On The Nightstand – The Grey Bastards – 6/27/2018

“Missed It By That Much”

Maxwell Smart

**Spoiler Alert**

This is the second time I’ve used that Maxwell Smart quote this month and it’s going to be for similar reasons.  I’ve just returned home from a three day trip – during which I was able to make a lot of progress on my June releases – finished this one, finished “Awakened” and have a few chapters left in “Revenant Gun”.  I’m going to try and get reviews out for all three and finish with a quick vanity post inspired by something I saw on “Morgana’s Book Box” that featured reading nooks.

I have to start by saying that just about everyone seems to love this book.  It’s hard to find a negative review and those I have found seem fixated on the amount of profanity and sex / sexual banter the author throws at you.  I don’t have a problem there.  The characters in this book lead hard lives in a hard land and death is a daily event.  If the profanity, sex and sexual banter weren’t there – I’d begin to wonder why.

I’ve read a lot of reviews that describe this as a bit of a tribute to “Sons Of Anarchy” – I wouldn’t know.  Never watched the show and I’ve never understood the appeal that motorcycles have for some people.  Having said that, the society that French creates with the Hoofs – the bloody, male-dominated, warrior culture – is a fascinating one and there’s plenty there for a grimdark enthusiast to appreciate.

I don’t have any significant criticisms of the book – I did really enjoy it.  It’s well-written – French creates a dirty, brutal world in the Lots that you enjoy getting to know.  For the most part, it’s well-paced – the narrative pulls you right along.  There are plenty of intriguing characters – particularly the Jack/Oats/Fetch triumvirate.  I’m just not one of those reviewers trumpeting its sheer “awesomeness”.

The book truly shines in the first half – from the opening scene at Sancho’s brothel to the first leadership vote.  For me, the book was at it’s best here – getting to know the Grey Bastards, their way of life, the way the Hoof was organized and run.  It was hard to put the book down during this part of the story.

It became a little less compelling during the second half – once Jack is out of the Hoof and learning more about the world outside the Lots and the backstory of how things came to be.  It wasn’t that I didn’t enjoy it – the narrative just lost some of the visceral power that came with life inside the Hoof.  I would have been perfectly happy with a book that kept me with the Hoof and within the Lots.  Once you’re outside that small but fascinating world, it became less unique and slightly less special.

Still – all was good enough until French decided to finish the narrative with two developments that – for me – just didn’t sit well.  The first was the Hoof’s decision to go out in a blaze of glory – ten riders deciding to charge a party of 200+ orcs – and then have them saved by a last minute arrival of the Tines.  Fine…but it felt a bit contrived to me and I couldn’t help but think there might have been a better way.  The second was the elevation of Fetch to Chief.  In doing so, the Grey Bastards basically jumped past three logical candidates for Chieftain – Warbler, Jack and Oats – and went for someone who – from the perspective of tradition – would have been the least likely choice.  It’s not that I didn’t like Fetch as a character – she was fascinating and a great part of the book.  It’s just that French gave us nothing about the Grey Bastards during any part of the story that would suggest a willingness or ability on the part the Grey Bastards to make that kind of break with their past.  Jack was the center of the story from page one – his journey and his growth as a character left him ready and able – and his leadership during the final climactic battle all left him prepared to assume the mantle of leader.  To snatch that away in the final couple of pages and drop it onto the shoulders of the character least likely to rise to the role in all too many ways – just didn’t seem right.

Don’t get me wrong – great concept, great read, deserving of plenty of praise.  I just felt a tiny bit let down when I turned the final page.

As I think back across the month, I’ve read 4 books that more or less fall into the grimdark category – three of which have been debuts:

• The Poppy War by R.F. Kuang
• The Traitor God by Cameron Johnston
• Blackwing by Ed McDonald

And one by a previously published author:

• The Grey Bastards by Jonathan French

Here’s how I see them breaking out – at least for me – you can check my reviews for additional perspective.

“The Poppy War” was an enjoyable book but it was broken in too many ways.  It’s not one I’d recommend, I regret having purchased it and I won’t continue with future installments should the author continue the series.

Both “The Traitor God” and “The Grey Bastards” were fine reads – very well done.  I enjoyed them both, I’m very glad to have purchased and I will continue with the series as the author continues to write.  I just felt there were a few problems with books – largely involving the conclusions – that kept them from achieving their full potential.

“Blackwing” stands out about all the others – an exceptionally well written book and a fascinating story.  This one did get there for me in every way and I can’t wait for McDonald to bring us his next installment.