Alright, my dice-rolling D&D addicts, here’s another review – this time on Kings of the Wyld by Nicholas Eames. This book felt like something that wants you to feel like you’re back in the glory days of your favorite role-playing campaign. Just imagine if the old band of grizzled mercenaries you’ve long retired in a game of D&D actually came out of retirement to fight… well, a whole mountain of trouble. Sounds awesome, right? Yeah, well, it’s almost as fun as it sounds.

Overall Rating: 3.2
Storyline: 3.5
Writing Style: 3.0
Character Depth: 3.2

Synopsis
Meet Clay Cooper, a mercenary who has long traded in the sword and shield for a quiet life. That is, until his old buddy Gabriel shows up with a big favor to ask (doesn’t it always start like that?). Gabe wants to get “the band” back together to save his daughter from a siege of monsters that would give D&D’s Monster Manual a run for its money. Cue the dad rock, because Clay reluctantly agrees, and they set off to reunite the old crew. The only problem? This is a band that should have retired long ago. Eames throws us into a chaotic world of monsters, mercenaries, and seriously messed-up humor as these washed-up warriors try to pull off one last impossible mission.

My Thoughts
Alright, let’s address the gnoll in the room: it’s a blast to watch a bunch of aging, grumbling mercs pretend they’re still in their prime, cracking jokes while they pull muscles. But does it hit? Not quite. I mean, sure, it’s a good time, and there’s an undeniable charm in watching these guys navigate a fantasy world filled with enough D&D references to make the average tabletop gamer feel right at home. And yeah, the “getting the gang back together” theme is as warm and cozy as a fireball spell on a cold winter night.

But here’s the rub: I never really connected to the characters. They’re funny, they’re rowdy, and their banter’s top-notch, but they never quite left me caring all that much about what happened to them. Clay and his buddies feel like they’re more there for the laughs than for any deep emotional arc, which isn’t bad per se, but it means the stakes don’t feel all that… stake-y. It’s like watching a heist movie with all the jokes and none of the tension. Not exactly a page-turner, but hey, if you like to chuckle, you’ll get your fill.

And let’s talk world-building. The land is crawling with monsters straight out of a D&D campaign (think manticores, drakes, and trolls, oh my), and the cities and landscapes are as rough-and-tumble as our protagonists. It’s fun, but don’t expect Tolkien-level detail here. This world is more of a backdrop for a bunch of scrappy guys with gray hair and dad bods swinging swords and slinging insults.

The Verdict
So, if you’re in the mood for some laughs, monster battles, and a bit of that nostalgic “one last adventure” vibe, Kings of the Wyld delivers. It’s like a bar brawl where no one really gets hurt, but everyone has a good time. It’s DnD-heavy, sure, and there’s a fun camaraderie among the characters, but it lacks the depth that makes you truly invested in the story. Worth a read if you’re a die-hard fantasy fan or if you love your protagonists a bit past their prime—but don’t expect it to leave you with any lasting feels.