with a lot of humour (in Tris's case) and balls (in Roma's case).
The was my first entry into military fantasy and I must admit I was a bit daunted when I first picked up this book. Maguire's writing style is fast-paced yet introspective and introduces military jargon in a way that's clear and accessible. I particularly enjoyed his ability to shape the narrative around the thoughts and feelings of the many characters in the book. It would be easy to lose track of each person in the company, but Maguire makes sure they have unique perspectives and stories to tell.
Overall, a great debut novel and a thoroughly enjoyable read. With a creative magic system and a writing style inspired by Sanderson and Rothfuss, The Lost Company is an entertaining, fast-paced ride. Bring on the sequel!
The was my first entry into military fantasy and I must admit I was a bit daunted when I first picked up this book. Maguire's writing style is fast-paced yet introspective and introduces military jargon in a way that's clear and accessible. I particularly enjoyed his ability to shape the narrative around the thoughts and feelings of the many characters in the book. It would be easy to lose track of each person in the company, but Maguire makes sure they have unique perspectives and stories to tell.
Overall, a great debut novel and a thoroughly enjoyable read. With a creative magic system and a writing style inspired by Sanderson and Rothfuss, The Lost Company is an entertaining, fast-paced ride. Bring on the sequel!
March 22, 2025
Couldn't put down. This book pulled me in. Plot was amazing and I felt a kinship with the company. Cried when things went bad and celebrated when things looked up. Also liked the fantasy aspect of the book. Mages.
I liked how the characters had real people issues. One with PTSD from the battle, people working through their pasts. It made it all the more believeable. It kinda reminded me of the lost roman legion, other then they perished. Mixed with a bit of mythology.
Can't wait to read these next in series.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I liked how the characters had real people issues. One with PTSD from the battle, people working through their pasts. It made it all the more believeable. It kinda reminded me of the lost roman legion, other then they perished. Mixed with a bit of mythology.
Can't wait to read these next in series.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
May 10, 2025
If you want a no nonsense fight for your life as a team to get back to safety surrounded by enemies you will enjoy this book.
The world follows closer to the Roman Barbarian inspiration rather than the Medieval European. I always enjoy a break so I enjoyed that particular world building. The magic is used nicely as well.
My biggest complaint was there were too many characters in the Company and too little time spent giving them each their own personality. If you’re more plot than character it won’t bother you.
I received a free book from NetGalley in exchange for a honest review
The world follows closer to the Roman Barbarian inspiration rather than the Medieval European. I always enjoy a break so I enjoyed that particular world building. The magic is used nicely as well.
My biggest complaint was there were too many characters in the Company and too little time spent giving them each their own personality. If you’re more plot than character it won’t bother you.
I received a free book from NetGalley in exchange for a honest review
May 13, 2025
The novel's setting draws heavily from Roman and Celtic influences, providing a rich backdrop that enhances the narrative's depth. Captain Roma stands out as a compelling female lead, embodying strength and resilience. The interplay between her and Sergeant Tuggs adds layers to the story, reflecting the complexities of leadership and camaraderie. The tale's pacing kept me invested, balancing intense action sequences with moments of introspection. The inclusion of ancient powers and a looming dark presence adds a layer of mystique to the narrative
May 7, 2025
I enjoyed this book a lot more than I thought and could not put it down once I started. I found the characters interesting and was eager to find out how the Lost Company would get back home. I appreciated the use of third-person as it allowed a better picture of the story from different angles. I am excited for the next book and would like to see where it leads.
June 22, 2025
Definitely my kind of book, kept me engaged at all times. A good mix of character which I found really easy to visualise and found the book funny in places. Having read other books in this category it's rare that the female characters are the stronger ones, this really sets it apart, however, for me this was just like being at home - Looking forward to the next book!
June 7, 2025
What a fantastic book by a debut novelist, the story, characters & new world which Maguire has created where so well written, you felt like you had been reading Maguires books your whole life.
Really looking forward to more stories from this author.
Really looking forward to more stories from this author.
March 30, 2025
Fantastic book, can't wait for the next one!!
April 17, 2025
Although not my usual genre really enjoyed this book, really well written. Loved the strong female characters, looking forward to book 2
October 17, 2025
I received a eARC from the author an I will provide an honest review.
First and foremost, this is a book that works really well its premise and theme. The military aspect is well crafted and above it all, it makes sense.
The pace and flow of the story is really good, it never drags nor does it feel overdone. It could have easily dwelled on parts, but Michael did a good job in balancing character work and keeping the story moving.
Now that we're talking about the characters, let me tell you, some of them are really well accomplished, like Tuggs [our MC] and Captain Roma. Being Tuggs our major player and driving force of the story makes his character and arc all the more important, and Michael did it with ease.
There are other characters we come to appreciate that are also well developed, like our mage Mane and Danza, Tuggs' main pillar. The rest of the squad does a passing job, but the rest of the company, not so much. And while I can't expect character development from half a company [50 people], I would have liked to know a little more of them.
The whole ordeal, their plight, trials and tribulations is really well done and deserves to be marked as a plus. As I said above, it would have been easy to overdo, putting pages after pages of how hungry or tired or wounded they all were, but Michael reined it really well.
The worldbuilding isn't groundbreaking, nor it needs to be, in a way it is Rome vs the Goths and we're cheering for the Goths. This makes the landing in the world much softer than it could have been had he chosen to create a whole new world and establish its rules and grease its cogs.
The magical aspect it well handled, keeping it minimal at first, letting us focus on the human aspects of the ordeal and only later introducing the magical players to the table.
The ARC has some warts and niggles and other minor issues I pointed out to Michael, which I am sure he'll fix because the story deserves to come the best way possible.
All in all a very solid debut, it keeps you turning pages and engaged with the story.
4.2⭐️
First and foremost, this is a book that works really well its premise and theme. The military aspect is well crafted and above it all, it makes sense.
The pace and flow of the story is really good, it never drags nor does it feel overdone. It could have easily dwelled on parts, but Michael did a good job in balancing character work and keeping the story moving.
Now that we're talking about the characters, let me tell you, some of them are really well accomplished, like Tuggs [our MC] and Captain Roma. Being Tuggs our major player and driving force of the story makes his character and arc all the more important, and Michael did it with ease.
There are other characters we come to appreciate that are also well developed, like our mage Mane and Danza, Tuggs' main pillar. The rest of the squad does a passing job, but the rest of the company, not so much. And while I can't expect character development from half a company [50 people], I would have liked to know a little more of them.
The whole ordeal, their plight, trials and tribulations is really well done and deserves to be marked as a plus. As I said above, it would have been easy to overdo, putting pages after pages of how hungry or tired or wounded they all were, but Michael reined it really well.
The worldbuilding isn't groundbreaking, nor it needs to be, in a way it is Rome vs the Goths and we're cheering for the Goths. This makes the landing in the world much softer than it could have been had he chosen to create a whole new world and establish its rules and grease its cogs.
The magical aspect it well handled, keeping it minimal at first, letting us focus on the human aspects of the ordeal and only later introducing the magical players to the table.
The ARC has some warts and niggles and other minor issues I pointed out to Michael, which I am sure he'll fix because the story deserves to come the best way possible.
All in all a very solid debut, it keeps you turning pages and engaged with the story.
4.2⭐️
Displaying 1 - 21 of 21 reviews