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The Bards and Dragons Saga #1
The Way of Renegades
An action-packed flintlock fantasy book about guns, mages, bards and dragons!
Ulric, former war hero, has been living a quiet life of exile in the frontier city of Quinport and wants only to continue hiding from the mistakes of his past. But then he discovers the invention of a revolutionary new kind of rifle, and worse, the ruling Coalition discovers his identity. Rather than be blackmailed into service, Ulric goes to leave the city with the new rifles, but first he will need more money, or more help.
Enter Dellioph, no mere bard, who just arrived to Quinport and wants only to play his music and to keep his secrets. But trying to do both lands him directly in the path of one of the Coalition Chancellors, who wants to use Dellioph, and his secrets, for himself. Unable to scheme his way out entirely, Dellioph must choose to keep his secrets, his freedom, or his music. But when the choice is between anything and his music, it’s no choice at all.
And Gali, future chief of the Odagna, who wants nothing more than to save her people, even if that means forcing them to change. She disobeys her father, lies to her people, and travels to the Coalition city to learn how to do some of the things they do— making and using muskets foremost among them. But the people of the Coalition are not ready to accept the Teo, and Gali will be forced to learn the hard way that a renegade’s only friend is another renegade.
Meanwhile, two mysterious strangers from opposite sides of the world come hunting a sorcerer who has unbelievable power, a hunger for more, and dragons… but they are nothing like the stories.
Order your copy and join the action-packed journey of flintlocks, magic and dragons!
Ulric, former war hero, has been living a quiet life of exile in the frontier city of Quinport and wants only to continue hiding from the mistakes of his past. But then he discovers the invention of a revolutionary new kind of rifle, and worse, the ruling Coalition discovers his identity. Rather than be blackmailed into service, Ulric goes to leave the city with the new rifles, but first he will need more money, or more help.
Enter Dellioph, no mere bard, who just arrived to Quinport and wants only to play his music and to keep his secrets. But trying to do both lands him directly in the path of one of the Coalition Chancellors, who wants to use Dellioph, and his secrets, for himself. Unable to scheme his way out entirely, Dellioph must choose to keep his secrets, his freedom, or his music. But when the choice is between anything and his music, it’s no choice at all.
And Gali, future chief of the Odagna, who wants nothing more than to save her people, even if that means forcing them to change. She disobeys her father, lies to her people, and travels to the Coalition city to learn how to do some of the things they do— making and using muskets foremost among them. But the people of the Coalition are not ready to accept the Teo, and Gali will be forced to learn the hard way that a renegade’s only friend is another renegade.
Meanwhile, two mysterious strangers from opposite sides of the world come hunting a sorcerer who has unbelievable power, a hunger for more, and dragons… but they are nothing like the stories.
Order your copy and join the action-packed journey of flintlocks, magic and dragons!
468 pages, Kindle Edition
Published January 30, 2023
60 people are currently reading
695 people want to read
About the author
Steve D. Wall
2 books39 followersI am the author of The Way of Renegades, book 1 of the Bards and Dragons Saga. I was born and raised in a tiny town in the Texas countryside where it was imperative I developed a powerful imagination. From a young age, I loved to read and I loved to create. It started with drawings of my own versions of superheroes, monsters, and pokemon, and as I grew older, I started writing and creating my own kingdoms and governments. During these formative years, some of my favorite books were the Redwall series, the Animorphs, the Wheel of Time, and Harry Potter. And it's always been the Fantasy genre above all others for me.
After a few directionless semesters in college, I decided to enlist in the Marine Corps, and it was there I met my wife and and where I really discovered a passion for writing and storytelling. But it was still just a hobby at that point. It wasn't until COVID hit and I lost my job that I dedicated myself to creating a full story. It took almost three years for me to finally complete The Way of Renegades— because writing is hard, you guys— but it was during that time I truly found myself as a storyteller.
After a few directionless semesters in college, I decided to enlist in the Marine Corps, and it was there I met my wife and and where I really discovered a passion for writing and storytelling. But it was still just a hobby at that point. It wasn't until COVID hit and I lost my job that I dedicated myself to creating a full story. It took almost three years for me to finally complete The Way of Renegades— because writing is hard, you guys— but it was during that time I truly found myself as a storyteller.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 60 reviews
November 9, 2025
It's a very good fantasy story, with colorful characters and a compelling plot.
The world building is rich and immersive, and I think it's a very original take on the genre.
I'm surprised this book doesn't get more attention.
The world building is rich and immersive, and I think it's a very original take on the genre.
I'm surprised this book doesn't get more attention.
June 13, 2023
4/5
Music as magic. Flintlocks and carbines. Dragons, but not that kind of dragons. New industry and technology alongside ancient sorcery and tribal warriors. Motley crew!
Steve Wall has created something here that pushes the boundaries of fantasy in subtle ways with its use of magic, tackling a time period where faster weapons are being invented, but we still see characters carrying bladed clubs and swords.
The crew of characters we are introduced to gives us perspectives from every angle of the growing threat that is beginning to take shape against the New World: a deadly sorcerer intent on destroying and consuming the power of others.
I loved the magic system in this book. As the series progresses, I am interested to see it continue to develop and expand. I also love the care taken with small details so often underutilized in fantasy novels: the trial of language barriers, combat between drastically different weapon styles, culture clashes, and bards with magic.
The first half of the book is very slow burn, but the real payoff is the last third, when our characters begin to come together in an action-packed finale. There were several moments in the first half that I struggled with in terms of pacing or believability, largely within one of the three main POV characters present at the beginning of the story.
Overall I think this is an intriguing look at what is possible within fantasy, utilizing elements not often seen together. By the end, I had strong emotional attachment to several of the characters and I'm deathly curious to see how Steve D. Wall pits ancient sorcery against New World industry in future books.
Music as magic. Flintlocks and carbines. Dragons, but not that kind of dragons. New industry and technology alongside ancient sorcery and tribal warriors. Motley crew!
Steve Wall has created something here that pushes the boundaries of fantasy in subtle ways with its use of magic, tackling a time period where faster weapons are being invented, but we still see characters carrying bladed clubs and swords.
The crew of characters we are introduced to gives us perspectives from every angle of the growing threat that is beginning to take shape against the New World: a deadly sorcerer intent on destroying and consuming the power of others.
I loved the magic system in this book. As the series progresses, I am interested to see it continue to develop and expand. I also love the care taken with small details so often underutilized in fantasy novels: the trial of language barriers, combat between drastically different weapon styles, culture clashes, and bards with magic.
The first half of the book is very slow burn, but the real payoff is the last third, when our characters begin to come together in an action-packed finale. There were several moments in the first half that I struggled with in terms of pacing or believability, largely within one of the three main POV characters present at the beginning of the story.
Overall I think this is an intriguing look at what is possible within fantasy, utilizing elements not often seen together. By the end, I had strong emotional attachment to several of the characters and I'm deathly curious to see how Steve D. Wall pits ancient sorcery against New World industry in future books.
March 4, 2025
Doing reread of this in 2025 Book two will be out soon
So far I remember why I liked this book so much!
2023⬇️⬇️⬇️⬇️⬇️⬇️⬇️⬇️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
I was given this book for a honest review, but I bought it as well!
I give this⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
All I can say , I loved this book . I need to gather my thoughts to give a proper review!
This is old world meets new, this is savagery meets revolution. This is a sword meets a musket.
Oh, and let’s not forget, sorcery meets music
The pride of the Clan of Justice.
Love this line from the prologue:
The man who had cursed Devo into the half human, half freak he was. He glanced down at his arm, at his blood-red skin.
I have to admit I had Red Hulk vibes!
Devo full name is Devoshkaar love that name.
An immense amount of paybacks with each character, lure of Vengeance! With Death
In just the first ten pages of this book.. the author has a great gift of naming characters, locations and tribes.
Dellioph is a Bard with Yaurelio’s lute and Dellioph has a secret.
I love his description of culture with language, doing in accents and clothing and beliefs!
This is a hell of a first novel!!
So far I remember why I liked this book so much!
2023⬇️⬇️⬇️⬇️⬇️⬇️⬇️⬇️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
I was given this book for a honest review, but I bought it as well!
I give this⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
All I can say , I loved this book . I need to gather my thoughts to give a proper review!
This is old world meets new, this is savagery meets revolution. This is a sword meets a musket.
Oh, and let’s not forget, sorcery meets music
The pride of the Clan of Justice.
Love this line from the prologue:
The man who had cursed Devo into the half human, half freak he was. He glanced down at his arm, at his blood-red skin.
I have to admit I had Red Hulk vibes!
Devo full name is Devoshkaar love that name.
An immense amount of paybacks with each character, lure of Vengeance! With Death
In just the first ten pages of this book.. the author has a great gift of naming characters, locations and tribes.
Dellioph is a Bard with Yaurelio’s lute and Dellioph has a secret.
I love his description of culture with language, doing in accents and clothing and beliefs!
This is a hell of a first novel!!
May 17, 2023
This book was a fantastic debut, with a bunch of interesting characters and a plot that had me hooked from the first few chapters. I'd say it is mostly a character driven story, in which we follow 5 main characters and a handful of other interesting side characters.
What impressed me the most is how many layers there are to this story. Each character is unique, with their own challenges and flaws, and their storylines are all interwoven masterfully. First, we have Ulric. He is a grizzled military man. Once a man who lead and had power, he now lives a life in hiding. Then, we have Dellioph, a bard with a secret and very rare magical abilities. He too seems to be running from his past. We then have Gali, a young, up and coming warrior willing to risk it all to protect her family and her tribe. Experiencing prejudice throughout her entire life, she must not only fight her own personal challenges, but she has to fight against oppression cast upon her by others. Devo and Aari are two of our other main characters, though there is a lot of mystery surrounding them. Devo is mentioned to be half human, and Aari is a complete mystery to me, though an intriguing one.
What I loved about this story was how all these characters had their storylines come together in a well developed way. Each of our main characters have enough depth and complexities that there could be an entire story focusing on just one of them. Instead, Wall manages to interweave them together in the same story, without sacrificing character development.
The world is an interesting one, seemingly on the brink of major technical advantages. It's a world that is still plagued with issues like racism, and I think the author did a great job adding these themes into the story. The magic system is interesting, though I still feel I don't know much about it. That leads me to my only complaint, as this book definitely felt like a set up book. That's not a bad thing and it's expected with the first in a series, but I am left with a lot of questions. I want to know more about the magic, what the world looks like, and about the past of some of our characters. I guess the only real negative there is having to wait for the second book to come out.
This is a great debut, and I can't wait to see where the story goes.
What impressed me the most is how many layers there are to this story. Each character is unique, with their own challenges and flaws, and their storylines are all interwoven masterfully. First, we have Ulric. He is a grizzled military man. Once a man who lead and had power, he now lives a life in hiding. Then, we have Dellioph, a bard with a secret and very rare magical abilities. He too seems to be running from his past. We then have Gali, a young, up and coming warrior willing to risk it all to protect her family and her tribe. Experiencing prejudice throughout her entire life, she must not only fight her own personal challenges, but she has to fight against oppression cast upon her by others. Devo and Aari are two of our other main characters, though there is a lot of mystery surrounding them. Devo is mentioned to be half human, and Aari is a complete mystery to me, though an intriguing one.
What I loved about this story was how all these characters had their storylines come together in a well developed way. Each of our main characters have enough depth and complexities that there could be an entire story focusing on just one of them. Instead, Wall manages to interweave them together in the same story, without sacrificing character development.
The world is an interesting one, seemingly on the brink of major technical advantages. It's a world that is still plagued with issues like racism, and I think the author did a great job adding these themes into the story. The magic system is interesting, though I still feel I don't know much about it. That leads me to my only complaint, as this book definitely felt like a set up book. That's not a bad thing and it's expected with the first in a series, but I am left with a lot of questions. I want to know more about the magic, what the world looks like, and about the past of some of our characters. I guess the only real negative there is having to wait for the second book to come out.
This is a great debut, and I can't wait to see where the story goes.
April 9, 2023
The easiest 5⭐ read I've given this year, I cannot for the life of me understand why more people haven't heard of this book.
The frontier world is captivating and evolved. The history of the "old world" is seamlessly threaded throughout the book, and the place the protagonists hold in those stories is unravelled beautifully. The gunpowder elements are fantastic; the sense of threat industrial development brings, is truly felt while you're reading. The culture clashes between natives and newcomers is tastefully and respectfully done. The threat of a wider power, on top of the everyday fears of people just trying to get by, is intricately woven. Some chapters - "The Heist" in particular - are like nothing I've ever read, and our lute-playing protagonist Dellioph shines a new light on an often-monotonous genre with music and magic combined. And the magic system is in of itself very intriguing, and I seriously look forward to exploring everything more in the next book.
Highly, highly recommend. 5⭐ without a doubt.
The frontier world is captivating and evolved. The history of the "old world" is seamlessly threaded throughout the book, and the place the protagonists hold in those stories is unravelled beautifully. The gunpowder elements are fantastic; the sense of threat industrial development brings, is truly felt while you're reading. The culture clashes between natives and newcomers is tastefully and respectfully done. The threat of a wider power, on top of the everyday fears of people just trying to get by, is intricately woven. Some chapters - "The Heist" in particular - are like nothing I've ever read, and our lute-playing protagonist Dellioph shines a new light on an often-monotonous genre with music and magic combined. And the magic system is in of itself very intriguing, and I seriously look forward to exploring everything more in the next book.
Highly, highly recommend. 5⭐ without a doubt.
August 1, 2025
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For more reviews, go to: https://wolfmantula.com/recent-posts/
————————————————————————————————
MY ⭐️ RATING: 4.75/5
FORMAT: Advanced Reader Copy (1st read) & Audiobook (2nd read)
Originally ready 2/19/23 - 5/4/23
Re-read w/ audio 7/24/25 - 8/1/25
First and foremost, I owe a huge thanks to Mario Mendoza, a mutual friend of mine and Steve’s for introducing us, if you’re reading this, just know we both appreciate you! That introduction let me point Steve in the direction of where he could get the most help and feedback as a new independent author, but rest assured, none of this has influenced my rating or review in any way.
The Way of Renegades is a stellar debut, bursting with a diverse, captivating cast and an imaginative, largely uncharted world riding the crest of an industrial boom. Muskets, magic, and a wild frontier collide in a fresh, vibrant setting. Knowing Steve’s a big Joe Abercrombie fan, I spotted that influence in the gritty yet accessible prose, complete with a clever nod to Abercrombie that’s a delightful touch. I also couldn’t help but wonder if Steve, a military veteran, wove some of his real-world experiences into this fantasy tapestry of mages, bards, and dragons, which I find very fascinating.
This is a character-driven tale, and Steve dives deep, exposing each character’s flaws while keeping them likable. The multi-POV storytelling introduces us to Ulric, a former war hero in exile; Dellioph, a magical bard with secrets; Gali, the future chief of her tribe; and the enigmatic Devo and Aari. Each feels distinct, their clashing personalities and hidden truths sparking tension that keeps things lively. Picking a favorite is tough—Dellioph hooked me early, but Ulric, Devo, and Aari grew on me as the story went on, and I can’t wait to find out just what it is between them all. Even side characters, like the uniquely compelling Andrastos, feel vital to the story, and I hope his role expands in future books.
“He’d learned long ago that people always want to be amazed. They may try to demonstrate restraint upon first glance, then gracefully ease into disappointment when a performer doesn’t meet the required threshold for their awe, but no matter how minuscule, men always bear the hope that they will be enchanted and delighted.”
Steve’s world-building is top-notch, painting vivid scenes that pulled me right into the story, as he weaves descriptions methodically, making the world feel alive without overwhelming the narrative. Surprisingly, given the Abercrombie influence, it’s not as dark as I expected, striking a balance between gritty realism and adventurous spirit with some heart-pounding moments. The action, though less frequent than I anticipated, is well-paced to keep you engaged while fleshing out the characters and plot. Three major scenes had me glued to the page… I may have sat in my truck for over twenty minutes finishing the chapter to see how it ended.
The magic system, or sorcery, is a highlight, with real consequences that drain its users, preventing it from feeling overpowered. Two characters wield it, and I loved how Steve describes one seeing music as colors. It reminded me of a character in the show Heroes who had a similar power, which I always thought was so cool. Just recently, I learned about a phenomenon called synesthesia, where sound can trigger colors, and that connection made those scenes even more vivid in my mind. I did expect more dragons, given the series title and tagline, but while they’re present, their role feels like a setup for bigger things to come.
Steve’s onto something special with this epic flintlock fantasy, and I think he’s poised to make waves as he hones his craft. I had this pegged at a solid 4.0–4.25, but the final 15–20% of the book pushed it to a 4.5. Then I listened to the audiobook, narrated by Steven Pacey, to prep for the ARC of The Sound of Change, and wow, Pacey absolutely kills it! His narration breathes extra life into the story, giving each character a distinct voice, from Ulric’s Austrian twang that kept making me hear Arnold Schwarzenegger to Devo’s Scottish lilt, that screamed Shrek. Pacey’s performance elevated the characters and world so much that I’m bumping this to a 4.75.
The Way of Renegades has left me hungry for more of Steve’s world and flintlock fantasy as a whole, to the point that I think I should be adding more of this genre to my TBR cache.
Follow me on X: Twitter.com/wolfmantula
For more reviews, go to: https://wolfmantula.com/recent-posts/
————————————————————————————————
MY ⭐️ RATING: 4.75/5
FORMAT: Advanced Reader Copy (1st read) & Audiobook (2nd read)
Originally ready 2/19/23 - 5/4/23
Re-read w/ audio 7/24/25 - 8/1/25
First and foremost, I owe a huge thanks to Mario Mendoza, a mutual friend of mine and Steve’s for introducing us, if you’re reading this, just know we both appreciate you! That introduction let me point Steve in the direction of where he could get the most help and feedback as a new independent author, but rest assured, none of this has influenced my rating or review in any way.
The Way of Renegades is a stellar debut, bursting with a diverse, captivating cast and an imaginative, largely uncharted world riding the crest of an industrial boom. Muskets, magic, and a wild frontier collide in a fresh, vibrant setting. Knowing Steve’s a big Joe Abercrombie fan, I spotted that influence in the gritty yet accessible prose, complete with a clever nod to Abercrombie that’s a delightful touch. I also couldn’t help but wonder if Steve, a military veteran, wove some of his real-world experiences into this fantasy tapestry of mages, bards, and dragons, which I find very fascinating.
This is a character-driven tale, and Steve dives deep, exposing each character’s flaws while keeping them likable. The multi-POV storytelling introduces us to Ulric, a former war hero in exile; Dellioph, a magical bard with secrets; Gali, the future chief of her tribe; and the enigmatic Devo and Aari. Each feels distinct, their clashing personalities and hidden truths sparking tension that keeps things lively. Picking a favorite is tough—Dellioph hooked me early, but Ulric, Devo, and Aari grew on me as the story went on, and I can’t wait to find out just what it is between them all. Even side characters, like the uniquely compelling Andrastos, feel vital to the story, and I hope his role expands in future books.
“He’d learned long ago that people always want to be amazed. They may try to demonstrate restraint upon first glance, then gracefully ease into disappointment when a performer doesn’t meet the required threshold for their awe, but no matter how minuscule, men always bear the hope that they will be enchanted and delighted.”
Steve’s world-building is top-notch, painting vivid scenes that pulled me right into the story, as he weaves descriptions methodically, making the world feel alive without overwhelming the narrative. Surprisingly, given the Abercrombie influence, it’s not as dark as I expected, striking a balance between gritty realism and adventurous spirit with some heart-pounding moments. The action, though less frequent than I anticipated, is well-paced to keep you engaged while fleshing out the characters and plot. Three major scenes had me glued to the page… I may have sat in my truck for over twenty minutes finishing the chapter to see how it ended.
The magic system, or sorcery, is a highlight, with real consequences that drain its users, preventing it from feeling overpowered. Two characters wield it, and I loved how Steve describes one seeing music as colors. It reminded me of a character in the show Heroes who had a similar power, which I always thought was so cool. Just recently, I learned about a phenomenon called synesthesia, where sound can trigger colors, and that connection made those scenes even more vivid in my mind. I did expect more dragons, given the series title and tagline, but while they’re present, their role feels like a setup for bigger things to come.
Steve’s onto something special with this epic flintlock fantasy, and I think he’s poised to make waves as he hones his craft. I had this pegged at a solid 4.0–4.25, but the final 15–20% of the book pushed it to a 4.5. Then I listened to the audiobook, narrated by Steven Pacey, to prep for the ARC of The Sound of Change, and wow, Pacey absolutely kills it! His narration breathes extra life into the story, giving each character a distinct voice, from Ulric’s Austrian twang that kept making me hear Arnold Schwarzenegger to Devo’s Scottish lilt, that screamed Shrek. Pacey’s performance elevated the characters and world so much that I’m bumping this to a 4.75.
The Way of Renegades has left me hungry for more of Steve’s world and flintlock fantasy as a whole, to the point that I think I should be adding more of this genre to my TBR cache.
January 20, 2024
This story is the first in a flintlock fantasy story following several main points of view. We have Ulric, a former war hero who still works at small jobs here and there while also trying to keep secrets from his past hidden. Dellioph is a bard travelling through the kingdom and he also has a secret he’s trying to keep, one of the magical kind this time. And Gali is a young warrior from the Odagna who is head strong and wants to help her people survive their conflict with the coalition. There are some other characters too. The stories start off separate and slowly connect as the book goes on.
This is a character driven story that had me hooked from the beginning. The frontier that the story takes place in has lots of great history of the old world mixed in that we learn about. The old world meets new world vibe was really great in this. I feel like there will be more of this in future books but I loved what was set up here, especially with the prologue and Devo’s character.
I’m a character driven reader and I just really loved that aspect of this book. Dellioph, Ulric and Gali are all great to follow and were my favourites. Their stories are separate but from the start they all make their way to the same city so you can see that they will connect at some point. The author does a great job of keeping each story fun, easy to follow and also interweaves them all together while never sacrificing character development to do so. When they do all meet up things get really interesting and the action packed conclusion was a lot of fun.
There is the aspect of music and magic in this that I really loved and am so curious to see more of. Some of these parts were my favourite to read and I don’t think I’ve read a music scene in a fantasy book that I loved this much since I read The Name of the Wind. The author also takes care to include lots of great details such as well-written side characters, language barriers and even dealing with things such as racism, which could have easily been brushed over but having them added made this frontier world seem all the more deep and real. The balance the author creates between the overall threats of a world that is on the brink of technical expansions and the everyday hardships of life was also well done.
There are also so many things left open, particularly with Aari and Devo’s characters. I left this book really wanting to know more, and with this being a clear set up book I guess that means the author nailed it. I’m hooked for the next instalment in this series.
I loved this book and would definitely recommend it.
This is a character driven story that had me hooked from the beginning. The frontier that the story takes place in has lots of great history of the old world mixed in that we learn about. The old world meets new world vibe was really great in this. I feel like there will be more of this in future books but I loved what was set up here, especially with the prologue and Devo’s character.
I’m a character driven reader and I just really loved that aspect of this book. Dellioph, Ulric and Gali are all great to follow and were my favourites. Their stories are separate but from the start they all make their way to the same city so you can see that they will connect at some point. The author does a great job of keeping each story fun, easy to follow and also interweaves them all together while never sacrificing character development to do so. When they do all meet up things get really interesting and the action packed conclusion was a lot of fun.
There is the aspect of music and magic in this that I really loved and am so curious to see more of. Some of these parts were my favourite to read and I don’t think I’ve read a music scene in a fantasy book that I loved this much since I read The Name of the Wind. The author also takes care to include lots of great details such as well-written side characters, language barriers and even dealing with things such as racism, which could have easily been brushed over but having them added made this frontier world seem all the more deep and real. The balance the author creates between the overall threats of a world that is on the brink of technical expansions and the everyday hardships of life was also well done.
There are also so many things left open, particularly with Aari and Devo’s characters. I left this book really wanting to know more, and with this being a clear set up book I guess that means the author nailed it. I’m hooked for the next instalment in this series.
I loved this book and would definitely recommend it.
February 19, 2024
I will admit, I picked it up because it had a magic sentence for me: "Narrated by Steven Pacey."
But after reading some reviews (about Joe Abercrombie's pen name etc...), I decided to check the author online and quickly decided that it was not the case. What was the case is that it was a self-published book. With Steven Pacey. Then I did some more research. :)
Anyway... this was quite good. I would like to say amazing, but it had some really small stuff that I didn’t like and poore localization of the story (I was hoping for a bit more native story, with deeper characterization). Then again, those were my preferences, so it might be amazing for you.
Nevertheless, can't wait for the sequel.
But after reading some reviews (about Joe Abercrombie's pen name etc...), I decided to check the author online and quickly decided that it was not the case. What was the case is that it was a self-published book. With Steven Pacey. Then I did some more research. :)
Anyway... this was quite good. I would like to say amazing, but it had some really small stuff that I didn’t like and poore localization of the story (I was hoping for a bit more native story, with deeper characterization). Then again, those were my preferences, so it might be amazing for you.
Nevertheless, can't wait for the sequel.
May 7, 2023
※ 4.5 stars ※ It was like the love child of Promise of Blood and The Witcher series. The story runs on several threads, so it presents the story from several points of view as to what is going on here. The characters in the story are all interesting, each of them stands out with a special 'talent'. I really liked how the threads came together at the end and how the characters came together. But the end of the book was so cut off. This didn't give the usual sense of transition to the sequel. I felt a bit like an advertisement had been inserted in the middle of the excitement.
December 28, 2025
super underrated flintlock fantasy. Loved the audiobook narration and it did remind me of Joe Abercrombie 😅
Will definitely listen to the second one in the series.
Will definitely listen to the second one in the series.
November 27, 2023
I bought this book because the audio version was performed by Steven Pacey (the best audiobook performer around, in my opinion), and because other reviewers questioned whether this book was actually written by Joe Abercrombie under an alias. Sure, Steven Pacey performs many of Abercrombie's books, and there were some Abercrombian turns of phrase or writing tells used in this story ("You have to be realistic," "once, twice, three times," etc.), but that just seemed like Steve D Wall paying homage (dare I say "plagerizing"?) Abercrombie.
To anyone saying this was Abercrombie writing under an alias, I say: what in the hell are you talking about? Joe would never write something so boring (even Pacey sounded bored during parts of the story), with such unlikable characters (Dellioph is an over-confident coward, and Ari & Gali are both selfish morons), and completely lacking in any humor.
[Man, am I going to have egg on my face if Abercrombie ever admits that this was written by him, but until that day, I refuse to believe the speculation.]
I also didn't care for the Native American colonialism storyline, even going so far as to dress an entire race of people in deerskin pants, with black hair worn in braids, donning primitive weapons. That terrible history is well trod territory, and a more creative author would've come up with a different angle.
The best thing I can say about this book is that it made me imagine it as a middling FIREFLY episode (RIP forever, FIREFLY!), a short-lived TV show that has been off the air since the early 2000s.
Anyway, I cranked up the speed of the recording to 1.2 and got it finished as quickly as possible. Needless to say, I won't be dipping back into the the rest of the series.
To anyone saying this was Abercrombie writing under an alias, I say: what in the hell are you talking about? Joe would never write something so boring (even Pacey sounded bored during parts of the story), with such unlikable characters (Dellioph is an over-confident coward, and Ari & Gali are both selfish morons), and completely lacking in any humor.
[Man, am I going to have egg on my face if Abercrombie ever admits that this was written by him, but until that day, I refuse to believe the speculation.]
I also didn't care for the Native American colonialism storyline, even going so far as to dress an entire race of people in deerskin pants, with black hair worn in braids, donning primitive weapons. That terrible history is well trod territory, and a more creative author would've come up with a different angle.
The best thing I can say about this book is that it made me imagine it as a middling FIREFLY episode (RIP forever, FIREFLY!), a short-lived TV show that has been off the air since the early 2000s.
Anyway, I cranked up the speed of the recording to 1.2 and got it finished as quickly as possible. Needless to say, I won't be dipping back into the the rest of the series.
November 28, 2025
ended just as it was getting good???????????????????????????? blah blah blah then BOOM these creatures ate a village and then we end the book — was honestly a 3 star until the end but added a star cus i love bards xo
January 20, 2024
I’ll be honest, I really struggled getting into this book at first while using the audiobook. The narrator is great but for some reason it just wasn’t pulling me in. I decided to switch to the ebook until I got a better grip on the characters and from then on it worked much better for me and I was able to switch back and forth with both formats. Sometimes my brain is just weird.
This story introduces a really interesting set of characters from varying cultures and professions. It also has a really interesting villain that I wanted to learn more about since those are often the types of characters that I end up loving the most. While the characters were introduced separately at first, I liked the way they converged upon each other eventually. It felt very smooth rather than the forced meetings I encounter sometimes.
While I do like the info we’ve gotten about the magic system so far, I also like that this part didn’t overwhelm the entire story overall. I am a sucker for interesting magic systems but I also like them to be well-balanced with an interesting story otherwise that isn’t propelled forward solely based on said magic system. I want there to be other good components as well.
That being said, I felt like the plot took a while to find itself. It very much felt like a setup book for the series for a long time. It was only about two thirds in that I felt invested in the story for this particular book (rather than deciding for the whole series) but at that point it was almost too late for me. I did finish it and continued to feel that it was relatively well written but it was just a little too late for me to completely buy into the series. Those readers that don’t mind slower books though should still consider giving it a try since it does have some really interesting things to it and it does end with a bang.
This story introduces a really interesting set of characters from varying cultures and professions. It also has a really interesting villain that I wanted to learn more about since those are often the types of characters that I end up loving the most. While the characters were introduced separately at first, I liked the way they converged upon each other eventually. It felt very smooth rather than the forced meetings I encounter sometimes.
While I do like the info we’ve gotten about the magic system so far, I also like that this part didn’t overwhelm the entire story overall. I am a sucker for interesting magic systems but I also like them to be well-balanced with an interesting story otherwise that isn’t propelled forward solely based on said magic system. I want there to be other good components as well.
That being said, I felt like the plot took a while to find itself. It very much felt like a setup book for the series for a long time. It was only about two thirds in that I felt invested in the story for this particular book (rather than deciding for the whole series) but at that point it was almost too late for me. I did finish it and continued to feel that it was relatively well written but it was just a little too late for me to completely buy into the series. Those readers that don’t mind slower books though should still consider giving it a try since it does have some really interesting things to it and it does end with a bang.
May 5, 2025
I really wanted to like Way of the Renegade. Flintlock fantasy is a niche genre, and I’ve read most of what’s out there. So discovering a new series with a silver-tongued bard and narration by Stephen Pacey had me genuinely excited. The comparisons to Joe Abercrombie and The First Law series only raised my expectations further.
And to be fair, there were things I enjoyed, particularly the POV chapters from the bard. He’s a flawed, entertaining character, and his voice stood out as the most engaging throughout. I also liked some of Ulrich’s early chapters. But overall, the story just meanders. Every time it felt like something meaningful was about to happen, the tension fizzled out, and we were back to square one. That cycle repeated again and again, leaving me with the sense that there was never a real payoff.
The subplot involving the Native-inspired cultures resisting colonial forces had potential but ultimately came off as overly tropey. I’m generally fine with familiar archetypes, but here it felt underdeveloped. It reminded me of a fantasy version of Disney’s Pocahontas, without enough nuance or originality. On top of that, I personally didn’t find any of those characters compelling, largely because they didn’t seem well written or fully fleshed out.
It also felt like only Delioph (the bard) received real attention and depth. The other characters mostly existed to support his story, yet their arcs never truly converged in a meaningful way. Much of the book feels like a series of fragmented side stories that tease a connection or climax but never deliver.
As a debut novel, it’s a solid effort with potential. The world has promise, and there’s definitely material worth building on. But it needs more urgency, more stakes, and especially, given the genre, a lot more actual flintlock fantasy. Beyond the opening skirmish, muskets and firearms barely feature. One character is desperate to buy muskets, and another is trying to upgrade his broken rifle, but otherwise, gunpowder is almost nonexistent. For a book with a musket on the cover and a genre centered around flintlock warfare, it’s surprisingly light on musketry and action.
And to be fair, there were things I enjoyed, particularly the POV chapters from the bard. He’s a flawed, entertaining character, and his voice stood out as the most engaging throughout. I also liked some of Ulrich’s early chapters. But overall, the story just meanders. Every time it felt like something meaningful was about to happen, the tension fizzled out, and we were back to square one. That cycle repeated again and again, leaving me with the sense that there was never a real payoff.
The subplot involving the Native-inspired cultures resisting colonial forces had potential but ultimately came off as overly tropey. I’m generally fine with familiar archetypes, but here it felt underdeveloped. It reminded me of a fantasy version of Disney’s Pocahontas, without enough nuance or originality. On top of that, I personally didn’t find any of those characters compelling, largely because they didn’t seem well written or fully fleshed out.
It also felt like only Delioph (the bard) received real attention and depth. The other characters mostly existed to support his story, yet their arcs never truly converged in a meaningful way. Much of the book feels like a series of fragmented side stories that tease a connection or climax but never deliver.
As a debut novel, it’s a solid effort with potential. The world has promise, and there’s definitely material worth building on. But it needs more urgency, more stakes, and especially, given the genre, a lot more actual flintlock fantasy. Beyond the opening skirmish, muskets and firearms barely feature. One character is desperate to buy muskets, and another is trying to upgrade his broken rifle, but otherwise, gunpowder is almost nonexistent. For a book with a musket on the cover and a genre centered around flintlock warfare, it’s surprisingly light on musketry and action.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
April 20, 2024
A good start and well written. Listening to Steven Pacey as the narrator enhanced the experience as usuaI. Overall I enjoyed it and liked the characters. Definitely looking forward to the next book. Seems like that's when the real story will begin.
February 18, 2025
3/5 - Felt like this book had no idea what it wanted the premise to be. I think the idea was cool but the execution was poor.
April 11, 2026
“As with anything in life, he who controls the mob controls everything.”
Published in 2023, The Way of Renegades is the first book in The Bards & Dragons Saga by Steve D Wall. One for lovers of flintlock fantasy, this title caught my eye with its beautiful cover and I’d been meaning to read it for a long time. In the end, I picked up the audiobook version and was rewarded with a really enjoyable tale. Definitely a case of a book I should have picked up sooner!
The audio version is narrated by Steven Pacey and I have to say Wall made a superb choice here. Pacey has narrated audiobooks for Joe Abercrombie, Robert Harris, Susan Hill and Joanne Harris to name but a few, so he brought a vast amount of experience to this project. I was impressed at the range of voices and accents he used to help distinguish the extensive cast. He also delivers a nuanced acting performance, ensuring each of those characters come to life. It really is an excellent audio production, and Pacey’s narration certainly helped immerse me in the story and Wall’s fantasy world.
The Way of Renegades takes place at a time shortly after the discovery of the land of Teo by the Coalition, which has been formed by a group of established world powers. The scenario is analogous to the early stages of the colonisation of America by the Europeans. In the hands of a less gifted author, the topics and themes raised by this narrative choice could have posed problems. I’m pleased to say Wall handles the issues of colonialism and the harsh impact of the resulting culture clash extremely well and in ways that I felt were very realistic. This book doesn’t shy away from the fact that the Coalition is concerned with profit and expansion, irrespective of the impact on the native Teo tribes. The people of Teo must in turn face up to the reality that the rifles and other advanced technology used by the Coalition makes them impossible to fight on even terms. What does this mean for their way of life? Do the Teo fight and face defeat, or assimilate and lose their identity?
I liked the fact this story is told from multiple viewpoints, giving Wall the opportunity to show the different outlook of the colonists and the Teo, and he uses a varied cast of characters to tell his story. Gali, the daughter of one of the Odagna Teo tribe chieftans, makes the decision to learn more about the Coalition. She journeys to the Coalition port of Quinport to try and find allies and secure help. The treatment of her and her companions as outsiders, and their struggles to cope with a way of life that is alien to them, is both heartbreaking and believable.
The Coalition is not as unified as its name suggests, as the various chancellors of Quinport are all ambitious and not above putting each other down in their pursuit of more power and riches. Exiled army veteran Ulrich and his loyal team are looking to make their own way in the world, but it seems his history may be catching up with him. In contrast to Ulrich’s upright and straightforward nature, the bard Dellioph is looking to make his mark on this new world in a different way. With the powers of a sorcerer who can put people under his sway with a magical lute, Dellioph steals every scene he’s in.
The setting of Quinport quickly feels like a real place, and reflects Wall’s attention to detail in creating his fantasy world. Quinport is a destination for a host of people from all corners of the globe, each country having its own characteristics, politics, history and religion, which Wall introduces at just the right pace to maintain the illusion this is real without overwhelming you with too much information. I also loved the use of music to work feats of magic. Fans of Patrick Rothfuss will find much to like here.
Overall, The Way of Renegades is a terrific debut novel. I loved the world, the characters and the magic and the fact (with one exception) no one was portrayed as being intrinsically good or bad. Everyone is just a person trying to make their way in the world. The general feel of this story is one of high adventure with just enough gritty realism to keep it feeling believable, as each group of characters face various obstacles as they try to achieve their own goals. Wall carefully draws these threads together amid a wider backdrop of changing world events, leading to a memorable finale. My only criticism is those closing scenes don’t ultimately deliver a clear conclusion by the final page. Whilst I appreciate that in a series there will be narrative arcs that run across more than one book, I was still left with a sense that everything had stopped mid-action. That said, I was also left with a strong urge to pick up the next book (and indeed did so), so clearly Wall is doing something right!
The Way of Renegades is a distinctive calling card by an author with so much talent and it’s clear the wider saga has the potential to be a fantastic series in every sense of the word. If you like flintlock fantasy, character-driven stories and tales packed with action and adventure then Steve D Wall’s writing will certainly be for you.
Published in 2023, The Way of Renegades is the first book in The Bards & Dragons Saga by Steve D Wall. One for lovers of flintlock fantasy, this title caught my eye with its beautiful cover and I’d been meaning to read it for a long time. In the end, I picked up the audiobook version and was rewarded with a really enjoyable tale. Definitely a case of a book I should have picked up sooner!
The audio version is narrated by Steven Pacey and I have to say Wall made a superb choice here. Pacey has narrated audiobooks for Joe Abercrombie, Robert Harris, Susan Hill and Joanne Harris to name but a few, so he brought a vast amount of experience to this project. I was impressed at the range of voices and accents he used to help distinguish the extensive cast. He also delivers a nuanced acting performance, ensuring each of those characters come to life. It really is an excellent audio production, and Pacey’s narration certainly helped immerse me in the story and Wall’s fantasy world.
The Way of Renegades takes place at a time shortly after the discovery of the land of Teo by the Coalition, which has been formed by a group of established world powers. The scenario is analogous to the early stages of the colonisation of America by the Europeans. In the hands of a less gifted author, the topics and themes raised by this narrative choice could have posed problems. I’m pleased to say Wall handles the issues of colonialism and the harsh impact of the resulting culture clash extremely well and in ways that I felt were very realistic. This book doesn’t shy away from the fact that the Coalition is concerned with profit and expansion, irrespective of the impact on the native Teo tribes. The people of Teo must in turn face up to the reality that the rifles and other advanced technology used by the Coalition makes them impossible to fight on even terms. What does this mean for their way of life? Do the Teo fight and face defeat, or assimilate and lose their identity?
I liked the fact this story is told from multiple viewpoints, giving Wall the opportunity to show the different outlook of the colonists and the Teo, and he uses a varied cast of characters to tell his story. Gali, the daughter of one of the Odagna Teo tribe chieftans, makes the decision to learn more about the Coalition. She journeys to the Coalition port of Quinport to try and find allies and secure help. The treatment of her and her companions as outsiders, and their struggles to cope with a way of life that is alien to them, is both heartbreaking and believable.
The Coalition is not as unified as its name suggests, as the various chancellors of Quinport are all ambitious and not above putting each other down in their pursuit of more power and riches. Exiled army veteran Ulrich and his loyal team are looking to make their own way in the world, but it seems his history may be catching up with him. In contrast to Ulrich’s upright and straightforward nature, the bard Dellioph is looking to make his mark on this new world in a different way. With the powers of a sorcerer who can put people under his sway with a magical lute, Dellioph steals every scene he’s in.
The setting of Quinport quickly feels like a real place, and reflects Wall’s attention to detail in creating his fantasy world. Quinport is a destination for a host of people from all corners of the globe, each country having its own characteristics, politics, history and religion, which Wall introduces at just the right pace to maintain the illusion this is real without overwhelming you with too much information. I also loved the use of music to work feats of magic. Fans of Patrick Rothfuss will find much to like here.
Overall, The Way of Renegades is a terrific debut novel. I loved the world, the characters and the magic and the fact (with one exception) no one was portrayed as being intrinsically good or bad. Everyone is just a person trying to make their way in the world. The general feel of this story is one of high adventure with just enough gritty realism to keep it feeling believable, as each group of characters face various obstacles as they try to achieve their own goals. Wall carefully draws these threads together amid a wider backdrop of changing world events, leading to a memorable finale. My only criticism is those closing scenes don’t ultimately deliver a clear conclusion by the final page. Whilst I appreciate that in a series there will be narrative arcs that run across more than one book, I was still left with a sense that everything had stopped mid-action. That said, I was also left with a strong urge to pick up the next book (and indeed did so), so clearly Wall is doing something right!
The Way of Renegades is a distinctive calling card by an author with so much talent and it’s clear the wider saga has the potential to be a fantastic series in every sense of the word. If you like flintlock fantasy, character-driven stories and tales packed with action and adventure then Steve D Wall’s writing will certainly be for you.
May 2, 2024
A surprise winner !
March 2, 2026
10/8/24 - 13/8/24
Enjoyed this very much.
Really good characters jump off the page and a blisteringly good story.
I’ll be waiting for part two………
Enjoyed this very much.
Really good characters jump off the page and a blisteringly good story.
I’ll be waiting for part two………
April 30, 2026
Audiblen (äänikirjapalvelu jota ensisijaisesti käytän) kaupassa sattui silmään Steve D. Wallin esikoisteos ”The Way of Renegades” saatesanoilla ”kuin Joe Abercrombie” ja ”Steven Paceyn lukemana”. Kuten olen aiemmin maininnut, niin Abercrombie on omia suosikkejani fantasian saralla. Ja paljon äänikirjoja kuuntelevana Steven Pacey on ehkä parhaita äänikirjojen lukijaääniä mitä on vastaan tullut. Ei suotta, hänen lukemana nimittäin olen kuunnellut kaikki Abercrombienkin teokset. Jos äänikirjoista välittää, ja englanniksi luettuna toimii, niin Pacey on kyllä melkoinen maestro. Hänen intonaatio ja eläytyminen eri hahmoihin on aivan ykkösluokkaa, ja eri hahmojen repliikit tunnistaa jo ihan Paceyn näyttelyn avulla.
Joten kun tällä tavalla markkinoitiin, niin mainonnan uhrihan minusta tuli. Sekin auttoi, että tämä kirja irtosi kolmella eurolla. Ai niin, Audiblen ylivoimaisesti paras puoli on, että sieltä ostetut kirjat saa omaksi. Sen jälkeenkin kun kk-jäsenyys päättyy, voi omia kirjojaan kuunnella mielin määrin. Ne voi jopa ladata äänitiedostoina itselle ja kuunnella haluamallaan softalla, jos oikein haluaa säätää. Vahva suositus palvelulle, voittaa valikoimallaan ja mielestäni ihan kuluttajan oikeuksien periaatteiltaan Storytelit ja vastaavat aivan kirkkaasti. Vaikka onkin osa Bezozin Amazon-imperiumia.
Mutta se siitä (ilmaisesta) mainonnasta, ja itse kirjan pariin. The Way of Renegades (2023) on ”The Bards & Dragons Saga”-kirjasarjan ensimmäinen osa. Toinenkin osa eli ”The Sound of Change” on julkaistu, ja kolmas taitaa olla tuutissa tulossa ulos tänä vuonna. Kirjaa kuvaillaan ”flintlock-fantasiaksi”, eli ruutiaseet ja teollinen vallankumous on vahvasti läsnä teemoissa. Kirja sijoittuu Quinportin kaupunkiin, joka sijatsee ”Uudessa maailmassa”, johon idästä tulleet ”Vanhan maailman” kansakunnat ovat perustaneet siirtomaan, ja uuden maailman alkuperäiskansa ”teot” ovat pahasti alakynnessä ja tuhoutumassa valloittajien alla.
Eli kyseessä on täysin Amerikan mantereiden valtauksen ja siirtomaa-ajan alkuvaiheiden fantasia-allegoria, mutta maailmassa missä taikuus on täysin normaalia. Kaksi täysin erilaista kulttuuria, vanha maailma ja uusi maailma, ovat lähes yhteensovittamattomia. Samaan aikaan teollinen vallankumous on viemässä tilan ja hapen taikuudelta. On paljon helpompaa ampua lasauttaa musketilla, kuin yrittää räpeltää hankalalla ja epävarmalla (ja ylipäätään harvojen osaamalla) taikuudella.
Kirja kuvaa tällaista kulttuurien yhteentörmäystä, ja myös teknologioiden yhteentörmäystä, useamman hahmon näkökulmasta. Ulric on se vanhan maailman teollisen vallankumouksen edustaja, vanha arpinen sotasankari ja veteraani, joka on sotinut koko aikuisikänsä muskettien ja tykkien avulla. Dellioph on musikantti, joka kykenee sekoittamaan musiikkiinsa taikuutta. Roolipelitermeillä siis bardi, aivan klassisimmassa mielessä. Gali on Quinportin puristuksessa olevan teo-heimon päällikön tytär, uuden maailman näkökulma tapahtumiin. Sitten on vielä Devo, barbaarisoturi sellaisilta mailta, että sekä uuden että vanhan maailman edustajille se on täysin tuntematon.
Tarina käynnistyy kohtalaisen hitaasti, ja tämä kirja on aivan täysin pidemmän tarinan aloitus. Dellioph saapuu uuteen maailmaan yrityksenään aloittaa alusta, Urlic on paennut menneisyyttään jo vuosia, Gali näkee että ainoa mahdollisuus kansalleen selviytyä on saada samanlaisia aseita (=musketteja) kuin Quinportilla on, ja Devo jahtaa arkkivihollistaan uusille maille. Pikkuhiljaa, eri tavoin, näiden hahmojen tarinat risteävät ja menevät lopussa aika nätisti yhteen, luoden pohjaa seuraavalle osalle.
Kirjaa tosiaan mainostettiin Abercrombien kaltaisena, ja kyllä minä oikeastaan näen mistä kehu tulee. Wallin tapa kirjoittaa ja kuvailla hahmojen mielenliikkeitä on hyvin samanlaista kuin Joe Abercrombiella, voisi jopa sanoa että aloitteleva kirjailija on lähtenyt tarkoituksella tavoittelemaan samaa tyyliä. Wall ei kuitenkaan ole samalla tavalla pistävän kyyninen ja ironinen, mitä Abercrombie, ja hahmot eivät ole niin vahvoja karikatyyrejä. Voisi jopa sanoa, että siinä missä Abercrombien kirjoissa hahmot noudattavat ”rule of cool”-logiikkaa, niin Wallilla hahmot käyttäytyvät ehkä luonnollisemmin.
Ja kyllähän tässä on oikeasti hyvät hahmot. Kaikki ovat monitahoisia tyyppejä, joilla on sekä hyviä että huonoja puolia. Kaikilla on epävarmuuksiaan ja heikkouksia, mutta jokainen hahmoista pääsee myös loistamaan kirjan aikana. Kirjan tähdeksi nousee Dellioph, minkä voi kyllä jo päätellä ihan kirjasarjan nimestä. Hahmo on juuri sellainen velmu venkuloija, miksi bardit yleensäkin kuvataan, mutta omalla rosoisuudellaan. Kirjan yhdessä huippukohdassa, kun Delliohp ja hänen musikaalinen taikuus pääsee kunnolla irti, niin jälki on sekä kiehtovaa että kamalaa.
Juonellisesti tässä ei vielä hirveästi tapahdu, mutta kyllä tämä tosi hyvin rakentaa pohjaa tulevalle. Hahmot ja maailma esitellään hyvin, jännitettä rakennetaan ja cliffhangereita myös. Tämä oli mielestäni oikein hyvää hahmovetoista fantasiaa sellaisessa miljöössä, jota on ehkä vähemmän fantasian saralla käsitelty, eli kolonialismin maailmassa. Ei mitään genren huippua, mutta siellä paremmalla puolella kuitenkin. Ja kyllä tämä niin hyvin vakuutti, että se toinen osa eli ”The Sound of Change” piti hommata myös itselle, ja jatkan suoraan sen pariin tästä.
Suositus fantasian ystäville! 4/5
Joten kun tällä tavalla markkinoitiin, niin mainonnan uhrihan minusta tuli. Sekin auttoi, että tämä kirja irtosi kolmella eurolla. Ai niin, Audiblen ylivoimaisesti paras puoli on, että sieltä ostetut kirjat saa omaksi. Sen jälkeenkin kun kk-jäsenyys päättyy, voi omia kirjojaan kuunnella mielin määrin. Ne voi jopa ladata äänitiedostoina itselle ja kuunnella haluamallaan softalla, jos oikein haluaa säätää. Vahva suositus palvelulle, voittaa valikoimallaan ja mielestäni ihan kuluttajan oikeuksien periaatteiltaan Storytelit ja vastaavat aivan kirkkaasti. Vaikka onkin osa Bezozin Amazon-imperiumia.
Mutta se siitä (ilmaisesta) mainonnasta, ja itse kirjan pariin. The Way of Renegades (2023) on ”The Bards & Dragons Saga”-kirjasarjan ensimmäinen osa. Toinenkin osa eli ”The Sound of Change” on julkaistu, ja kolmas taitaa olla tuutissa tulossa ulos tänä vuonna. Kirjaa kuvaillaan ”flintlock-fantasiaksi”, eli ruutiaseet ja teollinen vallankumous on vahvasti läsnä teemoissa. Kirja sijoittuu Quinportin kaupunkiin, joka sijatsee ”Uudessa maailmassa”, johon idästä tulleet ”Vanhan maailman” kansakunnat ovat perustaneet siirtomaan, ja uuden maailman alkuperäiskansa ”teot” ovat pahasti alakynnessä ja tuhoutumassa valloittajien alla.
Eli kyseessä on täysin Amerikan mantereiden valtauksen ja siirtomaa-ajan alkuvaiheiden fantasia-allegoria, mutta maailmassa missä taikuus on täysin normaalia. Kaksi täysin erilaista kulttuuria, vanha maailma ja uusi maailma, ovat lähes yhteensovittamattomia. Samaan aikaan teollinen vallankumous on viemässä tilan ja hapen taikuudelta. On paljon helpompaa ampua lasauttaa musketilla, kuin yrittää räpeltää hankalalla ja epävarmalla (ja ylipäätään harvojen osaamalla) taikuudella.
Kirja kuvaa tällaista kulttuurien yhteentörmäystä, ja myös teknologioiden yhteentörmäystä, useamman hahmon näkökulmasta. Ulric on se vanhan maailman teollisen vallankumouksen edustaja, vanha arpinen sotasankari ja veteraani, joka on sotinut koko aikuisikänsä muskettien ja tykkien avulla. Dellioph on musikantti, joka kykenee sekoittamaan musiikkiinsa taikuutta. Roolipelitermeillä siis bardi, aivan klassisimmassa mielessä. Gali on Quinportin puristuksessa olevan teo-heimon päällikön tytär, uuden maailman näkökulma tapahtumiin. Sitten on vielä Devo, barbaarisoturi sellaisilta mailta, että sekä uuden että vanhan maailman edustajille se on täysin tuntematon.
Tarina käynnistyy kohtalaisen hitaasti, ja tämä kirja on aivan täysin pidemmän tarinan aloitus. Dellioph saapuu uuteen maailmaan yrityksenään aloittaa alusta, Urlic on paennut menneisyyttään jo vuosia, Gali näkee että ainoa mahdollisuus kansalleen selviytyä on saada samanlaisia aseita (=musketteja) kuin Quinportilla on, ja Devo jahtaa arkkivihollistaan uusille maille. Pikkuhiljaa, eri tavoin, näiden hahmojen tarinat risteävät ja menevät lopussa aika nätisti yhteen, luoden pohjaa seuraavalle osalle.
Kirjaa tosiaan mainostettiin Abercrombien kaltaisena, ja kyllä minä oikeastaan näen mistä kehu tulee. Wallin tapa kirjoittaa ja kuvailla hahmojen mielenliikkeitä on hyvin samanlaista kuin Joe Abercrombiella, voisi jopa sanoa että aloitteleva kirjailija on lähtenyt tarkoituksella tavoittelemaan samaa tyyliä. Wall ei kuitenkaan ole samalla tavalla pistävän kyyninen ja ironinen, mitä Abercrombie, ja hahmot eivät ole niin vahvoja karikatyyrejä. Voisi jopa sanoa, että siinä missä Abercrombien kirjoissa hahmot noudattavat ”rule of cool”-logiikkaa, niin Wallilla hahmot käyttäytyvät ehkä luonnollisemmin.
Ja kyllähän tässä on oikeasti hyvät hahmot. Kaikki ovat monitahoisia tyyppejä, joilla on sekä hyviä että huonoja puolia. Kaikilla on epävarmuuksiaan ja heikkouksia, mutta jokainen hahmoista pääsee myös loistamaan kirjan aikana. Kirjan tähdeksi nousee Dellioph, minkä voi kyllä jo päätellä ihan kirjasarjan nimestä. Hahmo on juuri sellainen velmu venkuloija, miksi bardit yleensäkin kuvataan, mutta omalla rosoisuudellaan. Kirjan yhdessä huippukohdassa, kun Delliohp ja hänen musikaalinen taikuus pääsee kunnolla irti, niin jälki on sekä kiehtovaa että kamalaa.
Juonellisesti tässä ei vielä hirveästi tapahdu, mutta kyllä tämä tosi hyvin rakentaa pohjaa tulevalle. Hahmot ja maailma esitellään hyvin, jännitettä rakennetaan ja cliffhangereita myös. Tämä oli mielestäni oikein hyvää hahmovetoista fantasiaa sellaisessa miljöössä, jota on ehkä vähemmän fantasian saralla käsitelty, eli kolonialismin maailmassa. Ei mitään genren huippua, mutta siellä paremmalla puolella kuitenkin. Ja kyllä tämä niin hyvin vakuutti, että se toinen osa eli ”The Sound of Change” piti hommata myös itselle, ja jatkan suoraan sen pariin tästä.
Suositus fantasian ystäville! 4/5
May 5, 2026
This book is delightful. Going against the grain of most high fantasy, it's set not in faux Middle Ages but more like in faux 18th century /early 19th. It's also not in a Europe analogue but the new world, where a bunch of characters are actually old world colonisers. The book has a lot to say about indigenous genocide, about racism and colonialism, about imperialism and how even passive participation leads to displacement and death.
The world building is really good. This is a lived-in world with different cultures and habits, with plausible magic rules and little details that provide an adequate sensory experience. But the novel's greatest strength are the characters. The most compelling characters are Gali, the native on a quest to fight for her people, and Dellioph, the narcisssistic bard with the most incredible magical powers. The way the characters' stories converge is really well done, and the main "dark lord" threat in the background is delightfully creepy without being over-the-top ridiculous like the Nazgul clones etc. in The Eye of the World. The novel ends on a cliffhanger that makes sense in retrospect but I absolutely did not see coming, so kudos to the author.
I really appreciated the quality of the prose, too. The pacing is good. Slow scenes are actually slow, while fast-paced ones adequately reduce narrative distance. We are in the characters' heads and not just reading a robotic report after the fact, which was my main gripe with A Memory Called Empire. There are a few instances of "She felt excited" etc. but nothing major or distracting, so that's a pedantic nitpick from yours truly.
All in all, this is a really good novel: well-paced, captivating, and populated by likeable and interesting characters. I highly recommend this book to anyone who likes high fantasy, social and political commentary, great characters, and a sweeping epic building up in the background--kind of like A Song of Ice and Fire in scope but less "edgy", grimdark, and depressing. I'm really excited for the second book.
The world building is really good. This is a lived-in world with different cultures and habits, with plausible magic rules and little details that provide an adequate sensory experience. But the novel's greatest strength are the characters. The most compelling characters are Gali, the native on a quest to fight for her people, and Dellioph, the narcisssistic bard with the most incredible magical powers. The way the characters' stories converge is really well done, and the main "dark lord" threat in the background is delightfully creepy without being over-the-top ridiculous like the Nazgul clones etc. in The Eye of the World. The novel ends on a cliffhanger that makes sense in retrospect but I absolutely did not see coming, so kudos to the author.
I really appreciated the quality of the prose, too. The pacing is good. Slow scenes are actually slow, while fast-paced ones adequately reduce narrative distance. We are in the characters' heads and not just reading a robotic report after the fact, which was my main gripe with A Memory Called Empire. There are a few instances of "She felt excited" etc. but nothing major or distracting, so that's a pedantic nitpick from yours truly.
All in all, this is a really good novel: well-paced, captivating, and populated by likeable and interesting characters. I highly recommend this book to anyone who likes high fantasy, social and political commentary, great characters, and a sweeping epic building up in the background--kind of like A Song of Ice and Fire in scope but less "edgy", grimdark, and depressing. I'm really excited for the second book.
Want to Read
March 11, 2024This is not a full review. I read through the beginning of all 300 SPFBO9 contest entries. This was a book I wanted to read more of.
An awful, magical killer is finally tracked down by a group of hunters and a man he changed into something … inhuman. But will they get their justice?
This does a good job of grounding the reader in the moment. It has good, unusual sensory details. Something is happening from the first page. Our MC has a dangerous goal, and it seems within reach.
The prose works. It’s physical and visual, and does a good job of briefly describing the many characters (more on this later.) I think it could have done more with less, but I was intrigued.
This bills itself as a flintlock fantasy. There isn’t any sign of that in the opening. That’s fine, tho a little disorienting.
What disoriented me more has to do with what I feel is the core of this opening: the protagonist and the waiting villain. I understand little about either of them.
Our MC has been transformed into something inhuman by our villain, and that’s really interesting, but we don’t really get to know what he looks like. It’s left a bit vague, and that’s too bad.
The powers and doings of our villain - and how he’s changed our prologue MC - are also something I’m left to guess at. A great deal is hinted at, but never makes it to the page.
Knowing exactly what I’m dealing with here would have pulled me into the story more effectively than the swords and bows and hidden hunters and telegraphing cat-wondering of our MC.
I know this probably sounds funny to say in writing circles, but I could have used more telling than showing.
But what I DO get IS interesting. The scene progresses. And the fact that I want to know more means this opening has done enough right for me to read on to see what Ch1 is going to do. I’m in.
An awful, magical killer is finally tracked down by a group of hunters and a man he changed into something … inhuman. But will they get their justice?
This does a good job of grounding the reader in the moment. It has good, unusual sensory details. Something is happening from the first page. Our MC has a dangerous goal, and it seems within reach.
The prose works. It’s physical and visual, and does a good job of briefly describing the many characters (more on this later.) I think it could have done more with less, but I was intrigued.
This bills itself as a flintlock fantasy. There isn’t any sign of that in the opening. That’s fine, tho a little disorienting.
What disoriented me more has to do with what I feel is the core of this opening: the protagonist and the waiting villain. I understand little about either of them.
Our MC has been transformed into something inhuman by our villain, and that’s really interesting, but we don’t really get to know what he looks like. It’s left a bit vague, and that’s too bad.
The powers and doings of our villain - and how he’s changed our prologue MC - are also something I’m left to guess at. A great deal is hinted at, but never makes it to the page.
Knowing exactly what I’m dealing with here would have pulled me into the story more effectively than the swords and bows and hidden hunters and telegraphing cat-wondering of our MC.
I know this probably sounds funny to say in writing circles, but I could have used more telling than showing.
But what I DO get IS interesting. The scene progresses. And the fact that I want to know more means this opening has done enough right for me to read on to see what Ch1 is going to do. I’m in.
November 24, 2024
I was VERY prepared to call this book a slick marketing gamble; trading on the success of Steven Pacey's excellent narration for Joe Abercrombie's books.
I was largely wrong, with some caveats.
1) Steven Pacey is an astonishingly good narrator. I'm not saying that he could make a phonebook sound interesting, but he'd get awfully close. I listened to The Way of Renegades and could find NO fault with the performance. This book's audiobook version is worth every penny for the performance alone.
2) Much like Abercrombie's The Blade Itself, The Way of Renegades is clearly the first chapter in a larger narrative. It ends abruptly. Mid plot. The second (and any future installments) are not available yet. So if you're in the "I got burned by a guy named Pat and won't start incomplete fantasy book series anymore" skip this one. It's like the narrative equivalent of smelling another tables appetizers just before the waiter asks you to come back another night.
3) I really like the pseudo-colonial setting here. I'm less thrilled about the cultural parallels to First Peoples that figures pretty prominently in the book. I get it. It works. I can't really come up with a way to tell a similar story without bumping into similar issues... But it's just ever so slightly on the edge of appropriation. Well intended or no. I mean, one of my favorite books of all time is Shogun which is wholecloth colonial appropriation of the Japanese. But... Still, that feeling of "hmmm maybe this isn't as respectful as it could be" was pretty distracting. Though I'm happy to report that it was largely very respectful. Just know that if you were looking for a reason to be mad at something in this book, you could probably find it.
Other than those issues, a REALLY surprisingly great debut. Lots of potential on a pretty strong traditional fantasy framework.
I was largely wrong, with some caveats.
1) Steven Pacey is an astonishingly good narrator. I'm not saying that he could make a phonebook sound interesting, but he'd get awfully close. I listened to The Way of Renegades and could find NO fault with the performance. This book's audiobook version is worth every penny for the performance alone.
2) Much like Abercrombie's The Blade Itself, The Way of Renegades is clearly the first chapter in a larger narrative. It ends abruptly. Mid plot. The second (and any future installments) are not available yet. So if you're in the "I got burned by a guy named Pat and won't start incomplete fantasy book series anymore" skip this one. It's like the narrative equivalent of smelling another tables appetizers just before the waiter asks you to come back another night.
3) I really like the pseudo-colonial setting here. I'm less thrilled about the cultural parallels to First Peoples that figures pretty prominently in the book. I get it. It works. I can't really come up with a way to tell a similar story without bumping into similar issues... But it's just ever so slightly on the edge of appropriation. Well intended or no. I mean, one of my favorite books of all time is Shogun which is wholecloth colonial appropriation of the Japanese. But... Still, that feeling of "hmmm maybe this isn't as respectful as it could be" was pretty distracting. Though I'm happy to report that it was largely very respectful. Just know that if you were looking for a reason to be mad at something in this book, you could probably find it.
Other than those issues, a REALLY surprisingly great debut. Lots of potential on a pretty strong traditional fantasy framework.
August 25, 2023
4.5/5
The Way of Renegades is a very well-written book with solid characters and an interesting world. I was impressed to find that this is Steve D. Wall's first book!
I won a free audio book during a giveaway and quickly dove right in. This was this first time I had listened to an audio version of a book I hadn't yet read, so I had some concerns that I'd have a difficult time keeping up. I was proven wrong from the start. Steven Pacey's narration drew me in and never let go. The characters that Wall has created are extremely well done, and there wasn't a single bit that I didn't enjoy.
I think most of all, this is a character driven story. Each of them take action right from the start, and their motivations are clearly laid out. Gali, Ulric, and Dellioph are easily my favorites. We're given enough information about each of these characters to pique our interests, but there's plenty left to be uncovered.
The action-packed ending comes quick, and we're left on a cliffhanger (in more ways than one). I felt like I wanted a bit more, now that our main group is nearly all together, but that's what future installments are for!
All in all, if you're a fan of flintlock fantasy and you're looking for a new indie read, I recommend checking out The Way of Renegades!
The Way of Renegades is a very well-written book with solid characters and an interesting world. I was impressed to find that this is Steve D. Wall's first book!
I won a free audio book during a giveaway and quickly dove right in. This was this first time I had listened to an audio version of a book I hadn't yet read, so I had some concerns that I'd have a difficult time keeping up. I was proven wrong from the start. Steven Pacey's narration drew me in and never let go. The characters that Wall has created are extremely well done, and there wasn't a single bit that I didn't enjoy.
I think most of all, this is a character driven story. Each of them take action right from the start, and their motivations are clearly laid out. Gali, Ulric, and Dellioph are easily my favorites. We're given enough information about each of these characters to pique our interests, but there's plenty left to be uncovered.
The action-packed ending comes quick, and we're left on a cliffhanger (in more ways than one). I felt like I wanted a bit more, now that our main group is nearly all together, but that's what future installments are for!
All in all, if you're a fan of flintlock fantasy and you're looking for a new indie read, I recommend checking out The Way of Renegades!
November 21, 2023
As a NOVEL? Maybe a 3.5ish rounded up? This book was kind of trying to do too many things & tropes in a single place. It was a little chaotic for the first 2/3rds and didn't really seem like it could make its mind up - did it want to be the story of Ulric and his past? Did it want to be the story of a mysterious bard with immense and often uncontrollable power? Did it want to be the story of the natives learning and fighting back against their colonizers? It did all of them fairly well but because of the lack of focus it didn't greatly excel at any of them unfortunately.
But as an ADVENTURE BOOK and/or D&D Style Characterizations w/ backstory? Maybe 100 out of 5 rounded down. It was so fun and so action packed from start to finish. It felt like more of a action packed version of Cozy Fantasy (a la Legends and Lattes). Those same twisting strands that caused problems in the first 2/3rds really made for a strong & diverse group of characters coming together for the last 3rd of the book.
If you want to read something new and insightful or innovative this probably isn't for you. But if you want something familiar and fun (with some pretty damn good prose, it must be said) then this should go on your TBR as soon as possible!
But as an ADVENTURE BOOK and/or D&D Style Characterizations w/ backstory? Maybe 100 out of 5 rounded down. It was so fun and so action packed from start to finish. It felt like more of a action packed version of Cozy Fantasy (a la Legends and Lattes). Those same twisting strands that caused problems in the first 2/3rds really made for a strong & diverse group of characters coming together for the last 3rd of the book.
If you want to read something new and insightful or innovative this probably isn't for you. But if you want something familiar and fun (with some pretty damn good prose, it must be said) then this should go on your TBR as soon as possible!
February 7, 2024
Picture a world full of colonialism, guns, colonials, rivalries and magic. And also singing bards that seem to have a knack for charisma as well as getting into trouble quite often. This was an excellent novel that made me more interested in its world building as I read. Plenty of fights, drinking, a lot, and a lot of swearing, cussing and power plays. This is a world of brutality and harm, but also a world of peace.
This story is accompanied by a wide cast of great supporting characters and great dialogue. Through every second I felt the frustration of the Teo and the anger of the citizens of the coalition. I felt as if I too needed to be there and rally against the injustice. Yet it’s a world of conflicting alliances and I loved Dellioph and Ulric, Gali and Devo and so many others. This dude here knows how to write an entertaining novel.
All in all, a triumphant debut and I can’t wait to read more. Get this while you can. You will not regret
This story is accompanied by a wide cast of great supporting characters and great dialogue. Through every second I felt the frustration of the Teo and the anger of the citizens of the coalition. I felt as if I too needed to be there and rally against the injustice. Yet it’s a world of conflicting alliances and I loved Dellioph and Ulric, Gali and Devo and so many others. This dude here knows how to write an entertaining novel.
All in all, a triumphant debut and I can’t wait to read more. Get this while you can. You will not regret
September 7, 2023
The Way of Renegades is one of the better novels I’ve read this year, and a truly spectacular debut. This reads as though Mr. Wall has been writing professionally for decades, and I’m not exaggerating!
The narration by Steven Pacy is also, of course, sublime.
There are several distinct characters with unique voices - character development is handled expertly, leaving the reader invested in the characters in no time, yet also eager to learn more about them.
Pacing and plotting are well-done, too, and well-balanced with character development. The world feels real and lived in. Honestly, I don’t have much that isn’t glowingly positive to say.
I loved it.
And I will buy the second volume immediately when it’s released
The narration by Steven Pacy is also, of course, sublime.
There are several distinct characters with unique voices - character development is handled expertly, leaving the reader invested in the characters in no time, yet also eager to learn more about them.
Pacing and plotting are well-done, too, and well-balanced with character development. The world feels real and lived in. Honestly, I don’t have much that isn’t glowingly positive to say.
I loved it.
And I will buy the second volume immediately when it’s released
November 15, 2023
A great debut novel and an enticing start to the series.
It gave me definite Abercrombie vibes, least of which because the incomparable Steven Pacey narrated the audiobook!
I liked the multiple POV that was split across about four main characters, each very different but inexorably drawn together by circumstance.
The pace was ok, but I would like to have seen more action and thrilling sequences. All I can think is that's its building up for a fantastic trilogy as this would be a very average stand alone - it could be roughly condensed to three different people are drawn together unsure where to go, and a forth is on a quest to take down a powerful bad guy...
I'll be back to see what happens next, especially if Pacey continues his elite storytelling
It gave me definite Abercrombie vibes, least of which because the incomparable Steven Pacey narrated the audiobook!
I liked the multiple POV that was split across about four main characters, each very different but inexorably drawn together by circumstance.
The pace was ok, but I would like to have seen more action and thrilling sequences. All I can think is that's its building up for a fantastic trilogy as this would be a very average stand alone - it could be roughly condensed to three different people are drawn together unsure where to go, and a forth is on a quest to take down a powerful bad guy...
I'll be back to see what happens next, especially if Pacey continues his elite storytelling
November 10, 2025
Such a cool cover, but man did I struggle with the audio. There are a lot of characters to keep track of, only one audio narrator, and the chapters would switch POV's each paragraph - making it difficult to figure out who is doing what. The characters just weren't distinct enough for me to connect with any of them.
The story has potential, but what I listened to is very forgettable, so I won't be continuing with the series. If you want to give this one a chance, I highly recommend going physical or e-book format, for the sake of your own sanity.
The story has potential, but what I listened to is very forgettable, so I won't be continuing with the series. If you want to give this one a chance, I highly recommend going physical or e-book format, for the sake of your own sanity.
November 18, 2025
I found this book when I searched for the theme of 'bard as a reluctant hero'. I hadn't heard anything about it, so I didn't know what to expect. I enjoyed the it well enough, but there was something that bothered me. I think it's the lack of character development. After over 450 pages, and I still don't feel connected to any of them. They all seem rather shallow, angry, and unfriendly. The action was there, and so was the world building, but it never came all the way together. Hopefully book two fleshes out the characters more.
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