
The Grey Bastards
A Novel
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Narrated by:
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Will Damron
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By:
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Jonathan French
About this listen
“[A] fantasy masterwork.... A dirty, blood-soaked gem of a novel [that reads] like Mad Max set in Tolkien's Middle Earth. A fantasy masterwork." (Kirkus Reviews - starred review)
Jackal and his fellow half-orcs patrol the barren wastes of the Lot Lands, spilling their own damned blood to keep civilized folk safe. A rabble of hard-talking, hog-riding, whore-mongering brawlers they may be, but the Bastards are Jackal's sworn brothers, fighting at his side in a land where there's no room for softness.
And once Jackal's in charge - as soon as he can unseat the Bastards' tyrannical, seemingly unkillable founder - there's a few things they'll do different. Better.
Or at least, that's the plan. Until the fallout from a deadly showdown makes Jackal start investigating the Lot Lands for himself. Soon, he's wondering if his feelings have blinded him to ugly truths about this world and the Bastards' place in it.
In a quest for answers that takes him from decaying dungeons to the front lines of an ancient feud, Jackal finds himself battling invading orcs, rampaging centaurs, and grubby human conspiracies alike - along with a host of dark magics so terrifying they'd give even the heartiest Bastard pause.
Finally, Jackal must ride to confront a threat that's lain in wait for generations, even as he wonders whether the Bastards can - or should - survive.
Delivered with a generous wink to Sons of Anarchy, featuring sneaky-smart worldbuilding and gobs of fearsomely foul-mouthed charm, The Grey Bastards is a grimy, pulpy, masterpiece - and a raunchy, swaggering, cunningly clever adventure that's like nothing you've heard before.
Praise for The Grey Bastards“Saddle up the war boar and set off on a wild, gory thrill-ride that ends in an awesome climax and begs for a sequel.” (Daily Mail, UK)
“Non-stop action, though not for faint hearts.... The Grey Bastards live up to their name in all respects.” (The Wall Street Journal)
©2018 Jonathan French (P)2018 Random House AudioListeners also enjoyed...
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Critic reviews
"A filthy, charismatic and frankly excellent read." (Mark Lawrence, international best-selling author of Prince of Thorns and Red Sister)
“A funny thing happens when reading The Grey Bastards. You’re rolling along, smiling at the novelties on display, but then, almost without warning, you find yourself truly in the world French has created, and it all becomes wonderfully familiar and convincing. The world-building creates exactly the kind of seamless transition that makes fantasy literature compelling, informative, and just plain fun.” (R.A. Salvatore, New York Times best-selling author of The Legend of Drizzt)
"French flips the fantasy script as the monsters become the good guys, fueling an action-packed, sneakily smart adventure. Half orc and all badass, Jackal is a hero you won't soon forget." (Scott Sigler, New York Times best-selling author of Alive and Infected)
"Refashions high-fantasy tropes into something both vibrant and highly entertaining..a fantasy take on Sons of Anarchy might seem an unlikely starting point for an excellent novel, but Jonathan French manages it with considerable aplomb." (Anthony Ryan, New York Times best-selling author of the Raven's Shadow trilogy)
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In just over a year’s time, Ryia Cautella has already earned herself a reputation as the quickest, deadliest blade in the dockside city of Carrowwick - not to mention the sharpest tongue. But Ryia Cautella is not her real name. For the past six years, a deadly secret has kept her in hiding, running from town to town, doing whatever it takes to stay one step ahead of the formidable Guildmaster - the sovereign ruler of the five kingdoms of Thamorr. No matter how far or fast she travels, his servants never fail to track her down...but even the most powerful men can be defeated.
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Back alleys & backstabbing = bollicking good times
- By 🔥 Phx17 🔥 on 07-17-22
By: M. J. Kuhn
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We Are the Dead
- The Last War Trilogy
- By: Mike Shackle
- Narrated by: Nicola Bryant
- Length: 18 hrs and 6 mins
- Unabridged
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Jia's people learned the hard way that there are no second chances. The Egril, their ancient enemy, struck with magic so devastating that Jia's armies were wiped out. Now terror reigns in the streets, and friend turns on friend just to live another day. Somehow Tinnstra - a deserter, a failure, nothing but a coward - survived. She wants no more than to hide from the chaos. But dragged into a desperate plot to retake Jia, surrounded by people willing to do anything to win the fight, this time Tinnstra will need to do more than hide.
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Criminally Underrated Gem in a world of Dark Fantasy
- By Nic on 04-24-23
By: Mike Shackle
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The Court of Broken Knives
- By: Anna Smith Spark
- Narrated by: Colin Mace, Meriel Rosenkranz
- Length: 16 hrs and 36 mins
- Unabridged
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It is the richest empire the world has ever known, and it is also doomed - but only one man can see it. Haunted by prophetic dreams, Orhan has hired a company of soldiers to cross the desert to reach the capital city. Once they enter the palace, they have one mission: Kill the emperor, then all those who remain. Only from the ashes can a new empire be built. The company is a group of good, ordinary soldiers for whom this is a mission like any other. But the strange boy Marith who walks among them is no ordinary soldier.
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Beautiful prose, beautifully narrated.
- By superstardrifter on 09-28-17
By: Anna Smith Spark
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Where Loyalties Lie
- Best Laid Plans, Book 1
- By: Rob J. Hayes
- Narrated by: Matthew Jackson
- Length: 13 hrs and 4 mins
- Unabridged
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As the fires of a dying city burn on a distant shore, Drake sees an opportunity to unite the other pirate captains under his flag and claim himself a crown. If he is to succeed he will need allies and credibility. Who better than gentleman pirate, Keelin Stillwater, renowned for taking ships without bloodshed, as well as his skill with a sword. Enemy ships sail their waters, setting the Pirate Isles ablaze. The sinister Tanner Black threatens to steal the throne before Drake has even sat in it....
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Some of the best fantasy of the past decade
- By C.T. on 08-16-19
By: Rob J. Hayes
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The Dungeoneers
- By: Jeffery Russell
- Narrated by: Faust Kells
- Length: 7 hrs and 25 mins
- Unabridged
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After five years as a city guard, Durham's horizontal career trajectory adds a corkscrew when a mis-delivered order assigns him to caravan duty for an eclectic group of dwarves who hire themselves out as professional dungeoneers. No ruler wants to leave a powerful magical weapon lying about in a dungeon where just any prophesied upstart can stumble across it and use it to overthrow the kingdom. That's where the dungeoneers come in.
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Get past the narrator and the story is great
- By Peter on 12-05-15
By: Jeffery Russell
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The Complete Rhenwars Saga
- An Epic Fantasy Pentalogy
- By: ML Spencer
- Narrated by: Simon Wright
- Length: 61 hrs and 14 mins
- Unabridged
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The Well of Tears was created to harness the power of the Netherworld to prevent a magical apocalypse. Now Darien Lauchlin is the last surviving mage capable of reversing the destruction the Well unleashed. Darien will be forced to sacrifice everything of himself and everyone around him—all to preserve a nation of people who despise him.
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Good but confusing story.
- By Ben P. on 12-05-22
By: ML Spencer
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Nightstrider
- Nightstrider, Book 1
- By: Sophia Slade
- Narrated by: Honey St. Dennis
- Length: 13 hrs and 24 mins
- Unabridged
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Wren is a nightmare: a deadly manifestation of the frightening dreams of humans. She is forever bound to the insidious Para Warwick, the only night creature who can cross the boundary between the dream and waking realms. When she fails to retrieve information on a weapon that could finally end Warwick’s reign and is severely punished, she makes a snap decision to aid the growing rebellion in finding it. Here, she meets Alaric, another nightmare hell-bent on atoning for his sins. Though wildly suspicious of one another, they form a tentative pact to take down Warwick once and for all.
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Five stars!
- By Amazon Customer on 10-10-24
By: Sophia Slade
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The Emperor's Blades
- Chronicle of the Unhewn Throne, Book 1
- By: Brian Staveley
- Narrated by: Simon Vance
- Length: 19 hrs and 22 mins
- Unabridged
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The emperor of Annur is dead, slain by enemies unknown. His daughter and two sons, scattered across the world, do what they must to stay alive and unmask the assassins. But each of them also has a life-path on which their father set them, destinies entangled with both ancient enemies and inscrutable gods.
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4 Primary Crimes Committed By The Author
- By Captain Spanky Of Nazareth on 05-09-16
By: Brian Staveley
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Heroes Die
- The First of the Acts of Caine
- By: Matthew Stover
- Narrated by: Stefan Rudnicki
- Length: 22 hrs and 28 mins
- Unabridged
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Renowned throughout the land of Ankhana as the Blade of Tyshalle, Caine has killed his share of monarchs and commoners, villains and heroes. He is relentless, unstoppable, simply the best there is at what he does. At home on Earth, Caine is Hari Michaelson, a superstar whose adventures in Ankhana command an audience of billions.
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Don't Let the Cover Turn You Off
- By Paul on 08-13-12
By: Matthew Stover
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The Black Company
- Chronicles of The Black Company, Book 1
- By: Glen Cook
- Narrated by: Marc Vietor
- Length: 10 hrs and 54 mins
- Unabridged
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Some feel the Lady, newly risen from centuries in thrall, stands between humankind and evil. Some feel she is evil itself. The hardbitten men of the Black Company take their pay and do what they must, burying their doubts with their dead - until the prophesy: The White Rose has been reborn, somewhere, to embody good once more. There must be a way for the Black Company to find her....
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Hard Boiled Morally Ambiguous Epic Fantasy
- By Jefferson on 03-18-11
By: Glen Cook
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Savage Legion
- Savage Rebellion
- By: Matt Wallace
- Narrated by: Lameece Issaq
- Length: 15 hrs and 20 mins
- Unabridged
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They call them Savages. Brutal. Efficient. Expendable. The empire relies on them. The Savages are the greatest weapon they ever developed. Culled from the streets of their cities, they take the ones no one will miss and throw them, by the thousands, at the empire’s enemies. Evie is not a Savage. She’s a warrior with a mission: to find the man she once loved, the man who holds the key to exposing the secret of the Savage Legion and ending the mass conscription of the empire’s poor and wretched. But to find him, she must become one of them....
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It could have been good, but wasn't
- By M. Wightman on 09-20-21
By: Matt Wallace
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Along the Razor's Edge
- The War Eternal, Book 1
- By: Rob J. Hayes
- Narrated by: Moira Quirk
- Length: 12 hrs and 5 mins
- Unabridged
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At just 15, Eskara Helsene fought in the greatest war mankind has ever known - and lost. There is only one place her enemies would send a Sourcerer as powerful as her: the Pit, a prison sunk so deep into the earth the sun is a distant memory. Now, she finds herself stripped of her magic; a young girl surrounded by thieves, murderers, and worse. In order to survive she will need to make new allies, play the inmates against each other, and find a way out. Her enemies will soon find out that Eskara is not so easily broken.
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Old lady rolls her eyes at past self.
- By mat on 12-23-20
By: Rob J. Hayes
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Incursion
- The Necromancer's Key, Book 1
- By: Mitchell Hogan
- Narrated by: Michael Kramer
- Length: 15 hrs and 30 mins
- Unabridged
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Seventeen years have passed since the Necromancer Queen Talia was overthrown and slain, and her capital city destroyed by the Knights of the Order of Eternal Vigilance. Anskar DeVantte, raised in the sacred disciplines of the Order, is now ready to face the brutal initiation trials to become a consecrated knight-sorcerer. But the further Anskar rises in the ranks the more his faith wavers. As troubling powers awaken within him, a schism grows between Anskar and his hallowed Order, and he draws the hungry gaze of the vanquished queen’s fanatical followers.
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Michael Kramer!
- By Momof3inSLC on 07-24-20
By: Mitchell Hogan
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Of Blood and Fire
- The Bound and the Broken, Book 1
- By: Ryan Cahill
- Narrated by: Derek Perkins
- Length: 16 hrs and 23 mins
- Unabridged
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Epheria is a land divided by war and mistrust. The High Lords of the South squabble and fight, only kept in check by the Dragonguard, traitors of a time long past, who serve the empire of the North. In the remote villages of Southern Epheria, still reeling from the tragic loss of his brother, Calen Bryer prepares for The Proving - a test of courage and skill that not all survive. But when three strangers arrive in the village of Milltown, with a secret they are willing to die for, Calen’s world is ripped from under him and he is thrust headfirst into a war.
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Didn’t expect a “grow up power fantasy”
- By Mike Thomas on 07-23-22
By: Ryan Cahill
What listeners say about The Grey Bastards
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- zach
- 06-22-18
Flawless
most days, after a long day in the salt mines the only thing I want to put in my ears is grandmother's icepick. I then found The Grey Bastards and now there are two things. for fans of Joe Abercrombie, Scott Lynch, Sam Sykes, and any other authors of dark, gritty fantasy with. an oxcart full of black humor and well defined and represented characters. this nifty collection of words elicited many genuine LOLs from me and I quickly became invested in these wonderfully unique half orc antiheros. Author has created a refreshingly new fantasy world that I can not get enough of. buy this book.
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18 people found this helpful
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- Pam W
- 05-01-20
Get ready for a wild ride!
What a wild hog ride this story is. Lots of raunchy fun, intermingled with political power plays, and deception galore.
I can say I can't remember a slow spot in this uniquely original escape from reality. How can I explain a book about half-orcs riding around on hogs, supposedly protecting the lands from invading orcs and centaurs. Adding to that a dubious wizard, a captive elf girl, a plague ridden chieftain, some of the foulest-mouthed dialogue I've heard, and ending up with a memorable tale you just have to experience.
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1 person found this helpful
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- Kat's account
- 09-23-18
different and very good!
The tagline caught my eye for a book for my boyfriend. A chapter in, he insisted I listen too. I'm very glad I did.
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- Colt
- 04-08-19
Agitating yet Great and Gritty
Very fun and exciting! loved it! only reason I didn't give 5 stars was that I felt there were a few minor plot holes. The gritty and grim humor was my favorite part. Unfortunately though, I predicted most of the small character outcomes. Although one character threw me a loop and blindsided me. That being said I cant wait for the next one!
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- Jacob Dalton Farr
- 05-24-21
Started as a good time, ended up crying multiple times.
I thought this book would be a romp and I feel hoodwinked from have ended up with a very emotionally compelling story and a set of characters that I am wholly invested in.
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5 people found this helpful
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- Willis Burns
- 10-09-19
Glad I stuck it out
I wasn't going to finish this one. I wasn't into it. The first couple hours were tedious. But loved the cover. I loved the concept, so I stuck it out and I am glad I did!
Ready for book 2.
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2 people found this helpful
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- Mojotide
- 07-09-18
What a great book!
Excellent plot, intriguing characters, I am now a fan of Mr. French. A must read for gritty fantasy fans.
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- DrEHarris
- 10-07-24
Above average fantasy
Battle descriptions remind me of warhammer fantasy tabletop game. Characters are decent. Some interesting ideas and twists in the mysteries. A lot of generic fantasy (d&d) races and concepts but some new ideas too.
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- BikeVON
- 06-21-20
Masterful, riveting, exciting
In ‘The Grey Bastards’, Jonathan French has built us a world that is harsh to the inhabitants and keeps us riveted to the story. The land is populated by orcs, half orcs, centurions, fae, a religious society of humans, and frails (humans). After a great war, the land is divided into lots. Many of the humans live in settlements under the protection of the half orcs.
It is a very male, misogynistic dominated society. The half manta orcs patrol the land boarders and protect the humans from invasions by the orcs and centurions. The life cycle of the society revolves around fighting, riding, mentoring young boys to fight, caring for mounts, strengthening the camaraderie among the riders and sex. Their mantra is live in the saddle, die on the hog. The hog is the beast the warriors ride. There are a lot of dick jokes and the word f**k is used as a verb, noun and adjective. It is a world of brawn vs brains and penises over vaginas.
The main characters are childhood friends Jackal, Fetching and Oats. Jackal is the brains with the desire for change. Oats is the brawn with the size to rival an orc. Fetching is the only female rider and has a take no prisoners attitude. Their actions at a brothel precipitate the story.
It is a fast-paced story with plenty of action, there is all kinds of banter and the plot is not predictable.
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2 people found this helpful
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- Wanderer
- 10-25-20
“This is the buzz you are looking for!”
A fresh take on old tropes — not an easy task. Mr. French delivers with a story that is both creative and well-told.
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1 person found this helpful