Book description
The True Bastards by Jonathan French
Leadership is a dirty business. Fetching knows this better than most.
French builds on the foundation laid in The Grey Bastards with surgical precision. The Lot Lands feel lived-in, worn down by years of conflict and scarcity. His half-orcs aren't noble savages or cartoon villains-they're survivors scraping by on stubbornness and violence.
What sets this apart is how French handles power dynamics. Fetching's rise from rider to leader isn't painted as heroic. She's exhausted, constantly second-guessed, and fighting against both external enemies and internal dissent. The weight of command shows in every decision, every compromise.
The audiobook format serves French's prose well. His dialogue crackles with authenticity-gritted teeth and bitter humor. Narration captures the harsh cadence of life in the Lots without overplaying the brutality.
Character development feels organic rather than forced. Fetching's struggles with authority mirror the broader themes of legitimacy and belonging that run throughout the narrative. Supporting characters earn their moments without overshadowing the central conflict.
French excels at world-building through implication. He trusts readers to piece together the larger picture from fragments-old grudges, half-remembered histories, whispered rumors. This approach makes the setting feel expansive without info-dumping.
The plot moves with purpose. Political maneuvering blends seamlessly with action sequences. When violence erupts, it matters. Stakes feel real because consequences linger.
The True Bastards succeeds as both sequel and standalone story. New readers can jump in without feeling lost. Returning fans will appreciate how French deepens existing relationships while expanding the scope of the conflict.
This isn't comfort food fantasy. It's lean, mean, and occasionally brilliant. French writes like someone who understands that the best stories come from characters who have everything to lose and nothing left to give.
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Playing a wide variety of audio formats
Works on all devices with iOS 13 and newer
Huge amount of features for a small price
Frequent updates to add new features and improve existing ones
Advanced playback controls
Live sound processing
Changing the timbre of the reader's voice and noise reduction
Translated into more than 20 languages
If you love listening to fiction audiobooks, ListenBook has features to make the process easier.
Edit book data: title, author, cover
Use equalizer to make the sound comfortable for you
Adjust the playback speed
Enjoy dark and light app themes
Supported formats: MP3, M4B, AWB, FLAC, OGG audio files and many more (must be DRM free)
Auto-Bookmarks make it easy to find your place
AirPlay support allows redirection of audio output.
VoiceOver support
Dark mode for night owls
Convenient bookmarking system helps you mark the most important places.
Unlimited bookmarks for each audiobook
Put your own cover on the wager
Share your audiobook with friends
Lock-screen control
Customise app with extensive options
Sleep timer with shake to reset, set custom notification sounds, and a few unique options
Auto rewind depending on paused time, customize rewind times to your liking
Removing background noise from recordings made in classrooms and meetings
Changing the timbre of the reader's voice for a better listening experience