Please note, though not a direct sequel, Bloody Rose is set in the same shared universe as Kings of the Wyld. If you haven’t read that first there may well be minor spoilers in the review below. Don’t say I didn’t warn ya!
Live fast, die young.
Tam Hashford is tired of working at her local pub, slinging drinks for world-famous mercenaries and listening to the bards sing of adventure and glory in the world beyond her sleepy hometown.
When the biggest mercenary band of all rolls into town, led by the infamous Bloody Rose, Tam jumps at the chance to sign on as their bard. It’s adventure she wants – and adventure she gets as the crew embark on a quest that will end in one of two ways: glory or death.
It’s time to take a walk on the wyld side.
Kings of the Wyld was my pick for “Debut of the Year” for 2017, so you’ll not be stunned when I tell you I have been barely able to contain my patience when it comes to waiting for Nicholas Eames next novel. The good news is that the wait is finally over, the support act have finished their set. Let the anticipation mount, as the house lights dim. Put your hands together and make some noise. Cast your eyes to the stage, it’s time for Blood Rose!
Wait, I’m getting a bit ahead of myself.
Before we go any further, you’ll need to understand the rules. It’s straightforward really. The mechanics of the mercenary bands in this novel, and its predecessor, work along the same principle as a rock and roll band in our world. The mercs tour the country going from engagement to engagement, battling all manner of monsters. There are rivalries, groupies, gargantuan levels of excess, and all manner of outlandish behaviour. Throw in the occasional all-out battle of the bands, usually against a demonic horde or two, and you get the gist.
Tam Hashford has always dreamed of being part of a mercenary band and there are none bigger than Fable. Though not a skilled fighter, Tam is pretty good with a lute. Lucky for her every good band needs a bard*. Who better to commit a band’s outrageous exploits to history? Through a mixture of good timing, musical skill and pure dumb luck, Tam becomes the newest member of her favourite band.
She quickly discovers that the members of Fable are an eclectic bunch.
First there is Brune, the gruff brooding shaman. He is also able to shape shift at will. The only problem with that is excessive drinking and drunken bears aren’t always conducive to a quiet night out. Freecloud is a druin, an immortal warrior, who wants nothing more than to settle down but still finds himself drawn to a life on the road. Cura is the band’s summoner. Covered in multiple evil-looking tattoos depicting all manner of beasts, she is able call upon these monsters when required. I have to admit, along with Brune, she was one of my favourite characters. I love the idea that she uses her body art to raise horrors that help Fable win their battles. She is also delightfully snarky which is always an added bonus.
Last, but by no means least, there is Bloody Rose herself. Fable’s leader is an icon, her shock of scarlet hair instantly recognisable to all. Adored by the masses and born to raise hell, Rose is a force of nature and everyone knows it. Happy to take on any job, no matter how big, she has a reputation that is second to none. No other band leader even comes close. Put it this way, when Rose walks into any crowded tavern, conversation tends to dry up while everyone waits to see what she’ll do next. Of course, there is far more to Rose than that. Her reputation may be well deserved but her public persona and her private life are two distinctly different things.
It turns out a fan’s rose-tinted view of being part of a mercenary band has been more than a little romanticised. Always on the road to the next gig makes for a genuinely nomadic existence. The only real constant are the other band members and their assorted hangers-on. Eames lets us peer behind the curtain and see everything, warts and all. The glamour of being in a band is stripped away. Every member of the band is a person in their own right and they have emotional baggage that affects them all.
Existing Nicholas Eames fans will be pleased to note there is a direct connection between this book and Kings of the Wyld. Some members of Saga make a guest appearance. Any excuse for more of everyone’s favourite absent minded wizard, Arcandius Moog (and his owl bears) is a win as far as I am concerned.
My advice is, if you haven’t already, seek out this series. Kings of the Wyld is a joy and Bloody Rose is just as good. Exciting, entertaining and a hell of a lot of fun. If you are anything like me I can guarantee you’ll read Bloody Rose with a constant smile on your face. I loved every page. What’s the saying when it comes to rock and roll – live fast, die young and leave a good-looking corpse. This also seems entirely apt when it comes to being a mercenary.
It’s simple really, if you want to condense my entire review down to a single statement the following should suffice – Nicholas Eames new novel is fantasy done right.
In Kings of the Wyld I think I always envisaged Saga to be something like Led Zeppelin, a band passed their prime but still awe inspiring. If that’s true then Fable are more like X-Ray Spex, all rebellion and taking out the old guard. Hardly a surprise then that my musical recommendation to accompany this novel is Germ Free Adolescents by X-Ray Spex. I reckon Bloody Mary and Poly Styrene would have got on like a house on fire and, if they went out drinking a house or two would probably end up on fire.
Bloody Rose is published by Orbit Books and is available now. Highly recommended. I demand the next novel in this series is made available to me immediately… and also can someone please ensure I only have brown M & Ms and Evian in my dressing room, I’m a star for goodness sake.
*As an aside, I love the ongoing throw away joke in this series that bards in mercenary bands have the same life expectancy as drummers is Spinal Tap.
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