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The Fifth Ward #3
The Fifth Ward: Good Company
'If you're looking for a book that will give you everything you love about fantasy in a way you haven't seen it before, you've found it' B&N Sci-Fi and Fantasy Blog on First Watch
In the most dangerous district in the city, Rem and Torval have been perfecting their good cop, bad cop routine while protecting residents from the likes of drug-dealing orcs and mind-controlling elves.
Now, Rem and Torval must leave the city to escort a notorious thief through a dangerous forest. But the thief's companions are waiting, and the soldiers Rem and Torval journey with might not be so honourable.
Praise for The Fifth Ward
'A buddy cop story in a secondary world setting. What else do you need to know? . . . page-turning entertainment' Pornokitsch
'A brilliant premise, wonderfully told. A city that breathes, and heroes you can't help but root for' Nicholas Eames
'A glorious tour through fantasy's seamier side. A wilder ride than Middle Earth, and you'll love every minute of it!' Jon Hollins, author of the Dragon Lords series
In the most dangerous district in the city, Rem and Torval have been perfecting their good cop, bad cop routine while protecting residents from the likes of drug-dealing orcs and mind-controlling elves.
Now, Rem and Torval must leave the city to escort a notorious thief through a dangerous forest. But the thief's companions are waiting, and the soldiers Rem and Torval journey with might not be so honourable.
Praise for The Fifth Ward
'A buddy cop story in a secondary world setting. What else do you need to know? . . . page-turning entertainment' Pornokitsch
'A brilliant premise, wonderfully told. A city that breathes, and heroes you can't help but root for' Nicholas Eames
'A glorious tour through fantasy's seamier side. A wilder ride than Middle Earth, and you'll love every minute of it!' Jon Hollins, author of the Dragon Lords series
481 pages, Kindle Edition
Published August 27, 2019
53 people are currently reading
164 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 32 reviews
August 28, 2019
Good company is the third novel in this sprawling fantasy series by author Dale Lucas and is best described as the grit of grimdark meets a police procedural. I would highly recommend starting at book one (First Watch) as it features a lot of worldbuilding and character development I feel is crucial to a readers enjoyment. I thought it was really clever right from the beginning of the series to put meld two completely separate genres together, and Lucas does a great job in the process. It's a compelling tale and it kept my attention throughout without any problems. All in all, with an interesting cast, plenty of danger and surprises, and a fascinating world to boot, this is a highly entertaining fantasy. Many thanks to Orbit for an ARC.
July 28, 2020
In this volume 3 of the Fifth Ward series Rem and Torval catch a dubious man moving over the roofs of Yenara in the nighttime. As it turns out the guy is quite a famous bandit from the Ethkaraldi Forest, a forest in which a lot of criminal gangs make their living.
A duchy on the other side of the Ethkaraldi Forest is offering quite a high reward, if Rem and Torval escort the bandit and deliver him to Erald.
So our friends start their journey with the bandit, a group of Eraldian soldiers and officials and a lady with her female bodyguards.
If you would expect now (as I did) a retelling of Robin Hood at this point, you would be completely mistaken.
Ethkaraldi Forest is a dangerous place with quite a few surprisingly dangerous and disgusting creatures in it. Almost worse is, though, that several of the travel companions turn out completely differently than anyone could have expected.
I have to admit that I prefer the stories where Rem and Torval move in the city. Particularly Torval doesn't seem to be a country boy.
Nevertheless this volume was again no disappointment and I would read any sequel, if available.
A duchy on the other side of the Ethkaraldi Forest is offering quite a high reward, if Rem and Torval escort the bandit and deliver him to Erald.
So our friends start their journey with the bandit, a group of Eraldian soldiers and officials and a lady with her female bodyguards.
If you would expect now (as I did) a retelling of Robin Hood at this point, you would be completely mistaken.
Ethkaraldi Forest is a dangerous place with quite a few surprisingly dangerous and disgusting creatures in it. Almost worse is, though, that several of the travel companions turn out completely differently than anyone could have expected.
I have to admit that I prefer the stories where Rem and Torval move in the city. Particularly Torval doesn't seem to be a country boy.
Nevertheless this volume was again no disappointment and I would read any sequel, if available.
July 31, 2019
Rating: ★★★★☆-
Synopsis
The third book in a rollicking fantasy series where the grit of grimdark meets a police procedural, and it’s up to two watchmen to protect the streets of one of fantasy’s most dangerous cities.
Yenara is a sprawling, dirty city. Filled to bursting with heroes questing, mages testing out spells, thieves around every corner, elves judging everyone, dwarves hating everyone, orcs fighting everyone, and humans being typical humans. Enter Rem and Torval: one a human, the other a dwarf, and both working as Watchwardens.
Now, they must escort a notorious thief through a dangerous forest to the nearby city from where the thief escaped. But the thief’s companions are waiting, and the soldiers Rem and Torval travel with might not be so honorable.
Review
Thanks to Hachette Audio, the publisher, and the author for an advanced listening copy of Good Company (The Fifth Ward #3) in exchange for an honest review. Receiving this ALC did not influence my thoughts or opinions on the novel.
Can we all agree that Simon Vance is a stupendous audiobook narrator? He has several hundred audiobooks to his name, which should just go to show that he is simply one of the best. He is in my top five (5) of all-time with Jim Dale, Colin Mace, Tim Gerard Reynolds, and Joe Jameson. Anytime those names are tied to a book, the audio goes straight into the wishlist on Audible or Libro.fm.
This series is like Training Day meets Bright. Good Company adds a dash of Robin Hood and The Hobbit to that mixture to make something truly original.
As far as the book is concerned, Good Company takes a well deserved break from the elf/mage/dwarf/orc population of Yenara and takes the show on the road. Gone are the crowded streets full of thieves, dealers, and brawlers, but the woods mask a more impressive crew of mercs that use the camouflage and open space to their decisive advantage. On top of that, some in Rem and Torval’s midst may not be so keen to see this party make it to the other side.
I have been a fan of Lucas’s writing since Book 1, especially his creation of the seemingly oil & water mixture that is the duo of Rem and Torval. It is sort of like watching The Other Guys with Ferrell and Wahlberg, but now as a continuation of their partnership rather than the rocky beginnings. They have grown quite fond of one another and their comfort level is close enough to a friendship as possible. I also enjoyed our antagonist this go round, especially with the unexpected twists and turns that came with the journey through the woods.
While the dialogue, characters, and fight scenes kept Good Company rolling along, the world-building took somewhat of a backstep as the focus was on the party rather than the environment. Not a bad thing, necessarily, but I did enjoy the build-up of Yenara and its outskirts in the previous novels so I was a tad bummed that it didn’t continue. Focusing on the little things can wreck a read, so thankfully, I didn’t let it bother me.
All in all, I enjoyed Good Company about as much as the first two (2) installations to the series. I can only assume Lucas is going to continue writing more in this series, and I hope that is true as I am not ready to end my relationship with Rem and Torval just yet.
Synopsis
The third book in a rollicking fantasy series where the grit of grimdark meets a police procedural, and it’s up to two watchmen to protect the streets of one of fantasy’s most dangerous cities.
Yenara is a sprawling, dirty city. Filled to bursting with heroes questing, mages testing out spells, thieves around every corner, elves judging everyone, dwarves hating everyone, orcs fighting everyone, and humans being typical humans. Enter Rem and Torval: one a human, the other a dwarf, and both working as Watchwardens.
Now, they must escort a notorious thief through a dangerous forest to the nearby city from where the thief escaped. But the thief’s companions are waiting, and the soldiers Rem and Torval travel with might not be so honorable.
Review
Thanks to Hachette Audio, the publisher, and the author for an advanced listening copy of Good Company (The Fifth Ward #3) in exchange for an honest review. Receiving this ALC did not influence my thoughts or opinions on the novel.
Can we all agree that Simon Vance is a stupendous audiobook narrator? He has several hundred audiobooks to his name, which should just go to show that he is simply one of the best. He is in my top five (5) of all-time with Jim Dale, Colin Mace, Tim Gerard Reynolds, and Joe Jameson. Anytime those names are tied to a book, the audio goes straight into the wishlist on Audible or Libro.fm.
This series is like Training Day meets Bright. Good Company adds a dash of Robin Hood and The Hobbit to that mixture to make something truly original.
As far as the book is concerned, Good Company takes a well deserved break from the elf/mage/dwarf/orc population of Yenara and takes the show on the road. Gone are the crowded streets full of thieves, dealers, and brawlers, but the woods mask a more impressive crew of mercs that use the camouflage and open space to their decisive advantage. On top of that, some in Rem and Torval’s midst may not be so keen to see this party make it to the other side.
I have been a fan of Lucas’s writing since Book 1, especially his creation of the seemingly oil & water mixture that is the duo of Rem and Torval. It is sort of like watching The Other Guys with Ferrell and Wahlberg, but now as a continuation of their partnership rather than the rocky beginnings. They have grown quite fond of one another and their comfort level is close enough to a friendship as possible. I also enjoyed our antagonist this go round, especially with the unexpected twists and turns that came with the journey through the woods.
While the dialogue, characters, and fight scenes kept Good Company rolling along, the world-building took somewhat of a backstep as the focus was on the party rather than the environment. Not a bad thing, necessarily, but I did enjoy the build-up of Yenara and its outskirts in the previous novels so I was a tad bummed that it didn’t continue. Focusing on the little things can wreck a read, so thankfully, I didn’t let it bother me.
All in all, I enjoyed Good Company about as much as the first two (2) installations to the series. I can only assume Lucas is going to continue writing more in this series, and I hope that is true as I am not ready to end my relationship with Rem and Torval just yet.
November 20, 2019
MY THOUGHTS:
I received this book in exchange for my honest review.
I highly recommend you get books one and two in order to understand this remarkable world Dale Lucas has created as well as understanding who is whom and how he's created the characters you'll need to understand for this book, book three and to go forward. You'll want to go forward with this series if you are a true fantasy book lover.
This world of Lucas' is truly amazing. He's filled that world with an array of incredible characters and added a final perk of a human and dwarf team in a corrupt police department for this world.
He takes these characters through a twisty, turning plot of deception and action. I love the usage of police procedural in this highly diverse world. There's a lot of interesting and fun interaction between the two main characters that I loved. I want more of them.
I will continue to read this series since I've invested a lot of time in enjoying these unique characters in a world of so much possibility.
I received this book in exchange for my honest review.
I highly recommend you get books one and two in order to understand this remarkable world Dale Lucas has created as well as understanding who is whom and how he's created the characters you'll need to understand for this book, book three and to go forward. You'll want to go forward with this series if you are a true fantasy book lover.
This world of Lucas' is truly amazing. He's filled that world with an array of incredible characters and added a final perk of a human and dwarf team in a corrupt police department for this world.
He takes these characters through a twisty, turning plot of deception and action. I love the usage of police procedural in this highly diverse world. There's a lot of interesting and fun interaction between the two main characters that I loved. I want more of them.
I will continue to read this series since I've invested a lot of time in enjoying these unique characters in a world of so much possibility.
July 14, 2021
This book... disappointed. No getting around it. I think three major things caused this:
#1. The author, when describing scenery, really likes to hear himself talk. I mean, he really goes on and on. Describing scenery should be done in depth (if at all) for one of two reasons: a.) to create mood or atmosphere, or b.) to advance the plot. Mr. Lucas' descriptions do neither -- they're just annoyingly thorough explanations of surroundings. Annoying to read, and eminently forgettable afterwards.
#2. Practically ALL the characters in the book either pontificate or doubt, bringing the storyline's actions to a screeching halt! The main human character and dwarven character spend pages and pages AND PAGES of time enumerating why they might do one thing, why they might do another, why one person could be lying and what THAT would mean that they might then do, and why if they're not lying then that means that someone ELSE must be, and that means that they should... you get the idea.
Same with the female lead and the male brigand ex-boyfriend -- they spends PAGES of the book describing the relationship they once had, how at least one of them has changed, how that changes their NEW relationship, and what it means for the future of their relationship if they are to try and create one, and how that new relationship might mean that .... sweet Jesus spare me!
And the evil characters ... monolog!!! The bad commander explains the reasons behind his horrible actions, the evil prince confesses/illuminates his criminal intent, the cannibalistic forest-humans talk and talk AND TALK about how they are going to cook up the prisoner they've caught. (Reminds me of the old 1960's Batman live action cartoon show where, after the (insert batman nemesis name here) has caught the caped crusader, he/she then sets up a Rube Goldberg device that will eliminate the hero in a matter of ... hours ... AFTER the evildoer has left to go on his/her next nefarious exploit. Because ... the plot-armor is thick in this one!)
#3. And finally, the good author has attended the Stephen King school of writing fiction. This school teaches that ALL ACTION IS MIND-SHATTERING, EARTH-SHAKING, GUT-WRENCHING, HEART-RENDING, SOUL-SEARING, EYE-GOUGING, ... um ... what were we talking about?
Don't believe me? Here's from page 415: "Sense left her. Everything was darkness and shock and pain -- bone-deep pain. She was sure that every bone in her body must have shattered. But her fall wasn't done just yet. She'd hit the log, but there was still the matter of the earth itself, and gravity. Down she went, landing in a heap, in agony, her brain scrambled, her only thoughts the desire for a deep breath and the vague question of whether she'd ever draw one again."
At _exactly_ this point -- and this was during the final conflict, the denouement, the climax of the book! -- I said, "Man, I've just got to take a break from this shit." So I skipped the rest of the chapter -- the final fight between the book's main protagonist and major villain; between Good and Evil! -- and started the next chapter, and then finished the book. Then AFTER that I went _back_ and read the SOUL-RENDING, EARTH-SHATTERING, HEART-GOUGING, ... yeah, ... just needed a break _that badly_.
Perhaps Mr. Lucas is writing for a younger audience -- say, 12-15 year old boys. If so, the book should have a warning that it is "Young Adult" fare.
If it was indeed meant to be adult fantasy/fiction, then it thoroughly deserves the two stars I'm pooping on it.
#1. The author, when describing scenery, really likes to hear himself talk. I mean, he really goes on and on. Describing scenery should be done in depth (if at all) for one of two reasons: a.) to create mood or atmosphere, or b.) to advance the plot. Mr. Lucas' descriptions do neither -- they're just annoyingly thorough explanations of surroundings. Annoying to read, and eminently forgettable afterwards.
#2. Practically ALL the characters in the book either pontificate or doubt, bringing the storyline's actions to a screeching halt! The main human character and dwarven character spend pages and pages AND PAGES of time enumerating why they might do one thing, why they might do another, why one person could be lying and what THAT would mean that they might then do, and why if they're not lying then that means that someone ELSE must be, and that means that they should... you get the idea.
Same with the female lead and the male brigand ex-boyfriend -- they spends PAGES of the book describing the relationship they once had, how at least one of them has changed, how that changes their NEW relationship, and what it means for the future of their relationship if they are to try and create one, and how that new relationship might mean that .... sweet Jesus spare me!
And the evil characters ... monolog!!! The bad commander explains the reasons behind his horrible actions, the evil prince confesses/illuminates his criminal intent, the cannibalistic forest-humans talk and talk AND TALK about how they are going to cook up the prisoner they've caught. (Reminds me of the old 1960's Batman live action cartoon show where, after the (insert batman nemesis name here) has caught the caped crusader, he/she then sets up a Rube Goldberg device that will eliminate the hero in a matter of ... hours ... AFTER the evildoer has left to go on his/her next nefarious exploit. Because ... the plot-armor is thick in this one!)
#3. And finally, the good author has attended the Stephen King school of writing fiction. This school teaches that ALL ACTION IS MIND-SHATTERING, EARTH-SHAKING, GUT-WRENCHING, HEART-RENDING, SOUL-SEARING, EYE-GOUGING, ... um ... what were we talking about?
Don't believe me? Here's from page 415: "Sense left her. Everything was darkness and shock and pain -- bone-deep pain. She was sure that every bone in her body must have shattered. But her fall wasn't done just yet. She'd hit the log, but there was still the matter of the earth itself, and gravity. Down she went, landing in a heap, in agony, her brain scrambled, her only thoughts the desire for a deep breath and the vague question of whether she'd ever draw one again."
At _exactly_ this point -- and this was during the final conflict, the denouement, the climax of the book! -- I said, "Man, I've just got to take a break from this shit." So I skipped the rest of the chapter -- the final fight between the book's main protagonist and major villain; between Good and Evil! -- and started the next chapter, and then finished the book. Then AFTER that I went _back_ and read the SOUL-RENDING, EARTH-SHATTERING, HEART-GOUGING, ... yeah, ... just needed a break _that badly_.
Perhaps Mr. Lucas is writing for a younger audience -- say, 12-15 year old boys. If so, the book should have a warning that it is "Young Adult" fare.
If it was indeed meant to be adult fantasy/fiction, then it thoroughly deserves the two stars I'm pooping on it.
June 9, 2020
A decent book but disappointing as part of a greater series. Characters don't develop enough, there is no real interaction with character's history and past mistakes. I'm dropping this series from here but I think the author could write great books in the future if they focus more on plotting interesting arcs since their basic writing skills, fight scenes and world building are all great.
August 28, 2019
Our favorite mismatched buddy cops are back in the latest Fifth Ward novel: Good Company by Dale Lucas, and this may be the best one yet!
Rem and Torval are headed back from their latest shift patrolling the streets of Yenara when a thief on a rooftop literally falls into their laps. After capturing the thief and taking him in they discover that he is a notorious outlaw wanted in another country. The human Rem, and his dwarvish partner Torval, are watch wardens normally charged with patrolling the teeming and unruly streets of Yenara. Now they are tasked with escorting the thief back home through a menacing forest. The forest holds many dangers not the least of which is the thief's companions who are hoping to rescue him. The foreign soldiers traveling with Rem and Torval are also of dubious integrity. The only ones that Rem and Torval can truly rely on are each other and they will need to do so if they are going to make it back to Yenara in one piece.
Good Company takes Rem and Torval out of the city for the first time, allowing us to explore a little bit more of their world. The Fifth Ward books are filled with intrigue along with action and adventure. In Good Company Lucas spends more time with viewpoint characters other than Rem and Torval which deepens the intrigue and helps keep you guessing as to which are the good guys and which are the bad guys. The relationship between Rem and Torval has matured and deepened through the course of these first three books. They rely on and trust each other and this heightens the tension when they face danger, both separately and together. The forest setting not only takes them out of their comfort zone, but their encounters in the woods make them reexamine some long-held prejudices about some of the creatures they only know from the city, including orcs, trolls and goblins.
The action scenes, particularly those in the forest, are some of the most intense and exciting in the series. In Good Company, Lucas juggles more plot threads and viewpoint characters than in the previous books and the added complexity results in the best story yet. This world is rich and vibrant and it's clear that it has a lot of stories left to tell both inside and outside of Yenara. Dale Lucas has another winner on his hands in a series that gets better with every book. Highly recommended
I was provided a copy of this book by the publisher.
Rem and Torval are headed back from their latest shift patrolling the streets of Yenara when a thief on a rooftop literally falls into their laps. After capturing the thief and taking him in they discover that he is a notorious outlaw wanted in another country. The human Rem, and his dwarvish partner Torval, are watch wardens normally charged with patrolling the teeming and unruly streets of Yenara. Now they are tasked with escorting the thief back home through a menacing forest. The forest holds many dangers not the least of which is the thief's companions who are hoping to rescue him. The foreign soldiers traveling with Rem and Torval are also of dubious integrity. The only ones that Rem and Torval can truly rely on are each other and they will need to do so if they are going to make it back to Yenara in one piece.
Good Company takes Rem and Torval out of the city for the first time, allowing us to explore a little bit more of their world. The Fifth Ward books are filled with intrigue along with action and adventure. In Good Company Lucas spends more time with viewpoint characters other than Rem and Torval which deepens the intrigue and helps keep you guessing as to which are the good guys and which are the bad guys. The relationship between Rem and Torval has matured and deepened through the course of these first three books. They rely on and trust each other and this heightens the tension when they face danger, both separately and together. The forest setting not only takes them out of their comfort zone, but their encounters in the woods make them reexamine some long-held prejudices about some of the creatures they only know from the city, including orcs, trolls and goblins.
The action scenes, particularly those in the forest, are some of the most intense and exciting in the series. In Good Company, Lucas juggles more plot threads and viewpoint characters than in the previous books and the added complexity results in the best story yet. This world is rich and vibrant and it's clear that it has a lot of stories left to tell both inside and outside of Yenara. Dale Lucas has another winner on his hands in a series that gets better with every book. Highly recommended
I was provided a copy of this book by the publisher.
September 3, 2019
Rem and Torval are at it again! This time they must leave Yenara to safely escort an outlaw to face justice and collect the bounty. But alas, not all is as it seems.
I have read each book in this series and really enjoy them. The Fifth Ward mashes up a high fantasy world with a buddy cop drama and the results are a rollicking foray into the every day goings on of a large fantasy city. Imagine if Tolkien had taken the time to write about the city guards, barkeeps, and other every day folk in Middle Earth? You would get something like the 5th Ward series, which is very refreshing indeed.
In particular, Good Company takes a bit of a risk when compared to the rest of the series. Our main characters leave Yenara, which we are still barely getting to know, to get a little R n' R in the great outdoors. This plot choice ends up working well and stresses the interconnectedness of the places and characters outside Yenara. In doing so, we get to know Rem much better and I suspect Dale Lucas is setting us up for Rem's past catching up to him in future books. In the last book, Friendly Fire, we got to learn a lot more about Torval, so this book feels like a logical progression with its focus on Rem's world and cultural background.
All in all I liked Good Company a bit less than the first two books, but at 4-starts that shouldn't deter you. I think I liked it less because I really enjoy Yenara as a setting. Good Company felt a little traditional and draws some inspiration from Robin Hood esque stories. That being said, I understand why Dale Lucas made this choice. It is a fun read with good pacing, lots of action, and a close look at Rem. In particular, this book has a lot more humor than some of the others and the new characters we meet are charismatic and distinct. Charismatic meaning that they fit the plot and their roles and are very easy to imagine while reading. Sometimes, when I read books I have a hard time imagining characters or the cultural groups they come from. They can feel like they blend into the background. Here that is not the case and it makes the story strong.
With that, I recommend reading Good Company. It is an excellent next step in the series and you will not be disappointed. I am excited to see where Dale Lucas takes us next!
P.S. I loved the Orcs.
I have read each book in this series and really enjoy them. The Fifth Ward mashes up a high fantasy world with a buddy cop drama and the results are a rollicking foray into the every day goings on of a large fantasy city. Imagine if Tolkien had taken the time to write about the city guards, barkeeps, and other every day folk in Middle Earth? You would get something like the 5th Ward series, which is very refreshing indeed.
In particular, Good Company takes a bit of a risk when compared to the rest of the series. Our main characters leave Yenara, which we are still barely getting to know, to get a little R n' R in the great outdoors. This plot choice ends up working well and stresses the interconnectedness of the places and characters outside Yenara. In doing so, we get to know Rem much better and I suspect Dale Lucas is setting us up for Rem's past catching up to him in future books. In the last book, Friendly Fire, we got to learn a lot more about Torval, so this book feels like a logical progression with its focus on Rem's world and cultural background.
All in all I liked Good Company a bit less than the first two books, but at 4-starts that shouldn't deter you. I think I liked it less because I really enjoy Yenara as a setting. Good Company felt a little traditional and draws some inspiration from Robin Hood esque stories. That being said, I understand why Dale Lucas made this choice. It is a fun read with good pacing, lots of action, and a close look at Rem. In particular, this book has a lot more humor than some of the others and the new characters we meet are charismatic and distinct. Charismatic meaning that they fit the plot and their roles and are very easy to imagine while reading. Sometimes, when I read books I have a hard time imagining characters or the cultural groups they come from. They can feel like they blend into the background. Here that is not the case and it makes the story strong.
With that, I recommend reading Good Company. It is an excellent next step in the series and you will not be disappointed. I am excited to see where Dale Lucas takes us next!
P.S. I loved the Orcs.
June 3, 2022
Each novel in this series by Dale Lucas is wonderfully written, shows great imagination, and stands alone. Raise your hand if you can say that about other fantasy series. Missing are dragons and the fate of the world in the balance. Not there is anything wrong with that. But I love how the author has narrowed the scope and stakes, yet has still created a wonderfully compelling read and a story world that I would return to over and over again. These books are just enjoyable to read.
I am not sure if this ends the series or not, but there still seems to be more stories that could be told in this world. In this novel, Rem and Torval must transport a famous bandit called the Red Raven to the kingdom where he is wanted in order to claim their substantial reward. But nothing is at seems when the Red Raven appears to have an intimate relationship with the woman who is supposed to marry the Duke who has authorized the capture of the Red Raven. Rem and Torval now find themselves in a struggle that has wider ramifications and have to decide on what side they stand on.
There is lots of good action and intrigue in this novel. There is also strong characterization as you go throughout the cast of characters, something that is not easy to achieve beyond a few of the major characters, but the author skillfully navigates this. The action builds to a strong climax, and the ending is satisfying. If you enjoy fantasy and haven’t yet checked out Dale Lucas, then you should.
Carl Alves - author of Beyond Ragnarok
I am not sure if this ends the series or not, but there still seems to be more stories that could be told in this world. In this novel, Rem and Torval must transport a famous bandit called the Red Raven to the kingdom where he is wanted in order to claim their substantial reward. But nothing is at seems when the Red Raven appears to have an intimate relationship with the woman who is supposed to marry the Duke who has authorized the capture of the Red Raven. Rem and Torval now find themselves in a struggle that has wider ramifications and have to decide on what side they stand on.
There is lots of good action and intrigue in this novel. There is also strong characterization as you go throughout the cast of characters, something that is not easy to achieve beyond a few of the major characters, but the author skillfully navigates this. The action builds to a strong climax, and the ending is satisfying. If you enjoy fantasy and haven’t yet checked out Dale Lucas, then you should.
Carl Alves - author of Beyond Ragnarok
September 19, 2019
I knew this one was going to be an improvement on the previous book, and I was right. The 2nd book in the series had a lot of good things about it, but I felt it got bogged down, especially as the reader knew who the villan was pretty early on.
Good Company moves at a fast pace. As a reader its interesting because you know something isnt right but for a time you dont know what it is, the multiple parties and their agendas confuse your guesses. By the time find out things are in motion and the author's MCs are fighting for their lives.
It was intersting to see the pair outside their beloved city, and I simultaneously missed the author's descriptions of those street but pleased at the change and branching out for his characters.
I'll definitly pick up another book if its released.
Good Company moves at a fast pace. As a reader its interesting because you know something isnt right but for a time you dont know what it is, the multiple parties and their agendas confuse your guesses. By the time find out things are in motion and the author's MCs are fighting for their lives.
It was intersting to see the pair outside their beloved city, and I simultaneously missed the author's descriptions of those street but pleased at the change and branching out for his characters.
I'll definitly pick up another book if its released.
February 1, 2021
How can book 3 be better than book 1 and 2. This book is amazing. Do not read the back as it will give things away. I judge a book by its cover and never read the back, so please dont.
It explorer's the world even more.
I cried when it ended. I cant believe it is over. I really hope we get more books. This world has so much potential and i feel there is loads more stories to be told.
I love the Bro Romance between the two main characters.
They develope even more.
This book is amazing. This series is amazing. It is pure fantasy and it is very easy and enjoyable to read.
Thank you so much Dale
It explorer's the world even more.
I cried when it ended. I cant believe it is over. I really hope we get more books. This world has so much potential and i feel there is loads more stories to be told.
I love the Bro Romance between the two main characters.
They develope even more.
This book is amazing. This series is amazing. It is pure fantasy and it is very easy and enjoyable to read.
Thank you so much Dale
October 2, 2024
I never finished this book due to the fact it utterly collapsed at around the halfway mark Rem’s secret and the Raven’s secret are revealed to the reader thus eliminating any intrigue or mystery. From this point the plot stumbles into a mish mash of fighting which can only end with the two key characters surviving all the trials and tribulations. I am not even going to take the time to dissect this novel any further. One of the other reviewers who gave the novel two stars has said it all. I would not recommend this book.
March 7, 2020
3.5 stars rounded up. I liked the beginning third and the final third, but the middle got really slow for me. This installment is less about Rem (whose big secret was totally obvious two books ago) and Torval, and more about the greater world, and there was some good stuff there. But the middle bit that was the big travelling sequence got almost Borgia with all the suspicious but no action or much of anything concrete to wonder about.
October 13, 2020
If he keeps writing stuff like this, Dale Lucas is going to be very rich and successful (and that "researcher" and "historian" thing will be considered a sideline, or hobby. Lots of drama, a complex plot, and over all else, the abiding friendship/brotherhood of the 2 mains, Rem and Torval. Good and evil, some horror, and lots of flying arrows. I haven't yet heard that there will be a 4th book, but Lord I hope so.
October 26, 2019
We return to the world with Rem and Torval. Love the characters and city setting. However this becomes a road buddy movie. The plotting just wasnt as good. I think the world building needed some work to be able to extend it out of the main city watch. Probably the weakest of the 3 for me but still worth a good read.
October 29, 2019
Have loved every minute of Rem and Torval's adventures thus far, and the latest instalment is no exception!
While the rollicking action and the captivating streets of Yenara (and beyond) keep the pages turning, it is the love for the characters - and their love for each other - that truly is the beating heart of this series.
While the rollicking action and the captivating streets of Yenara (and beyond) keep the pages turning, it is the love for the characters - and their love for each other - that truly is the beating heart of this series.
September 30, 2021
Received arc from Little Brown Book Group UK and Netgalley for honest read and review.
TBH,I did not it his was the 3rd in the series, until I read the reviews...It was a good story with really good characters,yes I probably should have read in order, but it's was fun none the less.Will now go back to start at beginning to see how they got together.
TBH,I did not it his was the 3rd in the series, until I read the reviews...It was a good story with really good characters,yes I probably should have read in order, but it's was fun none the less.Will now go back to start at beginning to see how they got together.
August 31, 2019
An excellent book. Fast exciting adventure outside the city borders.
October 2, 2019
This series is a good solid bit of fun!
November 5, 2019
Excellent end to the trilogy - I have passed this onto a friend.
The genre/approach was quite refreshing for a fantasy novel and good inspiration for any budding writers out there.
The genre/approach was quite refreshing for a fantasy novel and good inspiration for any budding writers out there.
November 29, 2019
mediocre
December 3, 2019
Consistently fun and enjoyable series.
December 20, 2019
Excellent third installment to the series. I love the characters and the setting. Hoping for a fourth book soon!
March 29, 2020
Amazing book! I love the way Dale writes and love this series.
July 27, 2020
liked bits of not so much others. liked more the urban side than the well telegraphed forest bits. liked the two main watchmen.
November 7, 2020
I love this series. Simon Vance is one of the best narrators. This one features Rem and Torval on an errand that takes them outside of Yunara and has major Robin Hood/The Princess Bride vibes.
June 6, 2021
A Great Adventure
Torval and Rem must leave the city and they’re out of their element in a wilderness full of bandits, dangerous creatures and Devils.
Torval and Rem must leave the city and they’re out of their element in a wilderness full of bandits, dangerous creatures and Devils.
January 6, 2024
God I love this series.
July 7, 2024
Likable characters with a plot that is decently paced. A couple of characters are single dimension. Stayed in context with no deus ex machina wizardry.
September 5, 2019
Man, these books are fun to read. I love the characters, love the stories and the development of boths. They are just so believable (the protagonists, at least), and engaging. I hope I will have the chance to read quite a few more of this series!
That said, I have a few minor and one major gripe with this novel.
First, the season in which the book takes place. What is it?
Is it late winter, and Indilen looking forward to "spring and summer, warm months meaning she could wear those favored sandals a little more often"? Or is it, like the middle of the novel suggests, somewhere mid-spring? Or even, like suggested later, early summer?
Either the seasons go by in a flash in this world, or I don't know what happens, here (well, I DO know, but it confused the heck out of me, and made me a bit disappointed)...
Secondly, at some point Rem finds himself in "coyote country".
Really?
I mean, really, really?
I am no American, but even I know this to be quite a specific nomer for a particular type of terrain. And deep woods it ain't. Yes, coyotes live there, too. But it is not specifically "coyote country". That is more a venn diagram of grassland, desert and canyons/mountains.
Of course, fantasy settings can take liberties, but it is just weird that the protagonist uses this specific wording.
And thirdly, I was hugely disappointed about the treatment of orcs in this book. After building a world where the races depicted were no hollow repetitions of known tropes, and where individuals had enough space to develop apart from "racial stereotyping", I see this as a step backwards.
Let me explain this a little better (careful, minor spoilers ahead).
In the first and second book (and also in the third), Lucas paints the picture of a very diverse, very unique setting. There ARE the "common" races to be found (Human, Elf, Dwarf, Orc, Goblin, Troll etc.), but they are not hollow stereotypical tropes. Instead, there are differentiations between different types of cultures within these races, aswell. Most commonly presented in the human species, of course (these are more numerous in the premier locale, i.e. Yenara), but some races (like the dwarves), due to being a very close-knit community of people (at least where Torval comes from), seem to be a little more "generic". Still, there is a lot of room for individuality, and separate development. This not only shows in Torval, but also (and more diversely) in the second book, where the dwarven community in Yenara is the focus of the narrative.
The same is true for the orcs that are presented in the first book. While they do not take up too much room in that story, there are lots of points where it becomes clear that orc is not simply orc is orc is orc, but that there are also individuals that differ greatly from one another (this is stressed even more in the third book). But not only that - in the first book of the series, we see through the eyes of Rem, and it is made quite clear that Orcs are more than just "evil beasts" or "no better than animals" (like Torval might want to make us believe, sometimes). Already in the first book, this generalizing stereotype is rent asunder by the portrayal of the orc characters within.
So far, so good.
Unfortunately, when Rem encounters the Orcs in this third novel, and we (consequently) are provided with narrative as seen either through Rem's eyes or, even more likely, through the eyes of a more impartial narrator, the Orc characters become classified as animals. Yes, they have names, personalities and are quite distinct, quite far removed from the stereotypical orc template, that is true. But why, then, is the young orc called a "buck"? The strong, muscular one called a "bull"? And the female a "bitch"? And not by characters in the book - just in passing, like you would describe a female dog or a male deer, etc.
Reading this, I was very disappointed. It seems the voice of the author comes through at this point, in these more or less impartially narrated sections, and that he cannot dispense with the idea of Orcs being brutish, being animals. Not being perceived as aminals - BEING animals.
Mr. Lucas, I really hope you do better in the future. Your world is so full of potential, so accepting and diverse (at least in parts, and even if some of it is not completely publicly). So much creativity, thought and love goes into this world, into the characters, so please don't let genre-specific stereotypes weigh you down.
That said, I have a few minor and one major gripe with this novel.
First, the season in which the book takes place. What is it?
Is it late winter, and Indilen looking forward to "spring and summer, warm months meaning she could wear those favored sandals a little more often"? Or is it, like the middle of the novel suggests, somewhere mid-spring? Or even, like suggested later, early summer?
Either the seasons go by in a flash in this world, or I don't know what happens, here (well, I DO know, but it confused the heck out of me, and made me a bit disappointed)...
Secondly, at some point Rem finds himself in "coyote country".
Really?
I mean, really, really?
I am no American, but even I know this to be quite a specific nomer for a particular type of terrain. And deep woods it ain't. Yes, coyotes live there, too. But it is not specifically "coyote country". That is more a venn diagram of grassland, desert and canyons/mountains.
Of course, fantasy settings can take liberties, but it is just weird that the protagonist uses this specific wording.
And thirdly, I was hugely disappointed about the treatment of orcs in this book. After building a world where the races depicted were no hollow repetitions of known tropes, and where individuals had enough space to develop apart from "racial stereotyping", I see this as a step backwards.
Let me explain this a little better (careful, minor spoilers ahead).
In the first and second book (and also in the third), Lucas paints the picture of a very diverse, very unique setting. There ARE the "common" races to be found (Human, Elf, Dwarf, Orc, Goblin, Troll etc.), but they are not hollow stereotypical tropes. Instead, there are differentiations between different types of cultures within these races, aswell. Most commonly presented in the human species, of course (these are more numerous in the premier locale, i.e. Yenara), but some races (like the dwarves), due to being a very close-knit community of people (at least where Torval comes from), seem to be a little more "generic". Still, there is a lot of room for individuality, and separate development. This not only shows in Torval, but also (and more diversely) in the second book, where the dwarven community in Yenara is the focus of the narrative.
The same is true for the orcs that are presented in the first book. While they do not take up too much room in that story, there are lots of points where it becomes clear that orc is not simply orc is orc is orc, but that there are also individuals that differ greatly from one another (this is stressed even more in the third book). But not only that - in the first book of the series, we see through the eyes of Rem, and it is made quite clear that Orcs are more than just "evil beasts" or "no better than animals" (like Torval might want to make us believe, sometimes). Already in the first book, this generalizing stereotype is rent asunder by the portrayal of the orc characters within.
So far, so good.
Unfortunately, when Rem encounters the Orcs in this third novel, and we (consequently) are provided with narrative as seen either through Rem's eyes or, even more likely, through the eyes of a more impartial narrator, the Orc characters become classified as animals. Yes, they have names, personalities and are quite distinct, quite far removed from the stereotypical orc template, that is true. But why, then, is the young orc called a "buck"? The strong, muscular one called a "bull"? And the female a "bitch"? And not by characters in the book - just in passing, like you would describe a female dog or a male deer, etc.
Reading this, I was very disappointed. It seems the voice of the author comes through at this point, in these more or less impartially narrated sections, and that he cannot dispense with the idea of Orcs being brutish, being animals. Not being perceived as aminals - BEING animals.
Mr. Lucas, I really hope you do better in the future. Your world is so full of potential, so accepting and diverse (at least in parts, and even if some of it is not completely publicly). So much creativity, thought and love goes into this world, into the characters, so please don't let genre-specific stereotypes weigh you down.
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