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The Swine Thing: A Bloody Tale of Sword & Sorcery
Pray to the Gods of Blood and Thunder, and get ready to cleave some skulls! Haarkon Ulfendyr is a terrifying reaver and the last son of a murdered people. Now, his wrathful beast god howls for vengeance and demands a tithing of blood. Before Haarkon can slake his bloodlust, he must first ally with Jathas, a fortune hunter, and his demolitionist partner, Narqia, to complete a most difficult Find the missing daughter of a powerful man far in the north. Success will bring glory and riches! Failure means death! Together, they must join forces with Haarkon's hated foes to confront a diabolical power about to engulf the world in madness and despair. To get there they must journey through cult-haunted, untamed wilds where the civilized fear to tread. Haarkon must triumph against the ancient evil or find a glorious end with sword and axe in hand!
576 pages, Kindle Edition
Published March 13, 2025
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Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews
October 7, 2025
Sanguine? Not hardly. Sanguinary? Very much so.
What if the Fellowship of the Ring had less moral concern for darkness taking over the world, hated each other, enjoyed killing, and somewhat embraced the dark arts to combat the dark arts?
The environment reminds me of the cult of Thulsa Doom in the Conan the Barbarian film, at first at least, and the streets of Fafhrd and the Grey Mouser tales, especially when they deal with someone obsessed with sex and death, or witness the battle of religions and prophets among the masses. There's a lot going on and it really never lets up. I didn't find it hard to keep up with the details and names though I would encourage the editor to look at a few things more closely, like how a character died in Chapter 22 or 23, and then took the place of a surviving character in Chapter 24, as well as the spelling of names. Beyond that, it was an exciting and original tale, with characters that you wouldn't want to cross paths with, but would easily enjoy multiple tales on. There is clearly more to be seen in this realm, and if not, we are missing out without more installments.
What if the Fellowship of the Ring had less moral concern for darkness taking over the world, hated each other, enjoyed killing, and somewhat embraced the dark arts to combat the dark arts?
The environment reminds me of the cult of Thulsa Doom in the Conan the Barbarian film, at first at least, and the streets of Fafhrd and the Grey Mouser tales, especially when they deal with someone obsessed with sex and death, or witness the battle of religions and prophets among the masses. There's a lot going on and it really never lets up. I didn't find it hard to keep up with the details and names though I would encourage the editor to look at a few things more closely, like how a character died in Chapter 22 or 23, and then took the place of a surviving character in Chapter 24, as well as the spelling of names. Beyond that, it was an exciting and original tale, with characters that you wouldn't want to cross paths with, but would easily enjoy multiple tales on. There is clearly more to be seen in this realm, and if not, we are missing out without more installments.
July 16, 2025
I was not sure about this book because the 500 plus pages but the author pulled me in and amazed me with the quality of this tale. Well written and feature solid characters, not all likeable. The pace never left off and the world was filled with savage people and gruesome sorcery. I recommend this book for anyone with a love of old fashion fantasy like Conan, Thongor, and others. The price of viewing this adventure is only $.99 so what do you have to lose.
December 11, 2025
I tend to read fantasy in intense but short bursts, as fits the pulpy short stories I usually prefer. This, however is a huge 600+ page novel so it took me quite some time to get through. But though I had to take breaks, there was never any doubt I would come back.
The attitude of sword and sorcery with all its spilled guts and flashing swords but with the monsters and spired temples of high fantasy. Usually I prefer my setting much more on the low end but the attitude and action made this work for me. It comes out as something kind of like Berserk or the Shadow of the Demon Lord TTRPG as it has many of the tropes of high fantasy but none of the do-goodery boy scout stuff, replacing it with the grotesque body horror and monstrous dread of rampaging cults.
My only complaint that while the action was great there was so much of it that it ended up losing its edge a bit by the third back to back fight in a row in any given section. But only just.
Recommend. Would read more by this author.
The attitude of sword and sorcery with all its spilled guts and flashing swords but with the monsters and spired temples of high fantasy. Usually I prefer my setting much more on the low end but the attitude and action made this work for me. It comes out as something kind of like Berserk or the Shadow of the Demon Lord TTRPG as it has many of the tropes of high fantasy but none of the do-goodery boy scout stuff, replacing it with the grotesque body horror and monstrous dread of rampaging cults.
My only complaint that while the action was great there was so much of it that it ended up losing its edge a bit by the third back to back fight in a row in any given section. But only just.
Recommend. Would read more by this author.
July 4, 2025
You always have to be skeptical when a book claims to be Sword and Sorcery but is over 500 pages. No worries here. This is definitely sword and sorcery with a blazing pace, brutal action, and powerful sorcery. Characters are developed over the massive undertaking of ridding the world of a dark god and his many nefarious followers. I loved every minute of it. If you don't enjoy Haarkon Ulfyndyr as one of the protagonists, then you don't like sword and sorcery. There are plenty of other well thought out characters and plenty of savage foes. Sinister sorcery and necromancy, Howardian godlike creatures, brutal fighting at every turn, treachery abounds, cults, savage barbarians, alchemy, gods, you name it, it's here. This sets up extremely well for a sequel. also, it's only 99 cents on Kindle. Highly recommend!
Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews