The Free Bastards

How is it that books 1 was amazing, book 2 not so much, but then we are back to great again in this one? Maybe not as high as book 1, because that whole thing was one big surprise, but man, was this good.

When I realised Fetch was the protagonist of the second, I really hoped we were going to get a book with Oats, the absolute best boy in this series. AND WE DID!
In the first two, we were shows he is this huge guy, more orc than human and yet he is the most gentle. He notices when people need him and what's more, he gives them what they need without making a huge fanfare about it. He helps without the other person feel weak.
But what happens when a person like that needs to just go crazy and unleash all the fucked up depths he has?

Now, I have to point out something. This series has more elements than you can count. A bunch of different sides forming temporary alliances, but it's always crystal clear that they have their own goals and will fuck over anyone if needed.
That's the reason why this is not a full story. Hell, the author even wrote somewhere on here about how he plans to write another book. I support that idea, there are still so many things to deal with here. Ruin, Starling, N'Keesos, the centaurs, Zirko. What the hell is going on with Hood? Tyrkania? We still have a whole continent of orcs!!!! Even some new characters make me question the plan for them.
Because of that... the end of this felt almost incomplete. But at the same time, it was good. It was heartwarming. It was comforting. Just don't expect it to be completely done.

Another thing I appreciate about this one is that the author did not give up the tone of the books after he got traditionally published. The characters still say “offensive” things. Messed up stuff still happens. It's unapologetic, just like the mongrels are unapologetic about what and who they are. And that adds to today's book market more than anyone is willing to admit.
In a market where everyone is worried about being cancelled, this one leaned into what made it special. The characters are rude and not PC and... they are incredibly loyal, are willing to do whatever for each other.
Some people will get their panties in a bunch over it, I have no illusions about it. None. But if you are willing to read it and not just fake outrage because OMG, bad word, will see how wonderfully the relationships bloom in it.

I love this. I will forever love it and I'm more than willing to wait for the possible next book, though at this point I have no idea what to expect. Which element will it use? I don't know. I have no idea. And I am looking forward to it, because this was a series that surprised me with both its style and the creativity. You will absolutely not mistake it for anything else, these people and events could not belong to any other book you can find and for that, it deserves HUGE kudos.

(As a side note, the trad pub covers are still awful. The original cover of book 1 was fantastic, it's a crime they changed the artist and style of it. I don't like these photoshopped human models, sorry.)