Maybe you’re starting a new campaign, in a dungeon, level one.

But this book echoes that campaign where you can’t trust any of the NPCs, and the one you do trust might not make it to the end of the book. Stylistically, it’s very similar to Nevernight, and certainly much darker than Six of Crows, which also has some DnD vibes if you squint and tilt your head. The Lies of Locke Lamora has a slew of great characters (all morally grey), this grimdark fantasy is one of my favourites. A born liar, and a powerful enemy, Locke and his crew create intricate plots to bring down the aristocracy – drawing the attention of assassins. The Gentlemen Bastards are a gang of con artists, with a treasure trove to rival a Blue Dragon, and Locke Lamora is their charismatic leader. The third book in the trilogy comes out in a few weeks, and we are excited! Here’s looking at you Wizards of the Coast. We’ve got LGBTQ+ Rep, compelling (and in some places heartwrenching) storylines, great world-building, subversion of expectations – and this is kind of like Good Omens, if there were a Good Omens module. Just like with KOTW, The Library of the Unwritten feels so much like a homebrew campaign that I couldn’t NOT include it on this list. The Library of the UnwrittenĪ librarian, a hero, an angel and a demon walk into Valhalla… and so begins this epic quest. Every character is fully fleshed out and realised, the world-building is clever and fun, the banter is expertly done and I loved, loved, loved the whole ‘Epic Quest with a Band of Idiots’ vibe. There are so many DnD tropes in this book, but they all subvert the traditionally (*cough* misogynistic *cough*) style of High Fantasy.

Clay has retired, though everyone recognises his infamous shield and the broad man attached to it, and it’s only when a friend of his comes to him with a problem that the band is brought back together.

The bigger the monster you kill, the more of a headliner you are. Kings of the Wyld is the first in a trilogy written by the wonderful Nicholas Eames, set in a traditional Fantasy realm, Bands of Mercenaries are treated like rockstars. Oh, you’re still reading? Well, I guess I’d better explain then. In fact, you can stop reading now, pick this book up and you’ll make me very happy. Was this whole blog post just another excuse to recommend Kings of the Wyld? Yes.

The band trilogy nicholas eames