A fitting finish to an epic series -- continues epic, and returns to Oat's point of view. Somehow I didn't expect that this series would have serious themes in amongst the non-stop action and adventure, but it consistently addresses racism, classism, the trauma of poverty and oppression and the growth that is sometimes needed to choose your own path. you know, just with Orcs and violence and wonderful pigs and massive amounts of cursing. Still awesome.

Advanced Reader's copy provided by Edelweiss. ( )

The Free Bastards
(The Lot Lands #3)
by Jonathan French

The first book of the series is one of my favorite books ever! The second one was was excellent too! When I was offered to read this one I was on Cloud 9 for days! This is a series that most people would not associate with me. It's brutal, harsh, foul, violent, but absolutely brilliant! It has orcs, half-orcs who are the main characters, elves, cyclops, minotaurs, wizards, magic, humans, a demon, and more.

The half-orcs are not wanted by man or orcs so the are pushed off to the poorer lands called the lots. They ride big wild hogs as big and vicious as the men and women who ride them. But the half-orcs love their beasts! They are family to them.

This last book centers around a handful of characters we have followed since they were slops (just caring for the hogs and not yet riders). Now they are seasoned warriors. They go through so much in this book! There's a prison break, water/sea battle, and battle against a wizard and demon! They are betrayed numerous times and even in the hands of an evil Queen at one time! It's unpredictable! Besides the terrific characters, suspense, the witty dialogue, great world building, and fantasy, there is some great lines that really stand out. I can't share because I had an arc.

I think this book brings out more of the tenderness beneath the rough exterior more than the other books. It is told from Oat's POV but even from there we see the tenderness, caring, softness of the hoof ( their group). Never thought I would say that about these warriors!

I have to say, I was touched many times during this book. I often just enjoy the book and move on. This book had many parts that continued to linger in my mind.

I want to thank the publisher and NetGalley for letting me read this wonderful, brutal, fantastic book! Oh, and love the incredible cover!

Live in the saddle! Die on the hog! ( )