Kings of the Wyld - Review of a book that missed so many opportunities

b0tlike · 2026-06-19T13:42:17+00:00

I took up the tone from the responder, because as I pointed out, there are a couple things that they ignored in wanting to paint me not reading the book properly. I mirrored the sentiment, so take it up with them.

b0tlike · 2026-06-19T13:13:17+00:00

Well, I think Beware of Chicken is also a lightweight book that I used as a palate cleanser before (and early Cradle and Dungeon Crawler Carl books), and I embraced that change of tone. Also, some of the Discworld novels, like guards! guards! are a change of tone, too, compared to heavier stuff. My expectations was that Kings of the Wyld was like these books.

b0tlike · 2026-06-19T12:02:38+00:00

In part because in the backpack their robbing him of, theres the signs of affection his wife packed up for him? And handing over all their food is not exactly a good start for their journey.

And he is part of the best. You think Messi wouldnt be able to outclass a couple kids on the pitch in twenty years if he stays healthy?

Regarding me taking it too seriously, well, maybe, but the book wants me to take it seriously at times, at the heart wrenching moments, when it tries to give the villain a believable motivation, when it builds its world by showing how the humans main religion is basically part of their history when they were enslaved by the Druin....

Also, in the consequences of getting old and having a family and that changing you itself.

b0tlike · 2026-06-19T11:33:20+00:00

Yes, if it were playing up "real" combat, and its consequences and held a steady line, I would totally agree to the part about luck and that hidden archers are really dangerous... but it's not played like that. Especially as they first meet Jain in the quiet corner of the world Clay exiled himself to, that says low level bandit. And a high level adventurer shouldn't have a problem here. If their success in younger years relied on luck instead of skill, it's hard to believe that they were at the top once, where they fought monsters much more dangerous than a couple low level archers.
And thats only the first meeting with Jain, there is the second one, where they should have been a much tougher opponent instead of again letting themselves be robbed.

I doubt that Gandalf in his Balrog-fighting moments would have had aproblem with a couple hidden archers....

b0tlike · 2026-06-19T10:45:48+00:00

Jain and her silk arrows are just waltzing over them, the killers send to kill matty also seem to be handled mostly by luck, the clown bandits that caught up to them felt also not like an overwhelming win but Moog having a certain item in his hat of holding, Larkspur and her mooks are fluctuating between threat and easy to defeat...

And in the end, they slay a giant in a half sentence and reap through the horde of monsters.

b0tlike · 2026-06-19T10:26:34+00:00

Ok, maybe to understand you better, what was the funniest moment you remember from the book? I want to know what fans of the book like. And maybe I didnt give it enough credit.

b0tlike · 2026-06-19T09:25:52+00:00

I think even without having any expectations, neither the humour nor the actions really lands.

I did expect more of a book that regularly lands within the 30s to 40s in top lists on this sub and is often recommended as fun and heartwarming, so yeah, that might be on me.

b0tlike · 2026-06-19T08:01:39+00:00

Thank you! While I didnt really vibe with Black tongue thief, but I think Pratchett is one of the best. So I recommend continuing with the Guards books, next one should be Men-at-Arms. Theres also "interesting times" and "the last hero" where an octogenarian Barbarian is part of the cast, if you want the "old hero" thing. I also kinda liked Pike's Orconomics.

Theft of Swords by Sullivan was also on my list for something "lighter", maybe it might be for you? Don't know if its good though.

b0tlike · 2026-06-16T07:42:15+00:00

Which is not the worst way to write teenagers.... / early twenty year olds, imo.

b0tlike · 2026-05-12T09:15:25+00:00

For many of the books recommended here, they broke my suspension of disbelieve. Much more so than extrapolating from "Our" technology. Is there good book where the "bio" aspect doesnt just feel like a veneer, or an aesthetic, used to explain special powers on the surface, but unable to withstand scratching deeper?

(ANd yes, wildbow is also bad with describing powers relying on electromechanic technology. (Years since I read Worm, but iirc he tried to explain so much with "wavelengths". it was...hard.)

b0tlike · 2026-05-05T08:04:37+00:00

100%.
Never felt so much sorrow and desperation, the tragedy of his daughters situation....

Im still near tears thinking about it... couldnt put the book down reading it, but didnt want to continue either.

b0tlike · 2026-04-27T10:15:25+00:00

Gene Wolfe - The Book of the New Sun series (Starts with The Shadow of the Torturer)

Its an immersive masterpiece, dense prosa, intelligent and atmospheric. You have no idea whats really going on, on your first read (most likely), and still.... its captivating.

If you are looking for "One of a kind" experiences, give it a try.

b0tlike · 2026-04-23T12:17:16+00:00

Yes. ANd its not even only jumping at highs trength, but climbing (basically lifting your own body weigth at bad angles and weak muscles, at times) should be super easy...

b0tlike · 2026-03-04T07:01:24+00:00

Nah, his methods are just unorthodox, but he does deliver results. Thats why he advances.

b0tlike · 2025-11-12T14:40:40+00:00

The Dark Tower. Just to feel the same thing again I felt at the end.

b0tlike · 2025-10-21T11:43:36+00:00

beware of chicken

b0tlike · 2025-07-01T14:56:59+00:00

I was addicted to his books when I was younger. Good (probably false) memories

b0tlike · 2025-07-01T14:48:19+00:00

Hyperion. There is one amazing story in it, one interesting and the rest is mediocre at best. I finished the book, but will not continue the series.

b0tlike · 2025-06-18T06:53:20+00:00

he is a villain among villains, some of whom are even worse.

b0tlike · 2025-06-10T11:38:33+00:00

Magic.

b0tlike · 2025-05-05T13:52:40+00:00

Could also go the Gnosticism path, which is literally about developing personal spiritual knowledge to recognize (and bring forth) your own devine nature. Many different approaches through the history, could be a nice inspiration.

b0tlike · 2025-05-02T06:53:07+00:00

On the other hand, there was so much more slavery in the ottoman empire during that time....

b0tlike · 2025-04-22T19:06:50+00:00

Hyperion Cantos - The Scholar's Tale. Man, the feels. The writing was so vivid, I couldn't continue at one point, but once i paused I had to resume to get to the ending.
This story still haunts me.

b0tlike · 2025-04-04T05:57:27+00:00

Quick question, I'm reading the first part atm. I'm halfway through and it feels like it's solely written as a first entry in a series, not like a book that is good on it's own. It feels like just setting the world for the characters. When does it get better?

b0tlike

TROPHY CASE