Jonathan French: The Grey Bastards

Hi everyone

The Grey Bastards is Jonathan French's first book in The Lot Lands series.
I got my copy from Bol.

"Jackal is proud to be a Grey Bastard, member of a sworn brotherhood of half-orcs. Unloved and unwanted in civilized society, the Bastards eke out a hard life in the desolate no-man's-land called the Lots, protecting frail and noble human civilization from invading bands of vicious full-blooded orcs. But as Jackal is soon to learn, his pride may be misplaced. Because a dark secret lies at the heart of the Bastards' existence - one that reveals a horrifying truth behind humanity's tenuous peace with the orcs, and exposes a grave danger on the horizon. On the heels of the ultimate betrayal, Jackal must scramble to stop a devastating invasion - even as he wonders where his true loyalties lie."

This book was so enjoyable; dark, violent, and grim, but also full of heart, humor, and friendship. The relationship between the half-orcs and their hogs was an absolute highlight. The camaraderie among the half-orcs is also brilliantly done, making their brotherhood feel real and compelling.
The worldbuilding and premise (half-orcs as outcast protectors) are incredibly promising. It’s a fresh, gritty and exciting take on fantasy, and the moral gray areas make the story even more engaging.

That said, there were a few plotholes; things that didn’t quite make sense or felt underdeveloped. The worldbuilding could have been grander, and the plot could have used a bit more polish to feel fully believable. But honestly? I didn’t care too much. The characters and their dynamics were so compelling that I was happy to overlook the flaws.

Have you read The Grey Bastards? Did you love the half-orcs and their hogs as much as I did? Or do you have another gritty fantasy series to recommend? I’d love to hear your thoughts!

Happy reading!
Helena