The Sword and Laser discussion

I guess Rob is busy today Giving Thanks or killing Turkeys or whatever the hell you do on this holiday 😜

December's book pick will be Kings of the Wyld by Nicholas Eames

Clay Cooper and his band were once the best of the best -- the meanest, dirtiest, most feared crew of mercenaries this side of the Heartwyld.

Their glory days long past, the mercs have grown apart and grown old, fat, drunk - or a combination of the three. Then an ex-bandmate turns up at Clay's door with a plea for help. His daughter Rose is trapped in a city besieged by an enemy one hundred thousand strong and hungry for blood. Rescuing Rose is the kind of mission that only the very brave or the very stupid would sign up for.

It's time to get the band back together for one last tour across the Wyld.

From Tom: "The book has drawn comparisons to Skyrim and D&D. In 2018 it won The Morningstar Award for Best Fantasy Newcomer and the Best Debut Novel on the Fantasy Stabby Award subreddit."

The Kindle and Dead Tree editions features a Lord of the Rings style map.

It can be found on Nicholas' website in colour or Black and white
https://nicholaseames.com/the-world/

What do the Kings of the Wyld ride? Wyld Stallions? Perhaps go on a crusade to force people to be excellent to each other? In the name of the holy Rufus, of course.

John (Taloni) wrote: "Wyld Stallions?"

You mean "Wyld Stallyns" 😉

"Party on, dudes and dudettes" 😎

I read this a couple of years ago, it’s very Dungeons & Dragons meets Spinal Tap. I think the group will enjoy it.

I read this and the sequel earlier this year, it's a lot of fun. As Ruth says, it's very Spinal Tap. I'm looking forward for the 3rd book to be released.

I too read it back in 2017. It has that "Old School" cover art I like so much. The Black Hawks has a similar fun group dynamic, if you are looking for a book with the same kind of vibe as Kings of the Wyld.

Ruth wrote: "I read this a couple of years ago, it’s very Dungeons & Dragons meets Spinal Tap. I think the group will enjoy it."

Is there a D10 that goes to 11?
Acquire a new drummer at every inn?

Do any of the protagonists yell, at some point, “You orcs get offa my lawn!” Because from the description I will be very disappointed if that doesn’t happen.

Pumpkinstew wrote: "Ruth wrote: "I read this a couple of years ago, it’s very Dungeons & Dragons meets Spinal Tap. I think the group will enjoy it."

Is there a D10 that goes to 11?
Acquire a new drummer at every inn?"

Without spoiling too much, yes, there is a joke about certain band members dying repeatedly.

🤘 - sign of the horns, you know like Dio used to do. Maybe they can have Eddie Trunk on as a guest.

Playlist: https://www.grimdarkmagazine.com/the-... Some lesser known tunes there. Neil Young took his stuff off Spotify since then.

Lately I've seen some romance books include a playlist at the start.

I’m pretty stoked about this pick! I’ve had it on my kindle for a while but never got around to reading it.

I'm looking forward to reading this. It looks like it will be a cool read.

Short wait for the book at LAPL Overdrive. I put it on hold a few days ago and it just came in.

I read this a few years ago. I thought it was just OK even though I really wanted to like it. Rock music and fantasy are a great combo. There is a character named "Moog."

The second book tried to take itself a little more seriously and was a drop in quality from the first. I think I'll pass on reading anything else by the author.

I’ve read the book already (along with the sequel) - they are sooooooo good. Great writing, great characters, great action - a really fun book. Can’t wait to hear what everyone thinks.

Some added notes to
- Tassie Dave's thread-originating comment about maps and providing a link to the author's website. On that site look for the 'Soundtrack' dropdown, for links to the author's Spotify playlists.
and
- John's recent comment about short waits; Spotify subscription members now have access to audiobooks and both this book and the next are there.

Been a while since I read it so I'll pick it up again. I seem to remember the tone better than I remember anything about the plot.

This pick works out great for me. I started reading Kings of the Wild a couple of months back and was really enjoying. The only reason I never finished it is because I was doing a bookshelf reorg and put it on there to make sure that there's was space for it, then got waylaid and just haven't gotten back around to it yet.

It is pretty damn good, though. I wish I had read it sooner.

Mer wrote: "...look for the 'Soundtrack' dropdown, for links to the author's Spotify playlists...."

Good point. I'd forgotten about that. I did try listening to the recommended songs while reading some of the early chapters, but then I realized that my musical tastes diverged from the author's too much. Also, I think the chapter when Jain is introduced should have had "Jane" by Jefferson Starship in the soundtrack.

10% in and I know this is a book I'm going to love and move straight into Book 2

RJ - Slayer of Trolls wrote: "Also, I think the chapter when Jain is introduced should have had "Jane" by Jefferson Starship in the soundtrack. "

I'd suggest "Stand and Deliver" by Adam and the Ants.

Just dropped to $2.99 on Apple Books.

Came in off library hold a few days ago. Gonna read it as soon as I'm done with Tchaikovsky's "And Put Away Childish Things." Which is a "novella" of about the length novels were when I was a young'un, so that should be soon.

This book is a lot of fun - I really enjoyed it when I read it awhile back - sounds like a good time for a re-read.

the month has begun..go forth and discuss